A17384:792
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.
First, when a man doth whatsoever he doth, in the Name of Christ: this is the Altar that sanctifieth the gift, and the sacrifices are here acceptable through Jesus Christ, Heb. 13.15. Col. 3.17.
First, when a man doth whatsoeuer he doth, in the Name of Christ: this is the Altar that sanctifieth the gift, and the sacrifices are heer acceptable through Iesus Christ, Heb. 13.15. Col. 3.17.
Secondly, when our works are soundly powdered, with salt, that is, when we soundly confess our own unworthiness, and give all glory to God in Jesus Christ.
Secondly, when our works are soundly powdered, with salt, that is, when we soundly confess our owne vnworthinesse, and giue all glory to God in Iesus Christ.
Thirdly, when we love mercy and piety, accounting it our delight to do God's will, and thinking our selves greatly honoured, to be admitted to do this service, Mic. 6.8. 2. Cor. 8.5.
Thirdly, when wee loue mercy and piety, accounting it our delight to doo God's will, and thinking our selues greatly honoured, to bee admitted to doo this seruice, Mic. 6.8. 2. Cor. 8.5.
Fourthly, when we can bring faith, that is, a heart well persuaded of God, so as we can believe all good of him and his mercy. Without faith no man can please God, Heb. 11.6. and God takes no delight in him that withdraweth himself through unbelief, Heb. 10.36, 37.
Fourthly, when we can bring faith, that is, a heart well perswaded of God, so as wee can beleeue all good of him and his mercy. Without faith no man can please God, Heb. 11.6. and God takes no delight in him that withdraweth himself through vnbelief, Heb. 10.36, 37.
Fifthly, when it is our every-days work. Sacrifice will please God, if it be continual, Hebrews 13.15.
Fiftly, when it is our euery-daies work. Sacrifice will please God, if it be continuall, Hebrewes 13.15.
Thus of the second thing.
Thirdly, we may know, that our sacrifice is accepted, if the Lord burn it to ashes with fire from heaven. Thus God did put a difference between the sacrifice of Cain and Abel, by some visible sign: and though we may not limit God, and expect he should answer us by visible signs, yet God hath not left us without testimony of his favour. For, by his word of promise, and by his Spirit bearing witness to our spirits, hath he manifested even from heaven his acceptation: and in particular, when the believer stands before the Lord with his sacrifice duly offered; when the Lord doth suddenly fill his heart with ⟨p. 174⟩the cloud of his presence, or warm his soul with the joys of the holy Ghost; what is this but the sign of his acceptation?
Thirdly, wee may knowe, that our sacrifice is accepted, if the Lord burn it to ashes with fire from heauen. Thus God did put a difference between the sacrifice of Cain and Abel, by some visible signe: and though wee may not limit God, and expect he should answer vs by visible signes, yet God hath not left vs without testimony of his fauour. For, by his word of promise, and by his Spirit bearing witnes to our spirits, hath hee manifested euen from heauen his acceptation: and in particular, when the beleeuer stands before the Lord with his sacrifice duely offered; when the Lord doth •uddenly fill his heart with ⟨p. 174⟩the cloud of his presence, or warm his soule with the ioyes of the holy Ghost; what is this but the signe of his acceptation?
Question. What if we be accepted in our service of God? what great thing is that to us?
Question. What if we be accepted in our seruice of God? what great thing is that to vs?
Answ. When God accepts thine offerings, thou mayest be assured of three things.
Answ. When God accepts thine offrings, thou maist be assured of three things.
First, that all thy sins be forgiven thee. God hath purged away thine iniquity: he hath received an atonement in Jesus Christ, Psal 65.2, 3.
First, that all thy sins bee forgiuen thee. God hath purged away thine iniquity: he hath receiued an atonement in Iesus Christ, Psal 65.2, 3.
Secondly, God is exceedingly delighted in them. Thy sacrifice is a sweet smell unto God: he rejoiceth over thee with joy, Phil. 4.18.
Secondly, God is exceedingly delighted in them. Thy sacrifice is a sweet smell vnto God: he reioyceth ouer thee with ioy, Phil. 4.18.
Thirdly, it is a pledge unto thee, that God will supply all thy necessities out of the riches of his glory, in Jesus Christ our Saviour, Phil. 4.19.
Thirdly, it is a pledge vnto thee, that God wil supply all thy necessities out of the riches of his glory, in Iesus Christ our Sauiour, Phil. 4.19.
Hitherto of the proposition of the exhortation. The confirmation follows: where the Apostle gives reasons why we should make our recourse to Christ, to seek holiness of life from him; and the reasons are two. The first is taken from the testimony of God, verses 6, 7, 8. The other is taken from the consideration of the excellent privileges of Christians, unto which they are brought by Christ, verses 9, 10. The testimony of God is both cited, verse 6. and expounded, ⟨p. 175⟩verses 7, 8. In the testimony of God, observe first, where it is to be found, viz. In Scripture: secondly, how it is there, It is contained there: thirdly, what is testified. Now, the matter testified concerns either the giving of Christ for the good of the Church; or the safety of the Christian that by faith receiveth Christ.
HItherto of the proposition of the exhortation. The confirmation follows: where the Apostle giues reasons why wee should make our recourse to Christ, to seek holinesse of life from him; and the reasons are two. The first is taken from the testimony of God, verses 6, 7, 8. The other is taken from the consideration of the excellent priuiledges of Christians, vnto which they are brought by Christ, verses 9, 10. The testimony of God is both cited, verse 6. and expounded, ⟨p. 175⟩verses 7, 8. In the testimony of God, obserue first, where it is to be found, viz. In Scripture: secondly, how it is there, It is contained there: thirdly, what is testified. Now, the matter testified concerns either the giuing of Christ for the good of the Church; or the safety of the Christian that by faith receiueth Christ.
The giving of Christ is expressed in these words, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: the safety and happiness of the Christian that receiveth Christ, in these words; And he that believes in him, shall not be confounded.
The giuing of Christ is exprest in these words, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: the safety and happinesse of the Christian that receiueth Christ, in these words; And hee that beleeues in him, shall not be confounded.
First, of the place where this testimony is found, viz. in the Scripture.
