A17384:591
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.
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.
Secondly, we should learn of God, how to make our choice. On the one side is offered unto us the pleasures and profits of the world, and the enticements of sin and Satan: and the other, in the Gospel of Christ is set forth and offered to us as the means of our happiness. Now, it is our part to take to Christ, and renounce the world, and forgo the pleasures of sin, which are but for a season: we should utterly refuse the voice of sin, never to be the guests of such folly, but rather to listen to the voice of wisdom, Proverbs 7. and 8.
Secondly, wee should learn of God, how to make our choice. On the one side is offred vnto vs the pleasures and profits of the world, and the inticements of sinne and Satan: and the other, in the Gospell of Christ is set forth and offred to vs as the means of our happinesse. Now, it is our part to take to Christ, and renounce the world, and forgo the pleasures of sinne, which are but for a season: wee should vtterly refuse the voice of sinne, neuer to be the guests of such folly, but rather to listen to the voice of wisdome, Prouerbs 7. and 8.
Thirdly, Is Christ chosen of God, that one of a thousand? Then it learns the Church to be in love with him, yea, to be sick of love, as is imported▪ Canticles 5.8, 9, 10. An ordinary affection should not serve the turn: our hearts should be singularly inflamed with desire after such a match, found out and chosen of God for us.
Thirdly, Is Christ chosen of God, that one of a thousand? Then it learns the Church to bee in loue with him, yea, to bee sick of loue, as is imported▪ Canticles 5.8, 9, 10. An ordinary affection should not serue the turn: our hearts should bee singularly inflamed with desire after such a match, found out and chosen of God for vs.
Fourthly, we should not rest here: but, when ⟨p. 130⟩God hath declared his choice, (as he did by a witness from heaven, even his own voice, Math. 17.5.) we should then hear Christ, and, as the Prophet saith, wait for his law, Isaiah 42.4.
Fourthly, we should not rest heer: but, when ⟨p. 130⟩God hath declared his choice, (as hee did by a witnes from heauen, euen his owne voice, Math. 17.5.) wee should then hear Christ, and, as the Prophet saith, wait for his law, Esay 42.4.
Fifthly, yea, we should so kiss the Son, whom God hath declared as King, by doing our spiritual homage unto him, as that we resolved, both high and low, the greatest estate as well as the meanest, to serve him with all fear, and rejoice before him with trembling: we must express our thankfulness by all possible obedience of heart and life, Psalm 2.11.
Fiftly, yea, we should so kisse the Son, whom God hath declared as King, by doing our spirituall homage vnto him, as that we resolued, both high and lowe, the greatest estate as well as the meanest, to serue him with all fear, and reioyce before him with trembling: wee must expresse our thankfulnesse by all possible obedience of heart and life, Psalm 2.11.
Sixthly, we should follow his Colours, and take his part, and contend for the truth against all the world, and in particular against Antichrist, that man of sin, Revel. 17.14.
Sixtly, we should follow his Colours, and take his part, and contend for the truth against all the world, and in particular against Antichrist, that man of sin, Reuel. 17.14.
Seventhly, we should imitate the praises and virtues of this chosen One, especially in two things: to wit, humility and constancy, as the Prophet Isaiah showeth, 42.2, 3, 4.
Seuenthly, wee should imitate the praises and vertues of this chosen One, especially in two things: to weet, humility and constancy, as the Prophet Esay sheweth, 42.2, 3, 4.
Lastly: and specially this Chosen, or rather this knowledge of this Chosen of God, should teach us to rely upon Christ without wavering, with all trust and confidence, for our reconciliation with God, for the obtaining of knowledge, comfort, deliverance, preservation, yea, and salvation too: for, this is he whom God hath given for a covenant to all people; and his soul delights in him. And therefore also we may run boldly to the Throne of grace, and put up our petitions by Christ. For, we are here assured, that God will deny him nothing, as these places ⟨p. 131⟩evidently show: Psalm 42.6, 7, 8, 16. Psalm 49.6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. Mat. 12.17. to 22. But then we must look to it, that we observe the seasons and opportunity of grace, Isaiah 49.8. 2. Cor. 6.2. Let us therefore embrace, while God is to be found, and offers us Christ: for, we may seek when God will not be found; as Esau sought the blessing when it was too late, Heb. 12.15.
Lastly: and specially this Chosen, or rather this knowledge of this Chosen of God, should teach vs to relie vpon Christ without wauering, with all trust and confidence, for our reconciliation with God, for the obtaining of knowledge, comfort, deliuerance, preseruation, yea, and saluation too: for, this is he whom God hath giuen for a couenant to all people; and his soule delights in him. And therefore also we may runne boldly to the Throne of grace, and put vp our petitions by Christ. For, wee are heer assured, that God will deny him nothing, as these places ⟨p. 131⟩euidently shew: Psalm 42.6, 7, 8, 16. Psalm 49.6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.
