A17384:2384
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.
Use 2. And therefore the second use should be for instruction, to persuade all that mind their own good, to walk and work while they have the light, while it is yet to day, before the shadows of the evening be stretched out, as our Saviour exhorts in the Gospel: we should bestir our selves to make all the profit we can of the present means God affordeth us: for, the night may many ways come upon us ere we be aware. For, first, who knows how soon the night of death may come upon any of us? and then if we have no oil in our lamps, it will be too late to go to seek. Secondly, the night of restraint may come upon us: the means may be taken away: we are not sure how long the Candlestick may continue, before it be removed: God may take away good shepherds, and suffer idle shepherds to succeed in the room of them. Besides, a mighty storm of cruel persecution may surprise us. Thirdly, the night of temptation may come, and so, for the time, frustrate the life of the means: for, either God may hide himself from us, and then the Sun will be set to us, even at noon day; or God may hide the power of the Word from us, even when it is of power to others, as David imports, Psal. 119. when he saith, Lord, hide not thy Commandments from me: ⟨p. 551⟩or the Lord may restrain the spirits of his servants that speak unto us; for, the hearts of the Apostles themselves were not always enlarged in the like manner towards the people, as is imported, 2. Cor. 6.11.
Vse 2. And therefore the second vse should bee for instruction, to perswade all that minde their owne good, to walk and work while they haue the light, while it is yet to day, before the shadowes of the euening be stretched out, as our Sauiour exhorts in the Gospell: we should bestirre our selues to make all the profit we can of the present meanes God affordeth vs: for, the night may many waies come vpon vs ere wee bee aware. For, first, who knowes how soon the night of death may come vpon any of vs? and then if we haue no oile in our lamps, it will be too late to go to seek. Secondly, the night of restraint may come vpon vs: the means may be taken away: wee are not sure how long the Candlestick may continue, before it bee remooued: God may take away good shepheards, and suffer idle shepheards to succeed in the room of them. Besides, a mighty storm of cruell persecution may surprise vs. Thirdly, the night of temptation may come, and so, for the time, frustrate the life of the means: for, either God may hide himself from vs, and then the Sunne will bee set to vs, euen at noon day; or God may hide the power of the Word from vs, euen when it is of power to others, as Dauid imports,