A17384:1025
A commentary: or, sermons upon the second chapter of the first epistle of Saint Peter wherein 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 Isle-worth in Middlesex.A commentary: or, sermons vpon the second chapter of the first epistle of Saint Peter vvherein method, sense, doctrine, and vse, is, with great variety of matter, profitably handled; and sundry heads of diuinity largely discussed. By Nicholas Byfield, late preacher of God's Word at Isle-worth in Middlesex.
London: printed by Humphrey Lownes for George Latham, 1623London: printed by Humfrey Lownes for George Latham, 1623
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Fifthly, we should hence learn to make more account of our faith, which is therefore precious, because it applies Christ unto us: Hence poor Christians are said to be rich, because they have faith, and assurance of faith, and he calleth it all riches of full assurance, Colos. 2.2. 2. Pet. 1.4. Jam. 2.5.
Fiftly, wee should hence learne to make more account of our faith, which is therefore precious, because it applies Christ vnto vs: Hence poore Christians are said to bee rich, because they haue faith, and assurance of faith, and hee calleth it all riches of full assurance, Colos. 2.2. 2. Pet. 1.4. Iam. 2.5.
Sixthly, we should live securelesse. Men would promise to live at all hearts ease, if they were rich enough: why, Christians are exceeding rich, and possess more treasure, then all the world besides, and therefore should live henceforth by the faith of the Son of God, which was given to them, Gal. 2.20.
Sixtly, we should liue securelesse. Men would promise to liue at all hearts ease, if they were rich enough: why, Christians are exceeding rich, and possesse more treasure, then all the world besides, and therefore should liue henceforth by the faith of the Sonne of God, which was giuen to them, Gal. 2.20.
Seventhly, look to it, that thou keep Christ, whatsoever thou losest: resolve to lose father, mother, wife, children, friends, house, lands, yea and life too, rather then lose Christ, who is so precious.
Seuenthly, looke to it, that thou keepe Christ, whatsoeuer thou losest: resolue to lose father, mother, wife, children, friends, house, lands, yea and life too, rather then lose Christ, who is so precious.
Eighthly, We should show it, that we account him our greatest riches: and that we shall do, first, by esteeming the Gospel, that brings us daily tidings, above gold and silver. Secondly, by often receiving of the Sacraments: we should account the Word and Sacraments as Gods Exchequer, whither we always come to receive more treasure. Thirdly, by making much of them, that resemble his virtues. Fourthly, by longing for his appearing.
Eightly, Wee should shew it, that we account him our greatest riches: and that wee shall doe, first, by esteeming the Gospell, that brings vs daily tidings, aboue gold and siluer. Secondly, by often receiuing of the Sacraments: we should account the Word and Sacraments as Gods Exchequer, whither we alwaies come to receiue more treasure. Thirdly, by making much of them, that resemble his vertues. Fourthly, by longing for his appearing.
Thus, as Christ is our riches. Now secondly, he is precious, in that he is an honour unto us, and so some translate it. Christ then is a singular honour to every believer, and he is so both in heaven and in earth. First, in heaven he is an honour to us, because he graceth us before God, and the Angels, covering our nakedness with the rich garment of his own imputed righteousness, and making daily intercession for us to God, and covering our imperfections, and presenting our works, and prayers to God, and giving the Angels a charge to look carefully to us. Secondly, And so he is an honour to us on earth, both amongst the godly, and amongst the wicked: First, He graceth us amongst the godly, by giving us a room in their hearts, causing them to love us, and honour us even for Christ only, whom they discover in us by our love to Christ, and faith in his name, and imitation of his virtues. Secondly, and he graceth us also amongst the wicked, by protecting and acknowledging us in times of greatest distress, and ⟨p. 228⟩by washing out the blemishes, which our own indiscretions at any time brought upon us, & by clearing our innocencies from their unjust aspersions.
Thus, as Christ is our riches. Now secondly, hee is precious, in that hee is an honour vnto vs, and so some translate it. Christ then is a singular honor to euery beleeuer, and hee is so both in heauen and in earth. First, in heauen hee is an honour to vs, because he graceth vs before God, and the Angels, couering our nakednes with the rich garment of his owne imputed righteousnes, and making daily intercession for vs to God, and couering our imperfections, and presenting our workes, and praiers to God, and giuing the Angels a charge to looke carefully to vs. Secondly, And so hee is an honour to vs on earth, both amongst the godly, and amongst the wicked: First, Hee graceth vs amongst the godly, by giuing vs a roome in their hearts, causing them to loue vs, and honour vs euen for Christ onely, whom they discouer in vs by our loue to Christ, and faith in his name, and imitation of his vertues. Secondly, and hee graceth vs also amongst the wicked, by protecting and acknowledging vs in times of greatest distresse, and ⟨p. 228⟩by washing out the blemishes, which our own indiscretiōs at any time brought vpon vs, & by cleering our innocencies from their vniust aspersions.
The use may be, first for confutation of their folly and madness,1 that account it a course of abasement to follow Christ, and leave the vanities of the world. Godly courses are honourable courses: No man ever lost honour by cleaving to Christ, and living so as might become the faith and love of Christ. Secondly, and withal we may hence be informed, that all the honour that is without Christ, is but obscure baseness: no man can be truly honourable without the faith of Jesus Christ in his heart. Thirdly, we should hence be resolved to make more account of the Godly, because Christ is to them all honour: they are the only excellent ones in the world. Fourthly, we should labour also to be an honour unto Christ, and to the faith and profession of his name, and service: we must remember, that he is our surety to God for us, and hath undertaken for our good behaviour, and therefore for that reason we should be careful of our duties: and besides we see, that the disorders of great mens servants leave an imputation on their master, and so it is with us and Christ. If we live righteously, and soberly, and religiously, we honour Christ our Master: but otherwise if we be scandalous, we dishonour Christ, and therefore had need to look to our ways. And lastly, we should account Christ sufficient honour to us, and not regard the scorns and reproaches ⟨p. 231⟩of the world, but rather with Moses esteem the reproaches of Christ, greater riches then the treasures of Egypt.