And further: this may serve for singular terror to all unbelievers, that will not have Christ to rule over them. He is elected already of God, and therefore will mightily pursue all the enemies of God and the Church, and all those that disobey him whom God hath chosen: he will pursue them both with the terrors of his Word, his mouth being made like a sharp sword, and with the plagues of his hand, being made like a polished shaft, Isaiah 49.2. He will appear to wicked men in the day of wrath, as a mighty man, and as a man of war: though to his own he be as a Lamb, to them he will be as a Giant: they shall not be able to resist; and though he lift not up his voice in the streets of his people, yet he will set upon them with roaring, and singular terror, even with all the signs of furious displeasure: and though for a time he may seem to put up the contempt of men that disallow him, yet at the length he will not refrain, and will destroy at once, &c. Isaiah 42.13, 14, 15.
And further: this may serue for singular terror to all vnbeleeuers, that will not haue Christ to rule ouer them. He is elected already of God, and therefore will mightily pursue all the enemies of God and the Church, and all those that disobey him whom God hath chosen: hee will pursue them both with the terrors of his Word, his mouth being made like a sharp sword, and with the plagues of his hand, beeing made like a polished shaft, Esay 49.2. He will appear to wicked men in the day of wrath, as a mighty man, and as a man of warre: though to his owne he be as a Lamb, to them hee will bee as a Giant: they shall not be able to resist; and though he lift not vp his voice in the streets of his people, yet hee will set vpon them with roaring, and singular terrour, euen with all the signes of furious displeasure: and though for a time hee may seem to put vp the contempt of men that disallow him, yet at the length he will not refrain, and will destroy at once, &c. Esay 42.13, 14, 15.
Besides: this doctrine of Christs chosen, or of Gods choice, should notably check that unbelief and fearfulness that is too often found even ⟨p. 132⟩in Zion, in the dear servants of God. When God hath published his election of Christ for the service of our redemption, why doth some say, The Lord hath forsaken, and his Lord hath forgotten him? Can God forget his people? or will he ever deny his Chosen? Shall not Christ be regarded in our behalf, who is the person whom his soul loveth? Isaiah 49.8, &c. 13, 14, 15, 16.
Besides: this doctrine of Christs chosen, or of Gods choice, should notably check that vnbelief and fearfulnesse that is too often found euen ⟨p. 132⟩in Sion, in the dear seruants of God. When God hath published his election of Christ for the seruice of our redemption, why doth some say, The Lord hath forsaken, and his Lord hath forgotten him? Can God forget his people? or will he euer deny his Chosen? Shall not Christ bee regarded in our behalf, who is the person whom his soule loueth? Esay 49.8, &c. 13, 14, 15, 16.
Precious.]
1Christ is precious many ways. First, in respect of his nature: he is the choicest substance in heaven and earth; never such a man: all the creatures in heaven and in earth are inferior to him. Secondly, in respect of his gifts: he is qualified with all the treasures of wisdom and grace, above all his fellows, Col. 2.3. Psal. 45. Thirdly, in respect of his works: never creature did works of such price, so useful, so exquisite, so transcendent. Fourthly, in respect of his sufferings: he paid such a price to God in the ransom of man, as all the world besides could not raise, or any way make. Fifthly, in respect of effects: he gives the most precious things: no treasures like those may be had from him: his very promises are precious, 2. Pet. 1.4.
1Christ is precious many waies. First, in respect of his nature: he is the choicest substance in heauen and earth; neuer such a man: all the creatures in heauen and in earth are inferiour to him. Secondly, in respect of his gifts: hee is qualified with all the treasures of wisdome and grace, aboue all his fellows, Col. 2.3. Psal. 45. Thirdly, in respect of his works: neuer creature did works of such price, so vsefull, so exquisite, so transcendent. Fourthly, in respect of his sufferings: hee paid such a price to God in the ransome of man, as all the world besides could not raise, or any way make. Fiftly, in respect of effects: he giues the most precious things: no treasures like those may be had from him: his very promises are precious, 2. Pet. 1.4.
This may serve, first, to inform us in divers things: as,
This may serue, first, to inform vs in diuers things: as,
Secondly, concerning the horrible sin of Judas ⟨p. 133⟩and the high Priests, that valued him but at thirty pieces.
Secondly, concerning the horrible sin of Iudas ⟨p. 133⟩and the high Priests, that valewed him but at thirtie pieces.
