A17384:1116
A commentary
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, that which is implied, is, that God will pass by these workmen, and reject their service. This I gather from hence, that whereas these builders would not make use of Christ in the building; it is here repeated, that the building ⟨p. 245⟩doth go on, and Christ is laid as the Head of the corner, which imports that God had rejected them. Now God rejects wicked Ministers two ways. First, one, when he curseth or blasteth their gifts, and refuseth to be glorified by them, when he causeth the night to come upon their divination, and puts out their right eyes: Secondly, the other is, when he roots them out by death, and makes their places spue them out: The first is here chiefly intended,1 and so it notes, that it is a great curse of God upon learned men in the Ministry, when God will not employ them, or make use of their gifts: A learned man, that either laboureth not, or proposeth not in his labours Gods glory, is a public and standing Monument of Gods displeasure for men to stand and gaze at: as it is a great argument of disgrace done to a Carpenter, or Mason, to stand by while the house is builded, and they not entreated or suffered to work, and yet have their tools ready. Oh it is a marvellous Justice of God to see learned, but not godly men pass by, so as they have not the honour to do any work in the Church for the salvation of the souls of men! & contrariwise it should rejoice the harts of godly Ministers, that God (as Paul saith of himself) will account them faithful to put them into his service, and to give their labours any success.
First, that which is implied, is, that God will passe by these workmen, and reiect their seruice. This I gather from hence, that whereas these builders would not make vse of Christ in the building; it is heere repeated, that the building ⟨p. 245⟩doth goe on, and Christ is laid as the Head of the corner, which importes that God had reiected them. Now God reiects wicked Ministers two waies. First, one, when he curseth or blasteth their gifts, and refuseth to be glorified by them, when he causeth the night to come vpon their diuination, and puts out their right eies: Secondly, the other is, when he roots them out by death, and makes their places spue them out: The first is heere chiefly intended,