A17385:353
A17385:353
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.
4. Intercession: the blood of Christ speaking better things, then the blood of Abel, pleading daily for the godly, and procuring the establishment of favour in God, and acceptation. Heb. 12.24.
5. Victory over Satan, who is overcome by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of the testimony, Rev. 12.11. so as his molestations, and temptations shall not prevail.
5. Victory over Sathan, who is overcome by the blood of the Lambe, and the word of the testimony, Rev. 12.11. so as his molestations, and temptations shall not prevaile.
7. Entrance into the most holy place, even within the Veil, that is, into heaven. Heb. 10.19, 20. you may see more John 6.53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, &c.
7. Entrance into the most holy place, even within the Vaile, that is, into heaven. Heb. 10.19, 20. you may see more Iohn 6.53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, &c.
All this may serve for divers uses: As
11. For singular consolation to all the godly: Oh what an honour is it to be descended of the blood of Christ? How doth a Christian mans new birth in this respect excel all the nobility of birth in the world? John 1.13. What reason have we of thankfulness for so happy a condition? what should we complain of? what matters it, what we lose, or want, if we neither lose nor want the blood of Christ? How incomparable are these benefits beyond all the glory of this world, if we have eyes to see them, and hearts large enough to conceive of the glory of them? The Lord from eternity looking upon the blood of his Son sets up his re•t there, as having provided a sufficient portion for all that shall be sanctified by his spirit.
11. For singular consolation to all the godly: Oh what an honor is it to be descended of the blood of Christ? How doth a Christian mans new birth in this respect excell all the nobility of birth in the world? Iohn 1.13. What reason have we of thankfulnesse for so happy a condition? what should we complaine of? what matters it, what we lose, or want, if wee neither lose nor want the blood of Christ? How incomparable are these benefits beyond all the glory of this world, if we have eyes to see them, and hearts large enough to conceive of the glory of them? The Lord from eternity looking upon the blood of his Son sets up his re•t there, as having provided a sufficient portion for all that shall be sanctified by his spirit.
2. For instruction: we should every one of us be incited to all possible care of assurance, that Christ dyed for us, and get it ratified to our hearts by all the testimonies we can. There be three witnesses of a mans happiness: 1. the water: 2. the blood: 3. and the spirit, 1 John 5.6. The water of repentance: the blood of expiation in the passion of Christ applied by faith; the spirit of sanctification testified by saving graces, and new divine gifts.
2. For instruction: we should every one of us be incited to all possible care of assurance, that Christ dyed for us, and get it ratified to our hearts by all the testimonies we can. There be three witnesses of a mans happinesse: 1. the water: 2. the blood: 3. and the spirit, 1 Iohn 5.6. The water of repentance: the blood of expiation in the passion of Christ applyed by faith; the spirit of sanctification testified by saving graces, and new divine gifts.
3. For terror to all wicked men: that sin against the blood of Christ, by despising and neglecting the grace of the covenant, by swearing, by unworthy receiving the sacrament, and by their obstinate unbelief and impenitency. Shall the blood of Abel cry for such vengeance, and shall not the blood of Christ much more? What a blood-guiltiness do these men draw upon themselves, that sin against the blood of Christ? If Judas burst his heart with despair for betraying it, how can their case be better for despising it?
3. For terror to all wicked men: that sin against the blood of Christ, by despising and neglecting the grace of the covenant, by swearing, by unworthy receiving the sacrament, and by their obstinate unbeleefe and impenitency. Shall the blood of Abel cry for such vengeance, and shall not the blood of Christ much more? What a blood-guiltinesse doe these men draw upon themselves, that sinne against the blood of Christ? If Iudas burst his heart with despaire for betraying it, how can their case be better for despising it?
Thus of the benefits, which come by the blood of Christ: Now it followeth, that I should open the meaning of those ceremonial legal sprinklings, and show, how they did in their kind fore-signify the mystery of this sprinkling of the blood of Christ.
