A17385:560
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.…
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.
Thirdly, it may serve for instruction, and that divers ways: 1. First, we should beg of God the spirit of wisdom, and revelation, to show the exceeding greatness of his powers, that we might discern it, and believe it by faith; seeing we do not observe it by sense and reason: 2. Secondly, we should daily ascribe power unto God, even acknowledging continually his power in ⟨p. 45⟩keeping us from day to day, as our Saviour Christ teacheth us in the tLords prayer, when he teacheth us to ascribe kingdom, power, and glory to him: and with Peter we should learn to put off praise from our selves unto God, as he did in the cure of the Cripple, saying, unot by our power is this man made whole. 3. Thirdly, we should particularly of God seek the experience of his power. As for example, we should not rest in *the form, or show of godliness, but seek the power of it: we should not only get a little faith, but strive with God by prayer, till he xfulfil the work of faith with power: we should not think it enough to pray, but we should seek the spirit of prayer, and to do it with powery, even to be made by the anointing of Christ, Priests after the power of endless life: so we should seek the power of conference, and utterance in the confession of the truth, in admonition, instruction, consolation, or propounding of our own doubts: for zthe kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. 4. Fourthly, we should hence learn to be undaunted in afflictions, though it were to adventure all, even life it self for the Gospel; seeing we are kept by Gods power, we may say in any distress, as Paul did: a