A17384:884
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.
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.
First, to the godly themselves, that live not comfortably, and are daily distressed with unbelief, shall any distresses now make Zion droop? The Lord takes it wonderfully unkindly, that Zion said, God hath forsaken me, and my God hath forgotten me, and pleads earnestly to prove, that it was false. What, says the Prophet Micah, 1is there no King in thee? why doest thou cry out? Mic. 4.8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. And the Prophet Jeremiah notes it with indignation: Behold, saith he, the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people, because of them that dwell n far countries: Is not the Lord in Zion? Is not her King in her? Jerem. 8.19.
First, to the godly themselues, that liue not comfortably, and are dailie distressed with vnbelief, shal any distresses now make Sion droop? The Lord takes it wonderfully vnkindly, that Sion said, God hath forsaken mee, and my God hath forgotten mee, and pleades earnestly to proue, that it was false. What, saies the Prophet Micah, 1is there no King in thee? why doest thou crie out? Mic. 4.8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. And the Prophet Ieremie notes it with indignation: Behold, saith he, the voice of the crie of the daughter of my people, because of them that dwell n farre countries: Is not the Lord in Sion? Is not her King in her? Ierem. 8.19.
Secondly, to careless and carnal Christians. Is the Lord about so great a work, as founding of Zion, and forming Christ in the harts of men? Then woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and can sit still, and securely neglect so great salvation brought unto them, Amos 6.1.
Secondly, to carelesse and carnall Christians. Is the Lord about so great a work, as founding of Sion, and forming Christ in the harts of men? Then wo to them that are at ease in Sion, and can sit still, and securely neglect so great saluation brought vnto them, Amos 6.1.
A corner stone.]
Christ is described by these words: A corner stone, elect and precious ▪ He is likened to the foundation stone in the corner of the building, by which similitude divers Doctrines are imported, as,
Christ is described by these words: A corner stone, elect and precious ▪ He is likened to the foundation stone in the corner of the building, by which similitude diuers Doctrines are imported, as,
First, that Christ is the foundation of all the ⟨p. 196⟩building of grace and godliness in the Church, and the only corner stone, Hebr. 1.3. Joh▪ 5.39. Other foundation can no man lay, then that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ, 1. Cor. 3. which should both teach us, and inform us: it should teach us, where to begin, when we go about the work of godliness, and eternal life: We must begin at Christ: All the building of true grace must begin at Christ, and our redemption in him: till we have learned Christ, we have learned nothing: and it should teach us also to stay our hearts in all estates upon Christ; we should rest in him, as the building doth upon the foundation: And further it should teach us to ascribe all the praise of the grace or hope we have received, unto Christ, and the support we have from him: And it may inform us, concerning the dotage of the Papists, who make Peter the rock and foundation of the Church: and yet here we have the testimony and Doctrine of Peter himself to the contrary, teaching us to acknowledge no other rock of foundation, but Christ himself.
First, that Christ is the foundation of all the ⟨p. 196⟩building of grace and godlines in the Church, and the onely corner stone, Hebr. 1.3. Ioh▪ 5.39. Other foundation can no man lay, then that which is laid, which is Iesus Christ, 1. Cor. 3. which should both teach vs, and informe vs: it should teach vs, where to begin, when wee goe about the work of godlines, and eternall life: Wee must begin at Christ: All the building of true grace must begin at Christ, and our redemption in him: till wee haue learned Christ, wee haue learned nothing: and it should teach vs also to stay our hearts in all estates vpon Christ; wee should rest in him, as the building doth vpon the foundation: And further it should teach vs to ascribe all the praise of the grace or hope wee haue receiued, vnto Christ, and the support wee haue from him: And it may informe vs, concerning the dotage of the Papists, who make Peter the rock and foundation of the Church: and yet heere wee haue the testimonie and Doctrine of Peter himselfe to the contrarie, teaching vs to acknowledge no other rock of foundation, but Christ himselfe.
Secondly, we here are instructed concerning the Union of Jews and Gentiles in one Christ: The two sides of the building meet all in the corner, and are both fastened upon this one foundation of Christ crucified.
Secondly, we heere are instructed concerning the Vnion of Iewes and Gentiles in one Christ: The two sides of the building meet all in the corner, and are both fastened vpon this one foundation of Christ crucified.
Thirdly, it is here imported, that Gods building, even in these times of the Gospel, is not finished, nor will be in this life, till all the elect be called: He is for the most part employed ⟨p. 197⟩in laying the foundation, and fastening the Elect, as they arise in their several ages, as lively stones upon this living stone. But the work will not be finished, till we be settled in that Building made without hands in heaven.
Thirdly, it is heere imported, that Gods building, euen in these times of the Gospell, is not finished, nor will bee in this life, till all the elect be called: He is for the most part imploied ⟨p. 197⟩in laying the foundation, and fastning the Elect, as they arise in their seuerall ages, as liuely stones vpon this liuing stone. But the work will not be finished, till we be settled in that Building made without hands in heauen.
Fourthly, hence we may gather a testimony of the two natures of Christ or in Christ. He is God, because he must be believed on: and he is man, because he is part of the Building, and was laid down of God as the corner-stone.
Fourthly, hence we may gather a testimony of the two natures of Christ or in Christ. Hee is God, because he must be beleeued on: and he is man, because he is part of the Building, and was laid down of God as the corner-stone.
Elect and precious.]
