A17385:1897
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.…
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.
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.
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.