A17384:847
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.
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.
Fifthly, so it may likewise import the sanctification of the humane nature of Christ; who was qualified, as the stone is squared when it is laid down.
Fiftly, so it may likewise import the sanctification of the humane nature of Christ; who was qualified, as the stone is squared when it is laied down.
Thus of the manner. The place follows.
In Zion.]
In Sion.]
Zion, for certain, was a Fort of the Jebusites, built on a hill close to Jerusalem; which was taken by David, and called the City of David, 2. Sam. 5, 7; the Temple being afterwards built here. The Church of the Jews was called Zion, because here they assembled: and so afterwards it was the title given to the Church of God, both of Jews and Gentiles, that agree in one faith and true Religion, Zach. 10.11. And in especial, by Zion is meant the place of the assembly of the Saints, the Sanctuary. In the twelfth to the Hebrews, verse 22. it is thought to signify the saints in heaven, even the Congregation of the first-born. In this place it must needs mean the Christian Church; in which, GOD built the new world, laying the foundation in Christ incarnate, which began in Jerusalem, even at Zion in the Letter.
Sion, for certain, was a Fort of the Iebusites, built on a hill close to Ierusalem; which was taken by Dauid, and called the City of Dauid, 2. Sam. 5, 7; the Temple being afterwards built heer. The Church of the Iewes was cald Sion, because heer they assembled: and so afterwards it was the title giuen to the Church of God, both of Iewes and Gentiles, that agree in one faith and true Religion, Zach. 10.11. And in especiall, by Sion is meant the place of the assembly of the Saints, the Sanctuary. In the twelfth to the Hebrews, verse 22. it is thought to signifie the saints in heauen, euen the Congregation of the first-born. In this place it must needs mean the Christian Church; in which, GOD built the new world, laying the foundation in Christ incarnate, which began in Ierusalem, euen at Sion in the Letter.
Now, when the Lord calls his Church by this ⟨p. 187⟩name of Zion, it is to import divers things; partly to tell us what we were by nature, and partly to tell us what we are by his grace and favour.
Now, when the Lord cals his Church by this ⟨p. 187⟩name of Sion, it is to import diuers things; partly to tell vs what we were by nature, and partly to tell vs what we are by his grace and fauour.
By nature, what were our assemblies but Forts of Jebusites, in which multitudes of Jocusts swarmed? we were Canaanites, enemies to God and all true religion: we were the halt and the blind, mentioned, Mic. 4.6, 7; alluding to that in 2. Sam. 5.6, 7. But, being conquered by David our King, even Christ the Son of David, we are new fortified for his use, and our estate is fitly resembled by Zion.
By nature, what were our assemblies but Forts of Iebusites, in which multitudes of Iocusts swarmed? we were Canaanites, enemies to God and all true religion: we were the halt and the blind, mentioned, Mic. 4.6, 7; alluding to that in 2. Sam. 5.6, 7. But, being conquered by Dauid our King, euen Christ the Sonne of Dauid, we are new fortified for his vse, and our estate is fitly resembled by Sion.
1. The Church is like Mount Zion for visibility.1 Christians are like a City on a hill: they are such as all sorts of men easily take notice of; not that the men of the world are in love with Christians, but many times out of the hatred of the truth set they eyes and thoughts upon them, Matthew 5, &c.
1. The Church is like Mount Sion for visibility.1 Christians are like a City on a hill: they are such as all sorts of men easily take notice of; not that the men of the world are in loue with Christians, but many times out of the hatred of the truth set they eies and thoughts vpon them, Matthew 5, &c.
Secondly, the godly are like Mount Zion for unremoveablenesse: they that trust in the Lord, are like a mountain: men may as soon remove a mountain, as remove them from God, and happiness in God, Psal. 126.1.
Secondly, the godly are like Mount Sion for vnremoueablenesse: they that trust in the Lord, are like a mountain: men may as soon remooue a mountain, as remoue them from God, and happinesse in God, Psal. 126.1.
Thirdly, the Church is like Zion in respect of Gods habitation there: God dwells there: he keeps house there, and in the assemblies thereof he feeds his people. The Sanctuary is Gods foddering place: it is the City of God, the mountain of his holiness, the City of the great King, the City of the Lord of Hosts: God shines there, Psalm 48.1, 2, 8. Psalm 50.2. He is known there ⟨p. 188⟩familiarly, because his dwelling place is there, Psalm 76.1, 2. He hath chosen his Church out of all the world: it is the place only which he hath desired: it is his rest for ever, Psalm 132.73, 14, 15. It is the place of the Name of the Lord of hosts, Isaiah 18.7. As David by an excellency reckoned Zion to be his City of residence: so God doth account of the Church as all he hath, as it were in the world.
Thirdly, the Church is like Sion in respect of Gods habitation there: God dwels there: hee keeps house there, and in the assemblies thereof he feeds his people. The Sanctuary is Gods foddering place: it is the City of God, the mountain of his holinesse, the City of the great King, the City of the Lord of Hostes: God shines there, Psalm 48.1, 2, 8. Psalm 50.2. He is known there ⟨p. 188⟩familiarly, because his dwelling place is there, Psalm 76.1, 2. He hath chosen his Church out of all the world: it is the place only which he hath desired: it is his rest for euer, Psalm 132.73, 14, 15. It is the place of the Name of the Lord of hosts, Esay 18.7. As Dauid by an excellency reckoned Sion to bee his City of residence: so God doth account of the Church as all he hath, as it were in the world.
