A17384:2841
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.
These words restrain the grant of our liberty, and show, that though we be made truly free by God, yet in divers respects we are but as free, rather like freemen, then so indeed: and so we are but as free,
These words restraine the grant of our liberty, and shew, that though we bee made truly free by God, yet in diuers respects wee are but as free, rather like freemen, then so indeed: and so we are but as free,
First, in respect of others: for by the judgement of others,1 no freeman can be known infallibly, but only in the conjecture of charity.
First, in respect of others: for by the iudgement of others,1 no freeman can bee knowne infallibly, but onely in the coniecture of charity.
Secondly, in respect of our selves: and so we are but as free, 1. In respect of the rigour of the Law: For most Christians, through ignorance and unbelief, live under the bondage of Legal perfection, and ⟨p. 678⟩so discern not, that uprightness in the Gospel is accepted in stead of perfection. 2. In respect of the malediction of the Law, & so many Christians are but as free, First, because they doubt of Gods favour. Secondly, because though the curse be removed, yet the things that are cursed, are not removed: for the matter of affliction is still the same, in respect of which, our life may be said to be hid with God, Colo. 3.3. 3. In respect of the power of sin. For though the dominion of sin be taken off: yet sin rebels in the most godly, and many times prevails in a great degree through their security or infirmities, Rom. 7.
Secondly, in respect of our selues: and so we are but as free, 1. In respect of the rigour of the Law: For most Christians, through ignorance and vnbeliefe, liue vnder the bondage of Legall perfection, and ⟨p. 678⟩so discerne not, that vprightnes in the Gospel is accepted in steade of perfection. 2. In respect of the malediction of the Law, & so many Christians are but as free, First, because they doubt of Gods fauour. Secondly, because though the curse be remoued, yet the things that are cursed, are not remoued: for the matter of affliction is still the same, in respect of which, our life may bee said to bee hid with God, Colo. 3.3. 3. In respect of the power of sin. For though the dominion of sinne be taken off: yet sinne rebells in the most godly, and many times preuailes in a great degree through their security or infirmities, Rom. 7.
Fourthly, in respect of things indifferent, whether we respect God or our selves: God hath freed us in respect of right, but restrained us in respect of use, by a threefold commandment, viz. of faith: of charity, and of obedience to Magistrates. The commandment of faith binds us not to use our liberty, unless we be fully persuaded of our right that is in things we may either do, or omit at our own pleasures, Rom. 14.6. The commandment of charity in things we may either do or omit at our pleasure, binds us not to use our liberty, when the weak brother will be offended.
Fourthly, in respect of things indifferent, whether we respect God or our selues: God hath freed vs in respect of right, but restrained vs in respect of vse, by a threefold commandement, viz. of faith: of charitie, and of obedience to Magistrates. The commandement of faith bindes vs not to vse our liberty, vnlesse we be fully perswaded of our right that is in things we may either doe, or omit at our owne pleasures, Rom. 14.6. The commandement of charity in things we may either doe or omit at our pleasure, bindes vs not to vse our liberty, when the weake brother will bee offended.
The commandment of obedience binds us to submit the use of things indifferent, to the commandment of the Magistrate; so as if the Magistrate make ordinances about the use, or restraint of things indifferent, God hath bid us to obey those ordinances: and so, though we be free still in ⟨p. 679⟩respect of our right, yet we are not now free in respect of the uses of them.
The commandement of obedience bindes vs to submit the vse of things indifferent, to the commandement of the Magistrate; so as if the Magistrate make ordinances about the vse, or restraint of things indifferent, God hath bid vs to obey those ordinances: and so, though we be free still in ⟨p. 679⟩respect of our right, yet we are not now free in respect of the vses of them.
Again, many Christians bind themselves, where God bindeth not; sometimes by thinking things indifferent to be unlawful, and sometimes by thinking themselves free to leave them, but not to use them.
Againe, many Christians binde themselues, where God bindeth not; sometimes by thinking things indifferent to be vnlawfull, and sometimes by thinking themselues free to leaue them, but not to vse them.
Lastly, servile fears do much darken the glory of Christian liberty in the hearts of many Christians, whilst through ignorance, or wilful unbelief, they trouble themselves with conceits, that God doth not accept their service; or when they admit too much respect & fear of the displeasure of men; or when they use not the means to bear the fear of death in themselves.
Lastly, seruile feares doe much darken the glory of Christian liberty in the hearts of many Christians, whilst through ignorance, or wilfull vnbelief, they trouble themselues with conceits, that God doth not accept their seruice; or when they admit too much respect & fear of the displeasure of men; or when they vse not the meanes to beare the feare of death in themselues.
Use. And therefore the use should be, to teach Christians so to study the doctrine of Christian liberty, and so to attend the informing & reforming of their own hearts, that they may no longer restrain their own liberty in any part of it: and withal since in some things we are not fully freed in this life, they should the more earnestly stir up themselves to hope for, and long for that glorious & perfect liberty in heaven, purchased by Jesus Christ.
