A17384:3297
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.
Fifthly, the Calling of God doth propound conditions, upon which his election in time doth depend: for, many are called, but few chosen upon that Calling; and the reason is, because they yielded not to the Conditions of their Calling. God calls men to a new Covenant, and requires, first, ⟨p. 790⟩•he belief of all things promised on his part. Secondly, sanctify and holiness of life: thus they are said to be Saints by Calling, 1. Cor. 1.1. Thirdly, to suffer for well-doing, if there be occasion: so here. Now, upon the conscience and consent of the heart unto these conditions, doth God make his choice, or acknowledge men: and therefore hereby mens hearts must be tried, or men must try their hearts and estates, whether they be effectually called or no.
Fiftly, the Calling of God doth propound conditions, vpon which his election in time doth depend: for, many are called, but few chosen vpon that Calling; and the reason is, because they yeelded not to the Conditions of their Calling. God calls men to a new Couenant, and requires, first, ⟨p. 790⟩•he beleef of all things promised on his part. Secondly, sanctify and holinesse of life: thus they are said to be Saints by Calling, 1. Cor. 1.1. Thirdly, to suffer for well-doing, if there bee occasion: so heer. Now, vpon the conscience and consent of the heart vnto these conditions, doth God make his choice, or acknowledge men: and therefore heerby mens hearts must bee tried, or men must try their hearts and estates, whether they be effectually called or no.
Sixthly, men are bound to take notice of, and to learn and obey the will of GOD revealed in his Word, though it be hard to find out: as here the Apostle saith, They were called to suffer; which is a thing that is not easy to prove by express Scripture, but must be found out, as it lies enwrapped in consequences in divers places of Scripture. For, if the laws of men bind and oblige us to punishment, though we know them not, because we ought to take notice of them; much more must we study the Laws of God, though they be many in number, and hard to find out without much labour and many helps.