A17384:2644
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.
Here may many things be noted from hence.
Heer may many things be noted from hence.
First, that all that are members of public societies, are bound to be careful to do good to others; and to live so, that the Church and Common-wealth may be the better for them. Which should much humble such Christians as live and do little or no good; and should quicken in all sorts of good Christians, a desire to serve the public: we are not set here to do good to our selves only, but also to others.
First, that all that are members of publick societies, are bound to bee carefull to doo good to others; and to liue so, that the Church and Common-wealth may be the better for them. Which should much humble such Christians as liue and doo little or no good; and should quicken in all sorts of good Christians, a desire to serue the publick: we are not set heer to doo good to our selues onely, but also to others.
Secondly, that in this world it is not to be expected from men, that all that do well, or deserve well, should be rewarded by them: he saith, For the praise, not, For the reward; as importing, that many a man may deserve well, that shall never have recompense from men. And this ariseth, ⟨p. 622⟩partly from the corruption of Magistrates, that are not careful to dispose preferments or recompense to such as are worthy, and partly from the insufficiency of any earthly greatness to do it. For, great men can reward all their servants or friends: but no King can give the honour or preferment that is due to all his Subjects that deserve well. Which should teach us, partly to do good without hope of reward from men; and partly, to quicken our harts to the admiration of the reward that God gives in heaven: we should provide to be his Subjects, and then we are sure to have a full reward of well-doing in heaven.