A17385:1539
A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle general of St.…A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle generall of St.…
A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle general of St. Peter Wherein are most judiciously and profitably handled such points of doctrine as naturally flow from the text. Together with a very useful application thereof: and many good rules for a godly life. By Nicholas Byfield preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in Middlesex. To which is now newly added an alphabetical table, not formerly published.A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle generall of St. Peter VVherin are most judiciously and profitably handled such points of doctrine as naturally flow from the text. Together with a very usefull application thereof: and many good rules for a godly life. By Nicholas Byfield preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in Middlesex. To which is now newly added an alphabeticall table, not formerly published.
London: printed by Miles Flesher and Robert Young, 1637
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Now the holiness of God that we are to imitate, is both that holiness which God hath conceived in the pattern expressed in the word, and also that which is in the nature of God, as it is described in the word. There is also a holiness of works in God which we must imitate: I mean of particular works, as in carriage toward enemies, Mat. 5. in mercy, Luk. 6. in love, Eph. 5.1. and thus as children we should imitate the holy nature, as it were of our heavenly Father.
Now the holinesse of God that we are to imitate, is both that holinesse which God hath conceived in the patterne exprest in the word, and also that which is in the nature of God, as it is described in the word. There is also a holinesse of works in God which we must imitate: I mean of particular works, as in carriage toward enemies, Mat. 5. in mercy, Luk. 6. in love, Eph. 5.1. and thus as children we should imitate the holy nature, as it were of our heavenly Father.
Now by the way we must know, that God is not holy by any legal holiness as men are: that is, his holiness stands: not in the observation of any law given by any other, but is himself the rule of all holiness: so as things are not first holy, and then God doth them; but God doth them, and therefore they are holy. Thus of the second thing. The third follows, viz. how we must imitate God in holiness, viz. in being holy in all manner of conversation.
Now by the way we must know, that God is not holy by any legall holinesse as men are: that is, his holinesse stands: not in the observation of any law given by any other, but is himselfe the rule of all holinesse: so as things are not first holy, and then God doth them; but God doth them, and therefore they are holy. Thus of the second thing. The third followes, viz. how we must imitate God in holinesse, viz. in being holy in all manner of conversation.