A17385:1834
A17385:1834
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
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.
Great is the wonder of Gods works of nature in the making of this huge frame of heaven and earth of nothing, and in the providence about all creatures, especially in divers things more eminent in those works. But of all the works of God, the works of grace, even the great work of mans redemption is beyond all comparison wonderful, that he should set his love upon such forlorn wretches, as men in their corruption are, and that he should provide for them such an excellent happiness. But above all, the means by which he doth this, is infinitely beyond the reach of all the judgements and affections of all creatures: and this is it which is most effectually comprehended in this verse: That he should effect this redemption by his own Son, such a Son, so richly qualified, with such a price as the very ⟨p. 144⟩blood of his Son, with such a strict account of him, that his nature and works for man must not have a spot or blemish in them: oh how should we be swallowed up with admiration, and cry out, oh the depths of the wisdom and mercy of God! yea how should we be vexed at the vile dullness and deadness of our hearts, that cannot be more affected with those indelible ravishments? How justly might we perish for ever, that have no more mind to seek after such a Redeemer, and cleave unto that God and Father of mercies, that hath found out such a way of redemption for us?
GReat is the wonder of Gods works of nature in the making of this huge •rame of heaven and earth of nothing, and in the providence about all creatures, especially in divers things more eminent in those works. But of all the works of God, the works of grace, even the great work of mans redemption is beyond all comparison wonderfull, that hee should set his love upon such forlorne wretches, as men in their corruption are, and that hee should provide for them such an excellent happinesse. But above all, the meanes by which he doth this, is infinitely beyond the reach of all the judgements and affections of all creatures: and this is it which is most effectually comprehended in this verse: That he should effect this redemption by his owne Sonne, such a Sonne, so richly qualified, with such a price as the very ⟨p. 144⟩bloud of his Sonne, with such a strict account of him, that his nature and works for man must not have a spot or blemish in them: oh how should we be swallowed up with admiration, and cry out, oh the depths of the wisdome and mercy of God! yea how should we be vext at the vile dulnesse and deadnesse of our hearts, that cannot be more affected with those indelible ravishments? How justly might we perish for ever, that have no more mind to seek after such a Redeemer, and cleave unto that God and Father of mercies, that hath found out such a way of redemption for us?
But that the nature and use of this great point may be urged yet more fully, I consider of the particulars in this verse concerning the means of our redemption: For here are two things to be noted: 1. By whom we were redeemed. 2. How we were redeemed. 1. In respect of his passion: by his precious blood. 2. In respect of his obedience: by his righteousness. 1. Of nature: A lamb without blemish. 2. Of action: A lamb without spot.
But that the nature and use of this great point may be urged yet more fully, I consider of the particulars in this verse concerning the meanes of our redemption: For here are two things to be noted: 1. By whom we were redeemed. 2. How we were redeemed. 1. In respect of his passion: by his precious bloud. 2. In respect of his obedience: by his righteousnesse. 1. Of nature: A lambe without blemish. 2. Of action: A lambe without spot.
Christ.] This word is a collective: it imports not only the person, but also the office of the Messiah. For Christ is not God alone, or man alone, but God and man united in one person: for it is a word always used of the person, sustaining both natures. Nor doth it rest there, but it signifies his anointing of God, as the word signifieth, and so that he hath accomplished all that was signified by the anointings in the law, and so he was in substance all, that the anointing of Prophets, Priests, and Kings could signify: and so summarily it puts us in mind of the excellencies of our Saviour in person and office above all things in the world. So then if you ask, By whom man was redeemed? The Apostle by saying by Christ doth as it were particularly tell you, that we are redeemed by him,
Christ.] This word is a collective: it imports not onely the person, but also the office of the Messias. For Christ is not God alone, or man alone, but God and man united in one person: for it is a word alwaies used of the person, sustaining both natures. Nor doth it rest there, but it signifies his annointing of God, as the word signifieth, and so that hee hath accomplished all that was signified by the anointings in the law, and so he was in substance all, that the anointing of Prophets, Priests, and Kings could signifie: and so ••mmarily it puts us in mind of the excellencies of our Saviour in person and office above all things in the world. So then if you aske, By whom man was redeemed? The Apostle by saying by Christ doth as it were particularly tell you, that we are redeemed by him,
1. Th•• from all eternity was the begotten Son of God.
2. That in time was conceived so miraculously by the over-shadowing of the holy Ghost, and borne of a Virgin (a most transcendent wonder,) made a true man, and this h•••ne nature of ours was taken into the subsistence upon the person of his divine nature, so as he was now [Greek or Hebrew] ▪ a God and a man, Rom. 9.5.
