A17384:805
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.
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.
By the Scripture,1 is usually meant all the Books of the old and new Testament, written after an extraordinary manner by inspiration of the holy Ghost. But here he means it of the Books of the old Testament; but yet so, as the word doth agree to all the Books of both Testaments. Now, this very word gives us occasion to consider of the nature of these Books, and of their use, and of their excellency, and of their harmony.
By the Scripture,1 is vsually meant all the Books of the old and new Testament, written after an extraordinary manner by inspiration of the holy Ghost. But heer he means it of the Books of the old Testament; but yet so, as the word doth agree to all the Books of both Testaments. Now, this very word giues vs occasion to consider of the nature of these Books, and of their vse, and of their excellency, and of their harmony.
These Books are called Scripture, because they contain in writing, the whole will of God, necessary to be known of us: they are the Treasures of all truth. The doctrine, which was before delivered by tradition for 2000 years, was afterwards written down and explained in these Books: so as nothing needful was left out or omitted.
These Books are called Scripture, because they contain in writing, the whole will of God, necessary to be knowne of vs: they are the Treasures of all truth. The doctrine, which was before deliuered by tradition for 2000 yeers, was afterwards written down and explained in these Books: so as nothing needfull was left out or omitted.
Secondly, this word imports the excellency ⟨p. 176⟩of the Bible above all other books, because it is called Scripture: as if no other writings were worthy to be mentioned in comparison of these. The Scripture exceeds all others in divers respects.
Secondly, this word imports the excellency ⟨p. 176⟩of the Bible aboue all other bookes, because it is called Scripture: as if no other writings were worthy to be mentioned in comparison of these. The Scripture exceedes all others in diuers respects.
1First, because these writings were inspired all of the holy Ghost, 2. Tim. 3.17. 2. Pet. 1.21. so were no other writings.
Secondly, those writings contain a wisdom far above all that, that can be had by the Princes and men of this world, the platform of the wisdom that is in God himself, 1. Cor. 6.7.
Secondly, those writings containe a wisdome far aboue all that, that can be had by the Princes and men of this world, the platforme of the wisdome that is in God himselfe, 1. Cor. 6.7.
Thirdly, they were penned by more excellent men then any other writings, the greatest, wisest, holiest men; Moses, David, Solomon, the Prophets, Evangelists, Apostles, &c.
Thirdly, they were penned by more excellent men then any other writings, the greatest, wisest, holiest men; Moses, Dauid, Salomon, the Prophets, Euangelists, Apostles, &c.
Fourthly, they have such properties, as no other writings have: they are more perfect, pure, deep, and immutable then any mans writings: These can tame all things necessary unto faith, and a good life, 2. Tim. 3.17.18. These writings only are pure, without fault, or error, or any corruption in them, and for depth and majesty never any writings came near them, and for unchangeableness, Heaven and earth must pass away, but a jot of Gods Word shall not pass away, Math. 5.24. 1. Pet. 1.23.
Fourthly, they haue such properties, as no other writings haue: they are more perfect, pure, deep, and immutable then any mans writings: These can tame all things necessarie vnto faith, and a good life, 2. Tim. 3.17.18. These writings onely are pure, without fault, or error, or any corruption in them, and for depth and maiesty neuer any writings came neere them, and for vnchangeablenes, Heauen and earth must passe away, but a iot of Gods Word shall not passe away, Math. 5.24. 1. Pet. 1.23.
Fifth, If we consider the effects, that must be acknowledged to the praise of the Scriptures, which can be true of no writings besides, no writings can describe God so fully to us: no writings do so bring glory to God, no Scripture but ⟨p. 177⟩this can convert a soul to God, Heb. 4.12, 13. Other writings may show us some faults to be avoided, but give no power to subdue them, Psal. 19.8. These writings only can minister solid comfort to us in adversity, and these only can make us wise to salvation, and perfect to every good word and work. The consideration whereof should work in us a singular love to this book above all other books in the world, yea above all the treasures in the world, we should account them with David more sweet then honey, and more precious then Gold, Psal. 19.11. Psal. 119.14, 15, 27.