Thus of the benefits, which come by the blood of Christ: Now it followeth, that I should open the meaning of those ceremoniall legall sprinklings, and shew, how they did in their kinde fore-signifie the mystery of this sprinkling of the blood of Christ.
There was a fourfold legal sprinkling. 1. the first was of the blood of the red Cow, and of a water made of the ashes of the red Cow, Num. 19. 2. the second was of the blood of the Paschal Lamb, Exod. 12. the third ⟨p. 23⟩was of the bullock by the High Priest, cleansing the Tabernacle, Levit. 16. the fourth was of the blood of the burnt offering at the ratification of the covenant: and that these things may be made more plain, I would take liberty to explain those types, as they lye in the text, though the explication thereof will in some things contain a little digression from this Text. And first for the sprinkling mentioned Numb. 19.
There was a •ourefold legall sprinkling. 1. the first was of the blood of the red Cow, and of a water made of the ashes of the red Cow, Num. 19. 2. the second was of the blood of the Paschall Lambe, Exod. 12. the third ⟨p. 23⟩was of the bullock by the High Priest, cleansing the Tabernacle, Levit. 16. the fourth was of the blood of the burnt offering at the ratification of the covenant: and that these things may be made more plaine, I would take liberty to explaine those types, as they lye in the text, though the explication thereof will in some things containe a little digression from this Text. And first for the sprinkling mentioned Numb. 19.
The Israelites by their wicked murmurings had brought the plague of God upon themselves: In their distress they cry and seek reconciliation:1 the Lord makes an ordinance, and shows a way, how he may be pacified, where many things may be noted.
The Israelites by their wicked murmurings had brought the plague of God upon themselves: In their distresse they cry and seeke reconciliation:1 the Lord makes an ordinance, and shewes a way, how he may be pacified, where many things may be noted.
1. That of necessity the expiation must be made in blood, which was a type of the blood of Christ: God will never be friends with offenders, till they bring him the blood of his Son to make atonement; and this is of such absolute necessity, that in the second verse the direction is called, the ordinance of the law commanded of the Lord. Note: an ordinance, a law, and commanded: to show the peremptoriness of the Lord in this point, we must lay hold upon the blood of Christ, or God will never turn away his displeasure from us.
1. That of necessity the expiation must be made in blood, which was a type of the blood of Christ: God will never be friends with offendors, till they bring him the blood of his Son to make attonement; and this is of such absolute necessity, that in the second verse the direction is called, the ordinance of the law commanded of the Lord. Note: an ordinance, a law, and commanded: to shew the peremptorinesse of the Lord in this point, wee must lay hold upon the blood of Christ, or God will never turne away his displeasure from us.
2. That this expiation belongs only to the house of Israel.
3. That they of the house of Israel, that is, the members of the true Church need to be called upon in this point, he must speak to the children of Israel, verse 2.
3. That they of the house of Israel, that is, the members of the true Church need to be called upon in this point, he must speake to the children of Israel, verse 2.
4. That Christ, that should be the true sacrifice, must be one taken out of the Congregation: one that lived amongst men on earth, and should be offered up in the flower of his youth, and should likewise take the very infirmities of our nature upon himself: This was shadowed by the Heifer taken out of the heard.
4. That Christ, that should be the true sacrifice, must be one taken out of the Congregation: one that lived amongst men on earth, and should bee offered up in the flower of his youth, and should likewise take the very infirmities of our nature upon himselfe: This was shadowed by the H•ifer taken out of the heard.
5. The Heifer was red, to shadow out the bloody passion of Christ: The Church says of Christ, my love is white, and ruddy: white, in respect of the righteousness of his life; and ruddy, in respect of his passion unto blood.
5. The Heifer was red, to shadow out the bloody passion of Christ: The Church sayes of Christ, my love is white, and ruddy: white, in respect of the righteousnesse of his life; and ruddy, in respect of his passion unto blood.