A Commentary on 1 Peter 1-3, Exposition of chapter 1 · Exposition of verse 23
Verse 25.
But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever: and this is the word which is preached among you.
HItherto of the vanity of man in his flesh, and outward condition: The eternity of the word followeth in this verse. The hearts of all men naturally tend to the admiration, and care for the body onelyonly, and the things thereof: yea in the Church of God the faith of Christians is wonderfully deformed, and disgraced by such cares: while men professe they beleeve in Christ for a better condition, their practise continually proclaimes the flesh still for the idoll of their hearts; therefore it is needfull, that this wretched pertinacy should be disgraced by a discovery of their vanity therein, which is done in the former verse. Now if men be put out of their way in the projects of the flesh, it is expedient they should bee informed, what better things to settle their hearts upon, else it will never perswade with them to leave the love of the flesh, and this present life, if no better happinesse bee set before them. This therefore is intended in this verse, briefely to tell men, upon what they might spend their time better, than in the cares of the flesh.
The question then is:Quest. since nothing in mans flesh or outward estate is worth the care and labour of attendance, what then is the chiefe thing in this life to be sought after?
If we marke the direct Antithesis to the former verse,Answ. it should have beene thus: Mans flesh is grasse, &c. but mans spirit endureth for ever, and so the soule of man should have bin the maine thing his heart should have beene set upon: But thus there had beene great danger of mistaking still; for God would have the body saved, as well as the soule, and the holinesse of the body as well as the soule thought of: and besides, the soule naturally is as corrupt as the flesh, and it is no more safe to follow the lusts of the soule, then the appetites of the body. For the spirit of man is as much polluted, as the flesh, and the body is but the instrument of the soule: therefore the scripture leadeth man cleane out of himselfe, considered as he is in his present state of nature, that he may be fully humbled for his misery.
Quest. If yet any say, what then is the maine object of our cares, and service in this life?
Ans. I answer, that it is diversly resolved in divers scriptures: In Ps. 102. 11, 12. it is thus: Man fadeth, and withereth like grasse, but the Lord endureth for ever, and so that place shewes us, it is God we should know, admire, love, care for, provide for, and set our hearts upon In the 103. Ps v. 15.17. it is thus: The dayes of man are as grasse, and as the flower of the field flourisheth: but the love and kindnesse of the Lord endureth for ever to them that feare him: where we are guided to know in particular, what in God wee should most seeke, and that is the assurance of Gods mercy, which will stand us in stead for eternity. Here it is the word of the Lord endureth for ever, and this comprehendeth all the former: It is the word of the Lord, that revealeth God, and directeth our hearts to the love of God, and the assurance of his mercy: It is the word of God, that clenseth and sanctifieth the soules of men.
So that then the chiefe doctrine of this verse is,Doct. that in this life we should especially set our hearts upon the word of God, that should be our maine care: It is the word, we should be most busied about, and our hearts should specially be set upon, we should meditate in it day and night, Ps. 1.2. It should be our portion and heritage: It is that we should provide for, whatsoever we want, Ps. 119. For the word of God perfects our natures, and sanctifies us, Ioh. 17. By the word wee have communion and fellowship with God, and Christ on earth, Ioh. 14.21. Rev. 3.10. It is the word, that comforts us in all tribulation, Ps. 119. It is the word, that directs us in all our waies: It is the light to our feete, and la…thorne to our paths. Ps. 119. yea it is the word that maintaines our lives: for man liveth not by bread, but by the word and prayer. It is the word, that fits us for immortality, and brings salvation to us, and in the meane while nourisheth us up to eternity, 1 Pet. 1.23. & 2.2. Act. 26.18. & 4.16.
This may serve, First, for information concerning the estate of two sorts of men. 1. Of such as want the word, or the love of it; what shall it profit them to winne all the glory of the world for the flesh, when for want of the word their spirits and flesh must perish for ever? 2. Of such as follow the word, and search the scriptures, and have nothing more in request: this justifies them, they have chosen the better part with Mary, and it shall never be taken from them.
Secondly, for instruction: we should all learne to glorifie the word, Act. 13. 48. to receive it with all meekenesse, Iam. 1.21. to hunger and thirst after it, as our appointed foode: to embrace it, presse to it, and never be ashamed of it, Ps. 119.2…. esteeming it above all riches, Ps. 119.14, 72, 110. exercising our our selves in it day and night; redeeming some time constantly to be imployed in it; labouring most for the foode that perisheth not, Ioh. 6.27. Amos 8. 12. being resolved to deny our reasons, profits, pleasures, credits, and carnall friends, and all for the words sake, Marke 10.2. Thus in generall.
