A17385:265
A17385:265
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.
2. The memory performs no service to God: it should be Gods Treasurer, and Register, but no body is in the office to keep record.
2. The memory performes no service to God: it should be Gods Treasurer, and Register, but no body is in the office to keep record.
3. The Will is grievously diseased, and with sickness so distempered, that it will not be ruled by any, not by God, not by men, not by reason, not by religion, nor doth it agree with it self. For man wills not always the same thing.
3. The Will is grievously diseased, and with sicknesse so distempered, that it will not be ruled by any, not by God, not by men, not by reason, not by religion, nor doth it agree with it selfe. For man wills not alwayes the same thing.
4. The affections out of the first poison of natural corruption, have such monstrous births of evil, that the spirit by them is set out of all order. They are compared to beasts, Isaiah 11. To fighting soldiers, 1 Pet. 2.12. To tyrants making cruel laws, and leading into bondage, Rom. 7.
4. The affections out of the first poyson of naturall corruption, have such monstrous births of evill, that the spirit by them is set out of all order. They are compared to beasts, Esay 11. To fighting soldiers, 1 Pet. 2.12. To tyrants making cruell lawes, and leading into bondage, Rom. 7.
5. The wretched Conscience (then which there was once no diviner thing on earth) is now in miserable case. For either it is sick of a Lethargy, and sleeps, or if it waken it is like a mad Dog▪ or Lion▪ or a Judge transported with rage: It is ignorant without light: it is soiled or •tein•d with a thousand sins: It is impure, and exceeding base, and without all properties of a divine Judge. For it is blind and will be corrupted, and will defer the Affise, &c. Instead of a throne of judgement it is thrust into a hole, and horrible dungeon of darkness, where the Sun of righteousness shineth not, and there for the most part, as if it were still night, it lieth obscure and sleepeth.
5. The wretched Conscience (then which there was once no diviner thing on earth) is now in miserable case. For either it is sick of a Lethargy, and sleepes, or if it waken it is like a mad Dog▪ or Lion▪ or a Iudge transported with rage: It is ignorant without light: it is soiled or •tein•d with a thousand sinnes: It is impure, and exceeding base, and without all properties of a divine Iudge. For it is blinde and will be corrupted, and will deferre the Affise, &c. Insteed of a throne of judgement it is thrust into a hole, and horrible dungeon of darknesse, where the Sunne of righteousnesse shineth not, and there for the most part, as if it were still night, it lieth obscure and sleepeth.
And thus of the need we have of sanctification in our spirits.1
The sanctification of the spirit lieth in two things.
The sanctification of the spirit lyeth in two things.
1. In cleansing the spirit from sin. 2. In adorning the spirit with graces.
1. In cleansing the spirit from sinne. 2. In adorning the spirit with graces.
In the cleansing of the spirit consider both from what, and how.
I answer: That besides what hath been showed, many more particulars may be set out thus: There are vile both impieties,1 and unrighteousness in our spirits must be done away. For impieties: There is ignorance, error, atheistical thoughts, pride, hypocrisy, inconstancy, hardness of heart, and division of heart, conceitedness, vanity, self-love, hatred of goodness, false fears, carnal confidence, forgetfulness, doubts, unsettledness, unbeliefs of all sorts, and love of the world.
I answer: That besides what hath been shewed, many more particulars may be set out thus: There are vile both impieties,1 and unrighteousnesse in our spirits must be done away. For impieties: There is ignorance, errour, atheisticall thoughts, pride, hypocrisie, inconstancy, hardnesse of heart, and division of heart, conceitednesse, vanity, selfe-love, hatred of goodnesse, false feares, carnall confidence, forgetfulnesse, doubts, unsetlednesse, unbeliefes of all sorts, and love of the world.
For unrighteousness: There are evil cares, & covetousness, lusts of all sorts, hatred, malice, desire of revenge, anger, fretting, worldly grief, bitterness, ⟨p. 16⟩discontentment, vain-glory, emulation, inordinate affection, and evil concupiscence: as good as men think their hearts and meanings are, they may by this taste see, how foul their spirits are.
For unrighteousnesse: There are evill cares, & covetousnesse, lusts of all sorts, hatred, malice, desire of revenge, anger, fretting, worldly gri•fe, bitternesse, ⟨p. 16⟩discontentment, vaine-glory, emulation, inordinate affection, and evill concupiscence: as good as men thinke their hearts and meanings are, they may by this taste see, how foule their spirits are.
1Now for the second: The spirit is cleansed from these sins by degrees; and to that purpose the spirit of God worketh and useth 8. distinct new qualities, which have not place in the soul, but upon occasion of this service against sin. And these are, 1. Spiritual poverty, or sense of sin and misery. 2. Base estimation, viz: of the world, with the pleasures, profits, and lusts of it, Phil. •.8. Isaiah 30.22. 3. Hatred of sin. 4. Shame for sin. Rom. 6.21. 5. Godly sorrow. 6. Fear. 7. Indignation. 8. A purpose and inclination to forsake sin.
1Now for the second: The spirit is cleansed from these sins by degrees; and to that purpose the spirit of God worketh and useth 8. distinct new qualities, which have not place in the soule, but upon occasion of this service against sin. And these are, 1. Spirituall poverty, or sense of sin and misery. 2. Base estimation, viz: of the world, with the pleasures, profits, and lusts of it, Phil. •.8. Esay 30.22. 3. Hatred of sinne. 4. Shame for sin. Rom. 6.21. 5. Godly sorow. 6. Feare. 7. Indignation. 8. A purpose and inclination to forsake sin.
Thus of the cleansing of the spirit.
1The adorning of the spirit follows: The spirit of man in sanctification is adorned with holy graces; and here I consider of the adorning, 1. of the mind: 2. of the heart: 3. of the conscience.
1The adorning of the spirit followes: The spirit of man in sanctification is adorned with holy graces; and here I consider of the adorning, 1. of the minde: 2. of the heart: 3. of the conscience.
1. The first is a heavenly light. 2. The second is humbleness of mind. 3. The third is purity of imaginations.
1. The first is a heavenly light. 2. The second is humblenesse of minde. 3. The third is purity of imaginations.