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A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle general of St.…A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle generall of St.…

Name: A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle general of St.…
Author: Nicholas Byfield

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.

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¹Kept] The word in the original signifieth properly to keep as a town is kept from the enemies in the time of war with a garrison and so it is rendered 2 Cor. 11.32. where it is said Aretas kept the City with a garrison: In the ^athird of the Galatians the word is used metaphorically to express our condition under the Law, he saith we were kept under the Law, that is, the sinner having transgressed was kept by the Law, as it were under a strong garrison, that he could not possibly escape, unless he be delivered by Christ, the law will hold him so fast, he shall not possibly get away; now here it is used to express the wonderful safety of all men, and women truly converted, they are kept with a garrison, wherein two things may be noted.

¹Kept] The word in the originall signifieth properly to keep as a towne is kept from the enemies in the time of war with a garrison and so it is rendered 2 Cor. 11.32. where it is said Aretas kept the City with a garrison: In the ^athird of the Galathians the word is used metaphorically to expresse our condition under the Law, he saith we were kept under the Law, that is, the sinner having transgressed was kept by the Law, as it were under a strong garrison, that he could not possibly escape, unlesse he be delivered by Christ, the law will hold him so fast, he shall not possibly get away; now here it is used to expresse the wonderfull safety of all men, and women truly converted, they are kept with a garrison, wherein two things may bee noted.

1[Greek or Hebrew]〈non-Latin alphabet〉
aGal. 3.23.

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¹First, that the dearest of Gods children in this world are in continual war, they are ne•er at such rest and peace, as to discharge their garrison: seldom or never but they are continually in war either outward with the world of wicked men, or with crosses, that daily assail them, or else inward with temptations: Heaven properly is the rest of the godly: or if they be at any time free: yet they are in danger, and therefore still stand upon their guard, which should teach us under either afflictions or temptations never to account it strange, and if at any time God give us some little breathing, not to grow secure, but rather be still providing for the war again.

¹First, that the dearest of Gods children in this world are in continuall war, they are ne•er at such rest and peace, as to discharge their garrison: seldome or never but they are continually in war either outward with the world of wicked men, or with crosses, that daily assaile them, or else inward with temptations: Heaven properly is the rest of the godly: or if they bee at any time free: yet they are in danger, and therefore still stand upon their guard, which should teach us under either afflictions or temptations never to account it strange, and if at any time God give us some little breathing, not to grow secure, but rather be still providing for the war againe.

1The Christians condition here is a military condition.

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Secondly, that Gods children have a garrison to defend them. ²Now if any would know distinctly how this is true, I will endeavour to show it to be true five ways.

Secondly, that Gods children have a garrison to defend them. ²Now if any would know distinctly how this is true, I will endeavour to shew it to be true five wayes.

2A fivefold garrison of the Christian.

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1. For first we see, that sometimes they are fenced and protected by the godly, who as an holy army rise up in their defence to help them, either by Apology, succour, or prayers.

1. For first we see, that sometimes they are fenced and protected by the godly, who as an holy army rise up in their defence to help them, either by Apologie, succour, or prayers.

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2. Sometimes the unreasonable creatures protect and avenge the righteous. God can send the armies of silly creatures, as a valiant garrison to defend Israel, and offend Pharaoh, and they are strong, that do Gods work.

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3. It is sure, that the Angels are always in garrison for the Elect, pitching their tents round ^babout them, that fear God. That which Elisha and his man saw with bodily eyes every believer may be assured of by faith.

3. It is sure, that the Angels are alwayes in garrison for the Elect, pitching their tents round ^babout them, that feare God. That which Elisha and his man saw with bodily eyes every beleever may be assured of by faith.

bPsal. 34.

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4. God can raise up in them even an army of powerful thoughts and meditations, so as their very inward tranquillity, arising from the testimony of a good conscience, and the knowledge of Gods excellent love, can make, and ^ckeep them secure and sound.

4. God can raise up in them even an army of powerfull thoughts and meditations, so as their very inward tranquillity, arising from the testimony of a good conscience, and the knowledge of Gods excellent love, can make, and ^ckeepe them secure and sound.

cPhil. 4.•.

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5. But lastly, in all these, and above all these, God himself is the Christian mans garrison, ^das David saith, God is his rock, his fortress, his strength, his buckler, his high tower, and his deliverer.

