A17384:818
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.
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.
If we read it actively, then the Name of God must be supplied thus: He, that is, God, contained it in Scripture: noting, that as a singular treasure, God hath placed this Testimony in Scripture, concerning Christ, and faith in him: and sure it is a great treasure, that we may have ⟨p. 179⟩places in the sure Word of God, that so plainly testify of Christ, and our happiness in him: we should take great notice of them, and be much thankful to God for giving us such sentences so briefly, and yet so plainly and fully to inform us.
If we read it actiuely, then the Name of God must bee supplied thus: Hee, that is, God, contained it in Scripture: noting, that as a singular treasure, God hath placed this Testimonie in Scripture, concerning Christ, and faith in him: and sure it is a great treasure, that wee may haue ⟨p. 179⟩places in the sure Word of God, that so plainely testifie of Christ, and our happines in him: wee should take great notice of them, and bee much thankfull to God for giuing vs such sentences so briefely, and yet so plainely and fully to informe vs.
Some supply the name of Christ, and so they say, Christ containeth, that is, excelleth, as the word may signify: He is had fully and excellently in Scripture, and in particular in this testimony of Scripture.
Some supply the name of Christ, and so they say, Christ containeth, that is, excelleth, as the word may signifie: Hee is had fully and excellently in Scripture, and in particular in this testimonie of Scripture.
The word rendered (Contained) signifies sometimes barely to be had; sometimes to be possessed, as Luke 5.9. They were possessed with fear. And so we possess a great treasure in Scripture, when we have such Testimonies as these.
The word rendred (Contained) signifies sometimes barely to bee had; sometimes to bee possessed, as Luke 5.9. They were possessed with fear. And so we possesse a great treasure in Scripture, when wee haue such Testimonies as these.
There is a Noun derived of this Verb, which is thought by the exactest Divines, to mean a special Section, or portion; and when it is applied to a place in Scripture, it signifies such a Scripture as is divided from the rest, as a principal matter either to be meditated of, or expounded. Such was that special portion of Scripture, which the Eunuch had to meditate of, and Philip expounded to him, Acts 8.32. where the word is used. And so whether the word be used actively or passively, it commends unto us this place of Scripture, and withal shows us a way, how to enrich our selves, namely by singling out such choice places throughout the Scripture as may most fittingly furnish our thoughts for meditation in the main matters of Religion.
There is a Nowne deriued of this Verbe, which is thought by the exactest Diuines, to mean a speciall Section, or portion; and when it is applied to a place in Scripture, it signifies such a Scripture as is diuided from the rest, as a principall matter either to bee meditated of, or expounded. Such was that speciall portion of Scripture, which the Eunuch had to meditate of, and Philip expounded to him, Acts 8.32. where the word is vsed. And so whether the word bee vsed actiuely or passiuely, it commends vnto vs this place of Scripture, and withall shewes vs a way, how to inrich our selues, namely by singling out such choise places throughout the Scripture as may most fittingly furnish our thoughts for meditation in the maine matters of Religion.
We may here note, what cause we have of thankfulness to God, for the helps we have in teaching, seeing we have the Chapter and verse quoted to us, which they had not in the Primitive Church; and withal we may observe, that one may have the profit of the scriptures, though he cannot quote Chapter and verse.
Wee may heere note, what cause we haue of thankfulnes to God, for the helpes wee haue in teaching, seeing wee haue the Chapter and verse quoted to vs, which they had not in the Primitiue Church; and withall wee may obserue, that one may haue the profit of the scriptures, though he cannot quote Chapter and verse.
And thus of the second thing concerning this testimony.
And thus of the second thing concerning this testimonie.
Thirdly, the third follows, which is the matter testified, which concerns either the giving of Christ, or the safety of the Christian in believing in him.
Thirdly, the third followes, which is the matter testified, which concernes either the giuing of Christ, or the safety of the Christian in beleeuing in him.
In the words that describe the giving of Christ observe: First, the wonder of it in the word (Behold): Secondly, the Author of it, God, I lay or put: Thirdly, the manner of it, He laid him down, as the stone of a foundation in a building: Fourthly, the place where: In Zion: noting, that this gift of Christ belongs only to the Church: Fifthly, what Christ was unto the Church, viz. a chief corner stone, elect, and precious.
In the words that describe the giuing of Christ obserue: First, the wonder of it in the word (Behold): Secondly, the Author of it, God, I lay or put: Thirdly, the manner of it, Hee laid him downe, as the stone of a foundation in a building: Fourthly, the place where: In Sion: noting, that this gift of Christ belongs onely to the Church: Fiftly, what Christ was vnto the Church, viz. a chiefe corner stone, elect, and precious.
Behold.]
