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A17385:1928

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.

:1925p. 150–151

Verily.] This doctrine of […] is ••tered with a kind of mild ⟨p. 151⟩asseveration: the reasons of which asseveration are these.

Verily.] This doctrine of 〈…〉 is ••tered with a kinde of mild ⟨p. 151⟩asseveration: the reasons of which asseveration are these.

:1926p. 151¶1

1. Because the most men will hardly believe any such thing: men by nature are wonderful apt to object against the doctrine of Gods decrees, and therefore he urgeth it with an asseveration.

1. Because the most men will hardly beleeve any such thing: men by nature are wonderfull apt to object against the doctrine of Gods decrees, and therefore he urgeth it with an asseveration.

:1927p. 151¶2

2. Because of the excellency of this decree above all the rest: this was a golden statu•e, the most amiable ordinance that ever was, that God should from everlasting resolve to send his own Son to redeem us.

:1928p. 151¶3

3. This asseveration is to work the greater assurance of faith in the Elect: they should never doubt Gods love to them in Christ: for verily Christ was pre-ordained, &c.

3. This asseveration is to worke the greater assurance of faith in the Elect: they should never doubt Gods love to them in Christ: for ver•ly Christ was pre-ordained, &c.

:1929p. 151

Before the foundation of the world.

:1930p. 151

This phrase is used in divers senses in Scripture. 1. Sometimes the foundation of the earth is taken for the peopling of the earth, since the foundation of the world, that is, since the peopling of it, Exod. 9.18. 2. Sometimes for justice and judgement in the earth, the foundations of the earth were moved, that is, all went to wrack in matters of justice, Psal. 82.5. But usually it is taken for the creation of the world, especially in respect of the support of this great frame of heaven and earth. The foundation of the world is that admirable work of God, erecting this huge frame of heaven and earth, and supporting it by his almighty power: so that before the foundation of the world, is, before the world was set up.

:1931p. 151

But why doth he rather say,¹ before the foundation of the world, then before the world was?

1Quest.

:1932p. 151

It may be for two reasons.¹ First, to raise up our thoughts to the contemplation of the wonderfulness of the founding of heaven and earth, for the rareness of the wisdom of God, and the cunning he showed in this admirable frame, Prov. 3.39. for the unsearchableness, Jer. 31.37. for the sureness and durableness of it, Psal. 78.69. for the absoluteness and independence of Gods power in framing all this, Job. 38.4, 5▪ for the suddenness of it, it being all done with a word, and for that all this was made of nothing, and that this great earth, the foundation of all the rest, should it self lie in the waters, Psal. 24.2. and indeed the whole borne up only by the power of Christ without means, Heb. 1.3. Secondly, this phrase may be of purpose used for the likeness of the state of the Church to the world, and the promise of God for the upholding of it: He that made the world of nothing, raised a Church to himself of that which was worse then nothing: yea all that is said before of the world may assure us of so much, and much more in the execution of Gods counsels in Christ for the Church, Psa. 78.79.

It may be for two reasons.¹ First, to raise up our thoughts to the contemplation of the wonderfulnesse of the founding of heaven and earth, for the rarenesse of the wisdome of God, and the cunning he shewed in this admirable frame, Prov. 3.39. for the unsearchablenesse, Ier. 31.37. for the surenesse and durablenesse of it, Psal. 78.69. for the absolu•enesse and independance of Gods power in framing all this,

:1933p. 151

The doctrines are, 1. That the world had a beginning, it had a foundation,¹ it was not eternal. 2. That we ought to be deeply affected with the admirableness of the making and upholding of the world.

The doctrines are, 1. That the world had a beginning, it had a foundation,¹ it was not eternall. 2. That we ought to be deepely affected with the admi•ablenesse of the making and upholding of the world.

1Doct.

:1934p. 151

But who can tell that there was s••h a wonderfulness in the creation of the world?¹

But who can tell that there was s••h a wonderfulnesse in the creation of the world?¹

1Quest.

:1935p. 151

1. Scripture doth tel• it, Heb. 11.3.¹ 2. Christ was by when it was done, Prov. 8.29. 3. The Angels of heaven saw the whole when it was done, and were by at the doing of a great deal, and were rapt with admiration at the wisdom and power of God, Job 38.4, 5, 6. 4. Lastly, the frame it self, as it […] ••ands, speaks evidently for the wonder of the workmanship.

1. Scripture doth tel• it, Heb. 11.3.¹ 2. Christ was by when it was done, Prov. 8.29. 3. The Angels of heaven saw the whole when it was done, and were by at the doing of a great deale, and were rapt with admiration at the wisdome and power of God, Iob 38.4, 5, 6. 4. Lastly, the frame it selfe, as it 〈…〉 ••ands, speaks evidently for the wonder of the workmanship.

1Answ.

:1936p. 151

But what use may be made of the wonderfulness of Gods workmanship herein?

But what use may be made of the wonderfulnesse of Gods workmanship herein?

:1937p. 152¶1

1. We should disce••, and mark, and acknowledge the power and wisdom of God herein, and by our often thoughts raise up our hearts to the often meditation of it, Psal. 104 1. to 9. Shall the Angels shout with joy, and shall we be so dull? Job 38.6.

1. We should disce••, and marke, and acknowledge the power and wisdome of God herein, and by our often thoughts raise up our hearts to the often meditation of it, Psal. 104 1. to 9. Shall the Angels shout with joy, and shall we be so dull? Iob 38.6.

:1938p. 152¶2

2. It shows the eternity of God, and his sovereignty and power to dispose and alter all things at his will, Psal. 102.26 . & 89.11.

2. It shews the eternity of God, and his soveraignty and power to dispose and alter all things at his will, Psal. 102.26 . & 89.11.

:1939p. 152¶3

3. It intimates to us many consolations.

:1940p. 152¶1

1. That God can easily prolong the life of his servants, that could give and uphold the being of so huge a frame, Psal. 102.26.

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36