A17384:646
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.
Sixthly, orderly: we should do as Job said: we should order our cause before him, and fill our mouths with arguments, Job 23.3, 4.
Sixtly, orderly: wee should doo as Iob said: wee should order our cause before him, and fill our mouthes with arguments, Iob 23.3, 4.
Seventhly, obediently. We should come to Christ, as children to their fathers, and as the people to their lawgiver, to receive commandments at his mouth; so as our harts might answer, Lo,1 I come to do thy will. If we would have God or Christ come to us, we must be such as David promiseth for himself, Psalm 101.1, 2, 3, 4.
Seuenthly, obediently. Wee should come to Christ, as children to their fathers, and as the people to their lawgiuer, to receiue commandements at his mouth; so as our harts might answer, Lo,1 I come to doo thy will. If wee would haue God or Christ come to vs, we must bee such as Dauid promiseth for himself, Psalm 101.1, 2, 3, 4.
Eighthly, sincerely. And we must show our sincerity, 1. By forsaking the way of the foolish, Pro. 9.6, 23, 4. 2. By coming in the truth of our hearts. For, an hypocrite cannot stand before him without flattering, lying, dissimulation, or wavering; not as the Israelites came to God, Psal. 78.32, 34. So as Christ may discern, that we have a true thirst, whatsoever we want, John 7.37. 3. Thirdly, by renouncing all other hopes, as they said of God, Jer. 3.22. 4. By resolving to cleave to Christ in a perpetual covenant, Jer. 50.5. 5. By coming to Christ, notwithstanding ⟨p. 139⟩dangers or difficulties: though it were with Peter to leap into the sea, Mat•. 14.29. or with the wise-men to come from the East, Math. 2. and though we find Christ in a prison, Math. 25. and though it were to deny our selves, and to take up our Cross daily, Luke 9.24.
Eightthly, sincerely. And we must shew our sincerity, 1. By forsaking the way of the foolish, Pro. 9.6, 23, 4. 2. By comming in the truth of our hearts. For, an hypocrite cannot stand before him without flattering, lying, dissimulation, or wauering; not as the Israelites came to God, Psal. 78.32, 34. So as Christ may discern, that wee haue a true thirst, whatsoeuer we want, Iohn 7.37. 3. Thirdly, by renouncing all other hopes, as they said of God, Ier. 3.22. 4. By resoluing to cleaue to Christ in a perpetuall couenant, Ier. 50.5. 5. By comming to Christ, notwithstanding ⟨p. 139⟩dangers or difficulties: though it were with Peter to leap into the sea, Mat•. 14.29. or with the wise-men to come from the East, Math. 2. and though we finde Christ in a prison, Math. 25. and though it were to denie our selues, and to take vp our Crosse daily, Luke 9.24.
Use. The use of all this should be chiefly to persuade with every one of us, to make conscience of this duty to come unto Christ, and the rather considering,
Vse. The vse of all this should be chiefly to perswade with euerie one of vs, to make conscience of this dutie to come vnto Christ, and the rather considering,
First,1 the necessity of it here imported, in that without coming to Christ we cannot possibly attain unto sound reformation of life: without Christ we can do nothing.
First,1 the necessitie of it here imported, in that without comming to Christ we cannot possibly attaine vnto sound reformation of life: without Christ we can doe nothing.
Secondly, the encouragements we have to come to him, and these are many. For 1. If we consider the invitation of Christ, he calls us to come unto him, we cannot displease him by coming, but by not coming and neglecting him, Matth. 11.29. Canticles 2.10, 13. Math. 22.3. Joh. 5.40. 2. If we consider the persons invited, or who may come: The simple may come, Prou. 9.3. The strangers may come, even men from afar, Isaiah 49.12. & 56.4. Any that are athirst, may come, Joh. 7.37. Yea, the basest and meanest may come, which is signified by that of the Parable, that they by the hedges and high-way side are compelled to come in:1 nor is there any exceptions at mens sins, but sinners may come, Math. 9.13. Yea such, as are wounded and smitten for their sins, may come, Hos. 6.2. &c. ⟨p. 140⟩Thirdly, if we consider our entertainment when we come. He adopts all that come to him, John 1.12. He is ravished with affection towards them: we cannot more please him, than by coming to him, Cant. 4.8, 9. They are sure they shall not be rejected, John 6.37. Christ will ease them in all their sorrows, Mat. 11.29. He will heal them of all their diseases, of which the bodily cures were pledges in the Gospel. He will be as Manna from heaven to them: they shall never hunger,
Thus of the first things required in Christians. The second is, They must be lively stones.