Vse. And therefore the vse should bee, to teach Christians so to study the doctrine of Christian liberty, and so to attend the informing & reforming of their own hearts, that they may no longer restraine their own liberty in any part of it: and withal since in some things we are not fully freed in this life, they should the more earnestly stire vp themselues to hope for, and long for that glorious & perfect liberty in heauen, purchased by Iesus Christ.
Not using your liberty, as a cloak of maliciousness]
Not vsing your liberty, as a cloak of maliciousnes]
In these words, the Apostle removes the abuse of their liberty. The word rendered maliciousness, signifies usually any wickedness generally or in general.1 His drift is to warn them, that they should not any way abuse their liberty, and make it any way a pretence, cover, colour, or means of sin, or malice.
In these words, the Apostle remoues the abuse of their liberty. The word rēdred maliciousnes, signifies vsually any wickednes generally or in general.1 His drift is to warn them, that they should not any way abuse their liberty, and make it any way a pretence, couer, colour, or meanes of sin, or malice.
Men may use their liberty, and the doctrine of it, ⟨p. 680⟩as a cloak of wickedness, taking the word in the general sense five ways.
Men may vse their liberty, and the doctrine of it, ⟨p. 680⟩as a cloke of wickednes, taking the word in the generall sense fiue waies.
1First, when men reject their liberty, and spurn at it, and trample it under feet, as if it were a doctrine of sinning, or made a means of sin. Thus he that would not eat, did reject those ceremonial meats, as very badges of wickedness, and did by that sign judge of such as did use them, to be hypocrites, Rom. 14.3. as we see now many Christians do reject and spurn at the ceremonies imposed, and do judge all that use them, to be but formal Christians and hypocrites, and such as persuade to the use of them, to use such persuasions, but as cloaks for their ambition, & hope of preferment, how godly soever they be, or how sure soever they be of their lawful use of their Christian liberty therein: and so this is one way of abusing our liberty, when we throw it away, as if it were a very cloak of maliciousness.
1First, when men reiect their liberty, and spurn at it, and trample it vnder feete, as if it were a doctrine of sinning, or made a meanes of sin. Thus he that would not eat, did reiect those ceremoniall meates, as very badges of wickednes, and did by that signe iudge of such as did vse them, to bee hypocrites, Rom. 14.3. as we see now many Christians doe reiect and spurne at the ceremonies imposed, and doe iudge all that vse them, to bee but formall Christians and hypocrites, and such as perswade to the vse of them, to vse such perswasions, but as clokes for their ambition, & hope of preferment, how godly soeuer they bee, or how sure soeuer they bee of their lawfull vse of their Christian liberty therein: and so this is one way of abusing our liberty, when we throw it away, as if it were a very cloke of maliciousnes.
Secondly, when men make a show, that they are freemen, and yet are in bondage to sin and the world still: and thus do all hypocrites sin, that have a form of godliness,1 but deny the power of it; that seem as if they were godly, and devout to Jesus, and yet have never repented of their sins, nor forsaken the world: such are they, 1. That seem outwardly godly, and yet live in some horrible secret abomination, as either whoredom, or the sins of deceit, or any vile affections, Math. 23.27, 28. 2. That do profess Religion, and yet live as unreformed in the course of their conversation: ⟨p. 681⟩such are they, Isaiah 1. verses 13.16. 3. That though they are not scandalous or injurious to others, yet they are in bondage to the world, and are entangled either with the cares or losses of life; as, the conforming themselves to the vanities, and excesses, and fashions of the time, make apparent.
Secondly, when men make a shew, that they are freemen, and yet are in bondage to sin and the world still: and thus do all hypocrites sin, that haue a forme of godlines,1 but deny the power of it; that seeme as if they were godly, and deuout to Iesus, and yet haue neuer repented of their sinnes, nor forsaken the world: such are they, 1. That seeme outwardly godly, and yet liue in some horrible secret abomination, as either whoredome, or the sinnes of deceit, or any vile affections, Math. 23.27, 28. 2. That doe professe Religion, and yet liue as vnreformed in the course of their conuersation: ⟨p. 681⟩such are they, Isaiah 1. verses 13.16. 3. That though they are not scandalous or iniurious to others, yet they are in bondage to the world, and are intangled either with the cares or losses of life; as, the conforming themselues to the vanities, and excesses, and fashions of the time, make apparant.
Thirdly, when men rest in the outward show of liberty, and think it is enough: but this will turn to wickedness. It was the manner, when servants were manumitted and made free, they went with hats; whereas before, while they were bond-men and prentices, they were bare-headed. Some think, the Apostle alludes to this: and then the sense were, that he would not have them rest in the bare show of free-men, as if it were enough to wear a free-man's hat; but they must fall to their trades, and so set-up in godliness, as they that did employ all their labour, and stock, and credit, to grow wealthy in spiritual treasures: else, if men rested in the outward sign of free-men, and were idle and unprofitable, this would be occasion of much wickedness: for, 1. To show our selves in the habit of free-men, is not that which God requires, if we employ not the portion of gifts he hath given us; nay, God will require this unfruitfulness at our hands, as a great offence: the show without substance, is painted wickedness. 2. This resting in the outward form of godliness, may breed a dangerous habit of hypocrisy. 3. Their natural corruptions still hang upon ⟨p. 682⟩them: and then this show of liberty, is but a cloak to hide them.
