A17385:1837
A17385:1837
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.
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.]
Hitherto of the person by whom we were redeemed: now follows the manner. We were redeemed, 1. by the passion of Christ: 2. by the obedience of Christ; and well are they joined together: for the justice of God required both, and it hath ever been the nature of the Devil, and the world to pour out floods of tribulation after innocency, especially in the eminent: As it was with Christ, so it is with all his members, who are conformed unto him both in sufferings and obedience: and as any are more innocent, so is their passion the greater: but let that pass.
Hitherto of the person by whom we were redeemed: now followes the manner. We were redeemed, 1. by the passion of Christ: 2. by the obedience of Christ; and well are they joyned together: for the justice of God required both, and it hath ever been the nature of the Devill, and the world to powre out flouds of tribulation after innocency, especially in the eminent: As it was with Christ, so it is with all his members, who are conformed unto him both in sufferings and obedience: and as any are more innocent, so is their passion the greater: but let that passe.
The first point here intended is, that the Holy Ghost would have us to know, and knowing to be deeply affected with it, that we were ransomed by blood, yea by the blood of Jesus Christ, God and man. For the explication of this point, four things briefly would be considered. 1. That it is. 2. What it is. 3. Why it is. 4. How it is.
The first point here intended is, that the Holy Ghost would have us to know, and knowing to be deeply affected with it, that wee were ransomed by bloud, yea by the bloud of Iesus Christ, God and man. For the explication of this point, foure things briefly would be considered. 1. That it is. 2. What it is. 3. Why it is. 4. How it is.
1. The first: that our ransom was to be payed in blood, was foretold continually from the very fall by sacrifices in blood, and is proved by express Scriptures, Heb. 9.13, 14. Act. 20.28.
1. The first: that our ransome was to be payed in bloud, was foretold continually from the very fall by sacrifices in bloud, and is proved by expresse Scriptures, Heb. 9.13, 14. Act. 20.28.