A17384:2225
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.
Eighthly, his works must be his own fruit, such as belong to him in his place and calling. As in the calling of the Ministry, his good work is, to preach the Gospel with all frequency, and diligence and power, &c. So in the Magistrate, to do the works of justice: so in other callings, every man must look to the duties of his own place: and so it is in our general callings; as Christians, we must do those which are meet for repentance, which not only concern a penitent life, but such as have a due respect unto the performing things we are called to in our repentance, Luke 4.44. Acts 26.20. Every tree must not only bear fruit, but his own fruit, proper to his kind: as the proper fruit of rich ⟨p. 504⟩men, is mercy, and if they had never so many praises otherwise, that they were courteous, wise, just, chaste, &c. yet if they be not merciful, their works are not good works.
Eightly, his works must bee his owne fruit, such as belong to him in his place and calling. As in the calling of the Ministry, his good work is, to preach the Gospell with all frequency, and diligence and power, &c. So in the Magistrate, to do the works of iustice: so in other callings, euery man must look to the duties of his owne place: and so it is in our generall callings; as Christians, we must doe those which are meet for repentance, which not onely concerne a penitent life, but such as haue a due respect vnto the performing things wee are called to in our repentance, Luke 4.44. Acts 26.20. Euery tree must not onely beare fruit, but his own fruit, proper to his kind: as the proper fruit of rich ⟨p. 504⟩men, is mercy, and if they had neuer so many praises otherwise, that they were courteous, wise, iust, chaste, &c. yet if they be not mercifull, their works are not good works.
Ninthly, his works must be full before God. It was an objection against the Church of Sardis, that her works were not perfect or full before God; and therefore she is threatened, if she repent not, to feel the heavy hand of God, Revel. 3.1.2. Now, as I conceive, a mans works are not full, when he is not careful of every good work, which he knows concerns him; as for instance: If a man pray, and yet be not careful of hearing the Word, his prayers are abomination to God, because his works are not full: there be some duties which he makes no conscience to obey in, though he know they be required: he turneth away his ears from hearing the law, his prayers are abominable, Pro. 28.9. If a man would be never so careful about Gods service, and yet make not conscience of the works of mercy required of him, his sacrifice is not accepted, Hosea. 6.6, 7, &c. Thus the long prayers of the Pharisees will not be regarded, if they devour widows houses, Matthew. 23. and so on the other side, if a man were never so merciful a man, if he were not also a religious man in the things of Gods service, his works would not abide trial before God: they were not good, because they were not full. And for this reason the works of civil-honest men are not good: such were Paul's works, Phil. 3.6. which he accounts but dross and dung in comparison,1 verse. 8. of such as these.
Ninthly, his works must be full before God. It was an obiection against the Church of Sardis, that her works were not perfect or full before God; and therefore she is threatned, if she repent not, to feele the heauy hand of God, Reuel. 3.1.2. Now, as I conceiue, a mans works are not full, when he is not carefull of euery good work, which he knowes concernes him; as for instance: If a man pray, and yet bee not carefull of hearing the Word, his prayers are abomination to God, because his works are not full: there bee some duties which he makes no conscience to obey in, though hee know they bee required: hee turneth away his eares from hearing the law, his praiers are abominable, Pro. 28.9. If a man would be neuer so careful about Gods seruice, and yet make not conscience of the works of mercy required of him, his sacrifice is not accepted,
Thus of the rules of good works: the kinds follow:
Thus of the rules of good works: the kindes follow:
The vulgar commonly when they hear of good works, think of nothing but alms and hospitality, or other, courses of showing mercy. Now, though it be true, that works of mercy are good works, yet they are but one sort of good works, whereas the Christian is bound to be ready to every good work, 1 Tim. 3.17. and therefore it will be profitable to inform our selves of the many ways by which we may do good works: for, thereby such Christians as are not able to give alms, may see a way how to enrich themselves in well-doing other ways. These then are the sorts of good works:
The vulgar commonly when they hear of good works, think of nothing but almes and hospitality, or other, courses of shewing mercy. Now, though it be true, that works of mercy are good works, yet they are but one sort of good works, whereas the Christian is bound to bee ready to euery good work, 1 Tim. 3.17. and therefore it will bee profitable to informe our selues of the many waies by which we may doe good works: for, thereby such Christians as are not able to giue almes, may see a way how to inrich themselues in wel-doing other waies. These then are the sorts of good works:
First,1 to believe, is a good work, yea it is instead of many good works, yea in some sense it is to us instead of the works of the whole Law; as it is a means to lay hold on all the good works that ever Christ Jesus did. To put on the Lord Jesus, is a good work in a high degree: and so every act of faith in all the passages of a mans life, is a good work: for this is the work of God, to believe, as our Saviour shows, when he gives that for answer for such as asked what they must do, to do the works of God? Joh. 6.28. Rom. 13, 12, 13.14. This is clearly acknowledged in these other Scriptures, 1. Thes. 1.3. 2. Thes. 1.11.
