A17384:1141
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.
Use. The use may be, first, for reproof of the madness of multitudes of people in the world, that can be extremely vexed and grieved for worldly crosses, yet have no sense or care of spiritual judgements: they howl upon their beds, if GOD take from them corn, or wine, or the fruits of the field; but never grieve, if God take the Gospel from them: they are much troubled if they lose the favour of their greatest friends; but never mourn because GOD hath forsaken them: they are very impatient if their bodies be sick, and yet very quiet if their souls be sick: they would think themselves undone if they were carried to prison, who yet are not much moved at it, that God should deliver them up to Satan. And yet I would not be mistaken.1 I do not mean to say, that wicked men should not mourn for worldly or outward crosses. It is true, godly men should not, or not with great sorrows; but for wicked men, they ought to be extremely grieved for every outward affliction, because it comes in wrath from God, and is but the beginning of evils. But then two things must be noted: First, that their sorrow should be godly, viz. for their sins that brought those judgements, not for the cross it self; secondly, that they ought to be ⟨p. 253⟩more troubled for spiritual judgements, than for temporal.
Vse. The vse may be, first, for reproof of the madnesse of multitudes of people in the world, that can bee extremely vexed and grieued for worldly crosses, yet haue no sense or care of spirituall iudgements: they howle vpon their beds, if GOD take from them corn, or wine, or the fruits of the field; but neuer grieue, if God take the Gospell from them: they are much troubled if they lose the fauour of their greatest friends; but neuer mourn because GOD hath forsaken them: they are very impatient if their bodies be sick, and yet very quiet if their soules bee sick: they would think themselues vndon if they were carried to prison, who yet are not much moued at it, that God should deliuer them vp to Satan. And yet I would not be mistaken.1 I do not mean to say, that wicked men should not mourn for worldly or outward crosses. It is true, godly men should not, or not with great sorrows; but for wicked men, they ought to be extremely grieued for euery outward affliction, because it comes in wrath from God, and is but the beginning of euils. But then two things must bee noted: First, that their sorrow should be godly, viz. for their sinnes that brought those iudgements, not for the crosse it self; secondly, that they ought to bee