A17385:699
A17385:699
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.
12. The twelfth degree is a reprobate sense, when a man having been under the power of the devil, and not escaping out of his snare by repentance, i• most fearfully forsaken of God, and with unspeakable spiritual wickedness besotted by Satan, so as all sense and remorse is wholly extinguished i• him, so as neither the light o• Nature, nor the light of Scripture can work upon him.
12. The twelfth degree is a reprobate sense, when a man having been under the power of the devill, and not escaping out of his snare by repentance, i• most fearfully forsaken of God, and with unspeakable spirituall wic•ed•esse besotted by Sathan, so as all sense and remorse is wholy extinguished i• him, so as neither the light o• Nature, nor the light of Scripture can worke upon him.
13. The last degree is death, even death eternal.
13. The last degree is death, even death eternall.
Thus we see the stairs that descend down to hell, and the several step• […] stairs.
Thus we see the staires that descend downe to hell, and the severall step• 〈…〉 staires.
Saint James makes but 6. degrees: For the first motions he suppresseth. Then the first degree is drawing away, now that contains the 2, 3, and 4. degree, as it is here in our reckoning, viz. liking, delight, and security. The […] •irth, that is, practice: the fifth, the finishing of sin, which hath in i• custom, in••r• […] outward Apostasy, tradition and a reprobate mind: the […] i• death. Thus of the second point.
Saint Iames makes but 6. degrees: For the first motions hee suppresseth. Then the first degree is drawing away, now that containes the 2, 3, and 4. degree, as it is here in our reckoning, viz. liking, delight, and security. The 〈…〉 •irth, that is, practice: the fift, the finishing of sin, which hath in i• ••stome, in••r• 〈…〉 outward Apo••acie, tradition and a rebrobate minde: the 〈…〉 i• death. Thus of the second point.
1. First, the temptations of Satan are usually to things against nature, or against the God of nature, and so the temptations of Blasphemy, as they are te•med, are from Satan; or they are against the constitution of nature, a• the […] which a man is moved to kill himself, or destroy or betray his Country or Prince, or to commit ••••mitry, Bu•••r•, or […].
1. First, the tentatations of Sathan are usually to things against nature, or against the God of nature, and so the temptations of Blasphemy, as they are te•med, are from Satan; or they are against the constitution of nature, a• the 〈…〉 which a man is moved to kill himselfe, or destroy or betray his C•untry or Prince, or to commit ••••mitry, Bu•••r•, or 〈…〉.
2. Secondly, the tentations of Satan are usually sudden, and fierce, and violent like lightning, that leaves not a man time for deliberation: Thus he […] CHRIST with the glory of the world, but it is in a moment, lest ou• Saviour by deliberation should find our reasons of exceptions against ⟨p. 60⟩earthly glory: and so when the devil would persuade to sin that is gross and m•nstrous, he labours to confound a man with the sudden fierceness, and flame of the tentations; whereas concupiscence is more lingering and flower.
2. Secondly, the tentations of Sathan are usually sudden, and fierce, and violent like lightning, that leaves not a man time for deliberation: Thus he 〈…〉 CHRIST with the glory of the world, but it is in a moment, lest ou• Saviour by deliberation should finde our reasons of exceptions against ⟨p. 60⟩earthly glory: and so when the devill would perswade to sinne that is grosse and m•nstrous, hee labours to confound a man with the suddaine fiercenesse, and flame of the tentations; whereas concupiscence is more lingring and flower.
3. Thirdly, those evils that are instantly disliked, and in no measure consented to, or approved, are from Satan, and not from concupiscence. For concupiscence works by the natural proneness to the evil, which cannot be without all desire, or liking, and these tentations may be none of our sins. The first motions are not always to be counted our sins: For Christ was tempted not only for the matter, but for the manner in all things like unto us, yet without sin: he had monstrous things cast into his mind by the devil, yet he sinned not: so likewise it is not our sin simply that tentations are there. For a man doth not sin in the tentation, till he be in some degree drawn away by it.
3. Thirdly, those evils that are instantly disliked, and in no measure consented to, or approved, are from Sathan, and not from concupiscence. For concupiscence works by the naturall pronenesse to the evill, which cannot be without all desire, or liking, and these tentations may be none of our sins. The first motions are not alwaies to be counted our sinnes: For Christ was tempted not onely for the matter, but for the manner in all things like unto us, yet without sin: he had monstrous things cast into his mind by the devill, yet he sinned not: so likewise it is not our sinne simply that tentations are there. For a man doth not sinne in the tentation, till hee be in some degree drawne away by it.
1Now for the fourth thing, there are many comforts against tentations diversly to be raised out of the Scripture.
First, from example, and that both of Christ and Christians. Of Christ, for §1he was tempted, so the Apostle useth this argument as a comfort, Heb. 2.16. and 4.•5. now there is a threefold comfort from Christs example.
1 First, that he was tempted as well as we.
1 First, that he was tempted as well as wee.
2. Secondly, that we see by his example, one may be tempted, yet without sin.
2. Secondly, that wee see by his example, one may be tempted, yet without sinne.
3. That he was tempted, that he might succour us when we are tempted.
And as we have the example of Christ, so we have the example of Christians. For as the Apostle Peter saith, The same afflictions are accomplished on your brethren that are in the world, 1 Pet. 5.12.
Secondly, from the meditation of the helps in tentations.
1. First, Gods Spirit is within us to lust against the flesh, even to assist with grace and strength against the workings of Satan.
1. First, Gods Spirit is within us to lust against the flesh, even to assist with grace and strength against the workings of Sathan.