A17384:706
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.
1First, in respect of the efficient causes: and so there are divers similitudes. For, as the Tabernacle did not build it self, but was the work of cunning men; so is it with us: our harts naturally are no Temples of Christ, but are made so. Secondly, as God raised up skilful men for the building of the Temple or Tabernacle: so doth God raise up Ministers for the erecting of the Frame of this spiritual House to Christ. Hence they are called Builders, 1. Cor. 3. And thirdly, as there was difference of degrees, and Bezaleel and Aholiab were specially inspired of God with skill above the rest: so hath Christ given some to be Apostles, Master-builders; and some, Evangelists and Pastors, and Teachers, for the building up of the Church, till he come again.
1First, in respect of the efficient causes: and so there are diuers similitudes. For, as the Tabernacle did not build it self, but was the work of cunning men; so is it with vs: our harts naturally are no Temples of Christ, but are made so. Secondly, as God raised vp skilful men for the building of the Temple or Tabernacle: so doth God raise vp Ministers for the erecting of the Frame of this spirituall House to Christ. Hence they are called Builders, 1. Cor. 3. And thirdly, as there was difference of degrees, and Bezaleel and Aholiab were specially inspired of God with skill aboue the rest: so hath Christ giuen some to bee Apostles, Master-builders; and some, Euangelists and Pastors, and Teachers, for the building vp of the Church, till he come again.
Secondly, in respect of the adjuncts of the Tabernacle: and those were two. First, moveablenesse: secondly, furniture.
Secondly, in respect of the adiuncts of the Tabernacle: and those were two. First, moueablenesse: secondly, furniture.
For the first. The Tabernacle, though it were Gods House, had no constant or certain resting place, till Solomon, at the building of the Temple, took it into the most holy place; and was taken asunder, and easily dissolved; such are we: though honoured with the presence of Christ, yet our Tabernacle must be dissolved, and we ⟨p. 151⟩shall never be at rest, till we be settled in the most holy place in heaven, 2. Cor. 5.1, 7.
For the first. The Tabernacle, though it were Gods House, had no constant or certain restingplace, till Salomon, at the building of the Temple, took it into the most holy place; and was taken asunder, and easily dissolued; such are wee: though honoured with the presence of Christ, yet our Tabernacle must bee dissolued, and wee ⟨p. 151⟩shall neuer be at rest, till we be settled in the most holy place in heauen, 2. Cor. 5.1, 7.
For the second, which is the furniture of the Tabernacle, it must be considered two ways: either on the inside, or on the outside. First, for the inside: there were curtains of fine linen, and blue silk, and scarlet, &c. and it was furnished with admirable household-stuff, as I may so call it. Within it was the Mercy-seat, the Table of show-bread, the Manna, the Altar of incense, and for burnt offerings, the Candlestick, and such like. Secondly, without it was all covered with Rams skins died red, and Badgers skins upon them: and what doth all this signify in general, but that the Godly, though they be outwardly black and tanned with sin and affliction, yet they are glorious within, and have curtains like the curtains of Solomon; all richly hanged, as the chambers of Princes, with spiritual tapestry? Cant. 1.5. And in particular, for the inside of Christians, how glorious is the place of Christs Tabernacle in them! There is the Propitiate, Gods true seat of mercy: whence also he uttereth his Oracles, even his divine answers. There is the heavenly Manna that is hid, Reu. 2. There doth Christ spiritually feast-it: there he dines and sups on the table of their hearts: and upon that table stands the show-bread, inasmuch as the heart of a Christian doth preserve a standing manner of affection to the Saints. There are also both sorts of altars accordingly; as, faith offereth up to God either the redemption or th' intercession of Christ. ⟨p. 152⟩There also is the great Laver to wash-in, called the sea, because in the heart of every Christian, is opened the fountain of grace; able, like the sea, to wash them from all their filthiness. There are the golden Candlesticks, with the lamps of saving knowledge continually burning in them: and upon the Altar of Christ crucified, and now making intercession, do they daily sacrifice their own affections; which resemble those sweet odours with which the Tabernacle was perfumed.
For the second, which is the furniture of the Tabernacle, it must bee considered two waies: either on the inside, or on the outside. First, for the inside: there were curtains of fine linnen, and blue silk, and scarlet, &c. and it was furnisht with admirable houshold-stuffe, as I may so call it. Within it was the Merci-seat, the Table of shew-bread, the Manna, the Altar of incense, and for burnt offrings, the Candlestick, and such like. Secondly, without it was all couered with Rams skinnes died red, and Badgers skins vpon them: and what doth all this signifie in general, but that the Godly, though they be outwardly black and tanned with sinne and affliction, yet they are glorious within, and haue curtains like the curtains of Salomon; all richly hanged, as the chambers of Princes, with spirituall tapestry?
The outward coverings of the Tabernacle do assure safety and preservation to the Godly; and the rather, because the cloud rested upon them, as is affirmed, Isaiah 4.5, 6. Besides, the double covering of slain beasts may signify, that God hath two ways to provide for the Church. The red skins of Rams may note Christ crucified, which is that which on the inside of the Tabernacle was only sewed. The covering of Badgers skins may note, that God will serve himself of the wicked: their skins shall protect the Church. If Israel want room, Canaan must die for it.
