A17384:2385
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.
Thus of the fourth doctrine.
Doct. 5. We may further hence note concerning the time of this visitation; that not only there is a season, but withal, that it is but a short time in comparison; therefore here called The day of visitation. Now, a day is one of the least measures of time: and this ariseth not only from the brevity of mans life, and the infinite mutations that befall the outward conditions of men, and the extreme malice the devil and the world bear to the Gospel, but also from the will of God, who will offer his grace in so special a manner, but for a short season: neither is the Lord bound to give account to us of his so doing,1 since we have more reason to admire his mercy that will offer us his grace at all, than to murmur because it is not offered always: yet this shortness of the season doth the more magnify God's power, that can so quickly conquer, and set up the Kingdom of Christ, and gather his Elect. And some cause may be taken from the rebellion of wicked men, who when they despise holy things, and use them vile; the Lord, to show the accounts he makes of those treasures, removes them from them. Thus the Jews lost their glory, Acts 13. When a people grow obstinate, and will not be wrought upon, that God, that commands us not to give holy things to dogs, doth himself ⟨p. 552⟩also many times remove his Word, for the unprofitableness and unworthiness of the people.
Doct. 5. We may further hence note concerning the time of this visitation; that not onely there is a season, but withall, that it is but a short time in comparison; therefore heer called The day of visitation. Now, a day is one of the least measures of time: and this ariseth not onely from the breuity of mans life, and the infinite mutations that befall the outward conditions of men, and the extreme malice the diuell and the world beare to the Gospell, but also from the will of God, who will offer his grace in so special a manner, but for a short season: neither is the Lord bound to giue account to vs of his so doing,1 since we haue more reason to admire his mercy that will offer vs his grace at all, than to murmure because it is not offred alwayes: yet this shortnes of the season doth the more magnifie God's power, that can so quickly conquer, and set vp the Kingdome of Christ, and gather his Elect. And some cause may bee taken from the rebellion of wicked men, who when they despise holy things, and vse them vile; the Lord, to shew the accounts hee makes of those treasures, remooues them from them. Thus the Iewes lost their glory, Acts 13. When a people growe obstinate, and will not bee wrought vpon, that God, that commands vs not to giue holy things to dogs, doth himselfe ⟨p. 552⟩also many times remoue his Word, for the vnprofitablenesse and vnworthinesse of the people.
Use. The use should be so much the more strongly to enforce the care of speedy profiting by the means, while it is yet called To day, as the Apostle urgeth it at large in the third and fourth chapters to the Hebrews. And withal, it should teach us to bewail the stupidity and carelessness of the multitude, that in these times of peace and spiritual plenty, have no care to make any provision for their souls: over whom we may lament, as Christ did over Jerusalem, Luke 19.42, &c. And the shortness of the time should teach Ministers to labour more diligently: they that are the stewards of the manifold graces of God, should be instant in season, and out of season, and with all authority beseech, rebuke, and correct; knowing, that their time is short and uncertain.
Vse. The vse should be so much the more strongly to inforce the care of speedy profiting by the means, while it is yet called To day, as the Apostle vrgeth it at large in the third and fourth chapters to the Hebrews. And withall, it should teach vs to bewail the stupidity and carelesnes of the multitude, that in these times of peace and spirituall plenty, haue no care to make any prouision for their soules: ouer whom we may lament, as Christ did ouer Ierusalem, Luke 19.42, &c. And the shortnes of the time should teach Ministers to labour more diligently: they that are the stewards of the manifold graces of God, should be instant in season, and out of season, and with all authority beseech, rebuke, and correct; knowing, that their time is short and vncertain.
Doct. 6. We may here note, that the day when God visits a man with his grace, is a glorious day: The Apostle speaks of it, as of the most happy time of the life of man: and so was it ever accounted by the godly, Isaiah. 24.22.23. And it must needs appear to be a day of singular happiness, if we consider what that day brings forth instantly unto the man or woman visited of God, for,
Doct. 6. We may here note, that the day when God visits a man with his grace, is a glorious day: The Apostle speaks of it, as of the most happie time of the life of man: and so was it euer accounted by the godly, Esay. 24.22.23. And it must needs appear to be a day of singular happines, if we consider what that day brings forth instantly vnto the man or woman visited of God, for,
1First, in that day God reveals in some measure his love to the visited: wch is the more admirable a benefit, because Gods love is a free love, and it is everlasting, and is also immense.
1First, in that day God reueales in some measure his loue to the visited: wch is the more admirable a benefit, because Gods loue is a free loue, and it is euerlasting, and is also immense.
Thirdly, in that he justifies him, both forgiving him all his sins, and clothing him with the righteousness of Christ.
Thirdly, in that hee iustifies him, both forgiuing him all his sinnes, and clothing him with the righteousnes of Christ.
Fourthly, in that day he adopts him to be his own child, that was before the child of wrath, Romans 8.16.
Fourthly, in that day hee adopts him to bee his owne child, that was before the child of wrath, Romans 8.16.
Fifthly, in that day, he gives him a new nature, and creates and fashions in him the Image of Jesus Christ: and so reveals Christ in him, Colossians 3.10. Galatians 2.20.
Fiftly, in that day, hee giues him a new nature, and creates and fashions in him the Image of Iesus Christ: and so reueals Christ in him, Colossians 3.10. Galatians 2.20.
