A17384:1421
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 every Christian is bound to imitate the special virtues of Jesus Christ.
First, that euery Christian is bound to imitate the speciall vertues of Iesus Christ.
Secondly, that it is not enough to have those virtues, but they must show them forth accordingly.
Secondly, that it is not enough to haue those vertues, but they must shew them foorth accordingly.
Thirdly, how those virtues thus showed forth, are still called the virtues of Christ.
Thirdly, how those vertues thus shewed forth, are still called the vertues of Christ.
Fourthly, the Periphrasis, by which Christ is described, is to be attended when he saith, It is he that called us. 1For the first of these, It is apparent, that the Apostle takes all the godly bound to the imitation of the virtues of Christ.
Fourthly, the Periphrasis, by which Christ is described, is to be attended when he saith, It is he that called vs. 1For the first of these, It is apparant, that the Apostle takes all the godly bound to the imitation of the vertues of Christ.
Note by the way, that it is the virtues of Christ that are to be imitated. For every thing in Christ is not to be imitated, As
Note by the way, that it is the vertues of Christ that are to be imitated. For euery thing in Christ is not to be imitated, As
1First, not his infirmities: for though they were unblameable, and without sin: yet they imported weakness: and so, though they be in us, yet we are not to strive after the attainment of them.
1First, not his infirmities: for though they were vnblameable, and without sin: yet they imported weaknes: and so, though they be in vs, yet wee are not to striue after the attainment of them.
Secondly, not his works of Divinity; as his miracles, curing of men with a word, walking on the water, fasting forty days, and such like.
Secondly, not his works of Diuinity; as his miracles, curing of men with a word, walking on the water, fasting forty daies, and such like.
Thirdly, not his works of Office, such works as he did in that singular obedience to that singular commandment of his Father, in dying to redeem the Church: and so all the works of his Mediator-ship, as he was the Mediator between God and man.
Thirdly, not his workes of Office, such works as he did in that singular obedience to that singular commandement of his Father, in dying to redeeme the Church: and so all the works of his Mediator-ship, as he was the Mediator between God and man.
Fourthly, not his works of obedience, as the son of Abraham to the Mosaical Laws, those that were Ceremonial: for Christ must be considered, as the son of Adam, and not as the son of Abraham. As the son of Adam, he was bound to the Moral law, whether as it was first written in mens harts: or as after it was taught by tradition: and at length by the Writings of Moses.
Fourthly, not his works of obedience, as the son of Abraham to the Moisaicall Lawes, those that were Ceremoniall: for Christ must be considered, as the sonne of Adam, and not as the sonne of Abraham. As the sonne of Adam, hee was bound to the Morall law, whether as it was first written in mens harts: or as after it was taught by tradition: and at length by the Writings of Moses.
Fifthly, we are not bound to follow every action ⟨p. 321⟩of Christ in indifferent things, no not in such, as had some circumstantial relation to religious duties: such as were to sit and preach, or to preach on mountains, or by high way sides, and in a ship: or to pray all night, or to wear a garment without a seam, or to sit at the Paschal Supper, and a multitude of such like instances; such as was the commandment to his Disciples to take nothing for their journey, neither staves, nor scrip, nor money, nor two coats, and so he preached the Gospel freely himself, and such was his lifting up of his eyes to heaven in prayer.
Fiftly, we are not bound to follow euerie action ⟨p. 321⟩of Christ in indifferent things, no not in such, as had some circumstantiall relation to religious duties: such as were to sit and preach, or to preach on mountaines, or by high way sides, and in a ship: or to pray all night, or to weare a garment without a seame, or to sit at the Paschall Supper, and a multitude of such like instances; such as was the commandemēt to his Disciples to take nothing for their iourney, neither staues, nor scrip, nor money, nor two coates, and so he preached the Gospell freely himselfe, and such was his lifting vp of his eies to heauen in praier.
They are the virtues of Christ only, which we are bound to follow: and among these, such as he did chiefly win reputation in, are in this place specially commended.
They are the vertues of Christ onely, which we are bound to follow: and among these, such as he did chiefly win reputation in, are in this place specially commended.
It is the duty then of every Christian to study the life of his Saviour, and to seek to imitate those things were most eminent in him. Now that this point may more distinctly be observed, we must consider what those virtues are, and were, which in Christ did so much excel, and in Scripture we are charged specially to imitate, and would so much adorn the lives of Christians.
It is the duty then of euery Christian to study the life of his Sauiour, and to seeke to imitate those things were most eminent in him. Now that this point may more distinctly be obserued, wee must consider what those vertues are, and were, which in Christ did so much excell, and in Scripture wee are charged specially to imitate, and would so much adorne the liues of Christians.
There are nine virtues,1 which did exceedingly excel in Christ, and would marvellously adorn the lives of Christians, if they would walk as Christ hath left them example, which I may reckon in this order:
There are nine vertues,1 which did exceedingly excell in Christ, and would maruilously adorne the liues of Christians, if they would walk as Christ hath left them example, which I may recken in this order:
The first was wisdom,1 and discretion. The people wondered at his gracious words, and the ⟨p. 322⟩wisdom, that was in in him, Luke 4.22. and he requireth of his Disciples, that they should be wise as serpents, and innocent as doves, and they should grow in understanding, and wisdom, Col. 2.2, 3. and 3.10.
The first was wisdome,1 and discretion. The people wondred at his gracious words, and the ⟨p. 322⟩wisdome, that was in in him, Luke 4.22. and hee requireth of his Disciples, that they should bee wise as serpents, and innocent as doues, and they should grow in vnderstanding, and wisdome, Col. 2.2, 3. and 3.10.
Now, this wisdom of Christ we should show,
Now, this wisdome of Christ wee should shew,
1First, by restraining rash zeal and furious sentences upon wicked men, as Christ did, Luke. 9.55.
1First, by restraining rash zeale and furious sentences vpon wicked men, as Christ did, Luke. 9.55.
