A17384:2202
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.
And secondly, this doctrine shows who is a true Christian. For, as the Scripture is wont to describe a profane man, by saying, that he is a worker of iniquity: so doth it avouch, that he is a godly man, that worketh truth and righteousness, Psal. 5. Pro. 14.23. John 3.21. Psal. 106.2. To be a worker of iniquity, imports three things: First, gross known sin; secondly, a daily custom in the practice of it; and thirdly, an estimation of sin, as the means of our happy life. The wicked man lives by sin, as the labourer doth by his trade. So here, that man that will labour, and that constantly, about ⟨p. 497⟩the works of a holy life, making it his everyday's care to do God's will, and accounts it the happiness of his life to do good duties, that man is a godly man. It is not talking of Religion will serve the turn, nor the shows of it, but he must work, and endure the labour of godliness, James 1.25. Acts 10.36. And further, this should teach Christians, often to remember their holy calling, and examine themselves what works they have done, as such servants as desire to give a good account to their Master; and the rather, because no servants can have fairer work: it is all good work: and servants were so engaged to their masters, nor did owe more service; and because never was there a master that gave better wages, than God doth to his servants. And therefore let every Christian be daily careful to look to his work, that, when his Master cometh, he may find him so doing. Thus of the first point.
And secondly, this doctrine shewes who is a true Christian. For, as the Scripture is wont to describe a profane man, by saying, that hee is a worker of iniquity: so doth it auouch, that he is a godly man, that worketh truth and righteousnes, Psal. 5.