Filter authors and titles

A17385:1747

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.

:1744p. 136

Before I break open these particulars, two things may be noted: 1. The coherence with the former reason: 2. The Apostles insinuation, or communication, as they call it in Rhetoric. For he doth not barely relate the Argument, but to win advantage in their affection, he tells them, they know this doctrine concerning our redemption, implying that it were a vile shame to be ignorant of the doctrine of redemption, and importing that he was persuaded that they had informed themselves in some good sufficiency of knowledge herein, and therefore they might not neglect his exhortation, that might be proved by such a known reason.

Before I break open these particulars, two things may be noted: 1. The coherence with the former reason: 2. The Apostles insinuation, or communication, as they call it in Rhetoricke. For he doth not barely relate the Argument, but to win advantage in their affection, he tells them, they know this doctrine concerning our redemption, implying that it were a vile shame to be ignorant of the doctrine of redemption, and importing that he was perswaded that they had informed themselves in some good sufficiency of knowledge herein, and therefore they might not neglect his exhortation, that might be proved by such a known reason.

:1745p. 136

For as much.] This word notes a dependence with the doctrine of the former reason, and shows that these reasons are linked in a chain; you cannot pull the one, but you draw the other also. And from hence we may note,

For as much.] This word notes a dependance with the doctrine of the former reason, and shewes that these reasons are linked in a chaine; you cannot pull the one, but you draw the other also. And from hence wee may note,

:1746p. 136–137¶1

1. The sacred combination of holy truth in the mysteries of religion, they hang all as in one chain•, and […] as in one body; there is a wonderful agreement amongst them; they point one to another: whereas in the writings ⟨p. 137⟩of men by reason of their imperfection, they are oftentimes discording, not from other men, but from themselves also: their assertions sound, as if they were afraid one of another, or ready to fight one against another.

1. The sacred combination of holy truth in the mysteries of religion, they hang all as in one chain•, and 〈…〉 as in one body; there is a wonderfull agreement amongst them; they point one to another: whereas in the writings ⟨p. 137⟩of men by reason of their imperfection, they are oftentimes discording, not from other men, but from themselves also: their assertions sound, as if they were afraid one of another, or ready to fight one against another.

:1747p. 137¶2

2. That the right knowledge of Christs first coming to redeem us, serves generally to inflame our hearts to a desire after, and care of his second coming to judge us: For by his first coming,

2. That the right knowledge of Christs first comming to redeeme us, serves generally to inflame our hearts to a desire after, and care of his second comming to judge us: For by his first comming,

:1748p. 137¶1

1. We know he hath satisfied for our sins, and therefore need not fear the sentence of condemnation, or Gods anger.

1. We know he hath satisfied for our sins, and therefore need not feare the sentence of condemnation, or Gods anger.

:1749p. 137¶2

2. We know how dearly he paid for our sins, and therefore we should for ever hate sin.

2. We know how dearly he paid for our sins, and therefore we should for ever hate sinne.

:1750p. 137¶3

3. We know that he cannot but do us honour then, since for our sakes he himself was judged on earth, and did shed his own blood for us.

3. We know that he cannot but doe us honor then, since for our sakes he himselfe was judged on earth, and did shed his owne bloud for us.

:1751p. 137¶4

4. We know that at that day we shall be fully redeemed, and receive all the inheritance prepared for us. What shall I say, if this his first coming were so full of love, pity, care, grace, and profit for us: how then should we long for his second coming, when he shall give himself not for us, but to us for our eternal delight and happiness?

4. We know that at that day we shall be fully redeemed, and receive all the inheritance prepared for us. What shall I say, if this his first comming were so full of love, pitty, care, grace, and profit for us: how then should we long for his second comming, when he shall give himselfe not for us, but to us for our eternall delight and happinesse?

:1752p. 137

The Use may be for trial of the truth of our faith in his first coming;¹ if we can stir us up with care and cheerfulness to provide for his second coming, then we do effectually believe it; else it is very doubtful whether we do indeed know Christ crucified.

The Use may be for tryall of the truth of our faith in his first comming;¹ if we can stirre us up with care and cheerfulnesse to provide for his second comming, then we doe effectually beleeve it; else it is very doubtfull whether we doe indeed know Christ crucified.

1Use.Vse.

:1753p. 137

Thus of the coherence: the insinuation follows.

Thus of the coherence: the insinuation followes.

:1754p. 137

Ye know.

Yee know.

:1755p. 137

From hence four things may be noted.

From hence foure things may be noted.

