A17385:763
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.
Two things I note here.
1. First, that where God gives faith, he will try it, where he bestows the assurance of his favour (let men look for it. For) certainly he will melt them, God will try our faith for divers reasons, he will thereby melt off the rust of antiquity. There be certain odd and old opinions, and conceits in men at their first conversion, and it is Gods manner to school men by afflictions, and many times a Christian in a few days of adversity learns more true knowledge, then otherwise he would do in many weeks. Again, there are dregs of unbelief in the best and these need to go into the furnace to get them off: Besides, by affliction God doth show the truth of his own grace from that, which is but counterfeit in wicked men. The furnace manifestly puts a difference between a justifying faith, and the best of all other faiths, to wit, temporary faith: this may serve to confute their folly, that think themselves happy, because they are not in trouble as other men. But contrariwise, this is an ill sign many times that they are miserable, and have not any faith that would endure the trial. This should also teach us so to seek assurance of Gods favour, or so to hold the possession of it as to look for assaults and trials, while we are in this world more or less.
1. First, that where God gives faith, he will try it, where he bestowes the assurance of his favour (let men looke for it. For) certainly hee will melt them, God will try our faith for divers reasons, he will thereby melt off the rust of antiquity. There be certaine odde and old opinions, and conceits in men at their first conversion, and it is Gods manner to schoole men by afflictions, and many times a Christian in a few daies of adversity learnes more true knowledge, then otherwise hee would doe in many weekes. Againe, there are dregges of unbeliefe in the best and these need to goe into the furnace to get them off: Besides, by affliction God doth shew the truth of his owne grace from that, which is but counterfeit in wicked men. The furnace manifestly puts a difference betweene a justifying faith, and the best of all other faiths, to wit, temporary faith: this may serve to confute their folly, that think themselves happy, because they are not in trouble as other men. But contrariwise, this is an ill signe many times that they are miserable, and have not any faith that would endure the tryall. This should also teach us so to seeke assurance of Gods favour, or so to hold the possession of it as to looke for assaults and tryals, while we are in this world more or lesse.