A17384:3584
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.
Doct. 2. It is not enough to die to sin, unless we also live to righteousness: It is not enough to forsake our sins, but we must spend our days in good works: we are so charged to cease to do evil, as withal we are charged to learn to do well, Isaiah 1.16. we must bring forth fruits worthy amendment of life, as well as confess our sins, Math. 3.8. A man will cut down his fig-tree for want of good fruit, though it bear no ill fruit, Luke 13.6. It will not please any husband-man, that his Land bear no thorns, nor briers, nor weeds, if it bear him not good grain. It is not enough for a servant, that he do his Master no ⟨p. 854⟩hurt, but he must see to it, that he do his Masters work.
Doct. 2. It is not enough to die to sinne, vnlesse wee also liue to righteousnes: It is not enough to forsake our sinnes, but wee must spend our daies in good works: wee are so charged to cease to doe euill, as withall wee are charged to learne to doe well, Esay 1.16. we must bring forth fruits worthy amendment of life, as well as confesse our sinnes, Math. 3.8. A man will cut downe his fig-tree for want of good fruite, though it beare no ill fruit, Luke 13.6. It will not please any husband-man, that his Land beare no thornes, nor briers, nor weedes, if it beare him not good graine. It is not enough for a seruant, that hee doe his Master no ⟨p. 854⟩hurt, but hee must see to it, that hee doe his Masters worke.
For first, obedience and good fruits are required at our hands in the Law of God, besides the prohibition of sin. Secondly, Christ died to this end, that we might live righteously, as well as die to sin. Thirdly, because all the gifts of the Spirit bestowed on us in our regeneration, are given to profit withal, not to lay them up in a napkin,