A17384:3352
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. 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.
Thirdly, he left us a pattern of matchless humility, and told us, if ever we would learn any thing of him, we should learn of him to be lowly and meek; who, being the Son of God, was abased to take upon him the form of a servant, and in worlds of occasions to deny himself, and his own greatness & reputation, Mat. 11.29. Phil. 2.6, 7.
Thirdly, hee left vs a pattern of matchlesse humility, and told vs, if euer wee would learne any thing of him, we should learn of him to bee lowly and meek; who, beeing the Sonne of God, was abased to take vpon him the form of a seruant, and in worlds of occasions to deny himself, and his owne greatnes & reputation, Mat. 11.29. Phil. 2.6, 7.
Fourthly, we may learn from his suffering condition, the contempt of the world. Why should we seek great things for our selves, when our Lord and Saviour was in some cases worse provided for than the birds of the air, and foxes of the field, as not having a place where to lay his head. And therefore he suffered without the City, to teach us, that we also have here no abiding City, but should cast all our cares upon providing for our eternal habitation in heaven, Heb. 13.11, 12.
Fourthly, we may learn from his suffering condition, the contempt of the world. Why should we seek great things for our selues, when our Lord and Sauiour was in some cases worse prouided for than the birds of the aire, and foxes of the field, as not hauing a place where to lay his head. And therfore he suffred without the City, to teach vs, that we also haue heer no abiding City, but should cast all our cares vpon prouiding for our eternall habitation in heauen, Heb. 13.11, 12.
Fifthly, we should learn obedience from him towards our heavenly Father. Christ obeys his Father even in hard commandments, against his credit, ease, liberty, yea, life it self: and therefore we should learn to desire to go and do likewise.
Fiftly, we should learn obedience from him towards our heauenly Father. Christ obeyes his Father euen in hard commandements, against his credit, ease, liberty, yea, life it self: and therefore we should learn to desire to go and doo likewise.
Sixthly, he left us an example of loving one another, and gave a special charge, we should prove our selves to be his, and to be like him indeed, as his true Disciples, by loving one another, John 13. Eph. 5.2.
Sixtly, hee left vs an example of louing one another, and gaue a speciall charge, we should prooue our selues to bee his, and to be like him indeed, as his true Disciples, by louing one another, Iohn 13. Eph. 5.2.
Seventhly, we should learn patience of him when we do suffer, though strange things should ⟨p. 806⟩befall us. What though we should be betrayed or forsaken of our friends in our just cause, or suffer injuries, or be falsely accused even of heinous crimes, or most basely used, even to be buffeted, derided, spitted on, or to see vile wretches, and gross offenders preferred before us, or lose all we have, to our very garments, &c. yet none of these things should be grievous to us, because all these things befell our Lord and Master in a worse measure and manner, than they can befall us: yea, we should be patient, though it were to lose our lives, as he did.
Seuenthly, wee should learn patience of him when we doo suffer, though strange things should ⟨p. 806⟩befall vs. What though we should be betraied or forsaken of our friends in our iust cause, or suffer iniuries, or bee falsely accused euen of hainous crimes, or most basely vsed, euen to bee buffetted, derided, spetted on, or to see vile wretches, and grosse offenders preferred before vs, or lose all we haue, to our very garments, &c. yet none of these things should bee grieuous to vs, because all these things befell our Lord and Master in a worse measure and manner, than they can befall vs: yea, wee should be patient, though it were to lose our liues, as he did.
