A17384:2900
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.
Uses. The use should be threefold.
Vses. The vse should be threefold.
First, it should teach Christians to live with contentation, and in all things to give thanks, and to say always with David, O Lord, thou hast dealt well with thy servant according to thy Word, Psalm 119.65.
First, it should teach Christians to liue with contentation, and in all things to giue thanks, and to say alwaies with Dauid, O Lord, thou hast dealt well with thy seruant according to thy Word, Psalm 119.65.
Secondly, it should make them take great delight to do his work: they should love to be servants to such a Master, Isaiah 56.6.
Secondly, it should make them take great delight to doo his work: they should loue to bee seruants to such a Master, Esay 56.6.
Thirdly, they should every where speak of Gods praises, that entertains them so graciously: they should open their mouths all the day long with the praises of such a Master, Psalm 134.1. and 135.1.
Thirdly, they should euery where speak of Gods praises, that entertaines them so gratiously: they should open their mouthes all the day long with the praises of such a Master, Psalm 134.1. and 135.1.
These words are the conclusion of his exhortation to Subjects. Wherein the Apostle doth not only repeat the substance of a Subject's duty to his Sovereign; but withal, doth summarily commend unto them the description of an absolute Subject or Citizen in all his relations, and tells them in a few words, what would make a Christian, living in humane societies, eminent for exactness of his behaviour: for he, in these words, forms him in his carriage to all men, to good men, to God, and to the King. And so his Charge enjoins,
THese words are the conclusion of his exhortation to Subiects. Wherein the Apostle doth not onely repeat the substance of a Subiect's duty to his Soueraigne; but withall, doth summarily commend vnto them the description of an absolute Subiect or Citizen in all his relations, and tells them in a few words, what would make a Christian, liuing in humane societies, eminent for exactnes of his behauiour: for he, in these words, forms him in his carriage to all men, to good men, to God, and to the King. And so his Charge enioins,
First, courtesy to all men.
First, courtesie to all men.
Secondly, charity to godly men.
Thirdly, piety to God.
Fourthly, loyalty to the King.
Honour all men.]
The first thing that the Apostle would have a Christian that lives in humane societies look to, is, a right behaviour of himself toward all men, that is, toward the multitude in general; not because that is his greatest care, or the greatest part of his care and duty, but because the greatest offence many times arises from the neglect of his outward carriage towards all sorts of men, & because Christians are usually faulty, in not watching over their ways herein.
The first thing that the Apostle would haue a Christian that liues in humane societies look to, is, a right behauiour of himself toward all men, that is, toward the multitude in generall; not because that is his greatest care, or the greatest part of his care and duty, but because the greatest offense many times arises from the neglect of his outward carriage towards all sorts of men, & because Christians are vsually faulty, in not watching ouer their waies heerin.
By all men▪ he means the general body of societies where we live, even all sorts of men, good ⟨p. 695⟩and bad; whether religious or profane, friends or enemies, acquaintance or strangers; nor ought they to be scrupulous of giving honour to wicked men: for, though many men or women, in the places where we live, may & ought to be contemned for the wickedness of their lives; yet there are none so vile, but there are some grounds of honour in them, either in respect of some remainder of God's Image in them, some gifts worthy praise, or some place of eminence or authority, or some outward blessings, in which they excel others; as, riches, birth, strength, valour, or the like.
By all men▪ he means the generall body of societies where wee liue, euen all sorts of men, good ⟨p. 695⟩and bad; whether religious or prophane, friends or enemies, acquaintance or strangers; nor ought they to be scrupulous of giuing honour to wicked men: for, though many men or women, in the places where we liue, may & ought to be contemned for the wickednes of their liues; yet there are none so vile, but there are some grounds of honour in them, either in respect of some remainder of God's Image in them, some gifts worthy praise, or some place of eminence or authority, or some outward blessings, in which they excell others; as, riches, birth, strength, valour, or the like.
Now, Christians have divers ways, by which they may express this general honour to all sorts of men.
Now, Christians haue diuers waies, by which they may expresse this generall honour to all sorts of men.
First,1 in their salutation. It is a very comely thing in Christians, to salute willingly, and in words, and in gesture to show civill respect, even to wicked men: Abraham's behaviour towards the Hittites, may shame the most Christians, Gen. 23.7, 12, &c. Yea the very Hittites themselves may teach them good manners in this kind.
First,1 in their salutation. It is a very comely thing in Christians, to salute willingly, and in words, and in gesture to shew ciuill respect, euen to wicked men: Abrahams behauiour towards the Hittites, may shame the most Christians, Gen. 23.7, 12, &c. Yea the very Hittites themselues may teach them good manners in this kind.
Secondly, in their communication: and so it is an excellent rule given by Solomon, that a man should consider to speak, what is acceptable, and avoid, what may irritate, Pro. 10.32, 13. and 15.23.
Secondly, in their communication: and so it is an excellent rule giuen by Salomon, that a man should consider to speak, what is acceptable, and auoid, what may irritate, Pro. 10.32, 13. and 15.23.
