Filter authors and titles

A17385:1580

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.

:1580p. 126

Verse 17. And if you call him Father, which without respect of person judgeth according to every mans work, pass the time of your dwelling here in fear.

Verse 17. And if you call him Father, which without respect of person judgeth according to every mans worke, passe the time of your dwelling here in feare.

:1581p. 126

Hitherto of the first reason. The second reason to enforce the exhortation in the 13. verse, is here taken from the consideration of Gods judgement: The time must certainly come, that we must appear before the Tribunal of God, & receive reward or punishment according to our works, and therefore it stands us upon with all care and fear to carry our selves so reservedly and holily, as in that day we may have comfort and reward.

HItherto of the first reason. The second reason to inforce the exhortation in the 13. verse, is here taken from the consideration of Gods judgement: The time must certainly come, that we must appeare before the Tribunall of God, & receive reward or punishment according to our works, and therefore it stands us upon with all care and feare to carry our selves so reservedly and holily, as in that day we may have comfort and reward.

:1582p. 126

In the words two things may be noted. 1. The proposition of the reason. 2. The inference or the conclusion of it; or, here is the doctrine and the use of it. The proposition of the doctrine is, He whom we call Father, or call upon as a Father, shall without respect of persons judge every man according to his works. The inference or use is, therefore we should pass the time of our dwelling here in fear. In the proposition concerning the last judgment, observe; 1. who shall be the Judge, viz. God the Father, whom we call upon. 2. How will he judge, viz. without respect of persons. 3. Whom he will judge, viz. every man. 4. For what they shall be judged, viz. according to their works.

In the words two things may be noted. 1. The proposition of the reason. 2. The inference or the conclusion of it; or, here is the doctrine and the use of it. The proposition of the doctrine is, He whom we call Father, or call upon as a Father, shall without respect of persons judge every man according to his works. The inference or use is, therefore wee should passe the time of our dwelling here in feare. In the proposition concerning the last judgment, observe; 1. who shall be the Judge, viz. God the Father, whom we call upon. 2. How will he judge, viz. without respect of persons. 3. Whom hee will judge, viz. every man. 4. For what they shall be judged, viz. according to their works.

:1583p. 126

In the setting down of the first point, both matter and manner are to be observed: The matter is, that the same God and Father who is called upon by us, is the judge of the world: The manner o• expressing it, is conditionally, if you call him Father. The words in the original be both ways read: Some read, if you call him Father, and the meaning is not of prayer, but of profession, if you profess God to be your Father. Some read it, if you call on the Father, that is, if in prayer you go unto God the Father with your requests: so the Kings Translators read it, and so I think it is most agreeable to the intent of the Apostle in this place.

In the setting downe of the first point, both matter and manner are to be observed: The matter is, that the same God and Father who is called upon by us, is the judge of the world: The manner o• expressing it, is conditionally, if you call him Father. The words in the originall be both waies read: Some reade, if you call him Father, and the meaning is not of prayer, but of profession, if you professe God to be your Father. Some reade it, if you call on the Father, that is, if in prayer you goe unto God the Father with your requests: so the Kings Translators reade it, and so I think it is most agreeable to the intent of the Apostle in this place.

:1584p. 126

If you call on the Father.]

:1585p. 126

Many things may be noted from these words with their coherence.

:1586p. 126¶1

1. That the heart of man is not able to bear the contemplation of the last judgement; nor can we with comfort any way be fitted for it, •ill we know, and by practice and experience do find that God is our Father.

1. That the heart of man is not able to beare the contemp•ation of the last judgement; nor can we with comfort any way be fitted for it, •ill we know, and by practice and experience doe find that God is our Father.

:1587p. 126

¹The Use is, 1. for information: The reason why many are so troubled with the thought of the judgement to come, is the defect of assurance of Gods love as a Father: these fears show weakness of faith, and if they reign constantly, show there is no assurance at all. 2 It should teach us by all means to labour about assurance, that we might with boldness and confidence go unto God, and cry Abba Father.

¹The Use is, 1. for information: The reason why many are so troubled with the thought of the judgement to come, is the defect of assurance of Gods love as a Father: these fears shew weaknesse of faith, and if they raign constantly, shew there is no assurance at all. 2 It should teach us by all means to labour about assurance, that we might with boldnesse and confidence goe unto God, and cry Abba Father.

1Use.Vse.

:1588p. 126¶2

2. That he that is the Father of the Elect, will be the Judge of the world. Though it be hard for a pitiful man to be strict in punishing, yet with God his mercy and justice do not fight one against another.

2. That he that is the Father of the Elect, will be the Judge of the world. Though it be hard for a pittifull man to be strict in punishing, yet with God his mercy and justice doe not fight one against another.

:1589p. 126

¹The Use is to warn wicked men to take heed how they apply the promises and prerogatives of the godly to themselves: for God will certainly judge them according to their estate.

¹The Use is to warne wicked men to take heed how they apply the promises and prerogatives of the godly to themselves: for God will certainely judge them according to their estate.

1Use.Vse.

:1590p. 127¶3

3. Constant prayer is a great means of comfort against the fear of judgement in this life, and against the hurt of it in the last day, Luke 21.34.

3. Constant prayer is a great meanes of comfort against the feare of judgement in this life, and against the hurt of it in the last day, Luke 21.34.

:1591p. 127

The Use is,¹ to show us how we may remedy the fear of death and judgements: much prayer and calling on the Name of God will exceedingly avail.

The Use is,¹ to shew us how wee may remedy the feare of death and judgements: much prayer and calling on the Name of God will exceedingly availe.

1Use.Vse.

:1592p. 127¶4

4. That to call on God as a Father, will not serve turn, unless our practice answer our prayers, unless we pass the time of our sojourning in fear: it is not any pattering our of words will serve the turn, nor praying for customs sake; it must be such a prayer as makes us afraid to sin before such a Father […] such a Judge.

4. That to call on God as a Father, will not serve turne, unlesse our practice answer our prayers, unlesse we passe the time of our sojourning in feare: it is not any pattering our of words will serve the turne, nor praying for customes sake; it must be such a prayer as makes us afraid to sin before such a Father 〈…〉 such a Judge.

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

Verse 17. And if you call him Father, which without respect of person judgeth according to every mans work, pass the time of your dwelling here in fear.

Verse 17. And if you call him Father, which without respect of person judgeth according to every mans worke, passe the time of your dwelling here in feare.