A17384:335
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.
They are borne again by the same immortal seed that we are, which our Saviour Christ is peremptory in, Math. 18.3. Thus much of the third point. 4. A fourth thing may be here noted, and that concerns the privilege of weak Christians, viz that they are esteemed of God, and not deprived of his favour or care for them because they are weak.
They are borne againe by the same immortall seed that wee are, which our Sauiour Christ is peremptory in, Math. 18.3. Thus much of the third point. 4. A fourth thing may bee here noted, and that concerns the priuiledge of weak Christians, viz that they are esteemed of God, and not depriued of his fauour or care for them because they are weak.
2. Parents provide means to bring up their little children, so doth God: They shall have sincere milk to make them grow.
2. Parents prouide meanes to bring vp their little children, so doth God: They shall haue sincere milk to make them growe.
3. Parents provide such as shall tend their children, and little ones: so doth God, he hath committed them to the charge of Christ, so as the least grace in them shall be preserved, though it were but like a bruised reed, or the smoking week of a candle. Math. 11.
3. Parents prouide such as shall tend their children, and little ones: so doth God, hee hath committed them to the charge of Christ, so as the least grace in them shall be preserued, though it were but like a bruised reed, or the smoking week of a candle. Math. 11.
4. Parents bear with the natural weakness of their children, without lessening their fondness to them: so doth God with infinite indulgence. Psalm. 103.
4. Parents beare with the naturall weaknes of their children, without lessning their fondnes to them: so doth God with infinite indulgence. Psalm. 103.
5. Parents will not endure it to let them be ⟨p. 72⟩wronged, or hurt, and much more woe shall be unto them, that offend one of Gods little ones, Math. 18.
5. Parents will not endure it to let them be ⟨p. 72⟩wronged, or hurt, and much more wo shall be vnto them, that offend one of Gods little ones, Math. 18.
6. Parents provide portions & inheritances for their little children: so doth GOD acknowledge them for his heirs, yea heirs with Christ his eldest son, Rom. 8.17.
6. Parents prouide portions & inheritances for their little children: so doth GOD acknowledge them for his heires, yea heires with Christ his eldest son, Rom. 8.17.
A fifth point that may be noted from hence, is, that only converted Christians can desire the sincere milk of the word with true affection: wicked men can no more affectionately desire the word, than a dead child or no child can do the breast.
A fift point that may be noted from hence, is, that onely conuerted Christians can desire the sincere milk of the word with true affection: wicked men can no more affectionately desire the word, than a dead childe or no childe can do the breast.
Quest. But, have wicked men no desire after the word?
Quest. But, haue wicked men no desire after the word?
1Ans. They may have: but only it is for the most part in two cases. First, when they desire to hear the word only for mens wits or eloquence, or the like carnal ends: and so they desire not the sincere milk of the word. Secondly, in the case of a temporary faith; where the delight and desire after the word is not constant, like the appetite of a child to the breast: for, they will fall away in the time of temptation; and all their desires prove but as the morning dew.
1Ans. They may haue: but onely it is for the most part in two cases. First, when they desire to hear the word onely for mens wittes or eloquence, or the like carnall ends: and so they desire not the sincere milk of the word. Secondly, in the case of a temporary faith; where the delight and desire after the word is not constant, like the appetite of a childe to the breast: for, they wil fall away in the time of temptation; and all their desires proue but as the morning deaw.
Desire the sincere milk of the word.]
Hitherto of the first reason taken from the consideration of their present estate, and need of the word. The second reason is taken from the consideration of the nature of the word which they should desire. It is sincere, pure: there is no deceit, no mixture in it. And it is milk: it is wonderful ⟨p. 73⟩apt for nourishment.
Hitherto of the first reason taken from the consideration of their present estate, and need of the word. The second reason is taken from the consideration of the nature of the word which they should desire. It is sincere, pure: there is no deceit, no mixture in it. And it is milk: it is wonderfull ⟨p. 73⟩apt for nourishment.
There are two things then here said of the word in praise of it: First, that it is milk; secondly, that it is sincere.
Ther are two things then heer said of the word in praise of it: First, that it is milk; secondly, that it is sincere.
