A17384:3347
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.
Doct. 4. Good examples are very scarce in the ⟨p. 801⟩world, & therefore Christ is fain to leave us one of his own: the skilful practice of Gods Word is so rare, that it is very hard to find a man whom we would set before us, as a pattern to imitate.
Doct. 4. Good examples are very scarce in the ⟨p. 801⟩world, & therfore Christ is faine to leaue vs one of his owne: the skilfull practice of Gods Word is so rare, that it is very hard to finde a man whom wee would set before vs, as a pattern to imitate.
Doct. 5. There was very great need of Christs example to teach us by. The world is so generally fallen away from the care of obedience, and the doctrine of well-doing is entertained so dully, as a very matter of form and for outward show, and the examples of the godly are so imperfect, that it was necessary, after so many hundreds of years, in which sound practice was neglected, that the Christian world should be fired with the incitations of so exquisite a pattern of obedience, as Christs was.
Doct. 5. There was very great need of Christs example to teach vs by. The world is so generally falne away from the care of obedience, and the doctrine of well-doing is intertayned so dully, as a very matter of forme and for outward shew, and the examples of the godly are so imperfect, that it was necessary, after so many hundreds of yeers, in which sound practice was neglected, that the Christian world should bee fired with the incitations of so exquisite a patterne of obedience, as Christs was.
Doct. 6. Christs example is to be imitated by degrees. God doth not look we should follow the copy exactly at the first: which similitude imports a great deal of encouragement to the weak, but willing Christian, and withal shows the doubtful estate of such Christians, as in a short time and with little labour think they have learned the substance of all Christianity.
Doct. 6. Christs example is to bee imitated by degrees. God doth not looke we should follow the copy exactly at the first: which similitude imports a great deale of incouragement to the weak, but willing Christian, and withall shewes the doubtful estate of such Christians, as in a short time and with little labour think they haue learned the substance of all Christianity.
Doct. 7. In that he saith, Leaving us an example, it imports, that many good works tarry behind the godly in the world. For though it be true, that their works follow them to heaven, yet it is true also, they are left behind. They follow them to heaven, in respect of GODs remembrance and acknowledgement of them, and they tarry behind them, in respect of the example of them, and the praiseful memory of them amongst men. Welldoing ⟨p. 802⟩cannot be lost, which withal imports, that it is a great honour and comfort, when a man goes out of the world, to leave the memory and pattern of good works behind him: and it is a fearful thing for such men as go out of the world, to leave an ill report behind them, and die an example of evil doers: though those could leave a great estate in worldly things, yet are they most accursed, because they leave behind them such an ill sent and savour, by reason of their filthy, or vain, or worldly kind of living.
Doct. 7. In that hee saith, Leauing vs an example, it imports, that many good works tarry behind the godly in the world. For though it bee true, that their works follow them to heauen, yet it is true also, they are left behind. They follow them to heauen, in respect of GODs remembrance and acknowledgement of them, and they tarry behind them, in respect of the example of them, and the praisefull memory of them amongst men. Weldoing ⟨p. 802⟩cannot bee lost, which withall imports, that it is a great honour and comfort, when a man goes out of the world, to leaue the memory and patterne of good works behinde him: and it is a fearefull thing for such men as goe out of the world, to leaue an ill report behind them, and die an example of euill doers: though those could leaue a great estate in worldly things, yet are they most accursed, because they leaue behind them such an ill sent and sauour, by reason of their filthy, or vaine, or worldly kind of liuing.
Doct. 8. It is more then a step to heaven; we are here required to follow Christs steps, importing, it is a long journey, and we are to make many steps.
Doct. 8. It is more then a step to heauen; wee are heere required to follow Christs steps, importing, it is a long iourney, and wee are to make many steps.
Doct. 9. The more good any doth, the nearer they come to heaven: every good work is, as it were, a step nearer to heaven: and therefore as we desire to be with the Lord, so should we hasten and finish our work; nothing will bring us sooner to heaven: whereas if we be barren and unfruitful, either we shall never come there, or it will be a great while first.
Doct. 9. The more good any doth, the neerer they come to heauen: euery good work is, as it were, a step neerer to heauen: and therefore as we desire to bee with the Lord, so should wee hasten and finish our work; nothing will bring vs sooner to heauen: whereas if wee bee barren and vnfruitfull, either wee shall neuer come there, or it will bee a great while first.
Doct. 10. The way to heaven is a very hard way to hit: it is marked out by steps: If we step awry, we are in great danger, either of fouling our selves, or losing our way. It is like to his way, that is to pass over a brook, or through thorns, or through miry ways, where are placed steps, or a print of some footing before, which is hard to hit, and dangerous to miss. And therefore men must look to themselves, after they have undertaken ⟨p. 803⟩profession of the care of a better life: for, the similitude importeth, that men must never look off their way, and they must not go over rashly or hastily, nor must they listen to strange noises, nor must they look to go that way with much company, nor is it safe for them to have distractions or cares in their heads; all which parts of the similitude, let men apply to themselves.