In particular two things may be noted in this verse. First, the praise of the word for the continuance, it abideth for ever. Secondly, the explication of the kind, viz: this is true of the word, which we preach unto you. The first thing thē is, that the word abideth for ever, which other scriptures with like plainnesse avouch, Ps. … 17.2. Mat. 5. & 24. Two things would be explained: 1. how the word abideth for ever. 2. of what word of God this is true. For the first, the word of God abides for ever in divers respects. 1 In the Archetipe of it in God, the plotforme in the minde of God; though all Bibles were destroyed, yet the word of God could not, because the originall draught of it is in God himselfe. 2. In the very writings of the word, it shall last for ever, that is, till time be no more: If all the power on earth should make warre against the very paper of the scriptures, they cannot destroy it, but the word of God written will be to be had still. It is easier to destroy heaven and earth, than to destroy the Bible. 3. In the sense of it, all that is said in scripture shall be performed: the counsell of the Lord shall stand, not a word of Gods promises, or threatnings shall faile, Psal. 33.11, 12. 4. It abideth for ever in the hearts of the godly, the impressions made in the mindes of the godly are indelible, every godly man hath the substance of Theologie in his owne heart, which seed will abide in him, 1 Ioh. 3. 5. Lastly, it abideth for ever,Ioh. ….31. &c. as it makes us abide for ever, and so it abideth in the gifts of the minde wrought by it: in the life of grace quickened by it, and in the fruits of righteousnesse, to which it perswaded men, Rom. 11. The gifts of God are without repentance, and the word begets an immortall seed in us, and the fruits of the faithfull will remaine, and their righteousnesse for ever, Ps. 111. 3. 1 Pet. 2.3. Ioh. 15.16. 1 Cor. 3.14. 1 Cor. 13. ult. 2. Now for the second: It is true of every word of God, of every jott or tittle of it, that it abideth for ever: The Law and the Gospell: by the law I meane the morall law: for the ceremoniall law lasted but for the Jewish eternity, which was, till Christ repaired the world, and made all things new.
Vse.The Use may be
First, for information, and so in five things.
1. Concerning the vanity of all outward things, the perfection of them doth come to an end, but of Gods word there is no end, Psal. 119.
2. Concerning the estate of hypocrites, and such whose righteousnesse is but as the morning dew, Hosh. 6.5. this shewes they have not received the power of the word, in that it doth not abide in them.
3. Concerning the misery of all wicked men, heaven and earth shall passe away before one tittle of the curses and woes denounced against them shall faile, or be unaccomplished; yea it will remaine to judge them at the last day, Ioh. 7.
4. Concerning the morality of the Sabbath: For since this is one of the ten words of Gods law, even this word of the Lord must abide for ever, else more then a tittle of it should faile before heaven and earth faile.
5. Concerning the madnesse of two sorts of men.
1. Such as account all diligence in preaching, reading, and hearing to be foolishnesse, 1 Cor. 1.18.
2. Such as are scorners, and jest at the threatnings of scripture, and say with them in the Prophet, let the word of the Lord come, that wee may see it, Ezech.
Secondly, for instruction: and so it should teach us all to adde to …ur cares and desires after the word, as that which will doe us good another day, since in the lasting profit of it, it will indure above all things else, and therefore is better then all treasures: yea to get this perpetuity of good, wee should not thinke much to be at any labour or cost for it: and the rather seeing it is such a sufficient portion or heritage.
Lastly, this is comfortable to the godly divers waies.
1. Against their unbeleefe, when they are in distresse, especially of spirit, they thinke the word of God was wonderfull comfortable to David, and such like, but they cannot beleeve it should be so to them: this doctrine assures them, that the word of the Lord endureth through all ages, and is as able to save their soules, and sanctifie, and comfort them as ever it was. 2. Against the weaknesse of their memories: The word will abide for ever, some seeds of holy truth will never be lost, and the spirit will lead them to all truth, and bring the sayings of the word to their mind, when they shall have need. 3 Against the scornes of the world, though men deride their counsell in making the Lord and his word their refuge, yet they may be well pleased in themselves, and resolve with the Psalmist, still in God to praise his word. For the profit of it will last to them, when riches, and honor, and pleasures fade like the flower of the grasse to wicked men. 4. Against their feare of falling away. For the word of God in effect abideth for ever, and it makes them abide for ever.
This is the word, which is preached unto you.
These words explaine the sense of the former, and direct mens minds to that use of the word, which is most proper and powerfull to effect immortality in us, and so there is a threefold limitation.
1. That the word of God doth then cheefely beget in us eternall graces, and abiding fruits, when it is preached to us: The intent of the Apostle is to exalt preaching, not to deny efficacy to the translation, or reading of the word, but to shew that then it is most lively, when it is in preaching fitted and applied to us: and this may both instruct us what to doe, and informe us what to thinke. It should teach us especially two things: the one is to depend upon hearing, as the especiall meanes, by which our soules may live for ever: Heare and your soules shall live, Esay 55.4. 2. and it should also settle us in the resolution to heare: if this be so, let him that heareth, heare, Ezech. 3.7. It may likewise informe us in two things: 1. of the misery of all such as have not the benefit of the word preached, how doe their soules perish for ever? 2. of the honor God doth to his poore servants the Ministers of the word, when he tre… about eternall life, he sends the people to their Ministers, as if he would tell them, they should not be saved without their teachers.