First,1 to beleeue, is a good work, yea it is instead of many good works, yea in some sence it is to vs instead of the works of the whole Law; as it is a meanes to lay hold on all the good works that euer Christ Iesus did. To put on the Lord Iesus, is a good work in a high degree: and so euery act of faith in all the passages of a mans life, is a good work: for this is the work of God, to belieue, as our Sauiour shewes, when he giues that for answer for such as asked what they must do, to do the workes of God? Ioh. 6.28. Rom. 13, 12, 13.14. This is clearely acknowledged in these other Scriptures, 1. Thes. 1.3. 2. Thes. 1.11.
Secondly, all works of piety are good works; all works of worship, that is, such works by which a man doth service to God, are all in the number of good works: and so, to pray, to fast, to hear the ⟨p. 506⟩Word, to receive the Sacraments, &c. are good works; for, Godliness hath the promises of this life, and of the life to come: and therefore it is profitable to all things, 1. Tim. 4.8. And these works must needs be accounted good works, for they are dear works: the blood of Christ was poured out, that we might be cleansed from dead works, to serve the living God, Heb. 9.14.
Secondly, all works of piety are good works; all works of worship, that is, such works by which a man doth seruice to God, are all in the number of good works: and so, to pray, to fast, to hear the ⟨p. 506⟩Word, to receiue the Sacraments, &c. are good works; for, Godlinesse hath the promises of this life, and of the life to come: and therfore it is profitable to all things, 1. Tim. 4.8. And these workes must needs be accounted good works, for they are dear works: the bloud of Christ was poured out, that wee might bee clensed from dead works, to serue the liuing God, Heb. 9.14.
Thirdly, all works of repentance: all that a Christian doth about his humiliation or reformation, are evangelically good works; as, if he confess his sins, and do execution upon his sins; if he make satisfaction for his trespasses to men; if he reform himself, or his household, or his charge: these and the like are all good works, 2. Chron. 19.3.
Thirdly, all works of repentance: all that a Christian doth about his humiliation or reformation, are euangelically good works; as, if he confesse his sinnes, and doo execution vpon his sinnes; if hee make satisfaction for his trespasses to men; if he reform himself, or his houshold, or his charge: these and the like are all good works, 2. Chron. 19.3.
Fourthly, to suffer for a good cause, is reckoned in the number of good works; as, to forsake father or mother, house or land, wife or children, liberty or life, for Christ's sake and the Gospel, it is in the number of those good things shall have good reward, Mat. 19.29. Jer. 31.16. Ruth 2.11, 12.
Fourthly, to suffer for a good cause, is reckoned in the number of good works; as, to forsake father or mother, house or land, wife or children, liberty or life, for Christ's sake and the Gospell, it is in the number of those good things shall haue good reward, Mat. 19.29. Ier. 31.16. Ruth 2.11, 12.
Fifthly, works of mens particular callings, whether in the Common-wealth, or Church, or family, or any vocation or trade of life: so, works of Justice, are good works; and to obey Magistrates, is called well-doing, verse 14 of this chapter: so, to preach the Gospel, is a good work, 1. Tim. 3.1. So, in the family, for parents to bring-up their Children well, is a good work, 1. Tim. 5.10. yea the labours of servants in the family, are such works as shall have reward of God, as well as works of piety, Isaiah 6. Col. 3.