Seventhly, in that day he makes him free: so as he is enrolled amongst the living, and acknowledged particularly of God amongst the Saints: He is written in the writing of the house of Israel: and is free from all the misery & bondage he was in before, or was in danger of: and he is henceforwards free of the house and presence of God: He may feed at his Table, and eat the food of life. He hath access with boldness at all times into the presence of God with any suites. He is also free to the Communion of Saints, and is restored to the free and lawful use of the creatures in general, Psal. 87.5. Isaiah 4.4. Rom. 8.1. Gal. 1.6. Isaiah 25.8. Mark 11.24. Eph. 2.20, 21. Mat. 5.5.
Seuenthly, in that day hee makes him free: so as hee is inrolled amongst the liuing, and acknowledged particularly of God amongst the Saints: He is written in the writing of the house of Israel: and is free from all the miserie & bondage he was in before, or was in danger of: and hee is henceforwards free of the house and presence of God: Hee may feede at his Table, and eate the food of life. Hee hath accesse with boldnes at all times into the presence of God with any suites. He is also free to the Communion of Saints, and is restored to the free and lawfull vse of the creatures in generall, Psal. 87.5. Esay 4.4. Rom. 8.1. Gal. 1.6. Esay 25.8. Mark 11.24. Eph. 2.20, 21. Mat. 5.5.
Ninthly, in that day he is received into Gods protection, in respect of afflictions: which protection ⟨p. 554⟩contains in it four things. First, the with-holding of many crosses which do fall upon others. God spares him, as a man would spare his only son, Mala. 3.17. Secondly, the bounding of the cross: so as God appoints the measure, which is ever with the respect of the strength of the party, Isaiah 27.7, 8. Thirdly, the sanctification of the cross: so as all shall work for the best, Rom. 8.28. Fourthly, deliverance out of trouble in due time, Psal. 34.17.
Ninthly, in that day he is receiued into Gods protection, in respect of afflictions: which protection ⟨p. 554⟩containes in it foure things. First, the with-holding of many crosses which doe fall vpon others. God spares him, as a man would spare his onely sonne, Mala. 3.17. Secondly, the bounding of the cross: so as God appoints the measure, which is euer with the respect of the strength of the partie, Esay 27.7, 8. Thirdly, the sanctification of the crosse: so as all shall work for the best, Rom. 8.28. Fourthly, deliuerance out of trouble in due time, Psal. 34.17.
Tenthly, he assures, and estates upon him, the evidence of an inheritance that is immortal, undefiled, that withers not, reserved for him in heaven, 1. Pet. 1.3.
Tenthly, hee assures, and estates vpon him, the euidence of an inheritance that is immortall, vndefiled, that withers not, reserued for him in heauen, 1. Pet. 1.3.
The use should be chiefly to move godly men to the exact study of those things,1 and to all possible thankfulness for Gods visitation: and they should with much joy remember the very time (if it may be) when God did so visit them: and if the men of this world keep commemoration yearly of the days of their birth or marriage; how much more cause hath a Christian to preserve in himself, and to speak of it to the praise of God, the very day and season, when God did first reveal his grace unto him? Let none mistake me. I mean it not of all Christians:2 for many Christians did never observe or know distinctly the very first day of their conversion, being not called either by ordinary means, or not in such a sensible manner as some others were, or stood for a time in temporary grace: yet unto all, the counsel is profitable, that, taking a day in the sense as it is here, they ⟨p. 555⟩should often think of with gladness the season of their conversion, or at least magnify God for the thing it self, that they are converted.
The vse should be chiefly to moue godly men to the exact study of those things,1 and to all possible thankfulnes for Gods visitation: and they should with much ioy remember the verie time (if it may bee) when God did so visit them: and if the men of this world keep commemoration yearely of the daies of their birth or marriage; how much more cause hath a Christian to preserue in himselfe, and to speake of it to the praise of God, the verie day and season, when God did first reueal his grace vnto him? Let none mistake me. I meane it not of all Christians:2 for manie Christians did neuer obserue or knowe distinctly the verie first daie of their conuersion, being not called either by ordinarie meanes, or not in such a sensible manner as some others were, or stood for a time in temporary grace: yet vnto all, the counsell is profitable, that, taking a day in the sense as it is heer, they ⟨p. 555⟩
And besides, all such as enjoy the means of grace, and yet have not felt this visitation of God, should be much allured to the care of attending upon the means, and be made desirous to receive the grace of God, and that effectually: it should much move them, that God hath now sent them the means, and keeps his public visitation; and that GOD stands not upon desert, nor doth he make exception of them, but offers his grace unto all, and desireth not the death of any sinner, yea, beseecheth them to be reconciled; and, to that end, hath committed the Word of reconciliation to his servants, with express commandment, that they should be instant, and with all patience instruct men, and call upon them, and persuade them to save their souls.
And besides, all such as enioy the means of grace, and yet haue not felt this visitation of God, should be much allured to the care of attending vpon the means, and be made desirous to receiue the grace of God, and that effectually: it should much moue them, that God hath now sent them the meanes, and keeps his publique visitation; and that GOD stands not vpon desert, nor doth he make exception of them, but offers his grace vnto all, and desireth not the death of any sinner, yea, beseecheth them to be reconciled; and, to that end, hath committed the Word of reconciliation to his seruants, with expresse commandement, that they should be instant, and with all patience instruct men, and call vpon them, and perswade them to saue their soules.
