A17384:1447
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.
Ob. Might some one say, Yea, this shows the pride of Professors now: for, they will not sort nor converse with their neighbours, especially if they be, as they account them, but guilty of any ⟨p. 325⟩crime, such as drunkenness, whoredom, swearing, &c.
Ob. Might some one say, Yea, this shewes the pride of Professers now: for, they will not sort nor conuerse with their neighbours, especially if they be, as they account them, but guilty of any ⟨p. 325⟩crime, such as drunkennesse, whoredome, swearing, &c.
Sol. The example of Christ is perversely alleged, to condemn the Godly herein: for, they do only profess a resolution to shun all needless society with open wicked men. Two things may be said about Christ's practice herein. First, that he conversed with them, not as a companion, but as a Physician. He came to them, as the Physician doth to his Patient, to heal them: and thus it is not denied, but the company of the worst men may be resorted unto, viz. when we have a calling and fitness to reclaim them. Secondly, consider well what these persons were, with whom Christ sometimes kept company. The Publicans were such as gathered toll or tribute-money for Caesar, and for that reason were extremely hateful among the Jews, who liked not to be subject to foreign government: but it is not manifest, that they were men of notorious evil conversation. It was the stomach of the Jews, not the wickedness of the men, made Publicans to be so hateful. And whereas it is added, that he kept company with sinners; it may be answered, that they were penitent sinners, as our Saviour said of them, Mark 2. It is true, some of them had been notoriously wicked, as Mary Magdalen, who once had been a most wanton woman, but was now received to mercy, and had repented with many tears; which though the Jews acknowledged not, because she was one of Christ's Converts, yet to us it ought to be evident. Thirdly,