A17384:351
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.
Sincere.] The word may be said to be sincere in two respects. First, in it self: secondly, in effect. In it self it is sincere, because it is without error, without sin, and there is no deceit in it at all, Pro. 8.7.8. Psalm 19.8.9: and because it hath no composition in it, but is the very pure ⟨p. 75⟩word of God, as it came from God himself at first. There is not a word in it, but it was written by men inspired immediately by the holy Ghost, 2. Pet. 1. ult. And as it is in it self, so it is by effect. It makes men sincere. It makes crooked things straight. It purgeth out hypocrisy and all leaven out of the minds and hearts of men It both teacheth and worketh in the godly a spirit without guile, Psalm 19.8.9.
Sincere.] The word may be said to bee sincere in two respects. First, in it self: secondly, in effect. In it self it is sincere, because it is without error, without sinne, and there is no deceit in it at all, Pro. 8.7.8. Psalm 19.8.9: and because it hath no composition in it, but is the very pure ⟨p. 75⟩word of God, as it came from God himself at first. There is not a word in it, but it was written by men inspired immediatly by the holy Ghost, 2. Pet. 1. vlt. And as it is in it self, so it is by effect. It makes men sincere. It makes crooked things straight. It purgeth out hypocrisie and all leauen out of the mindes and hearts of men It both teacheth and worketh in the godly a spirit without guile, Psalm 19.8.9.
The Use may be both for Instruction and Reproof. For Instruction both to the people and to Ministers.
The Vse may be both for Instruction and Reproof. For Instruction both to the people and to Ministers.
To the people: and so men should here learn,
To the people: and so men should heer learn,
First, to love the word, and long after it for this very reason, because it is so pure and sincere, so void of harm or danger: so did David, Psalm 119.146.
First, to loue the word, and long after it for this very reason, because it is so pure and sincere, so void of harm or danger: so did Dauid, Psalm 119.146.
Secondly, when we find our natures crooked and corrupt, and deceitful, and tending to hypocrisy, we should bring our hearts to the word to be mended. For, this you see is a property of the word, It will make men sincere, Psal. 19.8.9. and 119. John 17.20: and as any men have more betaken themselves to the word, the more sincere they have always grown.
Secondly, when we finde our natures crooked and corrupt, and deceitfull, and tending to hypocrisie, we should bring our hearts to the word to be mended. For, this you see is a property of the word, It will make men sincere, Psal. 19.8.9. and 119. Iohn 17.20: and as any men haue more betaken themselues to the word, the more sincere they haue alwaies growne.
Thirdly, to receive the word with full assurance: we may trust upon it: it cannot deceive us: what we find for comfort or directions in Scripture, we may build upon it. Never man was disappointed of his expectation, that trusted upon the word of God: but in God they have ever praised his word, 2. Pet. 1.20. Psal. 56.10. and 10.6.
Thirdly, to receiue the word with full assurance: wee may trust vpon it: it cannot deceiue vs: what wee finde for comfort or directions in Scripture, we may build vpon it. Neuer man was disappointed of his expectation, that trusted vpon the word of God: but in God they haue euer praised his word, 2. Pet. 1.20. Psal. 56.10. and 10.6.
Fourthly, as the Ministry of Gods servants doth more declare the sincerity of the word, so we should be more in love with it: we should like prayer, preaching; I mean, not witless and unlearned preaching, but such preaching as maketh demonstration to the conscience, out of the pure word of God, in things that concern the good of the souls of men, and the glory of God. The word doth ever profit men most, when it is most sincere, that men only speak the words of God.
Fourthly, as the Ministery of Gods seruants doth more declare the sincerity of the word, so we should bee more in loue with it: wee should like praier, preaching; I mean, not witlesse and vnlearned preaching, but such preaching as maketh demonstration to the conscience, out of the pure word of God, in things that concerne the good of the soules of men, and the glory of God. The word doth euer profit men most, when it is most sincere, that men onely speak the words of God.
