A17384:2646
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.
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.
Secondly, that in this world it is not to bee expected from men, that all that doo well, or deserue well, should bee rewarded by them: hee saith, For the praise, not, For the reward; as importing, that many a man may deserue well, that shall neuer haue recompence from men. And this ariseth, ⟨p. 622⟩partly from the corruption of Magistrates, that are not carefull to dispose preferments or recompense to such as are worthy, and partly from the insufficiency of any earthly greatnes to doo it. For, great men can reward all their seruants or friends: but no King can giue the honour or preferment that is due to all his Subiects that deserue well. Which should teach vs, partly to doo good without hope of reward from men; and partly, to quicken our harts to the admiration of the reward that God giues in heauen: wee should prouide to be his Subiects, and then we are sure to haue a full reward of well-dooing in heauen.
Thirdly, that to be praised, or to have a good report among men, is a great blessing of GOD: and therefore, in the old Testament, blessing & praise is expressed by one word,