The vse may be, first for confutation of their folly and madnes,1 that account it a course of abasement to follow Christ, and leaue the vanities of the world. Godly courses are honourable courses: No man euer lost honor by cleauing to Christ, and liuing so as might become the faith and loue of Christ. Secondly, and withall wee may hence be informed, that all the honour that is without Christ, is but obscure basenesse: no man can bee truely honourable without the faith of Iesus Christ in his heart. Thirdly, we should hence be resolued to make more account of the Godly, because Christ is to them al honour: they are the only excellent ones in the world. Fourthly, wee should labour also to bee an honour vnto Christ, and to the faith and profession of his name, and seruice: wee must remember, that he is our surety to God for vs, and hath vndertaken for our good behauiour, and therefore for that reason wee should be carefull of our duties: and besides wee see, that the disorders of great mens seruants leaue an imputation on their master, and so it is with vs and Christ. If wee liue righteously, and soberly, and religiously, wee honour Christ our Master: but otherwise if wee bee scandalous, wee dishonour Christ, and therefore had need to looke to our waies. And lastly, we shold account Christ sufficient honour to vs, and not regard the scornes and reproaches
Thus of the consolation to the godly.
The terror to the unbelievers is expressed, first, partly by charging upon them their offence: secondly, and partly by describing their punishment.
The terror to the vnbeleeuers is exprest, first, partly by charging vpon them their offence: secondly, and partly by describing their punishment.
Their offence is disobedience.
To them that are disobedient.]
All unbelievers stand indited of disobedience,1 and that in three respects: For first, they are guilty of Adams disobedience: For by the disobedience of one man many are made sinners, Rom. 5.19. Secondly, they are guilty of disobedience against the moral Law, which they have broken by innumerable offences, and in respect thereof are liable to all the curses of God, Deut. 28. Thirdly, they are guilty of disobedience against the Gospel. For there is an obedience of faith: Rom. 1.5. and the Lord complains, that they obeyed not the Gospel, Rom. 10.16. and for this disobedience, God will render vengeance in flaming fire at the Day of judgement, 2. Thes. 1.8. Now men disobey the Gospel not only, when they are bewitched to receive false opinions in religion, Gal. 3.1. But also and chiefly when they believe not in Jesus Christ, but live in their sins without repentance.
All vnbeleeuers stand indited of disobedience,1 and that in three respects: For first, they are guilty of Adams disobedience: For by the disobedience of one man many are made sinners, Rom. 5.19. Secondly, they are guilty of disobedience against the morall Law, which they haue broken by innumerable offences, and in respect thereof are liable to all the curses of God, Deut. 28. Thirdly, they are guilty of disobedience against the Gospell. For there is an obedience of faith: Rom. 1.5. and the Lord complaines, that they obeyed not the Gospell,
Uses. The use should be for humiliation unto impenitent sinners; they should take notice of their indictment, & make haste to humble themselves ⟨p. 232⟩before the Lord, lest Sentence come out against them, and there be no remedy; and the rather, because God will aggravate against them their disobedience. Now, there are many ways by which a sinner may take notice of the aggravations of his disobedience; as,
Vses. The vse should bee for humiliation vnto impenitent sinners; they should take notice of their inditement, & make haste to humble themselues ⟨p. 232⟩before the Lord, lest Sentence come out against them, and there be no remedy; and the rather, because God will aggrauate against them their disobedience. Now, there are many waies by which a sinner may take notice of the aggrauations of his disobedience; as,
1First, by the number of his offences, if he consider, that he hath made his sins like the hairs of his head. To be guilty of treason but in one particular, should occasion fear: but he that is guilty of many treasons, hath great reason to be extremely confounded in himself; and this is thy case.
1First, by the number of his offences, if he consider, that he hath made his sinnes like the haires of his head. To bee guilty of treason but in one particular, should occasion feare: but he that is guilty of many treasons, hath great reason to bee extremely confounded in himself; and this is thy case.
Secondly, thy disobedience is the more grievous, because thou hast received abundance of blessings from God, who hath by them wooed thee to repentance; and this will heap much upon thee, Rom. 2.4. Isaiah 1.3.
Secondly, thy disobedience is the more grieuous, because thou hast receiued abundance of blessings from God, who hath by them wooed thee to repentance; and this will heap much vpon thee, Rom. 2.4. Esay 1.3.
Thirdly, thou must consider all the means thou hast had of amendment; God hath planted thee in his garden the Church, he hath commanded his vine-dressers to bestow the pains, and apply the means of growth to thee. If now thou be not fruitful, this will be pleaded against thee, which art still a barren figtree, Luke 13.6.
Thirdly, thou must consider all the meanes thou hast had of amendment; God hath planted thee in his garden the Church, he hath commanded his vine-dressers to bestow the paines, and apply the meanes of growth to thee. If now thou be not fruitfull, this will be pleaded against thee, which art still a barren figtree, Luke 13.6.
Fourthly, it increaseth thy disobedience, that thou hast been guilty of divers heinous, and foul evils, as if thou have been a drunkard, a filthy person, a blasphemer of the name of God, a man of blood, or the like.
Fourthly, it increaseth thy disobedience, that thou hast beene guilty of diuers hainous, and fowle euils, as if thou haue beene a drunkard, a filthy person, a blasphemer of the name of God, a man of blood, or the like.
