A17384:874
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.
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.
Secondly, the favour of God shines there: He delights in his people, and joys in all the members of Zion: He rejoiceth over them with joy, Zeph. 3.15, 16, 17. Psal. 86.2.
Secondly, the fauor of God shines there: Hee delightes in his people, and ioyes in all the members of Sion: He reioiceth ouer them with ioy, Zeph. 3.15, 16, 17. Psal. 86.2.
Thirdly, in Zion we are loosed from our fetters and bonds. It is a place, where the Captives go free: The Lord turns back the captivity of his people, Psal. 14.7.
Thirdly, in Sion we are loosed from our fetters and bonds. It is a place, where the Captiues goe free: The Lord turnes back the captiuitie of his people, Psal. 14.7.
Fourthly, in her Palaces God is known for a refuge in all distresses, Psal. 48.3. There is wonderful safety there: The Lord doth mightily preserve and defend his people; we are safe, if we be members of the true Church, and have true grace: the greatest adversaries labour in vain, and seeking see, and marvel, and haste away, Psal. 48.11, 12. They shall certainly be confounded, and turned back, that hate, Zion, Psal. 129.5. Upon every place of mount Zion shall be defence.1 Zion is a quiet habitation. God hath his year of recompense for the controversies of Zion, and his day of Vengeance, Isaiah 34.8.
Fourthly, in her Palaces God is knowne for a refuge in all distresses, Psal. 48.3. There is wonderfull safetie there: The Lord doth mightily preserue and defend his people; wee are safe, if wee be members of the true Church, and haue true grace: the greatest aduersaries labour in vaine, and seeking see, and maruell, and haste away, Psal. 48.11, 12. They shall certainly be confounded, and turned back, that hate, Sion, Psal. 129.5. Vpon euery place of mount Sion shall be defence.1 Sion is a quiet habitation. God hath his yeere of recompence for the controuersies of Sion, and his day of Vengance, Esay 34.8.
Fifthly, the Law comes out of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem: There we have directions for our life and for eternal life, Isaiah 2.3. It is Gods foddering place, there he gives us shepherds to feed us, Jerem. 3.14.
Fiftly, the Lawe comes out of Sion, and the word of the Lord from Ierusalem: There we haue directions for our life and for eternall life, Esay 2.3. It is Gods foddering place, there hee giues vs shepheards to feed vs, Ierem. 3.14.
Sixthly, the inhabitants of Zion have all remission of sins, and the healing of their infirmities, ⟨p. 194⟩as the Prophet shows in these words excellently. The inhabitant thereof shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity, Isaiah 33.24.
Sixtly, the inhabitants of Sion haue all remission of sinnes, and the healing of their infirmities, ⟨p. 194⟩as the Prophet shews in these words excellently. The inhabitant thereof shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall bee forgiuen their iniquitie, Esay 33.24.
Seventhly, all the good news is there to be had: we are naturally Athenians, we love to tell, and hear news: if we were spiritually so, Oh! how would we rejoice in Zion! whose spiritual glory is to bring good tidings, Isaiah 40.9. and 41, 27. and 52.7, &c.
Seuenthly, all the good newes is there to bee had: we are naturally Athenians, we loue to tell, and heare newes: if we were spiritually so, Oh! how would we reioice in Sion! whose spirituall glory is to bring good tidings, Esay 40.9. and 41, 27. and 52.7, &c.
Eighthly, If the Lord be displeased with Zion, yet it is but for a moment, he will return in everlasting compassion: It is a sure thing, The Lord will yet have mercy upon Zion, Psal. 102.14. He will again comfort Zion, and make his wilderness like Eden, and his Desert like the garden of the Lord, Isaiah 51.3.
Eightthly, If the Lord bee displeased with Sion, yet it is but for a moment, hee will returne in euerlasting compassion: It is a sure thing, The Lord will yet haue mercy vpon Sion, Psal. 102.14. Hee will againe comfort Sion, and make his wildernes like Eden, and his Desart like the garden of the Lord, Esay 51.3.
Lastly, and specially we should rejoice in Zion because the Redeemer comes to Zion, and to them that turn from their transgressions in Jacob, Isaiah 59.20. Yea salvation only comes out of Zion, Psal. 14.7. In Zion only hath God placed salvation for Israel his glory, Isaiah 46. ult.
Lastly, and specially we should reioice in Sion because the Redeemer comes to Sion, and to them that turne from their transgressions in Iacob, Esay 59.20. Yea saluation only comes out of Sion, Psal. 14.7. In Sion onely hath God placed saluation for Israel his glory, Esay 46. vlt.
And therefore we should labour to walk worthy of so great mercies of God, and live with all contentment, whatsoever our outward estate be: Every poor Christian should think themselves abundantly happy: What shall one answer the messengers of the nations, saith the Prophet! Why thus: That the Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it, Isaiah 14.32. Especially, if we consider that of the ⟨p. 195⟩Psalm, that the Lord hath there commanded the blessing, even life for evermore, Psal. 133.3.
And therefore we should labour to walk worthie of so great mercies of God, and liue with all contentment, whatsoeuer our outward estate be: Euery poore Christian should think themselues aboundantly happie: What shall one answer the messengers of the nations, saith the Prophet! Why thus: That the Lord hath founded Sion, and the poore of his people shall trust in it, Esay 14.32. Especially, if wee consider that of the ⟨p. 195⟩Psalme, that the Lord hath there commanded the blessing, euen life for euermore, Psal. 133.3.
Thus it should serve for consolation.
Thus it should serue for consolation.
