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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.…

Name: A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle general of St.…
Author: Nicholas Byfield

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.

:1542p. 122¶3

3. If Christians want holiness, the fault is in themselves; for he saith, be ye holy, implying, if they be not so, it is because they are careless, and will not labour for it; and great reason the blame should lie upon us, if we will still neglect sanctification.

3. If Christians want holinesse, the fault is in themselves; for he saith, be ye holy, implying, if they be not so, it is because they are carelesse, and will not labour for it; and great reason the blame should lie upon us, if wee will still neglect sanctification.

:1543p. 122¶1

1. Having such a great recompense of reward set before us.

1. Having such a great recompence of reward set before us.

:1544p. 122¶2

2. Having so matchless and perfect a rule, and canon of holiness written in the word of God to direct us.

2. Having so matchlesse and perfect a rule, and canon of holinesse written in the word of God to direct us.

:1545p. 122¶3

3. Having our natures by regeneration in part healed, and freedom of will in part restored; so as no•, if we be not holy, it is because we will not be holy.

3. Having our natures by regeneration in part healed, and freedome of will in part restored; so as no•, if wee be not holy, it is because wee will not be holy.

:1546p. 122–123¶4

4. Having such mighty helps, as are ⟨p. 123⟩1. The assistance and supply of the spirit of grace within us.¹ 2. Prayer, with a promise of granting whatsoever we ask. 3. Guides and spiritual Pastors to oversee and direct us. 4. A cloud of witnesses, even the examples of the godly of all sorts. 5. Such acceptation with God, if we be willing, and love to be his servants, Act. 10.36. But of this in the next point.

4. Having such mighty helps, as are ⟨p. 123⟩1. The assistance and supply of the spirit of grace within us.¹ 2. Prayer, with a promise of granting whatsoever we aske. 3. Guides and spirituall Pastors to oversee and direct us. 4. A cloud of witnesses, even the examples of the godly of all sorts. 5. Such acceptation with God, if we be willing, and love to be his servants, Act. 10.36. But of this in the next point.

1Who helps to […].Who h•lps to 〈…〉.

:1547p. 123¶4

4. Here is implied, how infinitely kind God is in accepting our holy endeavours, if we desire to be holy in all our conversation, he will account it to be holy as he is holy; and yet alas it comes ten thousand degrees short of the holiness of God; yea far short of what it should be: yea, which is more, of what it might be in us.

4. Here is implyed, how infinitely kinde God is in accepting our holy endevours, if we desire to be holy in all our conversation, he will account it to be holy as he is holy; and yet alas it comes ten thousand degrees short of the holinesse of God; yea far short of what it should be: yea, which is more, of what it might be in us.

:1548p. 123¶5

5. The image of God is in conversation, as well as nature: we resemble God not only in the renovation of our nature, but in the renewed actions also: so then we bear Gods image, 1. In nature. 2. In action or obedience. Of this later here.

5. The image of God is in conversation, as well as nature: we resemble God not onely in the renovation of our nature, but in the renewed actions also: so then we beare Gods image, 1. In nature. 2. In action or obedience. Of this later here.

:1549p. 123¶6

6. A Christian should be especially careful of his outward conversation, even to show forth the light of good works and holy carriage before men. We should be exceeding careful to express holiness in conversing one with another.

6. A Christian should be especially carefull of his outward conversation, even to shew forth the light of good works and holy carriage before men. Wee should be exceeding carefull to expresse holinesse in conversing one with another.

:1550p. 123§7

There are many motives.¹

112 Motives to holy conversation.12 M•tives to holy conversation.

:1551p. 123§7

1. We are Gods witnesses, 2 Tim. 2.2. 2. Tis a good profession, 2 Tim. 2.2. 3. There are many witnesses to observe us, 2 Tim. 2.2. 4. Carnal men are crooked and perverse, Phil. 2.16. 5. A holy conversation will silence foolish men, 1 Pet. 2.15. 6. It will bring much glory to our heavenly Father, Mat. 5. 7. It proves our justification, and foretells our salvation. 8. To walk upright is to walk safely, Prov. 9. Tis as it were to live in heaven, Phil. 3.20. 10. It will support us in wrongs & adversity, Act. 23.1.2 Cor. 1.12. 11. It will show our knowledge is not idle, 2 Pet. 1.8. 12. It furthers our reckoning, and provides us acceptation in the day of death and judgement, 2 Pet. 3.11. Rev. 14.13.