The outward couerings of the Tabernacle do assure safety and preseruation to the Godly; and the rather, because the cloud rested vpon them, as is affirmed, Esay 4.5, 6. Besides, the double couering of slain beasts may signifie, that God hath two waies to prouide for the Church. The red skinnes of Rammes may note Christ crucified, which is that which on the inside of the Tabernacle was onely sewed. The couering of Badgers skinnes may note, that God will serue himself of the wicked: their skins shall protect the Church. If Israel want room, Canaan must dy for it.
Now thirdly, the Tabernacle was a type of every believer, if we respect the end of it. For, the Tabernacle was erected of purpose, as the place of the presence of God, God's visible House: such are the hearts of Christians: they are prepared of purpose for the entertainment of Jesus Christ, that by his Spirit he may live and dwell therein, Gal. 2.20. Col. 1.27. 2. Cor. 12.9. 2. Cor. 13.5.
Now thirdly, the Tabernacle was a type of euery beleeuer, if we respect the end of it. For, the Tabernacle was erected of purpose, as the place of the presence of God, God's visible House: such are the hearts of Christians: they are prepared of purpose for the entertainment of Iesus Christ, that by his Spirit he may liue and dwell therein, Gal. 2.20. Col. 1.27. 2. Cor. 12.9. 2. Cor. 13.5.
Use. The use of all may be both for instruction, and consolation.
Vse. The vse of all may be both for instruction, and consolation.
For instruction; and so it should teach us divers things.
For instruction; and so it should teach vs diuers things.
First, to abhor fornication, seeing our bodies are the temples of the holy Ghost, 1. Cor. 6.21.
Secondly, to keep our selves for being unequally yoked: Because there can be no communion between light and darkness, the Temple of God, and Idols.
Secondly, to keepe our selues for being vnequally yoked: Because there can bee no communion betweene light and darknes, the Temple of God, and Idols.
Thirdly, to look to our harts in respect of inward sins, and to keep the room clean for the Lord to dwell in, 2. Cor. 7.1.
Thirdly, to looke to our harts in respect of inward sinnes, and to keepe the roome cleane for the Lord to dwell in, 2. Cor. 7.1.
Fourthly, to stir up our selves to much prayer: if our hearts be the house of God, let them be a house of prayer also.
Fourthly, to stir vp our selues to much praier: if our hearts be the house of God, let them bee a house of praier also.
Fifthly, let us still lift up our harts, as everlasting doors for the Lord of Glory to come in, Psalm 24.7.
Fiftly, let vs still lift vp our harts, as euerlasting dores for the Lord of Glorie to come in, Psalme 24.7.
For consolation. Shall we not say as Paul doth, We will rejoice in our infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in us? How should we hold up our head against all tentations and afflictions? Is not the grace of Christ sufficient for us, 2. Cor. 12.9? And shall we not be confident, that through Christ we can do all things? Will he forsake the house, upon which his Name is called? Will he not perfect his own work, and repair his own dwelling place? Was the tabernacle safe in the wilderness, while the cloud was upon it? and are not our hearts safe, while Christ is in them? How are the abject Gentiles honoured Col. 1.27. whose hearts are so enriched by Christ, that dwells in them! If the outward ⟨p. 154⟩Sanctuary were like high palaces, Psal. 78.69. what is the hart of man, the true tabernacle? and if he established it as the earth, how much more hath he established us in his favour and grace? so that it may comfort us in respect of honour done to our harts, and against tentations and afflictions; and in respect of hope of perseverance, and also in respect of increase of power and well-doing. He will work our works for us. And it shows us also the honour cast upon our good works: they have a noble beginning in respect of Christ, and as they come from him. Howsoever, we ought to be abased for our own corruptions, that cleave unto them: Yea, how should it wonderfully establish our hearts in all estates, to think, that Christ is with us wheresoever we go, not only as our witness, but as our guide and our protector. If God be with us, who can be against us. As also it is comfortable, if we consider the comparisons imported in the furniture of the outward tabernacle.
For consolation. Shall wee not say as Paul doth, We will reioice in our infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in vs? How should wee hold vp our head against all tentations and afflictions? Is not the grace of Christ sufficient for vs, 2. Cor. 12.9? And shal we not be confident, that through Christ we can doe all things? Will he forsake the house, vpon which his Name is called? Will hee not perfect his owne work, and repaire his owne dwelling place? Was the tabernacle safe in the wildernes, while the cloud was vpon it? and are not our hearts safe, while Christ is in them? How are the abiect Gentiles honored
And thus much of the fourth thing.
The fifth thing is, We must be a holy priest-hood unto Christ: which is amplified both by the labour of it, To offer sacrifice, and by the honour of it, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
The fift thing is, Wee must bee a holy priest-hood vnto Christ: which is amplified both by the labour of it, To offer sacrifice, and by the honor of it, acceptable to God through Iesus Christ.
