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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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5. Wh•n he saith, if we call, it imports, that many profess God to be their Father, who yet do not show it to be so by daily and constant calling upon his name. It is a great question, whether many that profess God and his truth, do indeed conscionably pray unto him; which should awaken us, and make us settle close to the practice of daily prayer.

5. Wh•n he saith, if we call, it imports, that many professe God to be their Father, who yet doe not shew it to be so by daily and constant calling upon his name. It is a great question, whether many that professe God and his truth, doe indeed conscionably pray unto him; which should awaken us, and make us settle close to the practice of daily prayer.

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6. It is a lawful prayer that is directed to one of the persons of the Trinity in the outward form of words: I mean, that though we should name only the Father, and not mention the Son, or holy Ghost, yet the prayer were lawful, so as

6. It is a lawfull prayer that is directed to one of the persons of the Trinity in the outward forme of words: I meane, that though we should name onely the Father, and not mention the Son, or holy Ghost, yet the prayer were lawfull, so as

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1. We do not exclude the other persons in our judgements and affections.

1. We doe not exclude the other persons in our judgements and affections.

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2. That we desire upon the present occasion to compel our hearts to a more special meditation of the glory of one of the persons, as the occasion of the matter requireth.

2. That we desire upon the present occasion to compell our hearts to a more speciall meditation of the glory of one of the persons, as the occasion of the matter requireth.

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But the main and principal doctrine is, that God, as he is our Father,¹ shall be our Judge.

But the maine and principall doctrine is, that God, as he is our Father,¹ shall be our Judge.

1Doct.

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If any ask, How then is Christ commonly said to be our Judge? Act. 17.30.¹

If any aske, How then is Christ commonly said to be our Judge? Act. 17.30.¹

1Quest.

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I answer, that the last judgement being a work ad extra, is common to all the three Persons, and is so attributed in Scripture, but in different respects:¹ for the authority of the last judgement is in the whole Trinity, but the execution of it is in the Sonne. This doctrine must needs be comfortable to the godly: who would fear the trial when his own Father is Judge, yea and law-giver, and hath before promised infinite mercy, and is an everlasting Father, […] compassion never fails, (for so is God to us,) and hath given pledge, and seals, and earnest of assurance, that it shall go well?

I answer, that the last judgement being a work ad extra, is common to all the three Persons, and is so attributed in Scripture, but in different respe•ts:¹ for the authority of the last judgement is in the whole Trinity, but the execution of it is in the Sonne. This doctrine must needs be comfortable to the godly: who would feare the tryall when his owne Father is Judge, yea and law-giver, and hath before promised infinite mercy, and is an everlasting Father, 〈…〉 compassion never failes, (for so is God to us,) and hath given pledge, and seales, and earnest of assurance, that it shall goe well?

1Answ.

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Thus of the person, who shall judge: The manner followeth.

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Without respect of persons.]

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The•e are […] down many admirable praises of the justice of these last Assizes; whereof this is one, that here shall be no respect of persons. It pleaseth God in so great mysteries as this is, not to set down all at once, but to distil some few memorable things, and those severally. both to excise diligence in the study of the Scriptures, and to imply the disability of our na[…] comprehend much at once of such dreadful things.

The•e are 〈…〉 downe many admirable praises of the justice of these last Assises; whereof this is one, that here shall be no respect of persons. It pleaseth God in so great mysteries as this is, not to set downe all at once, but to distill some few memorable things, and those severally. both to excise diligence in the study of the Scriptures, and to imply the disability of our na〈…〉 comprehend much at once of such dreadfull things.

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Not to respect persons in judgement hath divers things in it: It is to judge without […]: •t is to judge without care how the judged takes it: it is to judge without respect of their strength, or disgrace: it is to take no reward, […] accept the persons of great men for their greatness, or riches sake: it is to be led with no colours, or vain pretences: it is to judge according to truth, and not according to opinion, or the common voice: and thus much and much more is imported in this justice of the Lord at that day.

Not to respect persons in judgement hath divers things in it: It is to judge without 〈…〉: •t is to judge without care how the judged takes it: it is to judge without respect of their strength, or disgrace: it is to take no reward, 〈…〉 accept the persons of great men for their greatnesse, or riches sake: it is to be led with no colours, or vain pretences: it is to judge according to truth, and not according to opinion, or the common voice: and t•us much and much more is imported in this justice of the Lord at that day.

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The Use is,¹

1Use.Vse.

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1. For humiliation and terror to wicked men: This should wonderfully pierce them •o hear how they must speed at that day: their judgement shall ⟨p. 128⟩not be to amend them, but to confound them: the same God that hath dealt with other men in justice, will judge them also: and this may increase the terror, that there will be no taking of rewards, nor can riches avail in the day of wrath, Job 36.18, 19. unless it be to increase their judgement, Jam. 5.1, 3.

1. For humiliation and terror to wicked men: This should wonderfully pierce them •o hear how they must speed at that day: their judgement shall ⟨p. 128⟩not be to amend them, but to confound them: the same God that hath dealt with other men in justice, will judge them also: and this may increase the terror, that there will be no taking of rewards, nor can riches availe in the day of wrath, Iob 36.18, 19. unlesse it be to increase their judgement, Iam. 5.1, 3.

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36