A17385:317
A17385:317
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.
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, Rom. 6.17. Heb. 7.18. and receive such teachers as the Corinthians received Titus, 2 Cor. 7.15. we should get an eare of obedience: Prov. 25.12.
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. 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.
3. The third is Constancy: our obedience must be fulfilled, 2 Cor. 10.16. We must not be weary of well-doing: 1 Thess. 3.13.
3. The third is Constancy: our obedience must bee fulfilled, 2 Cor. 10.16. We must not be weary of well-doing: 1 Thess. 3.13.
4. The fourth is abnegation: In obeying Gods will, we must throughout the course of our lives be contented to deny our selves, so as we would do Gods will with patience, though crosses follow, Luke 8. A sign of the seed sown in good ground, it bringeth forth fruit with patience: and besides it imports, that if we mean to reform our lives aright, we must live soberly, showing our moderation in diet, apparel, recreations, and the like: yea we must not think it much to be crossed in our reason, desires, ease, profits, or preferments: but be contented to be that we may be, with a good Conscience: Heb. 11.8. Gen. 22.18.
4. The fourth is abnegation: In obeying Gods will, we must throughout the course of our lives be contented to deny our selves, so as we would doe Gods will with patience, though crosses follow, Luke 8. A signe of the seed sowne in good ground, it bringeth forth fruit with patience: and besides it imports, that if we meane to reforme our lives aright, we must live soberly, shewing our moderation in diet, apparell, recreations, and the like: yea we must not thinke it much to be crossed in our reason, desires, ease, profits, or preferments: but be contented to be that we may be, with a good Conscience: Heb. 11.8. Gen. 22.18.
5. The fifth is sincerity: and the sincerity of our obedience appears, both when we show respect to all Gods Commandments, as well as one, obeying in all things: as also, when we obey without corrupt and carnal ends and respects: Gen. 26.5. Phil. 2.12.
5. The fifth is sincerity: and the sincerity of our obedience appeares, both when we shew respect to all Gods Commandements, as well as one, obeying in all things: as also, when we obey without corrupt and carnall ends and respects: Gen. 26.5. Phil. 2.12.
6. The sixth thing is peace: we must lay our projects so for holiness, as we follow after peace, as much as is possible, and that with all men, much more with the Church and people of God, Rom. 12.19. Heb. 12.14. so as our conversation be without division or offence: Rom. 16.18, 19.
6. The sixth thing is peace: wee must lay our projects so for holinesse, as we follow after peace, as much as is possible, and that with all men, much more with the Church and people of God, Rom. 12.19. Heb. 12.14. so as our conversation be without division or offence: Rom. 16.18, 19.
3. For the third point, we may remember that it was long since noted by Samuel, 1that obedience is better than sacrifice: 1 Sam. 15. This obedience is the end of the writings of the Apostles and Prophets. If we be not trained up by the Scriptures to good works, we do nothing with general profession of the name of Christ. Rom. 1.5. 2 Tim. 3.15. &c. If we obey not, we are the servants of sin, and it will be our ruin, we shall dye in our sins: The Ministry had never been broken open, but that the Nations might be brought to obedience: Rom. 16.26. If you obey not, you break the hearts of your teachers: it is not good words, and liberal pensions will serve the turn, you must yield obedience to our Ministry in your lives, or else you do nothing: Phil. 1.15.16 2 Cor. 7.15. Vengeance is ready against all disobedience, every whit as ready in Gods hand, as in the Ministers mouth, 2 Cor. 10.4, 5. In this text we may see God delights to receive the obedience of his people from all eternity, and all the benefits purchased by Christs blood, shall be given to them that obey, he is author of eternal salvation to them that obey. Heb. 5.9.
3. For the third point, we may remember that it was long since noted by Samuel, 1that obedience is better than sacrifice: 1 Sam. 15. This obedience is the end of the writings of the Apostles and Prophets. If we be not trained up by the Scriptures to good workes, we doe nothing with generall profession of the name of Christ.
Thus of obedience in general:
Thus of obedience in generall:
External obedience which is here entreated of, is distinguished by the Apostle: Rom. 15.18. into two kinds.1 For either it is obedience in word, or obedience in deed.
Externall obedience which is here entreated of, is distinguished by the Apostle: Rom. 15.18. into two kindes.1 For either it is obedience in word, or obedience in deed.
Quest. Here might some one say, what need the obedience of the tongue, our tongues are free?
Answ. It seems some men think so: Those hypocritical, flattering, and wicked men mentioned Psal. 12.3. say their tongues are their own, and yet it is certain, the Lord will have the tongue bound to the good behaviour, Jam. 3.3.
Answ. It seemes some men thinke so: Those hypocriticall, flattering, and wicked men mentioned Psal. 12.3. say their tongues are their owne, and yet it is certaine, the Lord will have the tongue bound to the good behaviour, Iam. 3.3.