A17385:308
A17385:308
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.
1. Life: it being quickened from the dead sleep, it was in. 2. Light from ignorance. 3. Peace from terrors, differing from security. 4. Purity and care in all things to do uprightly. Acts 23.1. Heb. 13.1. 2 Tim. 2.3. 5. Joy and refreshing, it is now a continual feast, Prov. 15.15. 6. Constancy, Job 27.6. so as no power can compel it. 7. Plainness and harmlessness. 2 Cor. 1.12. 8. A divine sentence, so as in determining, it judgeth for God, and as God. 9. Tenderness: so as it will now smit• for lesser evils.
1. Life: it being quickned from the dead sleep, it was in. 2. Light from ignorance. 3. Peace from terrors, differing from security. 4. Purity and care in all things to doe uprightly. Acts 23.1. Heb. 13.1. 2 Tim. 2.3. 5. Ioy and refreshing, it is now a continuall feast, Prov. 15.15. 6. Constancy, Iob 27.6. so as no power can compell it. 7. Plainenesse and harmelessnesse. 2 Cor. 1.12. 8. A divine sentence, so as in determining, it judgeth for God, and as God. 9. Tendernesse: so as it will now smit• for lesser evills.
1All this doctrine concerning the sanctification of the spirit may serve:
First for humiliation: We may all say, if God look upon our spirits, innumerable evils have compassed us, Psal. 40. and therefore we had need to pray to God to cleanse us from secret sins, even those sins of our spirits.
First for humiliation: We may all say, if God looke upon our spirits, innumerable evills have compassed us, Psal. 40. and therefore we had need to pray to God to cleanse us from secret sins, even those sinnes of our spirits.
2. For admonition to all men, to take heed, that they neglect not this great work of inward sanctification, especially if God have touched the heart with any inward feeling of thy estate and remorse of sin: Look to thy self, thy heart is deceitful, and sin is a witch: watch against security, or relapse into security▪ •e persuaded it is a dangerous thing to sin against the purposes of amendment: The axe is now laid to the root of the tree, and therefore trifle not, let not thy righteousness be as the morning dew; thou art come near to the kingdom of God, quench not the sparkles of light and remorse. And much more this may warn such, as will not be touched with the care of sanctification, take heed of a swinish and dogged heart, the Lord will not cast pearls before such swine still. And thirdly, it may warn such, as rest in giving fair words: If they praise the Sermons, and speak fair to Gods servants, they think all is well: The Devil could speak Christ fair to be rid of him, Mar. 1.24. and so did Herod, Mar. 6.20.
2. For admonition to all men, to take heed, that they neglect not this great worke of inward sanctification, especially if God have touched the heart with any inward feeling of thy estate and remorse of sinne: Looke to thy selfe, thy heart is deceitfull, and sinne is a witch: watch against security, or relapse into security▪ •e perswaded it is a dangerous thing to sin against the purposes of amendment: The axe is now laid to the roote of the tree, and therefore trifle not, let not thy righteousnesse be as the morning dew; thou art come neare to the kingdome of God, quench not the sparkles of light and remorse. And much more this may warne such, as will not be touched with the care of sanctification, take heed of a swinish and dogged heart, the Lord will not cast pearles before such swine still. And thirdly, it may warne such, as rest in giving faire words: If they praise the Sermons, and speake faire to Gods servants, they thinke all is well: The Divell could speake Christ faire to be rid of him,
3. For instruction to all sorts of men, that yet find not comfort in this work: oh labour about it, that thou mayest be cleansed from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit, even sanctified throughout, following after holiness, without which no man shall see God, 2 Cor. 7.3. 1 Thess. 5.23. Heb. 12.14. and if there were in men a heart to return, there are many encouragements: Christ is given to us of God to be our sanctification; and in his intercession, he remembered to pray for this, that God would sanctify us, 1 Cor. 1.30. John 17.14, 17, 19. and the word of Christ is able to sanctify us, Acts 20.32. and Christ hereby proves his resurrection from the dead, Rom. 1.4. and God hath promised his spirit to help us, Ezech. 33.37.
3. For instruction to all sorts of men, that yet finde not comfort in this worke: oh labour about it, that thou maist be cleansed from all filthinesse both of flesh and spirit, even sanctified throughout, following after holinesse, without which no man shall see God, 2 Cor. 7.3. 1 Thess. 5.23. Heb. 12.14. and if there were in men a heart to returne, there are many incouragements: Christ is given to us of God to be our sanctification; and in his intercession, he remembred to pray for this, that God would sanctifie us, 1 Cor. 1.30. Iohn 17.14, 17, 19
4. For confirmation: since this is so, let him that is holy, be holy still.
5. For much thankfulness, in such, as have attained in any measure to the gifts of Gods grace herein, 2 Thess. 2.13.
5. For much thankfulnesse, in such, as have attained in any measure to the gifts of Gods grace herein, 2 Thess. 2.13.
Thus much of the sanctification of the spirit.