Fift, If wee consider the effects, that must bee acknowledged to the praise of the Scriptures, which can bee true of no writings besides, no writings can describe God so fully to vs: no writings do so bring glory to God, no Scripture but ⟨p. 177⟩this can conuert a soule to God, Heb. 4.12, 13. Other writings may shew vs some faults to bee auoided, but giue no power to subdue them, Psal. 19.8. These writings onely can minister solid comfort to vs in aduersity, and these onely can make vs wise to saluation, and perfect to euery good word and worke. The consideration whereof should work in vs a singular loue to this booke aboue all other bookes in the world, yea aboue all the treasures in the world, we should account them with Dauid more sweet then hony, and more precious then Gold, Psal. 19.11.
Thirdly, the third thing may be noted from hence, is the harmony of all these books, they all agree, as if they were but one writing, yea one sentence, yea one word: Though the books were written by divers men, yet they agree so perfectly, that they all sound one thing: for they were all inspired by the same Spirit of God: which should teach us, when we meet with doubts, or objections, or see•ing contradictions, to condemn our own ignorance, and to be fully resolved, that there is a sweet harmony, though we do not see it. And secondly and especially it should knit our harts to the Scriptures, we should be affected as with the most delightful music of the world, or in the world.
Thirdly, the third thing may bee noted from hence, is the harmony of all these bookes, they all agree, as if they were but one writing, yea one sentence, yea one word: Though the bookes were written by diuers men, yet they agree so perfectly, that they all sound one thing: for they were all inspired by the same Spirit of God: which should teach vs, when wee meete with doubts, or obiections, or see•ing contradictions, to condemn our owne ignorance, and to be fully resolued, that there is a sweet harmony, though wee doe not see it. And secondly and especially it should knit our harts to the Scriptures, wee should be affected as with the most delightfull musick of the world, or in the world.
Fourthly, the fourth thing concerns the use of Scripture, and so we may note two things. First, that we must receive no opinions but what can be proved by Scripture, To the law and to ⟨p. 178⟩the testimony: if they speak not according to these, it is because there is no truth in them, Isaiah 8. Secondly, we may note hence, that the best men must prove what they teach, by Scripture. If the Apostles did it, who were men privileged from error, then much more must other men: we must believe no man, above what is written, 1. Cor. 4.6. and he is accursed, that teacheth other things then what is written, Gal. 1.7. though he were an Angel from heaven. Which should teach us to get proofs into our heads for all that we believe, and to take heed of receiving traditions even from good men. For there be traditions on the right hand, as well as on the left, Joh. 5.39. Acts 17.1. Thes. 5.21.
Fourthly, the fourth thing concernes the vse of Scripture, and so wee may note two things. First, that we must receiue no opinions but what can bee proued by Scripture, To the law and to ⟨p. 178⟩the testimony: if they speak not according to these, it is because there is no truth in them, Isaiah 8. Secondly, we may note hence, that the best men must proue what they teach, by Scripture. If the Apostles did it, who were men priuiledged from error, then much more must other men: wee must beleeue no man, aboue what is written, 1. Cor. 4.6. and he is accursed, that teacheth other things then what is written,
Secondly, Thus of the place, where this testimony is: The manner how it is there, is in the word Contained: It is contained in Scripture.
Secondly, Thus of the place, where this testimonie is: The manner how it is there, is in the word Contained: It is contained in Scripture.
Contained.] [Greek or Hebrew].
Contained.] 〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
There is much ado about the word here rendered, Contained, among Interpreters: The word sounds actively in the Original, as if it were rendered, doth contain; or he containeth. But the Translators, and many Interpreters think, the active is put for the passive: He containeth, for, It is contained.
There is much adoe about the word heer rendred, Contained, among Interpreters: The word sounds actiuely in the Originall, as if it were rendred, doth containe; or he containeth. But the Translators, and many Interpreters think, the actiue is put for the passiue: He containeth, for, It is contained.