Thirdly, when men rest in the outward shew of liberty, and think it is enough: but this will turne to wickednes. It was the manner, when seruants were manumitted and made free, they went with hats; whereas before, while they were bond-men and prentises, they were bare-headed. Some think, the Apostle alludes to this: and then the sense were, that he would not haue them rest in the bare shew of free-men, as if it were enough to weare a free-man's hat; but they must fall to their trades, and so set-vp in godlinesse, as they that did imploy all their labour, and stock, and credit, to growe wealthy in spirituall treasures: else, if men rested in the outward signe of free-men, and were idle and vnprofitable, this would be occasion of much wickednes: for, 1. To shew our selues in the habit of free-men, is not that which God requires, if we imploy not the portion of gifts he hath giuen vs; nay, God will require this vnfruitfulnesse at our hands, as a great offense: the shew without substance, is painted wickednes. 2. This resting in the outward form of godliness, may breed a dangerous habit of hypocrisie. 3. Their naturall corruptions still hang vpon ⟨p. 682⟩them: and then this shew of liberty, is but a cloak to hide them.
Fourthly, when men take liberty to sin, under pretence of their Christian liberty. GOD hath freed us in Christianity from the ceremonial Law, not from the moral: for, though he hath delivered us from the malediction and reign of the moral Law, yet he never freed us from the obedience of the same, Rom. 6.15. Jude 3. And it is manifest, that Christian liberty can give no toleration to sin: for, Christ died to free us from sin, and not to let us loose to sin more freely: we were freed from sin, that we might be servants to righteousness, Rom. 6.18. Besides, God hates sin by nature, and not by precept only; and therefore God himself can give no liberty to sin: God himself cannot dispense with the breach of the Laws that be moral in themselves: and such Laws as be moral in themselves, I account to be all the ten Commandments, but the fourth. The fourth Commandment is moral by precept, not by nature; and so the Lord of the Sabbath may dispense with the literal breach of the Sabbath: but the other nine are simply indispensable. That Abraham was commanded to kill his son, was but a Commandment of trial. And when God willed the Israelites to take the jewels of the Egyptians, he did not will them to steal: for, God himself was chief Lord of all the earth, and all things therein; the Egyptians were but his stewards.
Fourthly, when men take liberty to sinne, vnder pretense of their Christian liberty. GOD hath freed vs in Christianity from the ceremonial Law, not from the morall: for, though hee hath deliuered vs from the malediction and raign of the morall Law, yet he neuer freed vs from the obedience of the same, Rom. 6.15. Iude 3. And it is manifest, that Christian liberty can giue no toleration to sin: for, Christ died to free vs from sinne, and not to let vs loose to sinne more freely: we were freed from sinne, that we might be seruants to righteousnesse, Rom. 6.18. Besides, God hates sinne by nature, and not by precept onely; and therfore God himself can giue no liberty to sinne: God himself cannot dispense with the breach of the Lawes that bee morall in themselues: and such Lawes as bee morall in themselues, I account to be all the ten Commandements, but the fourth. The fourth Commandement is morall by precept, not by nature; and so the Lord of the Sabbath may dispense with the literall breach of the Sabbath: but the other nine are simply indispensable. That Abraham was commanded to kill his sonne, was but a Commandement of triall. And when God willed the Israelites to take the iewels of the Aegyptians, hee did not will them to steal: for, God himself was chief Lord of all the earth, and all things therein; the Aegyptians were but his stewards.
Fifthly, when men use Religion, and their liberty in Christ, of purpose to hide and cloak themselves ⟨p. 683⟩in the practice of known sins; as, when Simeon and Levi pretended the necessity of circumcision, to hide their murderous intents: and Herod pretends his coming to Christ to worship him, and yet intends to kill him: and the Pharisees use and make long prayers, for a pretence to cover their devouring of widows houses, Luke 20.47. And so under pretence of giving to the Priest the free children from relieving their parents, Mat. 15. And so when men preach Christ, only to get living, 1. Thes. 2.5. And so also when men enter into profession of Religion, only to advantage themselves in wicked purposes; as, to satisfy their lusts, or further their own carnal desires.
Fiftly, when men vse Religion, and their liberty in Christ, of purpose to hide and cloak themselues ⟨p. 683⟩in the practice of knowne sinnes; as, when Simeon and Leui pretended the necessity of circumcision, to hide their murderous intents: and Herod pretends his comming to Christ to worship him, and yet intends to kill him: and the Pharises vse and make long praiers, for a pretense to couer their deuouring of widows houses, Luke 20.47. And so vnder pretense of giuing to the Priest the free children from relieuing their parents, Mat. 15. And so when men preach Christ, onely to get liuing, 1. Thes. 2.5. And so also when men enter into profession of Religion, onely to aduantage themselues in wicked purposes; as, to satisfie their lusts, or further their owne carnall desires.
