A17384:1453
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.
Thirdly, by knowing no man after the flesh, by his neglect of earthly kindred: his hearers were his father and mother, brothers and sisters: he esteemed of men according to their spiritual estate ⟨p. 327⟩in Gods Kingdom, and not according to their outward estate in the world.
Thirdly, by knowing no man after the flesh, by his neglect of earthly kinred: his hearers were his father and mother, brothers and sisters: hee esteemed of men according to their spirituall estate ⟨p. 327⟩in Gods Kingdome, and not according to their outward estate in the world.
Fourthly, by seeking the things of others, more then his own: his life was wholly devoted to the profiting of others.
Fourthly, by seeking the things of others, more then his owne: his life was wholy deuoted to the profiting of others.
Thus should we show our contempt of the world also, by using the world, as though we used it not, 1. Cor. 7.31. by not caring for the things of this life with distrustful cares, Mat. 6. by not seeking great things for our selves, and by looking on the things of others, as well as our own things, Phil▪ 2.4. and by acknowledging of spiritual relations with our best affections.
Thus should wee shew our contempt of the world also, by vsing the world, as though wee vsed it not, 1. Cor. 7.31. by not caring for the things of this life with distrustfull cares, Mat. 6. by not seeking great things for our selues, and by looking on the things of others, as well as our owne things, Phil▪ 2.4. and by acknowledging of spirituall relations with our best affections.
The fifth virtue eminent in CHRIST, was Mercy:5 which he showed not only by counsel, persuading his hearers to all sorts of mercy upon all occasions, but by his practise also, by healing both the souls and bodies of all sorts of diseases in all sorts of men, going about and doing good in all places, where he came: This is a virtue in many Scriptures much urged upon Christians, Col. 2.12. Rom. 12. 1. Tim. 6. Jam. 3.17. and our mercy should have the same praises, his had: First, it should be all sorts of mercy to soul and body:2 Secondly, we should be full of mercy: Thirdly, we should be ready to communicate, and distribute: Fourthly, it should be with pity and bowels of mercy. All this was in Christ, and is required of us.
The fift vertue eminent in CHRIST, was Mercy:5 which hee shewed not onely by counsell, perswading his hearers to all sorts of mercy vpon all occasions, but by his practise also, by healing both the soules and bodies of all sorts of diseases in all sorts of men, going about and doing good in all places, where he came: This is a vertue in many Scriptures much vrged vpon Christians, Col. 2.12. Rom. 12. 1. Tim. 6. Iam. 3.17. and our mercy should haue the same praises, his had: First, it should be all sorts of mercy to soule and body:
The sixth virtue in Christ,1 was patience: This virtue we are charged withal, and urged to it by the example of Christ, Heb. 12.1, 2. And thus ⟨p. 328⟩we are to learn of him to be a patient people, both for the matter, that we endure the cross, Luke 9.23. 1. Pet. 4.1. and 2.24. and for the manner,2 we must suffer, as he did: First, with silence: he was as a lamb dumb before his shearer: Secondly, with subjection to Gods will: Father, thy will be done: so David, I should have been patient, because thou didst it, Psal. 39. Thirdly, with long suffering: Christ bare his cross daily, and so should we. Fourthly, with willingness: we must take up our cross, Luke 9. Christ despised the shame, Heb. 12. And the rather should we be formed unto patience in all tribulations,3 because we are, first, sinful creatures, and have deserved our crosses: so did not Christ in his own person: secondly, we suffer not such extreme things, as Christ did: thirdly, we have reason to be silent in the evil day, because we have not such wisdom to speak, as Christ had.
The sixt vertue in Christ,1 was patience: This vertue wee are charged withall, and vrged to it by the example of Christ, Heb. 12.1, 2. And thus ⟨p. 328⟩
First, by praying for them on the cross, when he suffered the extremest things from them: Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.
First, by praying for them on the crosse, when hee suffered the extremest things from them: Father, forgiue them, they know not what they doe.
Secondly, by restraining reviling, & revenge: he rendered not evil for evil, he reviled not again, 1. Pet. 2.24. Rom. 15.3. He would not send fire from heaven upon them, Luke 9.55.
Secondly, by restraining reuiling, & reuenge: hee rendred not euill for euill, hee reuiled not againe, 1. Pet. 2.24. Rom. 15.3. He would not send fire from heauen vpon them, Luke 9.55.
Thirdly, by doing them all the good he ⟨p. 329⟩might: He instructed them with patience: He was the good Samaritan, that healed their wound, and was at cost with them.
Thirdly, by doing them all the good hee ⟨p. 329⟩might: Hee instructed them with patience: He was the good Samaritane, that healed their wound, and was at cost with them.
Fourthly, by receiving them with gladness, when they repented as he did, the thief on the cross.
Fourthly, by receiuing them with gladnes, when they repented as hee did, the thiefe on the crosse.
Fifthly, by mourning for the hardness of their hearts and impenitency: thus he weeps over Jerusalem.
Fiftly, by mourning for the hardnes of their hearts and impenitency: thus hee weepes ouer Ierusalem.
All this is required of us, we should pray for them that curse us, Math. 5. We must not render reviling for reviling, 1. Pet. 3.9. and 2.24. we should mourn for them in their miseries: so did David, Psal. 35.13, 14. and we should overcome their evil with goodness, as Rom. 12.19, 20.
All this is required of vs, wee should pray for them that curse vs, Math. 5. We must not render reuiling for reuiling, 1. Pet. 3.9. and 2.24. wee should mourne for them in their miseries: so did Dauid, Psal. 35.13, 14. and wee should ouercome their euill with goodnes, as Rom. 12.19, 20.
The eighth virtue in Christ,1 was harmlessness and inoffensiveness, and we are exhorted to unrebukeablenes: and to live without offence, because we are the sons of God, Phil. 2.15. and Christ requires in us the innocency of doves, and for the same reason compares the godly to sheep▪ Where I say, we should live without offence, I mean, without giving offence: For Christ himself, that most innocent Lamb of God, was rebuked, and reproached, and reviled, and so may the most godly Christians. It is a blessed thing to be reviled for following goodness, and for the Gospels sake.
The eightth vertue in Christ,1 was harmelesnes and inoffensiuenes, and we are exhorted to vnrebukeablenes: and to liue without offence, because wee are the sonnes of God, Phil. 2.15. and Christ requires in vs the innocency of doues, and for the same reason cōpares the godly to sheep▪ Where I say, we should liue without offence, I meane, without giuing offence: For Christ himselfe, that most innocent Lambe of God, was rebuked, and reproched, and reuiled, and so may the most godly Christians. It is a blessed thing to bee reuiled for following goodnes, and for the Gospels sake.
The last virtue, which I reckon in Christ, was, his love to the godly:1 which we are required to imitate, Ephes. 5.7, 8. 1. Joh. 3. Now there are divers things we should learn of Christ, in our love to the godly.
The last vertue, which I recken in Christ, was, his loue to the godly:1 which wee are required to imitate, Ephes. 5.7, 8. 1. Ioh. 3. Now there are diuers things wee should learne of Christ, in our loue to the godly.
First, to love them with a preventing love: For Christ loved us first.
First, to loue them with a preuenting loue: For Christ loued vs first.
Secondly, to love them, though they be our inferiors: so did Christ love us.
Secondly, to loue them, though they bee our inferiors: so did Christ loue vs.
