A17384:829
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.
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. and that he is alive from the dead, and liveth for ever, Revel. 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 under the reign of Antichrist, he should recollect such troops of Gospellers, as stood with him on Mount Zion, Reu. 14.1. It were too long to number up more particulars: Only thus much we should learn, that the doctrine of Christ is to be received with great affection, attention, and admiration.
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,
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.
2. The Author of it follows.
I lay or put.]
God would have us to take special notice of it, that it is he, that was the Author of this glorious work. He is the work-master, the chief master builder. It is Gods work, and the knowledge of this may serve for divers uses.
God would haue vs to take speciall notice of it, that it is he, that was the Author of this glorious worke. He is the work-master, the chief master builder. It is Gods worke, and the knowledge of this may serue for diuers vses.
1For first, it should direct our thankfulness, we ⟨p. 183⟩should give glory to God, and praise his rich grace. He will not lose his thanks for Christ. He holds himself much honoured, when we praise him for so great a gift as Christ.
1For first, it should direct our thankfulnes, wee ⟨p. 183⟩should giue glory to God, and praise his rich grace. Hee will not lose his thanks for Christ. He holds himselfe much honoured, when wee praise him for so great a gift as Christ.
Secondly, it should much strengthen our faith, and make us believe the love of God, and his willingness to be reconciled. He is the party offended; and if he were hard to be pleased, he would never have sought out such a project for reconciliation: Besides, what can God deny us, if he can give us his own Son? and who is pleased also in his Word to signify so much, and commanded it by his servants to be told to the parties offending, that he hath found out such a way of perfect peace.
Secondly, it should much strengthen our faith, and make vs beleeue the loue of God, and his willingnes to bee reconciled. He is the party offended; and if he were hard to be pleased, he would neuer haue sought out such a proiect for reconciliation: Besides, what can God deny vs, if he can giue vs his owne Son? and who is pleased also in his Word to signify so much, and commanded it by his seruants to bee told to the parties offending, that he hath found out such a way of perfect peace.
Thirdly, we should hence be comforted in all the straits of godliness: when the Lord goeth about to lay the foundation of grace in our hearts, and to form Christ in us, we should remember it is the Lords work, and it shall prosper; if the Lord will have it go on, who can hinder it? The gates of Hell shall not prevail against it, when God builds it upon this Rock.
Thirdly, we should hence be comforted in all the straits of godlines: when the Lord goeth about to lay the foundation of grace in our hearts, and to forme Christ in vs, we should remember it is the Lords work, and it shall prosper; if the Lord will haue it go on, who can hinder it? The gates of Hell shall not preuaile against it, when God builds it vpon this Rock.
Fourthly, it should teach us in all other distresses to trust upon God, and never be afraid of the oppositions of men, or the impediments of our deliverance. For what shall restrain Gods mercy from us? If the Lord can bring about such a work as this, to found Zion, by laying Christ as the chief corner stone in her; then we may trust him in less matters. The Lord will accomplish all the Counsel of his will, and he that hath promised, ⟨p. 180⟩[…] ⟨p. 181⟩[…] ⟨p. 182⟩[…] ⟨p. 183⟩[…] ⟨p. 184⟩that all shall work together for the best, will perform it. To this end he pleads this work of founding Christ in the womb of a Virgin, of purpose to give them thereby a sign of deliverance: then, in a temporal affliction it is easy for him to save us and deliver us from all our troubles, that can give us a Saviour for all our sins.
Fourthly, it should teach vs in al other distresses to trust vpon God, and neuer be afraid of the oppositions of men, or the impediments of our deliuerance. For what shall restraine Gods mercy from vs? If the Lord can bring about such a worke as this, to found Sion, by laying Christ as the chiefe corner stone in her; then we may trust him in lesse matters. The Lord will accomplish all the Counsell of his will, and he that hath promised, ⟨p. 180⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 181⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 182⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 183⟩〈…〉
Lastly, Ministers that are but under-Masons & Carpenters, must learn to take all their directions at god, both to see to it, that they lay no other foundation, then what God hath laid, which is Jesus Christ, and in all things to be faithful in good works, as such as must make their accounts to God.
Lastly, Ministers that are but vnder-Masons & Carpēters, must learn to take al their directions at god, both to see to it, that they lay no other foundation, then what God hath laid, which is Iesus Christ, and in all things to be faithfull in good workes, as such as must make their accounts to God.
And thus of the Author.
Thirdly, The time follows.
Thirdly, The time followes.
I lay or put.]
