A17384:577
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.
Eleventhly, All wicked men: Because they neglect their reconciliation with God in Christ, and will not believe in him, nor repent of their sins: All that will not be reconciled, when God sends the word of reconciliation unto them, Isaiah 52.11.
Eleuenthly, All wicked men: Because they neglect their reconciliation with God in Christ, and will not beleeue in him, nor repent of their sinnes: All that will not bee reconciled, when God sendes the word of reconciliation vnto them, Esay 52.11.
Secondly, godly men sin against Christ, and are guilty of disallowing him.
Secondly, godly men sinne against Christ, and are guilty of disallowing him.
1. When they neglect the establishing of their hearts in the assurance of faith. 2. When they faint and wax weary of prayer, and trusting in God in the time of distress, Luke 18.1, 8. 3. When our harts wax cold within us, and are no inflamed with fervent affections after Christ We neglect him, when we do not highly esteem him above all earthly treasures, Phil. 3.9. ⟨p. 127⟩The fourth thing affirmed of CHRIST, is, that he is chosen of GOD.
1. When they neglect the establishing of their hearts in the assurance of faith. 2. When they faint and wax weary of praier, and trusting in God in the time of distresse, Luke 18.1, 8. 3. When our harts wax cold within vs, and are no inflamed with feruent affections after Christ We neglect him, when we do not highly esteem him aboue all earthly treasures, Phil. 3.9. ⟨p. 127⟩The fourth thing affirmed of CHRIST, is, that hee is chosen of GOD.
Chosen of God.]
This is one thing we must carefully know, and effectually believe concerning Christ, namely, that he is chosen of God. This was conscionably believed concerning him, as appears, Isaiah 42.1. and 43.10. and 49.2. Mat. 12.18. Now, Christ may be said to be chosen of God in divers respects.1 First, as he was from all eternity appointed and ordained of God to be the Mediator and Redeemer of all mankind, 1. Pet. 1.20. Secondly, as he was called peculiarly of GOD from the womb by a special sanctification unto his office, Isaiah 49.1. Thirdly, as he was by solemn rites inaugurated unto the immediate execution of his office; as, by baptism, and the voice from heaven, &c. Mat. 3. Fourthly, as he was approved of God, and declared mightily▪ to be the Son of God▪ and the Saviour of the world, by the glory done to him of God, notwithstanding the scorns and oppositions of the world, Isaiah 49.7.
This is one thing wee must carefully knowe, and effectually beleeue concerning Christ, namely, that he is chosen of God. This was conscionably beleeued concerning him, as appears, Esay 42.1. and 43.10. and 49.2. Mat. 12.18. Now, Christ may be said to be chosen of God in diuers respects.1 First, as hee was from all eternity appointed and ordained of God to bee the Mediator and Redeemer of all mankinde, 1. Pet. 1.20. Secondly, as he was called peculiarly of GOD from the womb by a speciall sanctification vnto his office, Esay 49.1. Thirdly, as hee was by solemn rites inaugurated vnto the immediate execution of his office; as, by baptism, and the voice from heauen, &c. Mat. 3. Fourthly, as hee was approued of God, and declared mightily▪ to bee the Sonne of God and the Sauiour of the world, by the glory done to him of God, notwithstanding the scorns and oppositions of the world, Esay 49.7.
The use may be both for Information and Instruction.
The vse may be both for Information and Instruction.
For, hence we may be informed concerning divers things.
For, hence we may bee informed concerning diuers things.
First, that Gods work shall prosper, notwithstanding all the scorns or oppositions of men: God's choice is not hindered, but Christ is separated, and sanctified, and appointed to the work of redemption, the perverseness of men notwithstanding. ⟨p. 128⟩The unbelief of men cannot make the faith or fidelity of God of none effect, Rom. 3.
First, that Gods work shall prosper, notwithstanding all the scorns or oppositions of men: God's choice is not hindred, but Christ is separated, and sanctified, and appointed to the work of redemption, the peruersnesse of men notwithstanding. ⟨p. 128⟩The vnbelief of men cannot make the faith or fidelity of God of none effect, Rom. 3.
Secondly, that God doth not choose as men do. The mean things of this world (as the world accounts mean) and the vile things of this world may be dear in God's sight. For, as it was in the calling of Christ: so is it in the calling of Christians: such as the world disallows, may be dear to God, 1. Cor. 1.27, 28.
Thirdly, hence we may note the free grace of God in the sending and giving his Sonne. He is fain to choose for us: we did not choose Christ first, John 15.16.
Thirdly, hence we may note the free grace of God in the sending and giuing his Sonne. He is fain to chuse for vs: wee did not choose Christ first, Iohn 15.16.
Fourthly, that to choose Christ, is, with Mary, to choose the better part: it is to imitate God, and choose like GOD, to forsake the world, and the wills, and lusts, and judgements of the wicked men of this world, and to cleave only to Christ, as our all-sufficient portion and happiness.
Fourthly, that to choose Christ, is, with Marie, to chuse the better part: it is to imitate God, and chuse like GOD, to forsake the world, and the wils, and lusts, and iudgements of the wicked men of this world, and to cleaue onely to Christ, as our all-sufficient portion and happinesse.
Fifthly, that all the enemies of Christ shall be subdued either by conversion when they come into worship Christ, or by confusion, when they are broken by the power of Christ. Even Kings shall submit themselves, and worship him that is thus abhorred and despised of men, &c. Isaiah 49. verse 7.
Fiftly, that all the enemies of Christ shall bee subdued either by conuersion when they come into worship Christ, or by confusion, when they are broken by the power of Christ. Euen Kings shall submit themselues, and worship him that is thus abhorred and despised of men, &c. Esay 49. verse 7.
Sixthly, that it is a singular happiness to be chosen of God: it was the honour of Christ here, &c. And therefore, Blessed is the man whom God chooseth. Happy is the Christian whom God electeth, Psalm 65.4. Luke 10.20.
Sixtly, that it is a singular happinesse to bee chosen of God: it was the honor of Christ heer, &c. And therefore, Blessed is the man whom God chooseth. Happy is the Christian whom God electeth, Psalm 65.4. Luke 10.20.
Secondly, it should teach us divers duties.
Secondly, it should teach vs diuers duties.
First, to observe, and admire, and acknowledge the Lord Jesus, the Chosen of GOD, we should with special regard confess unto the glory of God herein, which the word Behold importeth, Isaiah 42.1. We should be Gods witnesses against the world, and all the servants of any strange god, that this Jesus of Nazareth is that Son of God, and Saviour of the world, Isaiah 43.10. It is one main end of the praises of Christ in this place, To raise up our dull and dead affections to the highest estimation and admiration of Christ and his glory with the Father, &c.
First, to obserue, and admire, and acknowledge the Lord Iesus, the Chosen of GOD, we should with special regard confesse vnto the glory of God heerin, which the word Behold importeth, Esay 42.1. We should be Gods witnesses against the world, and all the seruants of any strange god, that this Iesus of Nazareth is that Sonne of God, and Sauiour of the world, Esay 43.10. It is one main end of the praises of Christ in this place, To raise vp our dull and dead affections to the highest estimation and admiration of Christ and his glory with the Father, &c.