Thus of the first things required in Christians. The second is, They must be liuely stones.
As lively stones.]
As liuely stones.]
IT is not unusual in Scripture, to compare men to stones: and so both wicked men and godly men.
IT is not vnusuall in Scripture, to compare men to stones: and so both wicked men and godly men.
Wicked men are likened to stones, first, for their insensibleness: and so the heart of Nabal was like a stone. Secondly▪ for their silent amazement, when iniquity shall stop their mouth: thus they were still as a stone, Ex. 15.16. Thirdly, for their sinking down under Gods judgements: so the Egyptians sunk into the sea like a stone, Exod. ⟨p. 141⟩15.6. And thus the wicked sink into hell like a stone. But chiefly in the first sense, for hardness of heart: their hearts by nature are like a stone. And in the comparison of a building, if they be in the Church, they are like the stones of the house that had the leprosy, or like Jerusalem when it was made a heap of stones.
Wicked men are likened to stones, first, for their insensiblenesse: and so the heart of Nabal was like a stone. Secondly▪ for their silent amazement, when iniquity shall stop their mouth: thus they were still as a stone, Ex. 15.16. Thirdly, for their sinking down vnder Gods iudgements: so the Egyptians sunk into the sea like a stone, Exod. ⟨p. 141⟩15.6. And thus the wicked sink into hell like a stone. But chiefly in the first sense, for hardnes of heart: their hearts by nature are like a stone. And in the comparison of a building, if they be in the Church, they are like the stones of the house that had the leprosie, or like Ierusalem when it was made a heap of stones.
Godly men are like stones too: they are like the stones of Bethel that were anointed. God is the God of Bethel: and the Godly are as those anointed pillars, consecrated to God, and qualified with the gifts of the holy Ghost. They are like the Onyx stones given by the Princes, and set on the breast of the High-Priest, in the Ephod. The High-Priest is Christ. The Onyx stones are Christians. The Princes of the Congregation, are the Ministers that consecrate the souls of men which they have converted to Christ, who wears them on his breast, and hath them always in his heart and eye. They are like to the rich stones of a Crown lifted up, Zach. 9.16. They are like the stone with the Book bound to it, Jer. 51. 63. They are never without the Word of God. But in this place they are likened to the stones of the Temple, which in the Letter are described, 1. Kings 6.7, 36. and 7.9, 10. and in the Allegory, Isaiah 54.11, 12, 13. Sure it is, that the stones of this spiritual Temple, are the place of Sapphires, as is said in Job in another sense, 28.6.
Godly men are like stones too: they are like the stones of Bethel that were anointed. God is the God of Bethel: and the Godly are as those anointed pillars, consecrated to God, and qualified with the gifts of the holy Ghost. They are like the Onyx stones giuen by the Princes, and set on the brest of the High-Priest, in the Ephod. The High-Priest is Christ. The Onyx stones are Christians. The Princes of the Congregation, are the Ministers that consecrate the soules of men which they haue conuerted to Christ, who wears them on his brest, and hath them alwayes in his heart and eye. They are like to the rich stones of a Crown lifted vp, Zach. 9.16. They are like the stone with the Book bound to it, Ier. 51. 63. They are neuer without the Word of God. But in this place they are likened to the stones of the Temple, which in the Letter are described, 1. Kings 6.7, 36
Now the godly are likened to stones in divers respects.1 First, they are like stones to grave upon, and so they are like those stones, which must have ⟨p. 142⟩the law graved upon, set up in mount Ebal, Deut. 27, 2, 3, 4. What is the mount, but the world? and what is Ebal, but vanity, or sorrow? and what are those graved stones, but the godly with the law of God written in their hearts, the light whereof shineth on the hill of the vanity of this world, and lasteth in the midst of all the sorrows of this world? Secondly, they are like stones for strength and unmovednes in all the storms of life. The rain pierceth not the stones, nor do afflictions batter the hearts of Gods servants: strength is attributed to stones in that speech of Job 6.12. Thirdly, They are like stones for continuance and durableness, they will last for ever: so will their persons, and so ought the affections of their hearts. Lastly, they are like stones for a building, and that in two respects.
Now the godly are likened to stones in diuers respects.1 First, they are like stones to graue vpon, and so they are like those stones, which must haue ⟨p. 142⟩the law graued vpon, set vp in mount Ebal, Deut. 27, 2, 3, 4. What is the mount, but the world? and what is Ebal, but vanity, or sorrow? and what are those graued stones, but the godly with the law of God written in their hearts, the light whereof shineth on the hill of the vanity of this world, and lasteth in the midst of all the sorrowes of this world? Secondly, they are like stones for strength and vnmouednes in all the stormes of life. The raine pierceth not the stones, nor doe afflictions batter the hearts of Gods seruants: strength is attributed to stones in that speech of Iob 6.12. Thirdly, They are like stones for continuance and durablenes, they will last for euer: so will their persons, and so ought the affections of their hearts. Lastly, they are like stones for a building, and that in two respects.
First, If you consider the manner of their calling into the Church: they are digged out of the quarry of mankind, as stones digged out of the earth, being in themselves by nature but stones of darkness, such as might never have seen the light.
First, If you consider the manner of their calling into the Church: they are digged out of the quarry of mankinde, as stones digged out of the earth, being in themselues by nature but stones of darknesse, such as might neuer haue seene the light.
Secondly, If you consider their union with Christ, and Christians in one body, they are like the stone of the house compact in themselves, and upon the foundation.
Secondly, If you consider their vnion with Christ, and Christians in one body, they are like the stone of the house compact in themselues, and vpon the foundation.
Use. The use may be briefly: First, for information: Here is come to pass that saying that is written, God is able of stones to raise up children unto Abraham. Secondly, let all the servants of God take pleasure in the stones of this spiritual ⟨p. 143⟩Zion, Psalm. 102.15. and let us all learn to be like stones in the former senses, for the receiving the impression of the law, and for constancy and durableness, and for care to keep our communion with Christ, and Christians.
Vse. The vse may be briefly: First, for information: Heere is come to passe that saying that is written, God is able of stones to raise vp children vnto Abraham. Secondly, let all the seruants of God take pleasure in the stones of this spirituall ⟨p. 143⟩Sion, Psalm. 102.15. and let vs all learne to be like stones in the former sences, for the receiuing the impression of the law, and for constancy and durablenes, and for care to keepe our communion with Christ, and Christians.
Secondly, the incouragements wee haue to come to him, and these are many. For 1. If we consider the inuitation of Christ, he calls vs to come vnto him, we cannot displease him by comming, but by not comming and neglecting him, Matth. 11.29. Canticles 2.10, 13. Math. 22.3. Ioh. 5.40. 2. If we consider the persons inuited, or who may come: The simple may come, Prou. 9.3. The strangers may come, euen men from afarre, Esay 49.12. & 56.4. Any that are athirst, may come, Ioh. 7.37. Yea, the basest and meanest may come, which is signified by that of the Parable, that they by the hedges and high-way side are compelled to come in:1 nor is there any exceptions at mens sinnes, but sinners may come, Math. 9.13. Yea such, as are wounded and smitten for their sinnes, may come, Hos. 6.2. &c. ⟨p. 140⟩Thirdly, if wee consider our entertainment when we come. He adopts all that come to him, Iohn 1.12. Hee is rauished with affection towards them: we cannot more please him, than by comming to him, Cant. 4.8, 9. They are sure they shall not be reiected, Iohn 6.37. Christ will ease them in all their sorrows, Mat. 11.29. He wil heal them of all their diseases, of which the bodily cures were pledges in the Gospell. He will be as Manna from heauen to them: they shall neuer hunger, Iohn 6. yea, he will be life to them; the life of their present liues, and eternall life: they shall liue for euer, Iohn 5.40.