1. We are Gods witnesses, 2 Tim. 2.2. 2. Tis a good profession, 2 Tim. 2.2. 3. There are many witnesses to observe us, 2 Tim. 2.2. 4. Carnall men are crooked and perverse,

:1552p. 123¶7

7. If we would be holy as God is holy, we must be holy in all conversation, that is, we must show respect to all the commandments of God; we must show a care of religion, as well as virtue: of godliness, as well as honesty: of mercy, as well as just dealing: to enemies, as well as friends: at home as well as abroad: toward inferiors as well as superiors: in prosperity as well as adversity: in all companies as well as one, &c. Mark it in the trial of our selves: by this doctrine we may know infallibly, whether we be called, or bear the image of God or no: for if there be any one sin that we will not forsake, or any one commandment we are not desirous to obey, it will prove all is n•ught in us, Heb. 13.18.

7. If we would be holy as God is holy, we must be holy in all conversation, that is, we must shew respect to all the commandements of God; wee must shew a care of religion, as well as vertue: of godlinesse, as well as honesty: of mercy, as well as just dealing: to enemies, as well as friends: at home as well as abroad: toward inferiors as well as superiors: in prosperity as well as adversity: in all companies as well as one, &c. Mark it in the tryall of our selves: by this doctrine we may know infallibly, whether wee be called, or beare the image of God or no: for if there be any one sinne that we will not forsake, or any one commandment we are not desirous to obey, it will prove all is n•ught in us, Heb. 13.18.

:1553p. 123¶8

8. Lastly, we must here further observe, that if we would have comfort that we bear the image of Gods holiness, we must be careful of the manner of our conversation, as well as the matter. For though these words • all manner may note the extent unto the matter of all holiness: yet there is no evident reason why a great part of the meaning of the holy Ghost, should not be restrained to the manner, as the word sounds.¹ Now there are divers things in the manner of our conversation to be observed for the resembling of Gods holiness.

8. Lastly, we must here further observe, that if we would have comfort that we beare the image of Gods holinesse, we must be carefull of the manner of our conversation, as well as the matter. For though these words • all manner may note the extent unto the matter of all holinesse: yet there is no evident reason why a great part of the meaning of the holy Ghost, should not be restrained to the manner, as the word sounds.¹ Now there are divers things in the manner of our conversation to be observed for the resembling of Gods holinesse.

1[…].〈…〉.

:1554p. 123¶1

1. The first is godly pureness; we must in our conversation show respect of God and godliness, and keep our selves from the impurities of the times, and watch against sin in all our ways, 2 Cor. 1.12.

1. The first is godly purenesse; we must in our conversation shew respect of God and godlinesse, and keep our selves from the impurities of the times, and watch against sin in all our waies, 2 Cor. 1.12.

:1555p. 124¶2

2. The second is simplicity, or holy harmlessness, as it is opposed to fraud, and fleshly wisdom, and shows it self in a plain and evident desire to do what God requires, though it be never so much scorned in the world, 2 Cor. 11.3 . & 1.12.

2. The second is simplicity, or holy harmlesnesse, as it is opposed to fraud, and fleshly wisdome, and shews it selfe in a plaine and evident desire to doe what God requires, though it be never so much scorned in the world, 2 Cor. 11.3 . & 1.12.

:1556p. 124¶3

3. The third is preciseness or circumspection, making conscience of lesser sins as well as greater, and avoiding the appearances and occasions of evils, as well as the evils themselves, Eph. 5.15.

3. The third is precisenesse or circumspection, making conscience of lesser sins as well as greater, and avoiding the appearances and occasions of evils, as well as the evils themselves, Eph. 5.15.

:1557p. 124¶4

4. Conversation in heaven, which is so to use the world, as to let our hearts still run upon God and his Kingdom, directing all our actions some way to further that end, Phil. 3.20.

4. Conversation in heaven, which is so to use the world, as to let our hearts still run upon God and his Kingdome, directing all our actions some way to further that end, Phil. 3.20.

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36