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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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¹Why is the time of the last Judgement called the last time.

11 Quest.

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¹It is called the last time, 1. because time shall thenceforth be no more. 2. Because after that day there shall be no space left for repentance, or salvation for wicked men. 3. Because Christians shall be delayed no longer, but then all their wrongs shall be righted, all their sins shall be pardoned, all their wants shall be supplied, all their infirmities shall be removed, all their promises shall be fulfilled,² all their graces shall be perfected, all their desires shall be satisfied. 4. Because all things shall then be fully determined, ended, and finally ordered.

¹It is called the last time, 1. because time shall thenceforth be no more. 2. Because after that day there shall be no space left for repentance, or salvation for wicked men. 3. Because Christians shall be delayed no longer, but then all their wrongs shall be righted, all their sinnes shall be pardoned, all their wants shall be supplyed, all their infirmities shall be removed, all their promises shall be fulfilled,² all their graces shall be perfected, all their desires shall be satisfied. 4. Because all things shall then be fully determined, ended, and finally ordered.

1Answ. Why the day of judgement is called the last time.
2☞

:619p. 52§5

¹But why is this time deferred so long?

12 Quest.

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¹First to demonstrate Gods wonderful patience, and to clear his justice, in that eternal vengeance shall then be exercised on the wicked. For by this deferring, it will be made manifest, that he did it not suddenly, or passionately, or privately, or before he had used all other means. Secondly, it is forborne, till all Gods eternal decrees in the government of the world be accomplished; especially it is stayed, till the number of the Elect be gathered, and the fullness both of Gentiles and Jews be come in.

¹First to demonstrate Gods wonderfull patience, and to cleare his justice, in that eternall vengeance shall then be exercised on the wicked. For by this deferring, it will be made manifest, that hee did it not suddenly, or passionately, or privately, or before hee had used all other meanes. Secondly, it is forborne, till all Gods eternall decrees in the government of the world be accomplished; especially it is stayed, til the number of the Elect be gathered, and the fulnesse both of Gentiles and Jewes be come in.

1Answ. Why the last judgement is deferred so long.

:621p. 52§5

And thus much of this verse, and so of the first part of the consolation, that is to say, the proposition of arguments: now followeth the confirmation.

:622p. 52

Verse 6. Wherein ye rejoice greatly, though now for a season (if need require) ye are in heaviness through manifold tentations.

Verse 6. Wherein ye rejoyce greatly, though now for a season (if need require) ye are in heavinesse through manifold tentations.

:623p. 52

IN this Verse and the rest to the 13. is contained the confirmation of the proposition, and that is performed two ways.

IN this Verse and the rest to the 13. is contained the confirmation of the proposition, and that is performed two waies.

:624p. 52

1 By prolepsis, or the answer of objections, vers. 6, 7, 8. 2. By prophetical testimony, ver. 10, 11, 12.

1 By prolepsis, or the answer of objections, vers. 6, 7, 8. 2. By propheticall testimony, ver. 10, 11, 12.

:625p. 52

For the first, the Apostle labours to confirm them especially against two objections, whereof the first might be taken from their crosses.

For the first, the Apostle labours to confirme them especially against two objections, whereof the first might be taken from their crosses.

:626p. 52

¹For they might say, they were so pressed with the multitude of tentations, inward and outward, that they were much disheartened in the contentation of their estates.

¹For they might say, they were so pressed with the multitude of tentations, inward and outward, that they were much disheartned in the contentation of their estates.

11 Object.

:627p. 52

¹Now unto this the Apostle answers, that Christians have no cause to hang down their heads for their afflictions, and that for four reasons. 1. Because one may have many crosses, and yet have exceeding much joy. 2. The molestation that comes by tentations or crosses is but for a season. 3. That a Christian is not bound always to trouble himself, or be grieved at his troubles: It is but when need requires. 4. Because great profit comes by afflictions and tentations, that is to say, the trial of our faith, ver. 7.

¹Now unto this the Apostle answers, that Christians have no cause to hang down their heads for their afflictions, and that for foure reasons. 1. Because one may have many crosses, and yet have exceeding much joy. 2. The molestation that comes by tentations or crosses is but for a season. 3. That a Christian is not bound alwaies to trouble himselfe, or be grieved at his troubles: It is but when need requires. 4. Because great profit comes by afflictions and tentations, that is to say, the tryall of our faith, ver. 7.

