A17385:197
A17385:197
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.
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.
2. To trust upon God, and rely upon him in all estates, seeing there is nothing but he knows it, and hath considered of it long since.
2. To trust upon God, and rely upon him in all estates, seeing there is nothing but he knowes it, and hath considered of it long since.
3. It should inflame us to piety, seeing no good can be done, but he will know it, though it be done never so secretly: It should make even holy thoughts precious, and dear to us, and it should make us abhor hypocrisy, seeing it is so vain, and God seeth so evidently through us, at all times, and in all actions. Psal. 139.17. 1 Thess. 5.8, 9.
3. It should inflame us to piety, seeing no good can be done, but he will know it, though it be done never so secretly: It should make even holy thoughts precious, and deare to us, and it should make us abhorre hypocrisie, seeing it is so vaine, and God seet so evidently through us, at all times, and in all actions. Psal. 139.17. 1 Thess. 5.8, 9.
4. It should quicken us to the meditation and care of our assurance of our eternal salvation: God hath delighted himself to foresee it from eternity, and shall not we fore-know, and fore-meditate of our own glory?
4. It should quicken us to the meditation and care of our assurance of our eternall salvation: God hath delighted himselfe to foresee it from eternity, and shall not we fore-know, and fore-meditate of our owne glory?
5. Paul useth this as a reason, why we should help and encourage Christians, and do all the good we can for them. For their names are in the book• of life. Phil. 4.3. &c.
5. Paul useth this as a reason, why we should help and incourage Christians, and doe all the good we can for them. For their names are in the book• of life. Phil. 4.3. &c.
6. When we are to choose men for any Calling, we should learn of God to know before, and those we see to be wicked, we should never Elect: ⟨p. 11⟩custom, riches, friends, entreaty, kindred, &c. should never prevail with us.
6. When we are to choose men for any Calling, wee should learne of God to know before, and those we see to be wicked, we should never Elect: ⟨p. 11⟩custome, riches, friends, intreaty, kindred, &c. should never prevaile with us.
7. It shows us how we should love one another, we should imitate God, no time should wear out our affection, God is not sadded with love, though he set his affections upon us before the beginning of the world was.
7. It shewes us how we should love one another, wee should imitate God, no time should weare out our affection, God is not sadded with love, though hee set his affections upon us before the beginning of the world was.
4. This doctrine of Gods eternal knowledge is terrible for wicked men, and that in four respects:
4. This doctrine of Gods eternall knowledge is terrible for wicked men, and that in foure respects:
1. Against the conceit of their own parts, and praises, Job. 11.11. If God should set in order before thee, what he knows by thee, thou wouldst appear more ugly then any Leper.
1. Against the conceit of their owne parts, and praises, Iob. 11.11. If God should set in order before thee, what he knowes by thee, thou wouldst appeare more ugly then any Leper.
2. Against their persuasion of secrecy in their sins, as these places tell them: Psal. 90.8. & 139.1.11. to 16. Jer. 17.9, 10, 11. yea this doctrine tells them, that God hath had time enough to know them, he hath observed them from eternity.
2. Against their perswasion of secrecy in their sinnes, as these places tell them: Psal. 90.8. & 139.1.11. to 16. Ier. 17.9, 10, 11. yea this doctrine tells them, that God hath had time enough to know them, he hath observed them from eternity.
3. Against their persuasion of impunity, they think, they shall escape punishment for their sins, but they are deceived. as is at large showed. Psal. 94.1. to 11. & 139.8, 9. Revel. 2.23.
3. Against their perswasion of impunity, they thinke, they shall escape punishment for their sins, but they are deceived. as is at large shewed. Psal. 94.1. to 11. & 139.8, 9. Revel. 2.23.