2. That in time was conceived so miraculously by the over-shadowing of the holy Ghost, and borne of a Virgin (a most transcendent wonder,) made a true man, and this h•••ne nature of ours was taken into the subsist••ce upon the person of his divine nature, so as he was now 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 ▪ a God and a man, Rom. 9.5.
3. That in both these united natures by an unspeakable mission from God the Father, he did undertake that marvellous office of mediation between God and man, wherein he took it upon him to unite us to God, and God to us for ever. This is our Saviour, and this is he alone that claims the glory of this work: he alone trod the wine-press of Gods wrath; he alone is our Saviour, and there is no other, Act. 4. Isaiah 64. 1 Cor. 1.30. there is no […] in heaven and earth by which we can be saved, but only by his.
3. That in both these united natures by an unspeakable mission from God the Father, he did undertake that marveilous office of mediation betweene God and man, wherein he tooke it upon him to unite us to God, and God to us for ever. This is our Saviour, and this is he alone that claimes the glory of this worke: he alone trode the wine-presse of Gods wrath; he alone is our Saviour, and there is no other, Act. 4. Esay 64. 1 Cor. 1.30. there is no 〈…〉 in heaven and earth by which we can be saved, but onely by his.
1The Uses follow.
1. We may here observe the wonderful wisdom and mercy of God in the choice of our Redeemer: for this is he that was fore-ordained of God: by him we are restored, by whom we were created: by him we partake of Gods love, that was the Son of his love: in him we obtain the adoption of […], that was himself the only begotten Son and heir of God by […], that God and man might be one in covenant. This one is made God and man in person.
1. We may here observe the wonderfull wisdome and mercy of God in the choice of our Redeemer: for this is he that was fore-ordained of God: by him we are restored, by whom we were created: by him we partake of Gods love, that was the Sonne of his love: in him we obtaine the adoption of 〈…〉, that was himselfe the onely begotten Sonne and heire of God by 〈…〉, that God and man might be one in covenant. This one is made God and man in person.
2. For instruction we may learn divers duties.
2. For instruction we may learne divers duties.
1. To bless God for our Saviour Christ, as the foundation of all our happiness. Shall […] talk of his righteousness all the day? Shall not everlasting joy be upon our heads▪ Psal. 103.1, 2. & 71.23. Isaiah 35.10. 1 Cor. 30, 31. Eph. 1.6, 7.
1. To blesse God for our Saviour Christ, as the foundation of all our happinesse. Shall 〈…〉 talke of his righteousnesse all the day? Shall not everlasting joy be upon our heads▪ Psal. 103.1, 2. & 71.23. Esay 35.10. 1 Cor. 30, 31. Eph. 1.6, 7.
2. To seek redemption in him both from the guilt of our sins, Rom. 3. 24, 25, Isaiah 44.22. and from the power of them, and from the punishment of them, Psal. 1 30.7. Job 19.25. Psal. 34.19. &c. Isaiah 63.16. & 50.2. Psal. 31.7. & 55.18. Hos. 13.14.
2. To seeke redemption in him both from the guilt of our sins, Rom. 3. 24, 25, Esay 44.22. and from the power of them, and from the punishment of them, Psal. 1 30.7. Iob 19.25. Psal. 34.19. &c. Esay 63.16. & 50.2. Psal. 31.7. & 55.18. Hos. 13.14.
3. Therefore we must serve him in holiness, and righteousness all our days, Luke 1.68, 74. Isaiah 59.20. Tit. 2.14.
3. Therefore we must serve him in holinesse, and righteousnesse all our daies, Luke 1.68, 74. Esay 59.20. Tit. 2.14.
4. Let us follow the example of his humility, and let him that would be great amongst us, be the servant of all, Mat. 20.28. Coherence.
5. Honour the redeemed of Jesus Christ, and ever say, what one Nation is like to Christs people?
By his blood.]
By his bloud.]