A17385:792
A17385:792
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.
Thus of the effect of tentations, as is briefly propounded in these first words of the Verse: Now follows the amplification of it, and that first by comparison with gold.
Thus of the effect of tentations, as is briefly propounded in these first words of the Verse: Now followes the amplification of it, and that first by comparison with gold.
More precious than gold.]
These words more precious then gold, may be referred either to the persons of Gods children tried: or to affliction, by which they are tried: or to faith, that was tried.
These words more precious then gold, may be referred eyther to the persons of Gods children tryed: or to affliction, by which they are tryed: or to faith, that was tryed.
For the first, it is most certain, that Gods servants are most precious in his sight: He esteems them more then all treasures: They are his portion and inheritance:1 He bought them at a high price, and accounts of them at a wonderful high rate: They are his peculiar people, and his jewels; which should teach us in imitation of God to separate between the precious and the vile, accounting one that hath true grace,2 above a thousand carnal persons: and we should oppose the love of God and his account against all the scorns and oppositions of the world.3 Besides, it is an excellent comfort in affliction: for this great account God makes of us, may assure us, that he afflicts us not willingly, but with singular pity. To conclude, hath God avouched us for ⟨p. 67⟩his treasure, and peculiar people, and shall not we then avouch God to be our God, to keep his commandments, 4and set a high price upon the holiness he requires?
For the first, it is most certaine, that Gods servants are most precious in his sight: He esteemes them more then all treasures: They are his portion and inheritance:1 He bought them at a high price, and accounts of them at a wonderfull high rate: They are his peculiar people, and his jewels; which should teach us in imitation of God to separate betweene the precious and the vile, accounting one that hath true grace,2 above a thousand carnall persons: and we should oppose the love of God and his account against all the scorns and oppositions of the world.3 Besides, it is an excellent comfort in affliction: for this great account God makes of us, may assure us, that he afflicts us not willingly, but with singular pitty. To conclude, hath God avouched us for ⟨p. 67⟩his treasure, and peculiar people, and shall not we then avouch God to be our God, to keep his commandements, 4and set a high price upon the holinesse he requires?
Now for the second: It is true also, that the very afflictions and trials of §2Gods servants are better than gold.1 Moses thought they were better than the treasures of Egypta, and they are so in divers respects. 1. Because they take away our sins, which is all fruitb. 2. In respect of the wonderful joys of God, which a Christian finds in afflictionc. 3. Because they are notable means to wean us from the world, and fit us for heaven. 4. Because they work unto us dan eternal weight of glory, which all the treasures in the world would not purchase. All which should greatly hearten us in all wrongs and troubles, knowing that the Lord will cause all to work for the beste, and in all these we shall be more then Conquerors. But I think chiefly it is to be referred to faith, and so it assures us, that grace is better than treasure, and faith is better than gold: and this will appear better, if we compare the nature, or the use, or the end of these.
Now for the second: It is true also, that the very afflictions and tryals of §2Gods servants are better than gold.1 Moses thought they were better than the treasures of Egypta, and they are so in divers respects. 1. Because they take away our sinnes, which is all fruitb. 2. In respect of the wonderfull joyes of God, which a Christian findes in afflictionc
For the first: The substance must needs be better than the shadow;1 now gold is used, but to resemble and shadow out the worth of grace. Besides, riches are neither true, nor ours. Not true, for it is manifest, that opinion sets the price upon these outward treasures. Nor are they ours: for they will not go with us. And for the use of these, there is a great disproportion: Grace may bring riches, but riches cannot bring grace, Job 28.16. Prov. 24.4. Riches are but for the use, or ornament of the outward man; but faith and grace make the soul glorious, Psal. 45.10. Riches occasion much sin, Isaiah 2.8.7. 1 Tim. 6.9. but faith purifieth the heart. Riches will not avail in the day of wrath, Prov. 11.4. Ezech. 7.19. & 28.13.19. Zeph. 3.18. but faith will find a propitiation to still Gods displeasure, Rom. 3.25. Faith works a great deal of peace, and inward tranquility; but riches are like thorns, and to have much gold is to have much care, and all will still be vanity and vexation of spirit. And lastly, for the end of these it is apparent, that the end of faith is the salvation of our souls, 1 Pet. 1.9. but a rich man can hardly be saved, and because of riches thousands of men lose their souls.
For the first: The substance must needs be better than the shadow;1 now gold is used, but to resemble and shadow out the worth of grace. Besides, riches are neither true, nor ours. Not true, for it is manifest, that opinion sets the price upon these outward treasures. Nor are they ours: for they will not goe with us. And for the use of these, there is a great disproportion: Grace may bring riches, but riches cannot bring grace,
The Use may be either for instruction or consolation.
For instruction two ways:1 1. First, this should raise our estimation of poor Christians that are rich in faith, Jam. 2.5. 2. Secondly, it should quicken us to the seeking of this precious faith above all treasures: Receive faith and not silver, and assurance above much fine gold, and when thou hast gotten assurance, keep that which God hath committed to thee.
