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A17385:1891

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.

:1888p. 148

Verse 20, 21. 20. Which was ordained before the foundation of the world, but was declared in the last times for your sakes, 21. Which by his means do believe in God that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory, that your faith and hope might be in God.

Verse 20, 21. 20. Which was ordained before the foundation of the world, but was declared in the last times for your sakes, 21. Which by his meanes doe beleeve in God that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory, that your faith and hope might be in God.

:1889p. 148

Hitherto of the means by which we were redeemed: The antiquity of the project concerning our redemption follows.

HItherto of the meanes by which we were redeemed: The antiquity of the project concerning our redemption followes.

:1890p. 148

Who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world.

:1891p. 148

The drift is to show that we have reason to be wonderfully affected with the manner of our redemption, because it was from all eternity projected by God. Two things may be here noted in the words. 1. The fore-ordination of Christ. 2. The time of it, before the foundation of the world.

The drift is to shew that we have reason to be wonderfully affected with the manner of our redemption, because it was from all eternity projected by God. Two things may be here noted in the words. 1. The fore-ordination of Christ. 2. The time of it, before the foundation of the world.

:1892p. 148

Who ••••ly was fore-ordained.

:1893p. 148

This word leads us beyond time into the secret and eternal counsel of God, giving us a glimpse of Gods eternal statutes, especially concerning the eternal happiness of the Elect by Christ.

This word leads us beyond time into the secret and eternall counsell of God, giving us a glimpse of Gods eternall statutes, especially concerning the eternall happinesse of the Elect by Christ.

:1894p. 148–149

All Scripture entreats either of God or his works. The works of God are either internal, or external. The internal are likewise eternal before ⟨p. 149⟩time: The external are in time. Of God the Scriptures draw us a perfect image, as the weakness of man can be capable of it. Of the works of God external, and in time, the Scripture likewise plentifully discourseth, as far as is needful to salvation. Of the works of God internal there is also some little glimpse given in Scripture, not so much to satisfy the curiosity of mens minds, as to ravish the hearts of the godly with incitations, that might the better guide them to contentment in their happy estate: yet there is but little, because men should not be led aside from attending the present means of their everlasting happiness, and because as yet the nature of man is not capable of so glorious revelations.

All Scripture intreats either of God or his works. The works of God are either internall, or externall. The internall are likewise eternall before ⟨p. 149⟩time: The externall are in time. Of God the Scriptures draw us a perfect image, as the weaknesse of man can be capable of it. Of the works of God externall, and in time, the Scripture likewise plentifully discourseth, as far as is needfull to salvation. Of the works of God internall there is also some little glimpse given in Scripture, not so much to satisfie the curiosity of mens minds, as to ravish the hearts of the godly with incitations, that might the better guide them to contentment in their happy estate: yet there is but little, because men should not be led aside from attending the present meanes of their everlasting happinesse, and because as yet the nature of man is not capable of so glorious revelations.

:1895p. 149

The works of God before time, are either personal or essential. The personal works are such works ad intra as pass from the three persons in the Trinity one to other incommunicably, as the begetting of the Son, the proceeding of the holy Ghost. The essential works are such as all the three persons do join in without division, and these are those eternal statutes or decrees, the making of those unsearchable laws concerning the disposing of the Kingdom of God in time, in the erecting and ordering of the world. God, as a wise Carpenter, before he build resolves upon the plot in his head: and as a wise King before he enters into the administration of the Kingdom, resolves upon the laws, by which to govern it.

The works of God before time, are either personall or essentiall. The personall works are such works ad intra as passe from the three persons in the Trinity one to other incommunicably, as the begetting of the Sonne, the proceeding of the holy Ghost. The essentiall works are such as all the three persons doe joyne in without division, and these are those eternall statutes or decrees, the making of those unsearchable lawes concerning the disposing of the Kingdome of God in time, in the erecting and ordering of the world. God, as a wise Carpenter, before he build resolves upon the plot in his head: and as a wise King before he enters into the administration of the Kingdome, resolves upon the lawes, by which to governe it.

:1896p. 149

These statutes have in Scripture four singular praises.

These statutes have in Scripture foure singular praises.

:1897p. 149¶1

1. They are in respect of us unsearchable: far beyond the reach of any mortal brain, Rom. 11.

1. They are in respect of us unsearchable: far beyond the reach of any mortall braine, Rom. 11.

:1898p. 149¶2

2. They are marvellous glorious for the wonderful majesty, and mercy, and justice of them: such as to look in at them, but through a chink, as it were, ravisheth the Apostle into that exclamation, Oh the depths • &c. Rom. 11.

2. They are marvellous glorious for the wonderfull majesty, and mercy, and justice of them: such as to looke in at them, but through a chincke, as it were, ravisheth the Apostle into that exclamation, Oh the depths • &c. Rom. 11.

:1899p. 149¶3

3. They are unchangeable like the laws of the M•der and Persians, so as they never lose a jot of their force, till they come •or the last p••iod, Rom. 8.30.

3. They are unchangeable like the lawes of the M•der and Persians, so as they never lose a jot of their force, till they come •or the last p••iod, Rom. 8.30.

:1900p. 149¶4

4. They are eternal, as here is said, before the foundation of the world: so Eph. 1.5. Mat. 25.34.

4. They are eternall, as here is said, before the foundation of the world: so Eph. 1.5. Mat. 25.34.

:1901p. 149

The Lord hath drawn these statutes in four books,¹ each containing a several draught of them.

The Lord hath drawne these statutes in foure books,¹ each containing a severall draught of them.

1Gods four statute▪ books.Gods foure statute▪ books.

:1902p. 149¶1

1. The first is the book of nature: He hath jugraven certain ordinances unchangeable in the creatures, by viewing which impressions man might be made without excuse.

1. The first is the booke of nature: Hee hath iugraven certaine ordinances unchangeable in the creatures, by viewing which impressions man might be made without excuse.

:1903p. 149¶2

2. The second is the book of conscience: The Lord in the hearts of the Elect causing an impression of immortal truths, wherein he declares his will, so far as may concern the salvation of that particular Elect of God.

2. The second is the booke of conscience: The Lord in the hearts of the Elect causing an impression of immortall truths, wherein he declares his will, so far as may concerne the salvation of that particular Elect of God.

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

Verse 20, 21. 20. Which was ordained before the foundation of the world, but was declared in the last times for your sakes, 21. Which by his means do believe in God that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory, that your faith and hope might be in God.

Verse 20, 21. 20. Which was ordained before the foundation of the world, but was declared in the last times for your sakes, 21. Which by his meanes doe beleeve in God that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory, that your faith and hope might be in God.