Fiftly, works of mens particular callings, whether in the Common-wealth, or Church, or family, or any vocation or trade of life: so, workes of Iustice, are good workes; and to obey Magistrates, is called well-doing, verse 14 of this chapter: so, to preach the Gospell, is a good work, 1. Tim. 3.1. So, in the family, for parents to bring-vp their Children well, is a good work, 1. Tim. 5.10. yea the labours of seruants in the family, are such workes as shall haue reward of God, as well as workes of piety, Esay 6. Col. 3.
Sixthly, works of mercy are good works, whether it be spiritual mercy to instruct, admonish or reprove or comfort, Psalm 140. or whether it be outward mercy, in giving, lending, visiting, defending the poor, or the like. All confess these to be good works, Act. 9.16. But that alms may be a good work, these three rules must be observed: First, that it be given of goods well gotten, else no good works.1 Secondly, that he that gives it, have a good eye, to distribute where there is need: for to keep a good house, and to entertain ruffians, and drunkards, and gamesters, is not a good work nor hospitality, because here is not a good eye. Thirdly, alms must be given for a good end, not for the praise of men, or to merit thereby, Mat. 6. Thus of the kinds of good works.
Sixtly, works of mercy are good works, whether it be spirituall mercy to instruct, admonish or reproue or comfort, Psalme 140. or whether it bee outward mercy, in giuing, lending, visiting, defending the poore, or the like. All confesse these to be good works, Act. 9.16. But that almes may be a good work, these three rules must bee obserued: First, that it be giuen of goods well gotten, else no good workes.1 Secondly, that hee that giues it, haue a good eie, to distribute where there is need: for to keepe a good house, and to entertain ruffians, and drunkards, and gamesters, is not a good work nor hospitality, because heere is not a good eie. Thirdly, almes must bee giuen for a good end, not for the praise of men, or to merit thereby, Mat. 6. Thus of the kindes of good works.
The questions follow.
Quest. 1. How can any works done by any man in this life, be accounted good, seeing there is none that liveth, and sinneth not? yea all our works, even the works of the most righteous, are as a menstruous cloth, Isaiah 64.6.
Quest. 1. How can any workes done by any man in this life, bee accounted good, seeing there is none that liueth, and sinneth not? yea al our works, euen the workes of the most righteous, are as a menstruous cloth, Esay 64.6.
For answer hereunto, I say, It is true, that if God look upon the best works of the most godly in this life, and examine them by the rigour of his covenant, which he called, His covenant of works, then no flesh living can have comfort of his works, but all will appear loathsome as a menstruous garment. But the works of the believing Christians are otherwaies to be considered of: For,
For answer heereunto, I say, It is true, that if God looke vpon the best works of the most godly in this life, and examine them by the rigour of his couenant, which he called, His couenant of works, then no flesh liuing can haue cōfort of his works, but all will appeare lothsom as a menstruous garment. But the works of the beleeuing Christiās are otherwaies to be considered of: For,
First, they are tried by the covenant of grace, by the benefit of which covenant he is delivered ⟨p. 508⟩from the rigorous perfection of the Law, and his uprightness is accepted in stead of perfection:1 he is now no more under the Law but, by God's grace & acceptation, his works are taken as if they had been perfect.
First, they are tryed by the couenant of grace, by the benefit of which couenant hee is deliuered ⟨p. 508⟩from the rigorous perfection of the Law, and his vprightnes is accepted in stead of perfection:1 he is now no more vnder the Law but, by God's grace & acceptation, his works are taken as if they had been perfect.
Secondly, he hath the benefit of Christ's intercession, who presenteth his works before God, covering the evil of them, and tendering them to God, who accepts them for the love he bears to his Son: and thus we read in Scripture, that Christ presents the prayers of the Saints.
Secondly, he hath the benefit of Christ's intercession, who presenteth his works before God, couering the euill of them, and tendering them to God, who accepts them for the loue hee beares to his Sonne: and thus we read in Scripture, that Christ presents the praiers of the Saints.
Besides, that the Christian may not think too vilely of his works, but be comforted in the Lord concerning them, let him further consider these things:
