A17384:598
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.
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. Mat. 12.17. to 22. But then wee must look to it, that wee obserue the seasons and opportunity of grace, Esay 49.8. 2. Cor. 6.2. Let vs therefore imbrace, while God is to be found, and offers vs Christ: for, we may seek when God will not bee found; as Esau sought the blessing when it was too late, Heb. 12.15.
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.
Thirdly, concerning the most miserable condition of all profane people, and persons, even whole multitudes of people, that so neglect Christ, that can with Esau sell him for trifles, pleasures, or profits, even as mean sometimes, as a mess of pottage, &c. The more glorious Christ is, the more vile is their sin of neglect, or contempt of Christ. Woe to them, that disallow him then: Even to all those sorts of men before mentioned! Christ will not be a foundation stone to support them, nor a precious stone to enrich them, but as the upper and nether millstone to grind them to pieces, or as a rock falling upon them.
Thirdly, concerning the most miserable condition of all prophane people, and persons, euen whole multitudes of people, that so neglect Christ, that can with Esau sell him for trifles, pleasures, or profits, euen as meane sometimes, as a messe of pottage, &c. The more glorious Christ is, the more vile is their sinne of neglect, or contempt of Christ. Woe to them, that disallow him then: Euen to all those sortes of men before mentioned! Christ will not be a foundation stone to support them, nor a precious stone to enrich them, but as the vpper and nether milstone to grinde them to pieces, or as a rock falling vpon them.
Quest. But what should be the reason, that Christ is in no more request amongst men?
Quest. But what should bee the reason, that Christ is in no more request amongst men?
Answer. 1First, one cause is mans ignorance, both of their own misery out of Christ, as also of the glory of Christ in himself, & of the privileges man might attain by him, and of the singular glory to come.
Answer. 1First, one cause is mans ignorance, both of their owne misery out of Christ, as also of the glory of Christ in himself, & of the priuiledges man might attaine by him, and of the singular glory to come.
Secondly, another cause is unbelief. Men have a secret kind of Atheism in them, and do not believe the report of the servants of Christ out of the Word, Isaiah 53.1, 3.
Secondly, another cause is vnbeliefe. Men haue a secret kinde of Atheisme in them, and doe not beleeue the report of the seruants of Christ out of the Word, Esay 53.1, 3.
Thirdly, another cause is, that the most men look upon the outside of the kingdom of Christ, and of the estate of Christians; which, because they find it covered with afflictions, and seated in a low condition without outward splendour, ⟨p. 134⟩they therefore contemn it: Our life is hid with Christ in God, Colos. 3.3.
Thirdly, another cause is, that the most men look vpon the outside of the kingdom of Christ, and of the estate of Christians; which, because they find it couered with afflictions, and seated in a low condition without outward splendor, ⟨p. 134⟩they therefore contemn it: Our life is hid with Christ in God, Colos. 3.3.
Fourthly, but the main reason is, because men do falsely esteem of other things, they set so high a price upon their pleasures, profits, lusts, credits, honours, hopes, &c. that Christ is not remembered nor valued, unless it be at Juda• his rate, and yet many will not value him at so much as thirty pence, but they will make shipwreck of a good conscience even for a penny, I mean for extreme small gain, in buying and selling, and such like dealing.
Fourthly, but the maine reason is, because men doe falsely esteeme of other things, they set so high a price vpon their pleasures, profits, lusts, credits, honours, hopes, &c. that Christ is not remembred nor valued, vnlesse it bee at Iuda• his rate, and yet many will not valew him at so much as thirtie pence, but they will make shipwrack of a good conscience euen for a peny, I meane for extreme small gaine, in buying and selling, and such like dealing.
And thus much of the third thing we may be informed of.
And thus much of the third thing wee may be informed of.
