A17385:231
A17385:231
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.
Sol. The fathers of our flesh, correct us, 1and shall not the father of spirits do it? and the rather if we consider, that he shows his love therein: a man will correct his own son more, then another mans, and he doth correct us for our profit, that we might partake of his holiness and live, and there is much fruit in the afflictions of the godly, all working together for the best unto them: If God spare wicked men, it is because they are bastards, and not sons, and yet there is a great deal of difference between Gods usage of wicked men, and of godly, even in their trouble. For he spares and pities his own children as a man will spare and pity his own son. He never strikes them but it is in measure, and in their branches. He doth not make a full end of them to confound them, as he will do with wicked men, Heb. 12. Isaiah 27.
Sol. The fathers of our flesh, correct us, 1and shall not the father of spirits do it? and the rather if we consider, that he shewes his love therein: a man will correct his owne son more, then another mans, and he doth correct us for our profit, that we might partake of his holinesse and live, and there is much fruit in the afflictions of the godly, all working together for the best unto them: If God spare wicked men, it is because they are bastards, and not sonnes, and yet there is a great deale of difference betweene Gods usage of wicked men, and of godly, even in their trouble. For he spares and pitties his owne children as a man will spare and pitty his owne son. He never strikes them but it is in measure, and in their branches. He doth not make a full end of them to confound them, as he will doe with wicked men, Heb. 12. Esay 27.
Ob. The world sees no such excellency in them, or in their Estate.1
Sol. The world knows them not, because it knows not God their father: 1they are now the sons of God, but it doth not appear, what we shall be: but we know, that when Christ shall appear, we shall be all like him, 1 John 3.1, 2.
Sol. The world knowes them not, because it knowes not God their father: 1they are now the sonnes of God, but it doth not appeare, what we shall bee: but we know, that when Christ shall appeare, we shall be all like him, 1 Iohn 3.1, 2.
1. To godly men. 2. To carnal men. 3. To earthly fathers.
1. To godly men. 2. To carnall men. 3. To earthly fathers.
1. Godly men should learn here to live like the children of God, and so they do, if they look to three things.
1. Godly men should learne here to live like the children of God, and so they'doe, if they looke to three things.
1. That they live without sin, 1and not shame their father by their wicked lives: their works should show, and bear witness by their care to finish them, that God is their father, and set them about them, John 5.36. Their righteousness must exceed the righteousness of civill men in this world: Mat. 5.20. and therefore their daily prayers unto God should be, that he would establish them in holiness before him, till the coming of Jesus Christ, 1 Thess. 3.13.
1. That they live without sin, 1and not shame their father by their wicked lives: their workes should shew, and beare witnesse by their care to finish them, that God is their father, and set them about them, Iohn 5.36. Their righteousnesse must exceed the righteousnesse of civill men in this world: Mat. 5.20. and therefore their daily prayers unto God should be, that hee would establish them in holinesse before him, till the comming of Iesus Christ, 1 Thess. 3.13.
2. Secondly that they live without care, having such a heavenly father to provide for them, Mat. 6.25. &c.
3. Thirdly that they live out of the society with wicked men cleaving only to the household of God, 2 Cor. 6.18. they should love their fathers house, Psal. 27.4. and deny utterly the love of this world, John 2.15, 16.
3. Thirdly that they live out of the society with wicked men cleaving only to the houshold of God, 2 Cor. 6.18. they should love their fathers house, Psal. 27.4. and deny utterly the love of this world, Iohn 2.15, 16.
2. Carnal men should hence take notice, if it may be, to be better advised, and not meddle with the godly, no not to despise the least of these little ones: Their Angels always behold the face of God for them, and their heavenly father will requite their wrongs, Mat. 18.10. &c.
2. Carnall men should hence take notice, if it may be, to be better advised, and not meddle with the godly, no not to despise the least of these little ones: Their Angels alwayes behold the face of God for them, and their heavenly father will requite their wrongs, Mat. 18.10. &c.
3. Earthly parents should here learn of God: God cares for his children before they were, and shall not they care for their children, when God hath given them to them: Gods greatest care is to provide holiness for his children, and should not they learn of God therein.
3. Earthly parents should here learne of God: God cares for his children before they were, and shall not they care for their children, when God hath given them to them: Gods greatest care is to provide holinesse for his children, and should not they learne of God therein.
Lastly, this may serve for reproof both of some of the godly,1 and also of the wicked, that live in the Church of God: some of the godly do greatly forget themselves about this point, that is such, as stir not up themselves to take hold of God, and to call upon his name in their distresses, but sit down dismayed and dead hearted, as if there were not the compassion, care, or help of a father, in God: this is reproved, Isaiah 64.8. Those sons of Belial also, that live in the Church, and call God father, but live like the ⟨p. 14⟩Devil, who indeed is their father, whose works they do: those I say are most bitterly reproved in these, and such like Scriptures even from their daring to call God father, Mal. 1.6. & 3. ult. Jer. 3.4. &c. Mat. 3.9. & 7.21. John 4.23. & 8.38.41.44. 1 John 3.15. 2 John 9.
Lastly, this may serve for reproofe both of some of the godly,1 and also of the wicked, that live in the Church of God: some of the godly doe greatly forget themselves about this point, that is such, as stirre not up themselves to take hold of God, and to call upon his name in their distresses, but sit downe dismaide and dead hearted, as if there were not the compassion, care, or help of a father, in God: this is reproved, Esay 64.8. Those sons of Belial also, that live in the Church, and call God father, but live like the ⟨p. 14⟩
Through sanctification of the spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.]
Through sanctification of the spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Iesus Christ.]
There is difference of senses about the understanding and dependency of these words amongst Interpreters.
There is difference of senses about the understanding and dependancy of these words amongst Interpreters.
Some take sanctification in a large sense for mans righteousness in general, and obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Christ, as the two parts or kinds of it: by obedience understanding mans righteousness, or holiness in himself, and by sprinkling of Christ• blood, that righteousness of Christ, that righteousness (I say) made ours by imputation, both which are applied or wrought by the spirit of God.
Some take sanctification in a large sense for mans righteousnesse in generall, and obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Christ, as the two parts or kindes of it: by obedience understanding mans righteousnesse, or holinesse in himselfe, and by sprinkling of Christ• blood, that righteousnesse of Christ, that righteousnesse (I say) made ours by imputation, both which are applyed or wrought by the spirit of God.