Fifthly, to stick to the word of God, without going to the right hand or the left. There can be no sin but what is condemned in the word: nor can there be duty not commanded therein: nor can there be matter of faith not propounded therein. Oh how happy were we if we could stick to the old foundation, even the sincere word of God, and not add nor diminish! The hatefulness of departing from the word on the left hand, is in most places discovered. But Oh the deceitfulness of mens hearts; and the wretched proneness of men to sin, by finding out many inventions! Men run out, and that very fast on the right hand: we have new opinions & strange fancies coined every day. Little do the better sort of people (many of them) think of traditions on the right hand. Their faith is led into bondage, when they can yield no better reason, than It is such a mans judgement, or else he thinketh so himself:1 or the reasons brought are urged without any demonstration from the ⟨p. 77⟩word of God, and Scripture. Happy, above the most Churches under heaven, were this nation, if this point were understood and carefully observed, if we could stick to our first grounds in parting from the Church of Rome; viz. to admit no opinions, nor charge our conscience with more obligations, but out of the word of God.
Fiftly, to stick to the word of God, without going to the right hand or the left. There can be no sinne but what is condemned in the word: nor can there be duty not commanded therein: nor can there be matter of faith not propounded therein. Oh how happy were wee if wee could stick to the ould foundation, euen the sincere word of God, and not adde nor diminish! The hatefulnesse of departing from the word on the left hand, is in most places discouered. But Oh the deceitfulnes of mens hearts; and the wretched pronenesse of men to sinne, by finding out many inuentions! Men runne out, and that very fast on the right hand: we haue new opinions & strange fansies coined euery day. Little doo the better sort of people (many of them) think of traditions on the right hand. Their faith is led into bondage, when they can yield no better reason, than It is such a mans judgement, or else hee thinketh so himself:1 or the reasons brought are vrged without any demonstration from the ⟨p. 77⟩
Ministers also may learn from hence, what and how to preach. That is the best preaching which is eminent for two things: First, that tends to beget sincerity, clearness of judgement, distinct evidence of assurance, and strict holiness of life in the hearers; secondly, that shines in the native lustre of the word, in it self without mixture, when men know no matter, no stile, no wisdom comparable to that which may be had in the word.
Ministers also may learn from hence, what and how to preach. That is the best preaching which is eminent for two things: First, that tends to beget sincerity, cleernes of judgement, distinct euidence of assurance, and strict holinesse of life in the hearers; secondly, that shines in the natiue lustre of the word, in it self without mixture, when men knowe no matter, no stile, no wisdom cōparable to that which may be had in the word.
This also may serve for reproof,
This also may serue for reproof,
First, of such Ministers as preach not sincerely: and such are they that preach for corrupt ends, though they preach true doctrine, Phil. 1.17; and they that preach obscurely & carelessly, and strive not to set out the glory of the truths they propound; and they that are like le•d Vintners, which mix the word with the errors of their own brains, or with the traditions of men, or with a manifest strife to bring in mans wisdom to Gods word; more desiring to show their own wits and learning, than the glory of the scriptures, 2. Cor. 4.2. and 1. Cor. 1.17, and 2.4.5.13.
First, of such Ministers as preach not sincerely: and such are they that preach for corrupt ends, though they preach true doctrine, Phil. 1.17; and they that preach obscurely & carelesly, and striue not to set out the glory of the truths they propound; and they that are like le•d Vintners, which mix the word with the errors of their owne brains, or with the traditions of men, or with a manifest strife to bring in mans wisdome to Gods word; more desiring to shewe their owne wittes and learning, than the glory of the scriptures, 2. Cor. 4.2. and 1. Cor. 1.17, and 2.4.5.13.
2. Of the people, for that great want of appetite to gods pure word, and the plain preaching of it.
Thus of the second reason. The third is taken ⟨p. 78⟩from the effect, and the profit, which will follow: viz, they shall grow thereby.
Thus of the second reason. The third is taken ⟨p. 78⟩from the effect, and the profit, which wil follow: viz, they shall growe thereby.
That ye may grow thereby.]
That ye may growe thereby.]
This point of the growth of a Christian is of singular use, and meet to be fully and particularly opened: and therefore I will observe five things concerning it more especially.
This point of the growth of a Christian is of singular vse, and meet to bee fully and particularly opened: and therefore I will obserue fiue things concerning it more especially.
First, that we ought to grow in grace.
First, that we ought to growe in grace.
