A17384:1096
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.
First, when the Gospel of Christ is contemned, or neglected, that is, when men neglect, or contemn the doctrine of salvation by Christ, and live still in their sin without repentance, and seek not reconciliation with God, through the blood of Christ.
First, when the Gospel of Christ is contemned, or neglected, that is, when men neglect, or contemne the doctrine of saluation by Christ, and liue still in their sinne without repentance, and seek not reconciliation with God, through the blood of Christ.
Secondly, when men go about to establish their own righteousness, and neglect the righteousness of Christ: and so when men fly to the intercession of Saints, or Angels, and use not the intercession of Christ.
Secondly, when men goe about to establish their owne righteousnesse, and neglect the righeousnes of Christ: and so when men fly to the intercession of Saints, or Angels, and vse not the intercession of Christ.
Thirdly, when men follow wicked company, and leave the care of the service of Christ; this is to choose Barabbas to be given unto them, rather then Christ.
Thirdly, when men follow wicked company, and leaue the care of the seruice of Christ; this is to choose Barabbas to bee giuen vnto them, rather then Christ.
Fourthly, we may be guilty of this sin in the time of the use of Christs ordinances, as in the Sacraments, when we discern not the Lords body, or in hearing, or any other ordinances, when we entertain contemplative wickedness, and so commit spiritual dalliance with strangers before the face of Christ.
Fourthly, wee may be guilty of this sinne in the time of the vse of Christs ordinances, as in the Sacraments, when we discerne not the Lords body, or in hearing, or any other ordinances, when we entertaine contemplatiue wickednes, and so commit spirituall dalliance with strangers before the face of Christ.
Fifthly, when men fall away from the grace of Christ, and so joy with the Jews, as it were to crucify the Son of God afresh, Hebr. 6. and 10. And so he is also refused, when in time of persecution he is denied before men: Thus Peter refused him, when he denied him.
Fiftly, when men fall away from the grace of Christ, and so ioy with the Iewes, as it were to crucifie the Sonne of God afresh, Hebr. 6. and 10. And so hee is also refused, when in time of persecution he is denied before men: Thus Peter refused him, when hee denied him.
Sixthly, when his servants are rejected: and so either in general, when Christians are exposed to public scorn, & made as it were the off-scouring of all things; or in particular, when his Ministers are despised. For he that despiseth them, despiseth him, &c.
Sixtly, when his seruants are reiected: and so either in general, when Christians are exposed to publik scorne, & made as it were the off-scouring of all things; or in particular, when his Ministers are despised. For hee that despiseth them, despiseth him, &c.
Quest. But how do the builders, that is, Church-men, refuse Christ?
Quest. But how doe the builders, that is, Church-men, refuse Christ?
Ans. I answer many ways.
Ans. I answer many waies.
First,1 when they will not preach in his name: when they preach not at all: For this is to let Christ live, as it were in the rubbish still, and not to separate him out for the building, &c.
First,1 when they will not preach in his name: when they preach not at all: For this is to let Christ liue, as it were in the rubbish still, and not to separate him out for the building, &c.
Secondly, when in preaching they preach themselves, & not Christ crucified, leaving the word of Christ, to show their own wit & learning, &c.
Secondly, whē in preaching they preach themselues, & not Christ crucefied, leauing the word of Christ, to shew their owne wit & learning, &c.
Thirdly, when they oppose the sincerity of the Gospel, in the conversion of the souls of men, or in the practice of godly Christians.
Thirdly, when they oppose the sincerity of the Gospel, in the conuersion of the soules of men, or in the practice of godly Christians.
Fourthly, when they teach the Doctrine of merit of works, or prefer the traditions of men before the commandments of God, as did the Pharisees.
Fourthly, when they teach the Doctrine of merit of works, or preferre the traditions of men before the commandements of God, as did the Pharises.
Use. The use of this Doctrine concerning the refusing of Christ may be divers, for
Vse. The vse of this Doctrine concerning the refusing of Christ may be diuers, for
First, it may teach us patience, when we are refused in the world: it is no other thing, then what did befall Christ himself; especially it should confirm us against the scandal arising from the discountenancing of godly men, which are crucified by all sorts of people in the world: If Christ himself were no better used, why should ⟨p. 244⟩we wonder at it, to see godly Christians so neglected? And if the most powerful doctrine of Christ were so securely despised; what wonder is it, if the good way of God be now evil spoken of?
First, it may teach vs patience, when we are refused in the world: it is no other thing, then what did befall Christ himselfe; especially it should confirme vs against the scandall arising from the discountenancing of godly men, which are crucified by all sorts of people in the world: If Christ himselfe were no better vsed, why should ⟨p. 244⟩we wonder at it, to see godly Christiās so neglected? And if the most powerful doctrine of Christ were so securely despised; what wonder is it, if the good way of God bee now euill spoken of?
Secondly, it may much comfort us, and that especially two manner of ways.
Secondly, it may much comfort vs, and that especially two manner of waies.
First, by reasoning for the contrary. For if it be a sign of a notorious wicked man, to let Christ lie like rubbish, or refuse stuff, then is it an excellent sign of a godly mind, to love the Lord Jesus, and to account all things but dung, in comparison of Christ, and his merits, and righteousness.
First, by reasoning for the contrary. For if it bee a signe of a notorious wicked man, to let Christ lie like rubbish, or refuse stuffe, then is it an excellent signe of a godly mind, to loue the Lord Iesus, and to account all things but dung, in comparison of Christ, and his merits, and righteousnes.