5. But lastly, in all these, and above all these, God himselfe is the Christian mans garrison, ^das David saith, God is his rocke, his fortresse, his strength, his buckler, his high tower, and his deliverer.

dPsal. 18.2.

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All this may very fitly serve for two uses.¹ 1. First for consolation to the godly, and that two ways: First if they consider how carefully God hath provided for their safety, and that he is ^efaithful and will do it: Secondly if they observe, what is implied hereby, for in that God plants a garrison about his people, it imports, that they are wonderfully dear unto him, Jewels of great price, which God would by no means lose, yea great Princes, that are preserved with such a continual guard: If Gods government towards his people were every way visible and manifested, the meanest Christian would appear to be no whit inferior to the greatest Monarch.

All this may very fitly serve for two uses.¹ 1. First for consolation to the godly, and that two wayes: First if they consider how carefully God hath provided for their safety, and that he is ^efaithfull and will doe it: Secondly if they observe, what is implyed hereby, for in that God plants a garrison about his people, it imports, that they are wonderfully deare unto him, Jewels of great price, which God would by no meanes lose, yea great Princes, that are preserved with such a continuall guard: If Gods government towards his people were every way visible and manifested, the meanest Christian would appeare to be no whit inferiour to the greatest Monarch.

1Uses.Vses.
e2 Thess. 3.3.

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2. Secondly this implies terror and amazement to all the wicked. For it imports, that God cares not for them, and takes no charge of them, yea that he accounts them as enemies, and yet they are not without their •••rison neither: But what is it? they have their hearts kept by the devil, as a strong man armed for their ruin, and the law keeps them with a strong guard, till the day of Christ.

2. Secondly this implies terror and amasement to all the wicked. For it imports, that God cares not for them, and takes no charge of them, yea thathe accounts them as enemies, and yet they are not without their •••rison neither: But what is it? they have their hearts kept by the devill, as a strong man armed for their ruine, and the law keepes them with a strong guard, till the day of Christ.

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By the power of God.]

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The word translated, power, is rendered ^fmighty works, sometimes ^hmiracles, &c. but ordinarily it is meant as here, power: The main doctrine is, that the preservation and keeping of the faithful depends upon Gods power. Now for explication of this doctrine, I must answer divers questions.

The word translated, power, is rendered ^fmighty workes, sometimes ^hmiracles, &c. but ordinarily it is meant as here, power: The maine doctrine is, that the preservation and keeping of the faithfull depends upon Gods power. Now for explication of this doctrine, I must answer divers questions.

fMat. 7.22. 11.20, 21. 13.54.58.
hGal. 3.5. 4 Questions about the power of God keeping us.

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First some one might say doth it follow, God hath power to keep us, therefore he will?

First some one might say doth it follow, God hath power to keepe us, therefore he will?

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It doth not simply follow, but in two respects:¹ 1. First in respect of the intercession of Christ; he hath ⁱmediated for our preservation, and the father will grant what he asks, and therefore so long, as he hath power he will continually do it. 2. Secondly in respect of Gods promises, he hath promised to use his power for our preservation, and therefore as sure as God hath power, so sure are we to be preserved.

It doth not simply follow, but in two respects:¹ 1. First in respect of the intercession of Christ; he hath ⁱmediated for our preservation, and the father will grant what he askes, and therefore so long, as he hath power hee will continually doe it. 2. Secondly in respect of Gods promises, he hath promised to use his power for our preservation, and therefore as sure as God hath power, so sure are we to be preserved.

11 Quest. Answ.
iJohn 17.Iohn 17.

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Quest. Now if any ask, how it may appear,¹ that Gods power is engaged to keep us?

Quest. Now if any aske, how it may appeare,¹ that Gods power is engaged to keep us?

12 Quest.

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Answ. I answer, it may appear evidently by these scriptures,¹ 2 Cor. 12.9. & 1 Cor. 4.8. Heb. 1.3. Ephes. 3.20. Heb. 7.16. Mat. 6.13. Rom. 1.4. Jude 24.

Answ. I answer, it may appeare evidently by these scriptures,¹ 2 Cor. 12.9. & 1 Cor. 4.8. Heb. 1.3. Ephes. 3.20. Heb. 7.16. Mat. 6.13. Rom. 1.4. Iude 24.

1Answ.

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