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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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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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Quest. Now if any yet ask,¹ which way God doth show his power in our preservation?

Quest. Now if any yet ask,¹ which way God doth shew his power in our preservation?

13 Quest.

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¹Answ. I answer, the Lord doth exercise his power in keeping us three ways. 1. In his word, making that a glorious instrument to keep us to salvation, it is as it were the arm of God, it is called expressly ^kthe power of God unto salvation. For by the word is the demonstration of the spirit and of power^l, as the Apostle speaks; and thus Christ liveth still on earth ^mby the very power of God in the word: yea there is an effectual working of power ⁿgiven to the word. 2. The Lord exercises his power in keeping us by the grace of his spirit in us^o, by making grace to be sufficient for us: strengthening our saith, and establishing us with every needful grace, especially in times of trial. For a Christian hath ^preceived the spirit of power, and of a sound mind. 3. In the works of his providence, by his disposing and raising means to protect, and uphold the faithful against, in, or out of all troubles, &c.

¹Answ. I answer, the Lord doth exercise his power in keeping us three wayes. 1. In his word, making that a glorious instrument to keep us to salvation, it is as it were the arme of God, it is called expresly ^kthe power of God unto salvation. For by the word is the demonstration of the spirit and of power^l, as the Apostle speakes; and thus Christ liveth still on earth ^mby the very power of God in the word: yea there is an effectuall working of power

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¹Quest. But may some one say: Is the promise of Gods power in the preservation of the faithful so absolute, as do what they will, Gods power will keep them?

¹Quest. But may some one say: Is the promise of Gods power in the preservation of the faithfull so absolute, as doe what they will, Gods power will keep them?

14 Quest.

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36