A17384:854
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.
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.
Fourthly, it may be, that the Church is resembled to Zion for the littleness of it, in comparison of the world: even in Zion, that is so much despised, will God lay his corner-stone.
Fourthly, it may be, that the Church is resembled to Sion for the littlenesse of it, in comparison of the world: euen in Sion, that is so much despised, will God lay his corner-stone.
Fifthly, but the principal thing here intended, is, To signify to us, that God loves his Church above all the world, and that he will give Christ to none but to the Church. Out of Zion there can be no salvation; and in Zion there is all happiness to be had.
Fiftly, but the principall thing heer intended, is, To signifie to vs, that God loues his Church aboue all the world, and that he will giue Christ to none but to the Church. Out of Sion there can be no saluation; and in Sion there is all happinesse to be had.
The consideration hereof may serve us for many uses.
The consideration heerof may serue vs for many vses.
Uses. First, we should hence inform our selves concerning the excellency of the Church of God above all other Assemblies of men in the world. We should learn to think of the Assemblies of Christians, as the Zion of God: she is the Mountain of his holiness, the joy of the whole earth, Psal. 48.1, 2. the perfection of beauty, where God shines more than in all the world besides, Psal. 50.2. The Moon may be confounded, and the Sun ashamed, when the Lord is pleased to show himself to reign in Zion, and before ⟨p. 189⟩his Ancients gloriously, Isaiah 24.23. yea the Church of God is an eternal excellency, Isaiah 60.15. whereas all other glories will vanish. And besides, we should hence be informed concerning the necessity of obtaining salvation in the Church. For this text shows us, that Christ is no where laid but in Zion, and can no where be found, but in the true Church; In Zion only hath God placed salvation for Israel, his glory: Only the godly are Gods Israel: Only in Israel doth God glory, and only in Zion can Gods Israel find salvation, Isaiah 46. ult.
Vses. First, we should hence inform our selues concerning the excellency of the Church of God aboue all other Assemblies of men in the world. Wee should learn to think of the Assemblies of Christians, as the Sion of God: shee is the Mountain of his holinesse, the ioy of the whole earth, Psal. 48.1, 2. the perfection of beauty, where God shines more than in all the world besides, Psal. 50.2. The Moon may be confounded, and the Sunne ashamed, when the Lord is pleased to shew himself to raign in Sion, and before ⟨p. 189⟩his Ancients gloriously,
Secondly, Hence we should especially be moved to an effectual care to make it so, since that we are in the true Church, and that we are true members of Zion, and withal we should strive above all things to procure for our selves the ordinances of God in Zion. It is said of the godly distressed for want of means, that going they went, and weeping they did go to seek the Lord in Zion with their faces thitherward, and with a resolution to bind themselves by covenant to the Lord, to be any thing he would have them to be, only if they might find favour in his eyes herein, Jerem. 50.5.
Secondly, Hence wee should especially bee moued to an effectuall care to make it so, since that wee are in the true Church, and that we are true members of Sion, and withall wee should striue aboue all things to procure for our selues the ordinances of God in Sion. It is said of the godly distressed for want of meanes, that going they went, and weeping they did goe to seek the Lord in Sion with their faces thitherward, and with a resolution to bind themselues by couenant to the Lord, to bee any thing hee would haue them to be, onely if they might finde fauor in his eies heerein, Ierem. 50.5.
Quest. Now if you ask me, how the true members of Zion may be known?
Quest. Now if you aske mee, how the true members of Sion may bee knowne?
Ans. I answer:1 first generally, that all that are in Zion are not of Zion, and further that we must not judge of true Christians by their number. For God many times takes one of a Tribe, or one of a City, and two of a Tribe, to bring them ⟨p. 190⟩to Zion, Jerem. 3.14. But yet to answer more directly: Thou must be a new creature, or thou art no member of Gods true Zion. For of every one in Zion it must be said, He was borne there, Psal. 86.5. The gates of Zion are to be opened only, that a righteous nation may enter in, Isaiah 26.1, 2. Men may deceive themselves, but God will not be deceived. For he hath his fire in Zion, and furnace in Jerusalem: He will try every man, and make his count only by righteousness, Isaiah 31.9. Rom. 9. and therefore the sinners in Zion have reason to be afraid, Isaiah 35.14. And if yet we would have signs more particular, we may try our selves by these that follow.
Ans. I answer:1 first generally, that all that are in Sion are not of Sion, and further that wee must not iudge of true Christians by their number. For God many times takes one of a Tribe, or one of a City, and two of a Tribe, to bring them ⟨p. 190⟩to Sion, Ierem. 3.14. But yet to answer more directly: Thou must be a new creature, or thou art no member of Gods true Sion. For of euerie one in Sion it must bee said, Hee was borne there, Psal. 86.5. The gates of Sion are to bee opened onely, that a righteous nation may enter in, Esay 26.1, 2. Men may deceiue themselues, but God will not be deceiued. For he hath his fire in Sion, and furnace in Ierusalem: Hee will try euery man, and make his count onely by righteousnes, Esay 31.9.
