A17385:1572
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
Exposition of chapter 1 › Verse 16. Because it is written, be ye holy as I am holy.
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 concerning the proof of doctrine in Scripture, we must observe: 1. That the testimony of God only is authentical. 2. That a divine testimony now adays is no where to be had, but in the Scripture. 3. The testimony of Scripture is sufficient for all things needful to salvation, 2 Tim. 3. 4. That we, both Ministers and people, should have recourse to the Scriptures for warrant for what we teach, believe, or do: For if Christ and the Apostles, men privileged from error, do yet for honours sake allege the testimony of Scripture; then much more ought we to have recourse to what is written, seeing we can have no assurance that we err not, but as we are warranted by the Word. Thus of the first point.
Now concerning the proofe of doctrine in Scripture, we must observe: 1. That the testimony of God onely is authenticall. 2. That a divine testimony now adaies is no where to be had, but in the Scripture. 3. The testimony of Scripture is sufficient for all things needfull to salvation, 2 Tim. 3. 4. That we, both Ministers and people, should have recourse to the Scriptures for warrant for what we teach, beleeve, or doe: For if Christ and the Apostles, men priviledged from error, doe yet for honors sake alledge the testimony of Scripture; then much more ought we to have recourse to what is written, seeing we can have no assurance that we erre not, but as wee are warranted by the Word. Thus of the first point.
Now for the second point: Inasmuch as the proofs are taken out of the Old Testament, it shows the wonderful harmony and agreement between the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament; and that the Old Testament is to be acknowledged of equal authority with the New. Hence it i•, that the quotations of authorities out of the Old Testament are so frequent: for there are above 260. places of the Old Testament cited in the New; so as there is almost no point of doctrine needful to salvation, but the harmony of the Old Testament and the New is expressed: yea hence it is, that there are very few books of the Old Testament, but they are cited in the New: amongst the historical books, I except Judges, Ruth, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther: amongst the Prophets I except Obadiah and Nahum: amongst the dogmatical books I except Ecclesiastes and Canticles: else proofs are taken out of all the rest, and very frequent out of many of them, as the Psalms are cited 53 times,