2. That not all preaching hath this effect; but it must be good preaching or preaching of the gospell, or publishing of the glad tidings in and through Jesus Christ: the word may signifie to preach happily, or to preach well, or to preach glad tidings, or the gospell. It is certaine it is a great happinesse to a people, when they get faithfull teachers; and it is true, that not all preaching, but preaching well is that which must make us abide for ever: but I take it in the usuall sense. It is the preaching of the gospell, that is thus glorious in effect. For the law is the ministration of death, 2 Cor. 3. and this should both teach Ministers to studie to preach the gospell, (which to do requires exceeding great labour, and judgement) and besides, the people should set their hearts upon the comforts propounded to them in the ministry of the word, and open their hearts wide to receive them with all joy and much assurance; yea when they feele the sweetnesse of the gospell, they should glorifie God, and receive their teachers as the Angells of God, as the allusion of the word imports.
3. That the word must be considered, as it is propounded to them, to you, saith the Apostle; and this may be restrained either to the scriptures, as they were first preached by the Apostles themselves, men inspired of God: or in generall it may be extended to the faithfull Ministers, that are over the godly in any place. It is true, that there is great difference betweene the preaching of the Apostles, and our preaching, and the people are not bound to respect our preaching now, as theirs then, because the Apostles could not erre, and were immediately inspired with the Holy Ghost: but yet when that we preach, we demonstrate to the consciences of our hearers to be the very word of God, and doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles, we ought to be received. Sure it is, that though wee give the scriptures never so faire t…rmes, if we love not the preaching of the word, we cannot live for ever, and there is a secret deceit in mens hearts, they thinke they must honor Gods word, but they are not bound to thinke any thing highly of their Ministers preaching, especially if they have any quarrell or grudge against their Minister. But let all men well consider, when the Apostle here saith; this is the word which is preached unto you, if the word which is preached to you be not regarded, you cannot stand in the day of Christ.
Againe, others thinke, if wee had such preaching as was in the daies of Christ, and the Apostles, or as others have in other places, we could then do that is required of us: still marke the words; it is the word preached to you, you must rely upon: If therefore the Preacher prove, what he saith, in the word of God, this text will rise up in judgement against thee, if thou obey no…: Or if for want of life and power in application in thy teacher, thy soule do not prosper, then why livest thou in places, where thou canst not stoope … this to say, this is the word which is preached to me? Why are not men … …full to provide a place, where their soules may live well, as where … …ies may live well? I meane this of such as live in a free estate.
4. Lastly, this (to you) notes, that the word is never powerfull, but when we …ply it to our selves, and receive it as spoken to us in particular in all things …; when we can say, this word was preached to me, then will th… … worke.
FINIS.
A COMMENTARY: OR, SERMONS VPONUPON THE SECOND CHAPTER OF the first Epistle of Saint PETER: VVHEREIN METHOD, SENSE, DOCTRINE, AND USE, IS, WITH great variety of matter, profitably handled; and sundry heads of Divinity largely discussed.
BY NICHOLAS BYFIELD, late Preacher of God's Word at ISLEVVORTH in MIDDLESEX.
London Printed for George Latham. MDCXXXVI.
TO THE HONOVRABLE KNIGHT, SIR HORATIO VERE, Generall of the English Forces in the Low-Countries; and to his most worthy Lady, the Lady MARY VERE, all happinesse that a poore widow may, in their behalfe, pray for at the Throne of Grace.
My much honoured Lord and Lady:
AS that speciall duty which I my selfe owe to you both; so that purpose which my dear husband had (while he lived) of dedicating to you this Commentary of his upon S. Peters Epistle, bindeth mee (who am left his sole Executrix, to see his VVill every way performed) to set out this first of his workes, published since his death, under your Honourable Names. It pleased you to take into your Family a childe of his body: be further pleased (I pray you) to take into your Patronage this childe of his soule; which, as an Orphane, yea, as a Posthumus, in all humility is presented unto you. You manifested more then ordinary kindnesse to my husband while he lived; wee and ours have oft tasted of the sweetnesse of your bounty: so that I should deserve to be accounted most ingratefull, if I should burie so many favours in oblivion, or neglect to provoke others to love and good workes, by proposall of your example. Accept, I beseech you, this poore acknowledgement of thanks; which is most due, first, to that primary Fountain of all goodnesse, Almighty God, for keeping your Lordship safe in your late imployment in the Palatinate, and for freeing your Ladiship from those fears whereunto you could not but be subject, by reason of his long absence; and for giving you both, a mutuall and comfortable fruition one of another: And next, to your selves, for all those kindnesses, which, while my husband lived, you did to him and his, and since his death you continue to doe to such as he hath left behinde him. Now, the good God continue his blessed protection over you both, and take all that belong unto you, under the wings of his fatherly Providence. And so I rest, with the renewall of my sute, that you would cast your eyes upon this VVork of him who much honoured you in his life time; and is, after his decease, offred to you by
Your humble Oratrix, ELIZABETH BYFIELD.