A17384:816
A commentary
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.
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,