:1756p. 137¶1

1. That we may be profitably put in mind of the things we know: yea we need to be put in mind of them, for thereby we may know things the better and more fully: but especially we need it for the use of knowledge. This is true in rebu•es for sin, in consolations in affliction, in directions for our lives, and as here in the doctrine of the mysteries of our religion: they and we know the doctrine of redemption perhaps, but the powerful use of that doctrine we are altogether wanting in: besides, what we know; we know but in part.

1. That we may be profitably put in mind of the things wee know: yea we need to be put in mind of them, for thereby wee may know things the better and more fully: but especially wee need it for the use of knowledge. This is true in rebu•es for sinne, in consolations in affliction, in directions for our lives, and as here in the doctrine of the mysteries of our religion: they and we know the doctrine of redemption perhaps, but the powerfull use of that doctrine we are altogether wanting in: besides, what we know; we know but in part.

:1757p. 137

The Use is for great reproof of those vain persons,¹ that neglect hearing, reading, admonition, &c. upon pretence they know it already: if that were true, yet this doctrine shows we need to be put in mind even in the things we know: yea wise men will receive commandments, yea and rebukes too, Prov. 9.

The Use is for great reproofe of those vaine persons,¹ that neglect hearing, reading, admonition, &c. upon pretence they know it already: if that were true, yet this doctrine shewes we need to be put in mind even in the things we know: yea wise men will receive commandments, yea and rebukes too, Prov. 9.

1Use.Vse.

:1758p. 137

It is a discreet & commendable charity sometimes the better to persuade, and win affection, to insinuate the praises of others, as here the Apostle; so did Paul to Agrippa, Act. 26.3. It is certain, that by nature we are pleased highly with others opinions of our knowledge; and contrariwise, the aspersion or ignorance is wonderful hateful: there be some sins that vex us more then others to have them imputed, as lying, and divers others: so ignorance: the devil knew this well in Eves case, the intimation of ignorance made her ruin her self and her posterity; and so doth the devil still. What makes many go to hell for want of direction how to be saved? even this, they will not have their ignorance seen. What makes many leap from the cradle of religion to the throne of censure, so as to think themselves fit to judge whole Nations, when troops of learned men are extremely toiled with advising? Is it not this opinion of knowledge? Now as the devil useth it for hurt, so may the godly make advantage of the weakness of our natures herein, the better to direct us to good.

It is a discreet & commendable charity sometimes the better to perswade, and winne affection, to insinuate the praises of others, as here the Apostle; so did Paul to Agrippa, Act. 26.3. It is certaine, that by nature we are pleased highly with others opinions of our knowledge; and contrariwise, the a•pe•sion or ignorance is wonderfull hatefull: there be some sins that vexe us more then others to have them imputed, as lying, and divers others: so ignorance: the devill knew this well in Eves case, the intimation of ignorance made her ruine her selfe and her prosterity; and so doth the devill still. What makes many goe to hell for want of direction how to be saved? even this, they will not have their ignorance seene. What makes many leap from the cradle of religion to the throne of censure, so as to think themselves fit to judge whole Nations, when troops of learned men are extreamly toyled with advising? Is it not this opinion of knowledge? Now as the devill useth it for hurt, so may the godly make advantage of the weaknesse of our natures herein, the better to direct us to good.

:1759p. 137–138¶3

3. Of all doctrines we must be sure to know the doctrine of our redemption: for this is the most fundamental doctrine of all others. It is impossible ⟨p. 138⟩to be saved without the knowledge of this. 2. Of all doctrines this is most clearly taught in Scripture. 3. Of all doctrines, we have most need of this against the discomforts of temptations, infirmities, afflictions, and death it self. 4. This most exalts the glory of Gods grace and mercy, and all others are in a manner built upon this. 5. Lastly, this hath exceeding great force to persuade us to holiness of life: for it both shows us to whom we belong, and what reason we have to obey him; and withal implies how vile we are in our selves.

3. Of all doctrines we must be sure to know the doctrine of our redemption: for this is the most fundamentall doctrine of all others. It is impossible ⟨p. 138⟩to be saved without the knowledge of this. 2. Of all doctrines this is most clearly taught in Scripture. 3. Of all doctrines, wee have most need of this against the discomforts of temptations, infirmities, afflictions, and death it selfe. 4. This most exalts the glory of Gods grace and mercy, and all others are in a manner built upon this. 5. Lastly, this hath exceeding great force to perswade us to holinesse of life: for it both shews us to whom wee belong, and what reason we have to obey him; and withall implyes how vile we are in our selves.

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36