Unto obedience ]
Vnto obedienc• ]
The first end of our sanctification is, that our lives may be brought into obedience.
This obedience must be considered either in the 1. whole, or in the 2. parts. 1. In the whole it is profitable to observe three things:1 1. the original of true obedience: 2. The rules or properties of true obedience in the manner of it. 3. The motives that might stir us up to the care of obedience.
This obedience must be considered either in the 1. whole, or in the 2. parts. 1. In the whole it is profitable to observe three things:1 1. the originall of true obedience: 2. The rules or properties of true obedience in the maner of it. 3. The motives that might stirre us up to the care of obedience.
1. The cause of this obedience is 1. either without us, or 2. within us: without us it is both God, and the word of God;1 God the Father causeth it by electing, &c. the Son by redeeming: the holy Ghost by calling. The word of God is the sampler or pattern of our obedience; for if ever we would bring our lives into order, we must resolve not to follow mens examples, wills, lusts, or our own reasons, inclinations, or conjectures; but only to have recourse to the Law of God: this must be the light to our feet, and the lantern to our paths, Psal. 119. & 19.2 Tim. 3.15. to the end we must obey them that have the over-sight of us, and do instructs out of the word, and observe the form of doctrine into which we are delivered, Rom. 6.17. Heb. 7.18. and receive such teachers as the Corinthians received Titus, 2 Cor. 7.15. we should get an ear of obedience: Prov. 25.12.
1. The cause of this obedience is 1. either without us, or 2. within us: without us it is both God, and the word of God;1 God the Father causeth it by electing, &c. the Sonne by redeeming: the holy Ghost by calling. The word of God is the sampler or patterne of our obedience; for if ever wee would bring our lives into order, we must resolve not to follow mens examples, wills, lusts, or our owne reasons, inclinations, or conjectures; but only to have recourse to the Law of God: this must be the light to our feete, and the lanthorne to our pathes, Psal. 119. & 19.2 Tim. 3.15. to the end we must obey them that have the over-sight of us, and doe instructs out of the word, and observe the forme of doctrine into which wee are delivered,
2. The causes within us are either 1. general: the sanctification of our spirit; or 2. special, and so it is Faith: For the first, the coherence shows, that unless our hearts be sanctified, our lives can never be framed to true holiness and obedience; and for faith, it is certain before ever we can practise true obedience to the Law, we must have the obedience of Faith, that is, we must be persuaded of Gods love to us, and receive his promises in Christ, and repenting of our sins, believe the Gospel: Rom. 1.5. & 10.16. 2 Thess. 1.8. The faith of the Truth is generally the chief guide of all our actions, whether they be works of reformation, or of our general calling, or particular carriage: 2 Thess. 3.16. For we must believe Gods threatenings, power, promises, assistance and reward, or else our work will go slowly forward.
2. The causes within us are either 1. generall: the sanctification of our spirit; or 2. speciall, and so it is Faith: For the first, the coherence shewes, that unlesse our hearts be sanctified, our lives can never bee framed to true holinesse and obedience; and for faith, it is certaine before ever we can practise true obedience to the Law, we must have the obedience of Faith, that is, we must be perswaded of Gods love to us, and receive his promises in Christ, and repenting of our sinnes, beleeve the Gospell: Rom. 1.5. & 10.16. 2 Thess. 1.8. The faith of the Truth is generally the chiefe guide of all our actions, whether they be workes of reformation, or of our generall calling, or particular cariage: 2 Thess. 3.16. For we must beleeve Gods threatnings, power, promises, assistance and reward, or else our worke will goe slowly forward.
2. Now for the second: there are six things to be observed in the manner of our obedience,1 without which our life will never be brought into order.
2. Now for the second: there are sixe things to be observed in the maner of our obedience,1 without which our life will never be brought into order.
1. The first is care. The Apostle saith, we must yield our selves as servants to obey: Rom. 6.16. which notes, that we must do the works of God, and s•ew our obedience to him, as the servant doth his work, that is with great heed, forecast, and care: God doth not only require we should obey, but obey as servants obey.
1. The first is care. The Apostle saith, we must yeeld our selves as servants to obey: Rom. 6.16. which notes, that wee must doe the workes of God, and s•ew our obedience to him, as the servant doth his worke, that is with great heed, forecast, and care: God doth not only require we should obey, but obey as servants obey.
2. The second thing required in our obedience, is Wisdom: It is not enough to do good, but we must be wise to that which is good, and simple concerning evil: This the Apostle shows, Rom. 16.19.
2. The second thing required in our obedience, is Wisdome: It is not enough to doe good, but we must be wise to that which is good, and simple concerning evill: This the Apostle shewes, Rom. 16.19.