A17384:2254
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, the true Christian may lose what he wrought, if he do his works without respect of these Rules: If it be not manifest that his works are wrought in God, they are lost to him; so many of his works as are so wrought: Besides, he loseth the comfort of all that he hath wrought, and the sense of it, if he fall into gross sin after calling, for so long time as he continueth in sin without Repentance.
Thirdly, the true Christian may lose what hee wrought, if he doe his works without respect of these Rules: If it be not manifest that his workes are wrought in God, they are lost to him; so many of his works as are so wrought: Besides, he loseth the comfort of all that hee hath wrought, and the sense of it, if he fall into grosse sinne after calling, for so long time as he continueth in sinne without Repentance.
Thus of good works.
Which they shall behold.]
It is manifest from hence, that good works may, and ought to be so done, as that men may see them: It is not true that all good works must be hid from the view and beholding of other men: this may seem strange, because the Pharisees were blamed for doing their works to be seen of men; but yet it may be easily and plentifully proved. I will first prove it, and then explain it: for proof, our Saviour Christ requires, that the light of mens good works should shine, that men may see their good works, Mat. 5.16. Christians, in respect of their practice, should be as shining lights in the midst of a froward and crooked generation, Phil. 2.15, 16. They must maintain good works, Tit. 3.8. They must show their Faith by their Works, and so they are justified before men, by the works which they behold, Jam. 2. They are the express words of S. ⟨p. 513⟩James also, in the third chapter, verse 13. Let him show, by good conversation, his works. And the Apostle Paul saith, If there be any praise, think on those things that may get praise, Phil. 4.8. Yea, some Christians are charged to be patterns of good works, Tit. 2.7.
It is manifest from hence, that good works may, and ought to be so done, as that men may see them: It is not true that all good works must be hid from the view and beholding of other men: this may seeme strange, because the Pharises were blamed for doing their works to be seene of men; but yet it may be easily and plentifully proued. I will first proue it, and then explane it: for proofe, our Sauiour Christ requires, that the light of mens good works should shine, that men may see their good works, Mat. 5.16. Christians, in respect of their practice, should be as shining lights in the midst of a froward and crooked generation, Phil. 2.15, 16. They must maintaine good workes, Tit. 3.8. They must shew their Faith by their Workes, and so they are iustified before men, by the workes which they behold, Iam. 2. They are the expresse words of S. ⟨p. 513⟩Iames also, in the third chapter, verse 13. Let him shew, by good conuersation, his works. And the Apostle Paul saith, If there be any praise, think on those things that may get praise, Phil. 4.8. Yea, some Christians are charged to be paterns of good works, Tit. 2.7.
Now, for explication of this point, I would consider, first, what works may be showed; and then, secondly, what works may not be showed.
Now, for explication of this point, I would consider, first, what works may bee shewed; and then, secondly, what works may not be shewed.
For the first: I will only now instance in the Apostle's catalogue in the second of Titus.
For the first: I will onely now instance in the Apostle's catalogue in the second of Titus.
Old women may safely carry themselves in a holy behaviour, and be teachers of good things, especially to the younger women.
Ould women may safely carry themselues in a holy behauiour, and bee teachers of good things, especially to the younger women.
Young women must show their sobriety, love, and obedience to their husbands; discretion, chastity, care of their children and household affairs.
Young women must shew their sobriety, loue, and obedience to their husbands; discretion, chastity, care of their children and houshold affairs.
Young men may show, that they be sober-minded.
Young men may shew, that they bee sober-minded.
Ministers offend not, by teaching uncorrupt doctrine with gravity and sincerity, nor when in conference they speak soundly, and things that cannot be justly taxed.
Ministers offend not, by teaching vncorrupt doctrine with grauity and sincerity, nor when in conference they speak soundly, and things that cannot be iustly taxed.
Servants offend not, by showing obedience to their masters, and all good faithfulness, and desire to please them well in all things.
Seruants offend not, by shewing obedience to their masters, and all good faithfulnes, and desire to please them well in all things.
For the second: the show is condemned in divers sorts of works;1 as, 1. Secret duties, of what kind soever, must ⟨p. 514⟩not be done to the beholding of others: thus, to pray or fast, that others may see or hear, is not lawful, Mat. 6. 2. Such works as are done deceitfully, are justly taxed for the show of them: as, when Ananias and Sapphira will make a show of bounty, which was not performed as they pretended, Acts 5. 3. All works that are done with affectation, when the praise of men is simply and only sought, are Pharisaical, and ill done. 4. All the works that are done about the use of the means of godliness, if practice be not joined with them, are rejected of God, and the show of them is condemned. Thus, to make a show of hearing Sermons, reading the Scriptures, frequent and long prayers, strict observing of the rest of the Sabbath, and the like, when there is not a sound care of a holy life, are not good works, nor is the show of them commended, Isaiah 1. Mic. 6. 5. To show care of lesser duties, and live in the careless and manifest neglect of greater and more necessary duties, is likewise Pharisaical, and condemned, Mat. 23.
For the second: the shew is condemned in diuers sorts of works;1 as, 1. Secret duties, of what kinde soeuer, must ⟨p. 514⟩not bee done to the beholding of others: thus, to pray or fast, that others may see or hear, is not lawfull, Mat. 6. 2. Such works as are done deceitfully, are iustly taxed for the shew of them: as, when Ananias and Saphirah will make a shew of bounty, which was not performed as they pretended,
Thus of the beholding of good works.
They may glorify God.]
They may glorifie God.]
To glorify GOD, is, in the etymology of the word, to make God glorious. Now, the glory of God is the excellency of God above all things, as is by way of exposition added, Isaiah 35.2.
To glorifie GOD, is, in the etymology of the word, to make God glorious. Now, the glory of God is the excellency of God aboue all things, as is by way of exposition added, Esay 35.2.
