A17384:838
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, 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⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 184⟩that all shall worke together for the best, will performe it. To this end hee pleades this worke of founding Christ in the womb of a Virgin, of purpose to giue them thereby a signe of deliuerance: then, in a temporal affliction it is easy for him to saue vs and deliuer vs from all our troubles, that can giue vs a Sauiour for all our sinnes.
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,
First, The divine nature of Christ, that he was before he was incarnate,1 as the corner-stone was, before it was laid for a foundation. Christ descended from heaven, Eph. 4.7, 9.
First, The diuine nature of Christ, that he was before he was incarnate,1 as the corner-stone was, before it was laid for a foundation. Christ descended from heauen, Eph. 4.7, 9.
Secondly, The unchangeableness of Gods ordinances concerning the giving of Christ. He hath laid him as a foundation, that he would not have taken up again.
Secondly, The vnchangeablenes of Gods ordinances concerning the giuing of Christ. Hee hath laid him as a foundation, that hee would not haue taken vp againe.
Thirdly, the hiding of the glory of Christ, and of his life. He is of singular use to the church, and the Frame of God's work appeareth in his members: but Christ himself is hid with God, Col. 3.3. He is like the stone hidden in the earth: he is buried in the ground: and therefore we ⟨p. 186⟩should be the more patient, if our life be hid also with God.
Thirdly, the hiding of the glory of Christ, and of his life. He is of singular vse to the church, and the Frame of God's work appeareth in his members: but Christ himself is hid with God, Col. 3.3. He is like the stone hidden in the earth: hee is buried in the ground: and therefore wee ⟨p. 186⟩should be the more patient, if our life be hid also with God.
Fourthly, it may be, by this term the mystery of the birth and conception of Christ is intimated. God digged the ground of our natures in the womb of Christ, that he might lay Christ there, &c.
Fourthly, it may be, by this tearm the mystery of the birth and conception of Christ is intimated. God digged the ground of our natures in the womb of Christ, that hee might lay Christ there, &c.
