A17385:732
A17385:732
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.
This Verse containeth the fourth reason, why afflictions and temptations should not darken the sense of our happiness, and that is taken from the effect of afflictions and tentations, which is in this Verse both propounded and amplified: It is propounded in these words, the trial of your faith; and it is amplified two ways: First, by comparison with gold tried in the furnace: And secondly, by consideration of the event; it will be found to praise, and honour, and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. First of the effect, as it is briefly propounded.
THis Verse containeth the fourth reason, why afflictions and temptations should not darken the sense of our happinesse, and that is taken from the effect of afflictions and tentations, which is in this Verse both propounded and amplified: It is propounded in these words, the tryall of your faith; and it is amplified two waies: First, by comparison with gold tryed in the furnace: And secondly, by consideration of the event; it will be found to praise, and honor, and glory at the appearing of Iesus Christ. First of the effect, as it is briefly propounded.
The trial of your saith.]
The tryall of your saith.]
Two things I would note here. 1. In general, that God will try men. 2. In special, what God tries in men, viz. their faith.
Two things I would note here. 1. In generall, that God will try men. 2. In speciall, what God tries in men, viz. their faith.
1For the first: It is certain that the Lord hath his fire in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem, and he will melt man. For what else should he do to his people?
1For the first: It is certaine that the Lord hath his fire in Sion, and his furnace in Ierusalem, and he will melt man. For what else should hee doe to his people?
First, by observing their ways: and so to try or search them, is nothing else, but to take notice of them and their estates: and so the word may be taken, Psal. 139.1, 2, 3.
First, by observing their waies: and so to try or search them, is nothing else, but to take notice of them and their estates: and so the word may be taken, Psal. 139.1, 2, 3.
Secondly, God proves men when he bestows special blessings upon them, Exod. 16.4.
Secondly, God proves men when hee bestowes speciall blessings upon them, Exod. 16.4.
Thirdly, God tries men by the power and efficacy of his Word. For that melts the heart of man like a furnace, and tries, and searcheth his inward parts, Mat. 3.2. Heb. 4.12.
Thirdly, God tryes men by the power and efficacy of his Word. For that melts the heart of man like a furnace, and tries, and searcheth his inward parts, Mat. 3.2. Heb. 4.12.
Fourthly, praise and applause is sometimes as the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold, Prov. 27.21.
Fifthly, one special way, by which God tries men, is by false Prophets, and that is, by suffering their dreams, or signs, or words to come to pass, Deu. 13.1
Fiftly, one speciall way, by which God tries men, is by false Prophets, and that is, by suffering their dreams, or signs, or words to come to passe, Deu. 13.1
Sixthly, God tries men by afflictions and tentations, so commonly it is meant, and so here: now God hath two furnaces of afflictions; there is the furnace of his fury, Ezech. 22.21, 22. &c. The other is the furnace of mercy, and this is here meant.
Sixtly, God tries men by afflictions and tentations, so commonly it is meant, and so here: now God hath two furnaces of afflictions; there is the furnace of his fury, Ezech. 22.21, 22. &c. The other is the furnace of mercy, and this is here meant.
Now the trial in affliction is not simply or properly the affliction it self,1 but certain specialties of consideration in the affliction: and thus God tries us, ⟨p. 65⟩1. First, when he sends many crosses one in the neck of another, and some of them of longer continuance, Dan. 11.33, 35. and so in Jobs case. 2. Secondly, when he sends upon our spirits strange and unwonted terrors, Exod. 20.20. 3. Thirdly, when he smites some eminent men with sore, and unexpected judgements, Dan. 11.34. 4. Fourthly, when he delayeth or withholdeth expected favours, Deu. 8.2. 5. Fifthly, when he gives but a little help, Dan. 11.34. 6. Sixthly, when he leaves us to our selves, and withdraws the special working of his spirit, 2 Chron. 32.31. 7. Seventhly, when he suffers us to fall into the same miseries that wicked men do, yea sometimes making our condition to be as the beasts of the field, Eccles. 3.17, 18, 19.
Now the tryall in affliction is not simply or properly the affliction it selfe,1 but certaine specialties of consideration in the affliction: and thus God tries us, ⟨p. 65⟩1. First, when he sends many crosses one in the neck of another, and some of them of longer continuance, Dan. 11.33, 35. and so in Iobs case. 2. Secondly, when hee sends upon our spirits strange and unwonted terrors,