A17385:629
A17385:629
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thirdly, we see here, that there may be objections in the minds of the very Elect, even of such as have true grace: we may not imagine that they §3are absolutely freed from all doubts and fears.
Thirdly, wee see here, that there may be objections in the minds of the very Elect, even of such as have true grace: we may not imagine that they §3are absolutely freed from all doubts and feares.
Fourthly, objections, In that the holy Ghost is so careful to prevent these §4it shows, that it is needful mens objections should be answered, and to that end, if the Lord do not answer otherwise, men should not repress and smother them, but propound them by seeking resolution. These sparks not quenched may breed a great flame: these drops of poison may infect the whole soul: a little leaven may sower the whole lump.
Fourthly, objections, In that the holy Ghost is so carefull to prevent these §4it shewes, that it is needfull mens objections should be answered, and to that end, if the Lord doe not answer otherwise, men should not represse and smother them, but propound them by seeking resolution. These sparkes not quenched may breed a great flame: these drops of poyson may infect the whole soule: a little leaven may sower the whole lumpe.
Fifthly, A question may be here demanded, and that is, why the Lord here §5and in many places of Scripture else doth express the answer,1 and suppress the objection?
Fiftly, A question may be here demanded, and that is, why the Lord here §5and in many places of Scripture else doth expresse the answer,1 and suppresse the objection?
For answer hereunto, divers things may profitably be supposed. 1. First the Lord hereby shows unto men in their own experience,1 what a divine light is in the Scriptures, that can thus discern the hidden things of man. 2. Secondly, it may be, the objections are suppressed, lest men hearing the objections should learn to object. 3. Thirdly, the Lord hereby shows mans nature, who usually will not say so much, yet the Lord saith, they do think so. 4. Lastly, I think for the most part the Lord doth it out of his compassion and tenderness towards his people, these things arising out of ⟨p. 54⟩mens frailty, he is willing many times to lay to the plaster, and yet not uncover the sore: and for fear of discouraging them, he rather implies their weaknesses then expresseth them, that they might be assured, that he is inclined rather to pity them, than to hate them; rather to succour them, than to reprove them.
For answer hereunto, divers things may profitably be supposed. 1. First the Lord hereby shews unto men in their owne experience,1 what a divine light is in the Scpiptures, that can thus discerne the hidden things of man. 2. Secondly, it may be, the objections are suppressed, lest men hearing the objections should learn to object. 3. Thirdly, the Lord hereby shews mans nature, who usually will not say so much, yet the Lord saith, they doe thinkeso. 4. Lastly, I thinke for the most part the Lord doth it out of his compassion and tendernesse towards his people, these things arising out of ⟨p. 54⟩mens frail•y, he is willing many times to lay to the plaister, and yet not uncover the soare: and for feare of discouraging them, hee rather implies their weaknesses then expresseth them, that they might be assured, that he is inclined rather to pitty them, than to hate them; rather to succour them, than to reprove them.
And thus of the general.
And thus of the generall.
Wherein ye greatly rejoice.
Wherein yee greatly rejoyce.
The main thing that I observe out of these words, is, that converted Christians, though they have many afflictions, yet they are greatly solaced and find great joy even in this world. Now because this point is not believed by the most, who are loath to acknowledge so much gain in godliness, and because also many Christians are not wise either to discern, or to make use of their own felicity herein, I would (before I come to the use of this doctrine) for explication propound three things. 1. How it can be made manifest out of Scripture, that a Christian life is such a joyful life? 2. What are the particular ways, whereby Christians can meet with such a joyful life and comfort, as by Scripture is proved they might have? 3. And in the third place I answer an objection or two.
The maine thing that I observe out of these words, is, that converted Christians, though they have many afflictions, yet they are greatly solaced and finde great joy even in this world. Now because this point is not believed by the most, who are loath to acknowledge so much gaine in godlinesse, and because also many Christians are not wise either to discerne, or to make use of their owne felicity herein, I would (before I come to the use of this doctrine) for explication propound three things. 1. How it can be made manifest out of Scripture, that a Christian life is such a joyfull life? 2. What are the particular waies, whereby Christians can meet with such a joyfull life and comfort, as by Scripture is proved they might have? 3. And in the third place I answer an objection or two.
1For the first, The Scripture instanceth in nine things, all which do manifestly import, that such as fear God, may have exceeding much joy. 1. For first aGod commandeth his servants to rejoice, yea bhe commandeth his Ambassadors to comfort them. 2, God is bound by promise to give them joy. For besides that the Gospel in general is a doctrine of glad tidings there are particular promises for joy, cas the places in the margin show. 3. Thirdly, joy is one of the express dfruits of the Spirit. 4. Fourthly, it is ea main part of the Kingdom of God. 5. Fifthly, God threateneth his, when he finds them without it, as is manifest in Deut. 28. this was one cause of his displeasure, that they did not fserve him with joyfulness and a glad heart. 6. The Scripture is plentiful in the examples of men, that have found exceeding much joy in the ways of God, gsome few places I instance in the margin. 7. If a temporary faith find such joy in the word, how much more a justifying faith. 8. The nature of God is such, as he is as willing to communicate joy, has well as other graces. 9. Lastly, this is most apparent by this, that the Scriptures show, that God hath provided joys for his servants in such things as might seem most to cross them or their contentment, as in itribulation, yea and k
1For the first, The Scripture instanceth in nine things, all which doe manifestly import, that such as feare God, may have exceeding much joy. 1. For first aGod commandeth his servants to rejoyce, yea bhee commandeth his Embassadors to comfort them. 2, God is bound by promise to give them joy. For besides that the Gospell in generall is a doctrine of glad tidings there are particular promises for joy, cas the places in the margent shew. 3. Thirdly, joy is one of the expresse dfruits of the Spirit. 4. Fourthly, it is ea maine part of the Kingdome of God. 5. Fiftly, God threatneth his, when he finds them without it, as is manifest in Deut. 28. this was one cause of his displeasure, that they did not fserve him with joyfulnesse and a glad heart. 6. The Scripture is plentifull in the examples of men, that have found exceeding much joy in the waies of God, gsome few places I instance in the margent. 7. If a temporary faith finde such joy in the word, how much more a justifying faith. 8. The nature of God is such, as hee is as willing to communicate joy, has well as other graces. 9. Lastly, this is most apparant by this, that the Scriptures shew, that God hath provided joyes for his servants in such things as might seeme most to crosse them or their contentment, as in itribulation, yea and kin affliction of conscience it selfe. Now if we can beleeve it of them in such times, then wee need never doubt of it, but they either have, or may have great joy.