A17384:834
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.
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.]
He speaks in the present time, yet meaneth it of a thing to be accomplished in the time to come. For God laid Christ down, as the corner stone, partly in his Incarnation, when he sent him into the world in the flesh to take our nature; and partly he is said to lay down this corner stone, when spiritually by means he forms Christ in the hearts of men in the visible Church. Now the Lord speaketh in the present time, I do lay, for divers reasons. First, To signify, that the care of that business was then in his head, he was plotting about it, & did continually mind it. Secondly, to signify, that howsoever the main work of the open restoring of the ⟨p. 185⟩world by Christ, in the calling of the Gentiles, was long after to be done, yet God did spiritually form Christ in the hearts of the remnant, so as at all times he did more or less further his building. Thirdly, to note the certainty of the accomplishment of it, he saith, he did then do it, to assure them, it should as certainly be done, as if it were then done: which should teach us to believe God, and never limit him. When we have his promise, let us reckon upon it: if God promise us any thing, it is as sure as if we had it.
Hee speakes in the present time, yet meaneth it of a thing to bee accomplished in the time to come. For God laid Christ downe, as the corner stone, partly in his Incarnation, when he sent him into the world in the flesh to take our nature; and partly he is said to lay down this corner stone, when spiritually by meanes hee formes Christ in the hearts of men in the visible Church. Now the Lord speaketh in the present time, I doo lay, for diuers reasons. First, To signify, that the care of that busines was then in his head, he was plotting about it, & did continually minde it. Secondly, to signify, that howsoeuer the maine worke of the open restoring of the ⟨p. 185⟩world by Christ, in the calling of the Gentiles, was long after to be done, yet God did spiritually forme Christ in the hearts of the remnant, so as at all times hee did more or lesse further his building. Thirdly, to note the certainty of the accomplishment of it, he saith, he did then do it, to assure them, it should as certainely be done, as if it were then done: which should teach vs to beleeue God, and neuer limit him. When we haue his promise, let vs reckon vpon it: if God promise vs any thing, it is as sure as if we had it.
Thus of the time.
Fourthly, The manner follows, noted in the word Laid.
Fourthly, The manner followes, noted in the word Laid.
I lay.
There are many things imported under this similitude, that Christ is laid, as the Mason lays the chief corner stone in the earth. For it imports,
There are many things imported vnder this similitude, that Christ is laid, as the Mason laies the chief corner stone in the earth. For it imports,
