A17385:187
A17385:187
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.
1. For information: We have here a sea of contemplation, that the heart of man can never be able to conceive of.1 How great cause had the Apostle to cry out as he did, O the depths of the wisdom of God! so David Psal. 114.24. Rom. 11.29. Secondly, this may show us, that men cannot possibly be just before God, seeing the knowledge of God is so excellent and infinite, Job. 9.2, 3.
1. For information: We have here a sea of contemplation, that the heart of man can never be able to conceive of.1 How great cause had the Apostle to cry out as he did, O the depths of the wisdome of God! so David Psal. 114.24. Rom. 11.29. Secondly, this may shew us, that men cannot possibly be just before God, seeing the knowledge of God is so excellent and infinite, Iob. 9.2, 3.
2. The doctrine of this infinite and eternal knowledge, or fore-knowledge of God, is used in divers scriptures for singular consolation in divers distresses: as
2. The doctrine of this infinite and eternall knowledge, or fore-knowledge of God, is used in divers scriptures for singular consolation in divers distresses: as
1. Against the malicious practises of evil men,1 that set themselves against the godly. They shall not prevail, though they think the Lord doth not see: yet they shall one day know, that he that made the eye doth see, and he that gave man understanding will correct: and for the godly in the mean time this may comfort them, that all the hairs of their head are numbered: Psal. 94.1. to 12. Mat. 24.
1. Against the malicious practises of evill men,1 that set themselves against the godly. They shall not prevaile, though they thinke the Lord doth not see: yet they shall one day know, that he that made the eye doth see, and he that gave man understanding will correct: and for the godly in the meane time this may comfort them, that all the haires of their head are numbred: Psal. 94.1. to 12. Mat. 24.
2. Against the errors, and spiritual frauds, and deceits of men: The deceiver and the deceived are with the Lord, Job 12.13, 16. and therefore it is not possible, that the Elect should be finally deceived. Mat. 24.
2. Against the errors, and spirituall frauds, and deceits of men: The deceiver and the deceived are with the Lord, Job 12.13, 16. and therefore it is not possible, that the Elect should be finally deceived. Mat. 24.
3. Against our own cares, and doubtfulness under the afflictions, and troubles of this life: Doth our heavenly father know what we stand in need of? ⟨p. 10⟩Mat. 6.33. doth not knowledge also extend to the number, times, places, and measure of our crosses? and not our persons only, but our banishment, tears, &c. are in his book. Psal. 56.9.
3. Against our owne cares, and doubtfulnesse under the afflictions, and troubles of this life: Doth our heavenly father know what we stand in need of? ⟨p. 10⟩Mat. 6.33. doth not knowledge also extend to the number, times, places, and measure of our crosses? and not our persons onely, but our banishment, teares, &c. are in his booke. Psal. 56.9.
4. Against our unbelief and distrust of Gods love, and favourable acceptance of us; His eye hath been ever, is, and will be upon the righteous: Psal. 34.16.
4. Against our unbeleefe and distrust of Gods love, and favourable acceptance of us; His eye hath beene ever, is, and will be upon the righteous: Psal. 34.16.
5. Against the fear of falling away: Is not the foundation of God sure? Hath it not this seal, he knoweth who are his? 2 Tim. 2.19.
5. Against the feare of falling away: Is not the foundation of God sure? Hath it not this seale, he knoweth who are his? 2 Tim. 2.19.
6. Against the spiritual distresses, and diseases of our souls: He hath experience and skill to heal the broken hearted, and this is a great addition to our comfort, he knows our desires in all the afflictions of our spirits, Psal. 147.5.
6. Against the spirituall distresses, and diseases of our soules: Hee hath experience and skill to heale the broken hearted, and this is a great addition to our comfort, he knowes our desires in all the afflictions of our spirits, Psal. 147.5.
7. Against the troubles of our private Calling: Thus God comforted, and encouraged Jeremiah: Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee; and before thou camest out of the womb, I ordained thee a Prophet to the Nations, &c. Jer. 1.5, 6, 7.
7. Against the troubles of our private Calling: Thus God comforted, and incouraged Jeremy: Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee; and before thou camest out of the wombe, I ordained thee a Prophet to the Nations, &c. Ier. 1.5, 6, 7.
8. Against the weakness of our faith in things promised, and are not yet performed: In respect of this fore-knowledge, he calls things, that yet are not, as if they were. Rom. 4.17.
8. Against the weaknesse of our faith in things promised, and are not yet performed: In respect of this fore-knowledge, he calls things, that yet are not, as if they were. Rom. 4.17.
9. Against the doubt of audience, and success in prayer: and the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also, that thou hast spoken. For thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name: Exod. 33.17.
9. Against the doubt of audience, and successe in prayer: and the Lord said unto Moses, I will doe this thing also, that thou hast spoken. For thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name: Exod. 33.17.
10. Against the fear of Gods wrath, and forsaking of man, when he enters into judgement: The Lord will not cast off the people, whom he knew before. Psal. 94.12. to 17. Rom. 1•.2. & 8.29.
10. Against the feare of Gods wrath, and forsaking of man, when he enters into judgement: The Lord will not cast off the people, whom hee knew before. Psal. 94.12. to 17. Rom. 1•.2. & 8.29.
11. Against the contempt of the world, and the censures of the wicked, and all their flanders and indignities: The Lord knows us, and our desires, and endeavours, God knows our hearts, and our innocency, whatsoever the world say or think of us: It matters not what the prisoner saith, if the Judge acquit us: If God know us, it is no matter, whether the world do, or no.
11. Against the contempt of the world, and the censures of the wicked, and all their flanders and indignities: The Lord knowes us, and our desires, and indeavours, God knowes our hearts, and our innocency, whatsoever the world say or thinke of us: It matters not what the prisoner saith, if the Iudge acquite us: If God know us, it is no matter, whether the world doe, or no.
12. Lastly, How can it be but well with the righteous, whom not only a God loves, but with such a lasting and preventing love, when he cares for them, and takes order so long before.
3. Thirdly, the doctrine of Gods fore-knowledge may teach us:
1. To fear God, and forsake sin, and not to dally with disobedience, seeing all is naked and manifest before him, with whom we have to deal, Heb. 4, 13. and we may be the surer of it, seeing his very word can tell us of our thoughts, and the secret intent of our hearts, ver. 12.
1. To feare God, and forsake sinne, and not to dally with disobedience, seeing all is naked and manifest before him, with whom we have to deale, Heb. 4, 13. and we may be the surer of it, seeing his very word can tell us of our thoughts, and the secret intent of our hearts, ver. 12.