This word is used in Scripture, sometimes to note a thing that is usually known, or ought to be known: so David saith, Behold, I was conceived in sin, Psalm 51. Sometimes to note, that some great wonder is spoken of, and must be much attended. In this place it may note both: For it is certain, that the testimonies of Scriptures concerning Christ, ought to be familiarly known of us, and this, as an especial ⟨p. 181⟩one: But I rather think, it is used to note the wonder of the work here mentioned, and so the word may import divers things unto us.
This word is vsed in Scripture, sometimes to note a thing that is vsually knowne, or ought to bee knowne: so Dauid saith, Behold, I was conceiued in sinne, Psalme 51. Sometimes to note, that some great wonder is spoken of, and must bee much attended. In this place it may note both: For it is certaine, that the testimonies of Scriptures concerning Christ, ought to bee familiarly knowne of vs, and this, as an especiall ⟨p. 181⟩one: But I rather think, it is vsed to note the wonder of the work heere mentioned, and so the word may import diuers things vnto vs.
First, it was a marvellous work, that God should give us his own Son to be our Saviour, and the fountain of life to us. Hence it is, that we may observe throughout the Scripture, that God doth set this note of attention and respect, both upon the general, and upon many particulars that concern Christ, as it were by the Word to pull us by the ears to make us attend, or to give us a sign; when we should specially listen. Thus God brings out Christ to the Church, and tells, how he loves him, and hath resolved upon it by him to save both Jews and Gentiles, and wills them to behold him, and wonder at him, Isaiah 42.1. So when he promiseth the coming of Christ,1 And of the ends of his coming, he makes a proclamation all the world over, that he hath appointed a Saviour unto Zion,2 Thus he would have us wonder at the service of the Angels about the time of his birth, Math. 1.20. Luke 2.9, 10. and at the miracle of his conception, that he should be borne of a Virgin, Mat. 1.21. and at the Wise men led by a star out of the East, Mat. 2.1, 9. and at the opening of the heavens, when the voice came down to testify, that Christ was the beloved Son of God, in whom he was well pleased, Math. 3.16, 17. and at the service, which the Angels did him, and at his wonderful abasement for our sakes,3 Math. 21.5. and especially that he should sacrifice his own body for our ⟨p. 182⟩sins, 1. John 1.29. Heb. 10.7
Secondly, this word strikes us like a dart to the heart: for, it imports, that naturally we are extremely careless and stupid in this great doctrine concerning Christ & faith in us. For, when God calls for attention, it implies, that we are marvellous slow of heart to understand, or with affection to receive the doctrine. Let the use of all be then, to strive with our own hearts, and to awake from this heaviness and sleepiness, and with all our souls to praise God, with endless admiration of his goodness to us, in giving us his Sonne.
Secondly, this word strikes vs like a dart to the heart: for, it imports, that naturally wee are extremely carelesse and stupid in this great doctrine concerning Christ & faith in vs. For, when God cals for attention, it implies, that we are maruellous slowe of heart to vnderstand, or with affection to receiue the doctrine. Let the vse of all be then, to striue with our owne hearts, and to awake from this heauinesse and sleepinesse, and with all our soules to praise God, with endlesse admiration of his goodnes to vs, in giuing vs his Sonne.
Thus of the wonder of it.
First, it was a maruelous work, that God should giue vs his owne Sonne to be our Sauiour, and the fountaine of life to vs. Hence it is, that wee may obserue throughout the Scripture, that God doth set this note of attention and respect, both vpon the generall, and vpon many particulars that concerne Christ, as it were by the Word to pull vs by the eares to make vs attend, or to giue vs a signe; when we should specially listen. Thus God brings out Christ to the Church, and tells, how he loues him, and hath resolued vpon it by him to saue both Iewes and Gentiles, and wils them to behold him, and wonder at him, Isaiah 42.1. So when hee promiseth the comming of Christ,1 And of the ends of his comming, hee makes a proclamation all the world ouer, that he hath appointed a Sauiour vnto Sion,2 Thus hee would haue vs wonder at the seruice of the Angels about the time of his birth, Math. 1.20. Luke 2.9, 10. and at the miracle of his conception, that he should bee borne of a Virgin, Mat. 1.21. and at the Wisemen led by a starre out of the East, Mat. 2.1, 9. and at the opening of the heauens, when the voice came downe to testifie, that Christ was the beloued Son of God, in whom he was well pleased, Math. 3.16, 17. and at the seruice, which the Angels did him, and at his wonderfull abasement for our sakes,3 Math. 21.5. and especially that hee should sacrifice his owne bodie for our ⟨p. 182⟩sinnes, 1. Iohn 1.29. Heb. 10.7. and that he is aliue from the dead, and liueth for euer, Reuel. 1.18. and that he hath opened the secret book of Gods counsel, and made it known to the world, Re. 5.5. and that, after such hard times vnder the raign of Antichrist, hee should recollect such troops of Gospellers, as stood with him on Mount Sion, Reu. 14.1. It were too long to number vp more particulars: Onely thus much wee should learn, that the doctrine of Christ is to be receiued with great affection, attention, and admiration.