Milk.] This is a metaphor. Sometimes by milk is meant a man that is godly cast into affliction; by which, God strains all the moats of corruption from him, while his heart is poured out like milk with grief and fear. Thus Job saith of himself, GOD had strained him out like milk, Job 10. verse 10. Sometimes by milk is meant the rudiments of religion, the principles and grounds of Catechism: and so it differeth from strong meat: so it is taken, Heb. 5.12. 1. Cor. 3.2. Sometimes it signifieth the word of God in general, which is given to the Church for nourishment of their souls to eternal life: and so it is taken here; as, in Isaiah 55.1. the word is called both milk, and wine, and water; and, in other places, honey. It is honey, for the sweetness of it. It is wine, for the power it hath to revive and refresh the spirit of man, and make his heart glad. It is water, for cooling and quenching of his spiritual thirst: and it is milk for nourishment. It doth more for nursing up mans soul, than the milk of the breast can for the bodies of infants.
Milk.] This is a metaphor. Sometimes by milk is meant a man that is godly cast into affliction; by which, God strains all the moats of corruption from him, while his heart is poured out like milk with grief and fear. Thus Iob saith of himself, GOD had strained him out like milk, Iob 10. verse 10. Sometimes by milk is meant the rudiments of religion, the principles and grounds of Catechism: and so it differeth from strong meat: so it is taken, Heb. 5.12. 1. Cor. 3.2. Sometimes it signifieth the word of God in generall, which is giuen to the Church for nourishment of their soules to eternall life: and so it is taken heer; as, in Esay 55.1. the word is called both milk, and wine, and water; and, in other places, hony. It is hony, for the sweetnes of it. It is wine, for the power it hath to reuiue and refresh the spirit of man, and make his heart glad. It is water, for cooling and quenching of his spirituall thirst: and it is milk for nourishment. It doth more for nursing vp mans soule, than the milk of the breast can for the bodies of infants.
The consideration whereof should work in us the desire to which the Apostle here exhorteth: and withal we should bring with us faith to believe, that Gods word shall turn to our nourishment. Shall we trust nature for the goodness of milk? and shall we not trust God for the efficacy ⟨p. 74⟩of his word, when he tells us it will nourish like milk? And the rather should we make our recourse with gladness to the word, because it is so cheap a food: we may buy this milk without money; that is, without merits: only, if we will hear, our souls shall live, Isaiah 55.2.4; yea, let us for ever be thankful to God for his word, in this respect. Was it so great a blessing, that GOD brought the Israelites to a land that flowed with milk and honey, for their bodies? for the greatness of which blessing, God doth so often put them in mind of it:1 How great then is the marvellous goodness of God, that hath made us to live in these times of the Gospel, when the Land flows with this spiritual milk and honey! Let us labour to be thankful, and bring forth fruits worthy the bounty of God; le•t the Lord send the men of the East to dwell in these palaces, and to eat our milk, and we be cast out, as it was said in the Letter, Ezech. 25.4.
The consideration whereof should work in vs the desire to which the Apostle heer exhorteth: and withall wee should bring with vs faith to beleeue, that Gods word shall turn to our nourishment. Shall wee trust nature for the goodnes of milk? and shall we not trust God for the efficacy ⟨p. 74⟩of his word, when hee tels vs it will nourish like milk? And the rather should wee make our recourse with gladnes to the word, because it is so cheap a food: wee may buy this milk without money; that is, without merits: onely, if wee will hear, our soules shall liue, Esay 55.2.4; yea, let vs for euer be thankfull to God for his word, in this respect. Was it so great a blessing, that GOD brought the Israelites to a land that flowed with milk and hony, for their bodies? for the greatnes of which blessing, God doth so often put them in minde of it:1
Oh that we could see our happiness in these days of salvation! This is that milk of the Gentiles prophesied of, which we enjoy, and suck now from the breasts of Kings, living under christian Magistrates that command the preaching of this sincere word of God, Isaiah 60.16.
Oh that wee could see our happinesse in these daies of saluation! This is that milk of the Gentiles prophecied of, which wee enjoy, and suck now from the breasts of Kings, liuing vnder christian Magistrates that command the preaching of this sincere word of God, Esay 60.16.
