A17384:1531
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.
Secondly, we should be exceeding thankful to God for his rich grace in our calling: And the rather, 1. Because this is no common favour, but in special grace communicated to us: For no man cometh, but whom the Father draweth. 2. Because it was done without respect of our own works, without all desert on our part. 2. Tim. 1.9. For God called us, that were worldly, carnal, natural, & sinful men, strangers from the life of God, dead in sins, serving the lusts, and divers pleasures, yea such as never sought God, we were miserable sinners, Ephes. 2.1, 12. Mat. 13. 3. Because of the means and manner of our calling: God the Father worketh his part, & I work, saith our Saviour: An excellent work, when such workmen are needful to it, and in this work the ministration of the spirit exceeds in glory, 2. Cor. 3.7, 8. and it is a holy calling, wherewith he hath called us, 2. Tim. 1.9. 4. Because they are so great happinesses, to which he hath called us: As to the fellowship of his Son: To be sons, and heirs with him, 1. Cor. 1.7. and to a Kingdom, and so great glory, 1. Thes. 2.12. 2. Thes. 2.14. 5. Because Gods gifts and calling are without repentance: He will never repent, that he hath so called us, Rom. 11.29. Esay 54.7, 8, 9, 10. Jam. 1.17.
Secondly, wee should bee exceeding thankfull to God for his rich grace in our calling: And the rather, 1. Because this is no common fauour, but in speciall grace communicated to vs: For no man commeth, but whom the Father draweth. 2. Because it was done without respect of our owne works, without al desert on our part. 2. Tim. 1.9. For God called vs, that were worldly, carnall, naturall, & sinfull men, strangers from the life of God, dead in sins, seruing the lusts, and diuers pleasures, yea such as neuer sought God, wee were miserable sinners, Ephes. 2.1, 12. Mat. 13. 3. Because of the meanes and manner of our calling: God the Father worketh his part, & I work, saith our Sauiour: An excellent work, when such workmen are needfull to it, and in this work the ministration of the spirit exceedes in glory, 2. Cor. 3.7, 8. and it is a holy calling, wherewith hee hath called vs, 2. Tim. 1.9. 4. Because they are so great happinesses, to which hee hath called vs: As to the fellowship of his Sonne: To be sonnes, and heires with him, 1. Cor. 1.7. and to a Kingdome, and so great glory, 1. Thes. 2.12. 2. Thes. 2.14. 5. Because Gods gifts and calling are without repentance: Hee will neuer repent, that hee hath so called vs, Rom. 11.29. Esay 54.7, 8, 9, 10. Iam. 1.17.
And thus of the second way, by which we ⟨p. 342⟩should show our selves desirous to walk worthy of our calling.
And thus of the second way, by which wee ⟨p. 342⟩should shew our selues desirous to walk worthy of our calling.
3. We should show this by well doing, we must be careful to maintain good works, Tit. 3.8. For we were called, that we might serve him in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life, Luke 1.74, 75.
3. Wee should shew this by well doing, we must bee carefull to maintaine good works, Tit. 3.8. For wee were called, that we might serue him in holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of our life, Luke 1.74, 75.
4. We should therefore live contentedly, when we are assured of the work of Christ in calling us with such a calling. Jacob should not now be ashamed, nor his face wax pale, Isaiah 29.23, 24.
4. Wee should therefore liue contentedly, when wee are assured of the work of Christ in calling vs with such a calling. Iacob should not now bee ashamed, nor his face wax pale, Esay 29.23, 24.
5. We should in our particular be careful to rest where we are, in the doctrine we have learned, and been taught, and not be carried about with every wind of Doctrine, Eph. 4.11, 12, 14.
5. Wee should in our particular bee carefull to rest where wee are, in the doctrine wee haue learned, and beene taught, and not bee carried about with euery wind of Doctrine, Eph. 4.11, 12, 14.
Thus, as the uses are common to the Godly in general.
Thus, as the vses are common to the Godly in generall.
Thirdly, Ministers in particular from the consideration of this doctrine of our calling by Jesus Christ, should learn to preach Christ, and him crucified, and to deny the excellency of wisdom, or words, that mens faith may be in the power of Christ: It is Christ must give them increase▪ they should learn of Paul, 1. Cor. 2.2, 4, 5.
Thirdly, Ministers in particular from the consideration of this doctrine of our calling by Iesus Christ, should learne to preach Christ, and him crucified, and to deny the excellency of wisdome, or words, that mens faith may bee in the power of Christ: It is Christ must giue them increase▪ they should learne of Paul, 1. Cor. 2.2, 4, 5.
One thing by the way I might note concerning the time of our calling: we should not be curious about that, to know the day or hour, when it was, but we must rest satisfied to know, that we are the Called of Jesus Christ.
One thing by the way I might note concerning the time of our calling: we should not bee curious about that, to knowe the day or hower, when it was, but wee must rest satisfied to know, that wee are the Called of Iesus Christ.
And thus of the uses for instruction.
And thus of the vses for instruction.
Use 3. Hence also may be concluded much terror to wicked men, that are not called, in that this work of calling is the door of all grace communicated to us: Now wicked men not called, are of two sorts: first, some outwardly refuse their calling: secondly, some seem to obey it, but it is not effectually: both are in miserable case, but not both alike: For the later are near the Kingdom of God many times.
Vse 3. Hence also may bee concluded much terror to wicked men, that are not called, in that this work of calling is the dore of all grace communicated to vs: Now wicked men not called, are of two sortes: first, some outwardly refuse their calling: secondly, some seem to obey it, but it is not effectually: both are in miserable case, but not both alike: For the later are neere the Kingdome of God many times.
The first sort resist the holy Ghost,1 put the Word of Christ from them, refuse to answer, or obey, reject the counsel of God, harden their hearts, and are therefore extremely miserable: for,
The first sort resist the holy Ghost,1 put the Word of Christ from them, refuse to answer, or obey, reiect the counsell of God, harden their hearts, and are therefore extremely miserable: for,
First, they judge themselves unworthy of everlasting life, Acts 13.46.
First, they iudge themselues vnworthy of euerlasting life, Acts 13.46.
Secondly, they are in danger to be left, and forsaken of God, and have the means taken from them, John 12.39.
Secondly, they are in danger to bee left, and forsaken of God, and haue the meanes taken from them, Iohn 12.39.
Thirdly, God will provoke them many times to jealousy, by calling a people to himself, whom they account foolish, Rom. 10.19. especially when they have rebelled against the means, Ezech. 3.6, 7.
Thirdly, God will prouoke them many times to ielousie, by calling a people to himselfe, whom they account foolish, Rom. 10.19. especially when they haue rebelled against the means, Ezech. 3.6, 7.
Fourthly, God will laugh at the calamity of such men, Prou. 1.26.
Fifthly, and they may be taken away with sudden destruction, Prou. 1.17.
Fiftly, and they may bee taken away with sudden destruction, Prou. 1.17.
