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.

1. Peter an Apostle of Iesus Christ, to the strangers, that dwell here and there throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia:

2. Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father unto sanctification of the spirit through obedience, and sprinkling of the blood of Iesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, which accor∣ding to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us againe unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Iesus Christ from the dead.

To an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for us, or for you.

Which are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, which is prepared already to be shewed in the last time.

That the tryall of your faith being much more precious than the gold that perisheth (though it be tryed by fire) might be found unto praise, and honor, and glory at the appearing of Iesus Christ.

Whom yee have not seene and yet love him, in whom now though yee see him not, yet doe you beleeve, and rejoyce with joy unspeakable and glorious.

Receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your soules.

Of which salvation the Prophets searched and inquired diligently, which prophesied of the grace that should come unto you.

Searching when or what manner of time, the Spirit which testified of Christ which was in them, &c.

Vnto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they should minister the things which are now shewed unto you by them, which have preached unto you the Gospell by the holy Ghost sent down from heaven, the which things the Angels desire to behold.

Wherefore gird up the loines of your minde: be sober, and trust per∣fectly on the grace that is brought unto you by the revelation of Iesus Christ.

As obedient children not fashioning your selves unto the former lusts of your ignorance.

But as he which called you is holy, so be you holy in all manner of conversation.

And if you call him Father, which without respect of person judgeth according to every mans worke, passe the time of your dwelling here in feare.

Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, a silver and gold, from your vaine conversation received by the tradition of your fathers, &c.

But with the precious bloud of Christ, as of a lambe undefiled and without spot.

20. Which was ordained before the foundation of the world, but was declared in the last times for your sakes,

21. Which by his meanes doe beleeve in God that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory, that your faith and hope might be in God.

Seeing you have purified your soules in obeying the truth through the Spirit, to the unfained love of the brethren, so that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.

Being borne anew, not of mortall seed, but of immortall by the word of God, which liveth and endureth for ever.

24. For all flesh is as grasse, and all the glory of man is as the flower of grasse: the grasse withereth, and the flower falleth away:

25. But the word of the Lord endureth for ever, and this is the word which is preached among you.

But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever: and this is the word which is preached among you.

As new borne babes desire the sincere milke of the word, that ye may grow thereby.

Because ye have tasted, that the Lord is gracious, or bountifull.

To whom comming, as to a living stone, disallowed of men, but cho∣sen of God, and precious.

Ye also, as lively stones, bee made a spirituall house, an holy Priest∣hood, to offer up spirituall sacrifices, acceptable to God by Iosus Christ.

Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture, Behold, I put in Sion a chiefe corner-stone, elect and precious: and he that beleveth therein, shall not be ashamed.

7. Vnto you therefore which beleeve, it is precious: but unto them which be diso∣bedient, the stone which the Builders disallowed, the same is made the Head of the corner:

8. And a stone to stumble at, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the Word, being disobedient; unto the which thing they were even ordained.

And a stone to stumble at, and a rocke of offence, even to them which stumble at the Word, being disobedient, unto the which thing they were even ordained.

But yee are a chosen generation, a royall Priesthood, an holy Nation, a pe∣culiar people, that ye should shew forth the vertues of him that hath called you out of darknesse into his marvellous light;

Which in times past were not a people, yet are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Which in times past were not a people, yet are now the people of God: which in times past were not under mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Dearly beloved, I beseech you, as strangers and pilgrims, abstaine from flesh∣ly lusts, which fight against the soule:

And have your conversation honest among the Gentiles; that they which speake evill of you, as of evill doers, may by your good workes which they shall see, glorifie God in the day of their visitation.

And have your conversation honest amongst the Gentiles; that they which speak evill of you, as evill doers, may by your good works which they shall see, glorifie God in the day of their visitation.

Submit your selves to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake: whether to the King, as superior.

Or unto governours, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evill doers, and for the praise of them that doe well.

For so is the will of God, that with well-doing you may put to si∣lence the ignorance of foolish men.

As free, and not using your liberty for a cloake of maliciousnesse, but as the servants of God.

Honour all men: love the brother-hood: feare God: honour the King.

Servants, be subject to your Masters with all feare, not onely to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

For this is thank-worthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure griefe, suffering wrongfully.

For what glory is it, if when yee be buffeted for your faults, you shall take it patiently? but if when yee doe well, and suffer for it, you take it pa∣tiently; this is acceptable with God.

For what glory is it, if when you be buffeted for your faults, you shall take it patiently? But if when you doe well, and suffer for it, you take it patiently; this is acceptable with God.

For hereunto yee are called: for Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that yee also should follow his steps.

Who did no sinne, neither was there guile found in his mouth: Who when he was reviled, reviled not againe: when be suffered, bee threat∣ned not, but committed it to him that judgeth righteously.

Who his owne selfe bare our sinnes in his body on the tree; that we being delivered from sinne, should live in righteousnesse; by whose stripes you were healed.

For you were as sheepe going astray, but are now returned unto the Shepheard and Bishop of your soules.

1. Likewise let the Wives be subject to their Husbands, that even they which obey not the Word, may without the Word be won by the conversati∣on of the Wives.

2. While they behold your pure conversation, which is with feare.

3. Whose apparelling let it not be outward, as with broided haire, and gold put about, or in putting on of apparell.

4. But let the hid man of the heart be uncorrupt, with a meek and quiet spi∣rit, which is before God a thing much set by.

While they behold your chaste conversation, coupled with feare.

Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning, of plaiting the haire, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparell.

But let it be the hidden man of the heart, that which is not cor∣ruptible, even the ornament of a meeke and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

But let it be the hidden man of the heart, &c.

Por even after this manr in times past did the holy , which tr∣sted in God, themselves, and were subject to their husbands.

As Sarah obeyed Abraham, and called him Lord: whose daughters ye are, while ye doe well, not being affraid of any terrour.

Likewise ye husbands dwell with them according to knowledge, gi∣ving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessell, as being heires together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindred.

Finally, be yee all of one minde: one suffer with another: love as brethren: be pitifull: be courteous.

Not rendring evill for evill, or railing for railing: but contra∣riwise, blessing, knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

For hee that will love life, and see good daies, let him re∣fraine his tongue from evill, and his lips, that they speake no guile.

Let him eschew evill, and doe good, &c.