A17384:556
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.
The point is plain, that Christ was disallowed of men: and this is evident in the stone: The greatest part of the world regarded him not: The Gentiles knew him not, and the Jews received him not: Though three things in Christ were admirable; his doctrine; his life▪ his miracles: yet the Jews believed not in him: He came unto his own, and his own received him not; Nay, they reviled him, called him Samaritan, and said, he had a Devil. They preferred a murderer before him, and their wise men, even the Princes of this world, crucified the Lord of life & glory. This as it was storied by the Evangelists, so it was foretold by the Prophets: Isaiah 53. and 49.8. and so we see, he is still of almost the whole world. The Pagans yet know him not: The Jews yet renounce him: The Turk receiveth him but as a Prophet: The Papists receive him but in part; and wicked men deny him by their lives.
The point is plaine, that Christ was disallowed of men: and this is euident in the stone: The greatest part of the world regarded him not: The Gentiles knew him not, and the Iewes receiued him not: Though three things in Christ were admirable; his doctrine; his life▪ his miracles: yet the Iewes beleeued not in him: He came vnto his owne, and his owne receiued him not; Nay, they reuiled him, called him Samaritane, and said, he had a Diuel. They preferred a murtherer before him, and their wise men, euen the Princes of this world, crucified the Lord of life & glory. This as it was storied by the Euangelists, so it was foretold by the Prophets: Isaiah 53. and 49.8. and so we see, hee is still of almost the whole world. The Pagans yet know him not: The Iewes yet renounce him: The Turk receiueth him but as a Prophet: The Papists receiue him but in part; and wicked men denie him by their liues.
Uses. The first impression this should make in our hearts, is, admiration and astonishment. This should be marvellous in our eyes, that men refuse the Son of God: miserable men, their Saviour; captives, their Redeemer, and poor men, such unspeakable riches as is offered in Christ, and that almost all mankind should be guilty of this sin; so as in comparison, he should be Elect only of God.
Vses. The first impression this should make in our hearts, is, admiration and astonishment. This should be maruelous in our eies, that men refuse the Son of God: miserable men, their Sauiour; captiues, their Redeemer, and poore men, such vnspeakeable riches as is offred in Christ, and that almost all mankind should bee guilty of this sin; so as in comparison, he should be Elect onely of God.
Secondly, since this was foreseen & foretold, we should be confirmed against scandal, and like never a whit the worse of Christ or religion, for the scorns and neglects of the world.
Secondly, since this was foreseene & foretold, wee should bee confirmed against scandall, and like neuer a whit the worse of Christ or religion, for the scornes and neglects of the world.
Thirdly, since the world disallows Christ, we may hence gather, what account we should make of the world and the men of the world: we have reason to separate from them that are separated from Christ, and not to love them that love not the Lord Jesus, 1. Cor. 16.22.
Thirdly, since the world disallowes Christ, we may hence gather, what account we shold make of the world and the men of the world: we haue reason to separate from them that are separated from Christ, and not to loue them that loue not the Lord Iesus, 1. Cor. 16.22.
Fourthly, we may hence see, how little reason we have, to take the counsels and judgements of carnal men, though our friends, and never so wise in natural or civill wisdom: Their counsels were against Christ, they disallow Christ, and all Christian courses.
Fourthly, we may hence see, how little reason wee haue, to take the counsels and iudgements of carnall men, though our friends, and neuer so wise in naturall or ciuill wisdome: Their counsels were against Christ, they disallow Christ, and all Christian courses.
Fifthly, why are we troubled for the reproaches of men, and why do we fear their revilings? Shall we hear, that Christ was disallowed, and shall we be so vexed, because we are despised? Nay rather, let us resolve to despise the shame of the world: and to follow the author of our faith, even in this cross also?
Fiftly, why are we troubled for the reproches of men, and why doe wee feare their reuilings? Shall we heare, that Christ was disallowed, and shall wee be so vexed, because wee are despised? Nay rather, let vs resolue to despise the shame of the world: and to follow the author of our faith, euen in this crosse also?
Sixthly, we may be hence informed, that indiscretion or sin, is not always the cause of contempt: For Christ is disallowed, and yet was without all spot of indiscretion or guile.
Sixtly, we may be hence informed, that indiscretion or sinne, is not alwaies the cause of contempt: For Christ is disallowed, and yet was without all spot of indiscretion or guile.
Seventhly, and chiefly, we should look every one to our selves, that we be not of the number of those, that disallow Christ.
Seuenthly, and chiefly, we should look euery one to our selues, that wee be not of the number of those, that disallow Christ.
For Christ is still disallowed of men, and if any ask,
Question. Who are they, that in these days be guilty of disallowing of Christ?
Question. Who are they, that in these daies be guilty of disallowing of Christ?
Answer. I answer, Both wicked men, and godly men too.
Wicked men disallow him, and so do divers sorts of them, as,
Wicked men disallow him, and so doe diuers sorts of them, as,
First,1 Heretics, that deny his divinity, or humanity, or his sufficiency, or authority, or his coming, as did those mockers mentioned, 2. Pet. 3.
First,1 Hereticks, that deny his diuinity, or humanity, or his sufficiency, or authority, or his comming, as did those mockers mentioned, 2. Pet. 3.
Secondly, Schismatics, that divide him, and rend his body mystical, 1. Cor. 1.10.
Secondly, Schismaticks, that diuide him, and rend his body mysticall, 1. Cor. 1.10.
