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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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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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¹First, so labour for knowledge herein, that thou mistrust thy own nature, and the policy of the devil: even the slower thou findest thy disposition to it, the more strive after it: let not the devil rob thee of this knowledge above all other.

¹First, so labour for knowledge herein, that thou mistrust thy own nature, and the policie of the devill: even the slower thou findest thy disposition to it, the more strive after it: let not the devill rob thee of this knowledge above all other.

1Use.Vse.

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We are not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold.

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In these words is contained the first principal point, namely, the invalidity of all earthly things to redeem us: they contain the disabling of the riches of this world: and as the words lye, two things are said against the treasures of this world.

In these words is contained the first principall point, namely, the invalidity of all earthly things to redeeme us: they containe the disabling of the riches of this world: and as the words lye, two things are said against the treasures of this world.

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First, that we are not redeemed by them.

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Secondly, that they are corruptible things.

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That they cannot redeem the soul of man is evident, 1. By proof, Psal. 49.6, 7. 2. By experience, we see wicked men abound in these things, and yet go to hell, Psal. 17. ult. & 73.12. Eccles. 9.11. 3. This may appear by a distribution of the parts of redemption: for they cannot appease Gods anger, Prov. 11.4. they cannot restrain the devils power: they cannot buy us a righteousness answerable to that the law requires: they cannot be a ransom to keep the soul from hell, Job 29.9, 19, 20. they cannot cover our imperfect work•: they cannot buy us a better nature, but rather choke the word of God, Mat. 13. and make men careless of repentance, and conceited of themselves and wilful to entertain sin, Prov. 28.11. Hosea 12.8. and drown men in noisome lusts, 1 Tim. 6.9. yea how hard is it for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of heaven? Mat. 19. Lastly, they cannot make us immortall, Jam. 1.10, 11. Thus it is clear, they cannot redeem us.

That they cannot redeeme the soule of man is evident, 1. By proofe, Psal. 49.6, 7. 2. By experience, we see wicked men abound in these things, and yet goe to hell, Psal. 17. ult. & 73.12.

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For the second, they are corruptible: This is manifest; Solomon saith, they have wings, Prov. •7. they vanish, subject to violence or vanity, Mat. 6.13. yea many times they go away with an ill loose, it may be the ruin of the owners, Job 20.18. Eccles. 5. Jer. 17.11. nor can they go with their owners when death comes, Psal. 49.17.

For the second, they are corruptible: This is manifest; Solomon saith, they have wings, Prov. •7. they vanish, subject to violence or vanity, Mat. 6.13. yea many times they goe away with an ill loose, it may be the ruine of the owners, Iob 20.18. Eccles. 5. Ier. 17.11. nor can they goe with their owners when death comes, Psal. 49.17.

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¹The Use may be,

1Use.Vse.

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1. For information: It should raise the price of true grace, and all the means thereof: we should labour to be affectionately persuaded, that grace and the means thereof is better then all gold, Psal. 37 16. to 23. Jer. 17▪ 11, 22. Prov. 19.1 . & 22.1. Psal▪ 19.14. grace […] called the unsearchable riches of Christ, Eph. 3.9. yea grace with reproach is better then all treasures with honour, Heb. 11.26.

1. For information: It should raise the price of true grace, and all the meanes thereof: we should labour to be affectionately perswaded, that grace and the meanes thereof is better then all gold, Psal. 37 16. to 23. Ier. 17▪ 11, 22. Prov. 19.1 . & 22.1. Psal▪ 19.14. grace 〈…〉 called the unsear••able riches of Christ, Eph. 3.9. yea grace with reproch is better then all treasures with honour, Heb. 11.26.

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2. •t may inform us concerning the woeful estate of rich men, especially wicked rich men, that have nothing to trust unto but their wealth. Alas, alas, could they but think of death, oh how should they tremble! let them remember, that at the day of Christ many a rich man shall howl, and wish the very […] to cover […], and yet cannot escape, Rev. 6. the very rust of their riches, which proved their corruptibleness, shall witness against them, I ••. 5.1. they should think often of that parable, Luke 12.15, 20, 21. and that other Luke 16. of Dives in hell: yea in this life th•u mayest be in honour, and yet be but like a beast that perisheth, Psal. 49. especially they are to be bewailed, if they trust in their riches, and rejoice in them, and boast of ⟨p. 139⟩them, Job 31.24, 25. and will be as vain as their ancestors, Psal. 49.12, 13.

2. •t may informe us concerning the wofull estate of rich men, especially wicked rich men, that have nothing to trust unto but their wealth. Alas, alas, could they but think of death, oh how should they tremble! let them remember, that at the day of Christ many a rich man shall howle, and wish the very 〈…〉 to cover 〈…〉, and yet cannot escape, Rev. 6. the very rust of their riches, which proved their corruptiblenesse, shall witnesse against them, I ••. 5.1. they should think often of that parable,

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3. If outward things in their lawful use be so base, what are they in their sinful use, either of getting, or spending?

3. If outward things in their lawfull use be so base, what are they in their sinfull use, either of getting, or spending?

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4. How excellent then is the Lord Jesus that did redeem us, when all these could not and how worthy to be beloved?

4. How excellent then is the Lord Jesus that did redeeme us, when all these could not and how worthy to be beloved?

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36