1Solut.

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¹Secondly, they might object, that they know not whether the former consolation do belong unto them.

¹Secondly, they might object, that they know not whether the former consolation doe belong unto them.

12 Object.

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And to this he answers, Verse 8, 9.¹ by showing that there were three things in them, by which they might know that those comforts did belong unto them. 1. The first was their love of Christ. 2. The second their faith in Christ. 3. And the third their unspeakable and glorious joys, the consequent & end of all which would undoubtedly be the salvation of their souls: this answer is contained in the 8. and 9. Verses, and thus of the order of those words.

And to this he answers, Verse 8, 9.¹ by shewing that there were three things in them, by which they might know that those comforts did belong unto them. 1. The first was their love of Christ. 2. The second their faith in Christ. 3. And the third their unspeakable and glorious joyes, the consequent & end of all which would undoubtedly be the salvation of their souls: this answer is contained in the 8. and 9. Verses, and thus of the order of those words.

1Sol.

:630p. 53

Now whereas all these Verses contain answers to secret objections in the minds of men; before I come to the opening of the particulars in the answers, I note divers things briefly from the general, and which is here implied.

Now whereas all these Verses containe answers to secret objections in the minds of men; before I come to the opening of the particulars in the answers, I note divers things briefly from the generall, and which is here implyed.

:631p. 53

First, that God seeth the secret thoughts of mens hearts, he seeth all the §1risings of their thoughts and affections, and the inclinations to object any thing any way whatsoever: which should make us careful to look to our selves, for the very thoughts and risings of our hearts, especially if there be in men a wicked rebellion against the truth: let them not deceive themselves: For certainly God will judge them for their very inward boilings and indignations against the truth, even those, which they do not or dare not utter: For contrary thoughts aswell as contradictions.

First, that God seeth the secret thoughts of mens hearts, he seeth all the §1risings of their thoughts and affections, and the inclinations to object any thing any way whatsoever: which should make us carefull to looke to our selves, for the very thoughts and risings of our hearts, especially if there be in men a wicked rebellion against the truth: let them not deceive themselves: For certainly God will judge them for their very inward boilings and indignations against the truth, even those, which they doe not or dare not utter: For contrary thoughts aswell as contradictions.

:632p. 53§1

Secondly, not only God seeth, but the word of God meeteth with the §2very secret thoughts in the heart, or life of man, though they were never known or uttered: it ransacketh the spirit of man, and will search strangely into the secrets of mens courses.¹ There can hardly be an objection in a mans mind, but if he constantly attend the Word, it will meet with it; which may encourage humble Christians to rest upon the Word, for it will heal them of all sorts of spiritual diseases. The Lord can strangely be their Physician, when no creature knows it: and withal it confutes their stomach, that being met withal in the word, think the Preacher aims at them, and that it comes of very spleen against them, wilfully being ignorant of this, that the Word would search them, though the Preacher never knew their faces. For it is the Word of him that knows all the hearts of men, and was framed of purpose by the all-seeing Spirit of God, that it might discover what was hid, and converse secretly in the very bosoms of men.

Secondly, not onely God seeth, but the word of God meeteth with the §2very secret thoughts in the heart, or life of man, though they were never knowne or uttered: it ransacketh the spirit of man, and will search strangely into the secrets of mens courses.¹ There can hardly be an objection in a mans minde, but if hee constantly attend the Word, it will meet with it; which may encourage humble Christians to rest upon the Word, for it will heale them of all sorts of spirituall diseases. The Lord can strangely be their Physitian, when no creature knowes it: and withall it confutes their stomack, that being met withall in the word, think the Preacher aimes at them, and that it comes of very spleene against them, wilfully being ignorant of this, that the Word would search them, though the Preacher never knew their faces. For it is the Word of him that knows all the hearts of men, and was framed of purpose by the all-seeing Spirit of God, that it might discover what was hid, and converse secretly in the very bosomes of men.

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

Verse 6. Wherein ye rejoice greatly, though now for a season (if need require) ye are in heaviness through manifold tentations.

Verse 6. Wherein ye rejoyce greatly, though now for a season (if need require) ye are in heavinesse through manifold tentations.