Doct. 10. The way to heauen is a very hard way to hit: it is marked out by steps: If wee step awry, wee are in great danger, either of fouling our selues, or losing our way. It is like to his way, that is to passe ouer a brook, or through thornes, or through miery waies, where are placed steps, or a print of some footing before, which is hard to hit, and dangerous to misse. And therefore men must looke to themselues, after they haue vndertaken ⟨p. 803⟩profession of the care of a better life: for, the similitude importeth, that men must neuer look off their way, and they must not go ouer rashly or hastily, nor must they listen to strange noises, nor must they look to go that way with much company, nor is it safe for them to haue distractions or cares in their heads; all which parts of the similitude, let men apply to themselues.
Doct. 11. He that lives so, as he hath the commandment of God, and the example of Christ, for a warrant of his actions, is in a sure way, and is safe, and in the right way to heaven. They that walk by rule, and are careful to tread right in the steps marked out in the way, shall have peace, and much comfort and assurance, Gal. 6.16.
Doct. 11. He that liues so, as hee hath the commandement of God, and the example of Christ, for a warrant of his actions, is in a sure way, and is safe, and in the right way to heauen. They that walk by rule, and are carefull to tread right in the steps marked out in the way, shall haue peace, and much comfort and assurance, Gal. 6.16.
Doct. 12. If we be not skilful enough to teach others by our example; yet, if we be willing to learn goodness from such as give us good example, we may be happy. Some Christians are examples to others; as, 1. Tim. 4.12. Tit. 2.7. 1. Thes. 1.7, 8. Other Christians learn, both in matters of faith and life, from them, as those places show: and this Text imports, that, if we but follow example, we please God.
Doct. 12. If we bee not skilfull enough to teach others by our example; yet, if wee bee willing to learn goodnes from such as giue vs good example, we may be happy. Some Christians are examples to others; as, 1. Tim. 4.12. Tit. 2.7. 1. Thes. 1.7, 8. Other Christians learn, both in matters of faith and life, from them, as those places shew: and this Text imports, that, if we but follow example, we please God.
Thus of the doctrines out of these words.
It remains, that we consider more specially of the copy or example here left us to follow. God teacheth us many things by examples: and to that end, he hath given us divers sorts of examples to learn by.
It remaines, that we consider more specially of the copy or example heer left vs to follow. God teacheth vs many things by examples: and to that end, hee hath giuen vs diuers sorts of examples to learne by.
And so God is pleased to raise up in the world examples, sometimes of his Power; sometimes, of ⟨p. 804⟩his Justice; sometimes, of his Holiness. Examples or monuments of God's Power, are those strange works of wonder, which God doth at some times, to show his Almightiness and Sovereignty: such was that, John 9.1. To make a man, blind from the birth, to see. Examples of his Justice he hath given us in all Ages: so, Numb. 5.21. Ezech. 5.15. Heb. 4.11. Jude 7. 1. Cor. 10. Examples and patterns of his Holiness he hath given us, partly in his adopted sons, and partly in his natural Son, and his Son by the grace of personal union: thus he gave us Job and the Prophets for examples of patience in suffering, James 5.10. Thus Timothy and Titus are charged to be patterns of good works, 1. Timothy 4.12. Titus 2.7. But it is the example of Christ which is here urged as the best pattern of all others.
And so God is pleased to raise vp in the world examples, sometimes of his Power; sometimes, of ⟨p. 804⟩his Iustice; sometimes, of his Holinesse. Examples or monuments of God's Power, are those strange works of wonder, which God doth at some times, to shew his Almightinesse and Soueraignty: such was that, Iohn 9.1. To make a man, blinde from the birth, to see. Examples of his Iustice hee hath giuen vs in all Ages: so,
Quest. Now, the special question is, What must we distinctly learn from the sufferings of Christ?
Quest. Now, the speciall question is, What must wee distinctly learn from the sufferings of Christ?
Ans. There are many things wherein Christ hath set us an example in his sufferings, which we may and ought to learn from him; as,
Ans. There are many things wherein Christ hath set vs an example in his sufferings, which wee may and ought to learn from him; as,
1First, his sufferings should make us willing to resolve to suffer, if God call us to it: it should teach us to stand upon our guard, and look for war; as resolved, It is meet we suffer with him, if we mean to reign with him, 2. Tim. 2.11.
1First, his sufferings should make vs willing to resolue to suffer, if God call vs to it: it should teach vs to stand vpon our guard, and look for warre; as resolued, It is meet we suffer with him, if we mean to raigne with him, 2. Tim. 2.11.
Secondly, when he was tempted, or troubled in Spirit, he left us an example for the manner of the fight, and which way we should make resistance and overcome; and that is, by the Word of God and prayer: for, he beat the devil away by Scripture, ⟨p. 805⟩Mat. 4. And in all his special agonies, we still hear him praying and making his moan to his Father.
Secondly, when he was tempted, or troubled in Spirit, he left vs an example for the manner of the fight, and which way wee should make resistance and ouercome; and that is, by the Word of God and praier: for, he beat the diuell away by Scripture, ⟨p. 805⟩Mat. 4. And in all his speciall agonies, wee still heare him praying and making his mone to his Father.
