A17384:864
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, 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, Isaiah 24.23. yea the Church of God is an eternall excellency, Isaiah 60.15. wheras all other glories will vanish. And besides, we should hence be informed concerning the necessitie of obtaining saluation in the Church. For this text shewes vs, that Christ is no where laid but in Sion, and can no where be found, but in the true Church; In Sion onely hath God placed saluation for Israel, his glorie: Onely the godly are Gods Israel: Onely in Israel doth God glorie, and onely in Sion can Gods Israel finde saluation, Isaiah 46. vlt.
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.
First, Zion is a Virgin, and all the Godly are the Daughters of Zion, and so the chief Daughter of a chief mother.1 Now this is a true virtue of a true member of the Church, that his love is undefiled towards Christ; He is not enamoured with other things: He will have no other God, but one: He accounts all things but dross and dung in comparison of Christ: He harbours no beloved sin, but denieth the enticements of it with detestation, and grief, that he should ever be so assaulted.
First, Sion is a Virgin, and all the Godly are the Daughters of Sion, and so the chiefe Daughter of a chiefe mother.1 Now this is a true vertue of a true member of the Church, that his loue is vndefiled towards Christ; Hee is not enamored with other things: Hee will haue no other God, but one: Hee accounts all things but drosse and dung in comparison of Christ: Hee harbours no beloued sinne, but denieth the inticements of it with detestation, and griefe, that hee should euer be so assaulted.
Secondly, God knoweth his own in Zion by this sign, that they are they, that mourn in Zion, that are far from making a mock of sin: The Lord himself is their witness, that their hearts are heavy by reason of their sins, and they know no grief like to the grief for their sins, Isaiah 61.2.
Secondly, God knoweth his owne in Sion by this signe, that they are they, that mourn in Sion, that are farre from making a mock of sinne: The Lord himselfe is their witnes, that their hearts are heauie by reason of their sinnes, and they knowe no griefe like to the grief for their sinnes, Esay 61.2.
Thirdly, thou mayest know thy estate by thy subjection to Christ and his ordinances: For God hath set his King in Zion. Now if thy Sovereign be in Heaven, and thou canst be willing to be ruled by his ordinances, this will be a comfortable testimony to thee: as contrariwise, if thou dislike his government, and wouldst fain cast his yoke from thee, so as this man may not rule over thee: thou art of the number of the people, but not of Gods people, Psal. 2.6.
Thirdly, thou maist knowe thy estate by thy subiection to Christ and his ordinances: For God hath set his King in Sion. Now if thy Soueraigne bee in Heauen, and thou canst bee willing to be ruled by his ordinances, this will bee a comfortable testimonie to thee: as contrariwise, if thou dislike his gouernment, and wouldst faine cast his yoake from thee, so as this man may not rule ouer thee: thou art of the number of the people, but not of Gods people, Psal. 2.6.
Thus of the second use.
Thus of the second vse.
Thirdly, we should be careful to celebrate the praises of God, yea and therefore careful for all the goodness he shows unto us in Zion: Praise should wait for him.1 The Lord is great, and greatly to be praised in Zion, the City of our God, Psal. 48.1. Psal. 147.12. Isaiah 51.16. All that serve the Lord in Zion, and are refreshed with the comforts of his presence, should get large hearts both for admiration, and celebration of his goodness, Psal. 134. the whole Psalm. Come, say the godly, Jerem. 31.10. let us declare the work of the Lord in Zion, &c.
Thirdly, wee should bee carefull to celebrate the praises of God, yea and therefore carefull for all the goodnes he shewes vnto vs in Sion: Praise should waite for him.1 The Lord is great, and greatly to bee praised in Sion, the Cittie of our God, Psal. 48.1. Psal. 147.12. Esay 51.16. All that serue the Lord in Sion, and are refreshed with the comforts of his presence, should get large hearts both for admiration, and celebration of his goodnes, Psal. 134. the whole Psalme. Come, say the godly, Ierem. 31.10. let vs declare the worke of the Lord in Sion, &c.
Fourthly, since Zion is the place, where the Lord keeps house, and gives entertainment to all his followers, we should call one upon another to go up to the Lord in Zion; we should run thither to the bountifulness of the Lord, and in all our wants show our selves instructed in this point, by making our recourse unto Zion, as the place where God is pleased most readily to declare his shining mercies, Jerem. 31.6, 12.
Fourthly, since Sion is the place, where the Lord keepes house, and giues entertainment to all his followers, wee should call one vpon another to goe vp to the Lord in Sion; wee should run thither to the bountifulnes of the Lord, and in all our wants shew our selues instructed in this point, by making our recourse vnto Sion, as the place where God is pleased most readily to declare his shining mercies, Ierem. 31.6, 12.
Fifthly, we should be stirred up to much prayer for the accomplishment of the building of God in Zion; Our hearts should long to see this work prosper: Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! Psal. 14.1. For Scions sake we should not hold our peace, Isaiah 62.1. but still beseech the Lord to do good to Zion, and build up the walls of Jerusalem, Psal. 51.20.
Fiftly, we should be stirred vp to much praier for the accomplishment of the building of God in Sion; Our hearts should long to see this work prosper: Oh that the saluation of Israel were come out of Sion! Psal. 14.1. For Sions sake wee should not hould our peace, Esay 62.1. but still beseech the Lord to doe good to Sion, and build vp the walls of Ierusalem, Psal. 51.20.
Sixthly, we should especially be grieved, if we see that Zion prospers not: Of all judgements we should most lament the desolation of Zion. The whole book of Lamentations is spent upon this subject: We should hang our harps upon the willows, if we remember, that Zion lieth waste, and there be none to build her up, Psal. 137.
Sixtly, we should especially be greeued, if we see that Sion prospers not: Of all iudgements we should most lament the desolation of Sion. The whole booke of Lamentations is spent vpon this subiect: Wee should hang our harpes vpon the willowes, if we remember, that Sion lieth waste, and there be none to build her vp, Psal. 137.
Seventhly, the especial use should be for consolation: If the Lord do us good in Zion, we should account it a marvellous felicity, if the lord admit us to be members of the true Church in places where Gods work prospers. The Lord gives this promise in Isaiah to comfort them against all the miseries were outwardly to fall upon them: This work should make amends for all other troubles: If God build us up in spiritual things, he gives us double for all outward crosses: we should strive with our own hearts to be exceedingly affected with the happiness of our own condition on earth, when we know our interest in Zion: we should live without fear, yea everlasting joy should be upon our heads, and sorrow & mourning should flee away, Isaiah 31.10. and the rather, if we consider the prerogatives ⟨p. 193⟩of Zion above all the world besides, for,
Seuenthly, the especiall vse should be for consolation: If the Lord doe vs good in Sion, wee should account it a maruelous felicitie, if the lord admit vs to be members of the true Church in places where Gods work prospers. The Lord giues this promise in Esay to comfort them against all the miseries were outwardly to fall vpon them: This work should make amends for all other troubles: If God build vs vp in spirituall things, hee giues vs double for all outward crosses: we should striue with our owne hearts to be exceedingly affected with the happines of our owne condition on earth, when we know our interest in Sion: wee should liue without feare, yea euerlasting ioy should bee vpon our heads, and sorrow & mourning should flee away, Esay 31.10. and the rather, if wee consider the prerogatiues ⟨p. 193⟩of Sion aboue all the world besides, for,
First,1 the Lord dwells there: It is the Palace of his residence on earth, as hath been showed before.
First,1 the Lord dwells there: It is the Palace of his residence on earth, as hath beene shewed before.