For instruction two waies:1 1. First, this should raise our estimation of poore Christians that are rich in faith, Iam. 2.5. 2. Secondly, it should quicken us to the seeking of this precious faith aboue all treasures: Receive faith and not silver, and assurance above much fine gold, and when thou hast gotten assurance, keep that which God hath committed to thee.
And for consolation, how can it but be comfortable to all that are thus honoured of God to be trusted with this true treasure: God will be their gold, as he said, Job 22.23, 24, 25. Oh happy are the men that find• the merchandise of faith! Let all poor Christians rejoice, that they are thus exalted; and contrariwise, woe is unto the world because of faith: men seek gold, but who seeks faith? what shall it profit him to have an empty soul, and a full chest; to have goods, and not be good?
And for consolation, how can it but be comfortable to all that are thus honoured of God to be trusted with this true treasure: God will be their gold, as he said, Iob 22.23, 24, 25. Oh happy are the men that find• the merchandise of faith! Let all poore Christians rejoyce, that they are thus exalted; and contrariwise, woe is unto the world because of faith: men seek gold, but who seeks faith? what shall it profit him to have an empty soule, and a full chest; to have goods, and not be good?
Yet before I pass from these words, we may note some things that are implied:
Yet before I passe from these words, wee may note some things that are implyed:
First, gold is precious: He granteth that, when he saith, faith is more precious. For these outward things are Gods creatures, and he retaineth his title §1to them still: It is his gold, and his silver still; which may teach men to be careful, how to dispose of these outward things. For they must give an account §2of their stewardship even in these.1
First, gold is precious: He granteth that, when he saith, faith is more precious. For these outward things are Gods creatures, and he retaineth his title §1to them still: It is his gold, and his silver still; which may teach men to be carefull, how to dispose of these outward things. For they must give an account §2of their stewardship even in these.1
Secondly, gold is here said to perish, which is true, both actively and ⟨p. 68⟩passively: Actively, it makes many a man to perish, and therefore it is called riches of iniquity, and is said to drown men in perdition: and passively it perisheth, because it vanisheth, and will not continue; Riches have wings, and either vanity will rust them, or violence take them away; and many times they are lost to the unexpressible grief of the owner, Nahum 2.9, 10.
Secondly, gold is here said to perish, which is true, both actively and ⟨p. 68⟩passively: Actively, it makes many a man to perish, and therefore it is called riches of iniquity, and is said to drowne men in perdition: and passively it perisheth, because it vanisheth, and will not continue; Riches have w•ngs, and either vanity will rust them, or violence take them away; and many times they are lost to the unexpressible griefe of the owner, Nabum 2.9, 10.
1It perisheth in respect of the act of it, but not in respect of the fruit of it: for so it endures for ever. And all this should teach us to have our conversation without covetousness, Heb. 13.4. and if riches increase, we should not set our hearts on them, Psal. 62.10. but rather lay up for our selves a good foundation by the merciful communicating of them, 1 Tim. 6.17.
1It perisheth in respect of the act of it, but not in respect of the fruit of it: for so it endures for ever. And all this should teach us to have our conversation without covetousnesse, Heb. 13.4. and if riches increase, we should not set our hearts on them, Psal. 62.10. but rather lay up for our selves a good foundation by the mercifull communicating of them, 1 Tim. 6.17.
Though it be tried in the fire.
Though it be tryed in the fire.
Fire is sometimes taken properly, and so it may be referred to gold, and then the sense is, that faith is better than gold tried in the fire: Fire is sometimes taken metaphorically; and so there is the fire of mortification, 1 Cor. 3.13. and the fire of renovation, Mat. 3.11. and the fire of tribulation, and the fire of condemnation, &c. It is the fire of tribulation which is meant here. Sometimes by this fire is meant any tribulation; and sometimes a special, fierce, and unresistible cross is meant by it: and so I think the fiery trial, 1 Pet. 4.12. is to be taken, and so it may be understood here. It is sure, that God doth sometimes try his best servants with strange afflictions: yet here is comfort, that all this shall be for their good, which should teach us in the greatest troubles to live by faith, 1 Pet. 4.12, 13. and in lesser affliction• not to be moved, seeing we have n•t resisted unto so high a degree of affliction as many of Gods dear servants have. Again, we may hence note, that Christians are not Stoics, they have sense of their afflictions: Crosses are fire, and fire will be felt, no affliction for the present seems joyous.
Fire is sometimes taken properly, and so it may be referred to gold, and then the sense is, that faith is better than gold tryed in the fire: Fire is sometimes taken metaphorically; and so there is the fire of mortification, 1 Cor. 3.13. and the fire of renovation, Mat. 3.11. and the fire of tribulation, and the fire of condemnation, &c. It is the fire of tribulation which is meant here. Sometimes by this fire is meant any tribulation; and sometimes a speciall, fierce, and unresistible crosse is meant by it: and so I think the fiery triall, 1 Pet. 4.12. is to be taken, and so it may be understood here. It is sure, that God doth sometimes try his best servants with strange afflictions: yet here is comfort, that all this shall be for their good, which should teach us in the greatest troubles to live by faith,