A17384:895
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.
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.]
There are two Epithets, by which the corner stone is commended, as meet to be the only head of the corner. The first is, that it is an Elect one, a choice one, that one of a thousand, there was not such another to be found in all the heap of the creatures to make a corner stone of. This is he that is separate from sinners, and acknowledged to be better and fitter for this work, then the Angels in heaven. There can be no other name, upon which we may be founded, but only the happy name of Jesus. And therefore for the use of it, let every knee bow at the name of Jesus, and let every tongue confess to the glory of God the Father, that he hath been wonderful in his choice. Let us adore him, whom God hath chosen, and given unto us as the foundation of all our happiness, especially let us learn of God to make our choice of him.1 Oh Infidelity, Infidelity, how just is thy woeful destruction for thy unbelief! Oh man, that mightest have been for ever happy in this choice! Oh let us be ⟨p. 198⟩warned, and save our selves from the common ruin of the world. Let all this be vile in respect of Christ. Let us choose him above all the world. He is worthy, upon whom all our souls, and all our mind, and all our joy should be set. God forbid we should rejoice in any thing, but in Christ, and him crucified. Let us be crucified to the world, so we be loved of Christ. Shall we wilfully make our selves like the miserable Jews? Shall we choose rather Barabbas then Jesus; and Belial, rather then Christ? If the daughter of a beggar should be offered in marriage, whether she would choose of a matchless Prince, or a base and servile peasant, would we not detest such folly, if she should neglect the Prince, and choose the peasant? And yet this is our case. God requires no more of us, but to choose his Son before the world, or Satan, or the flesh; and we are assured of eternal advancement: and yet behold, we choose not, we defer the time, we court the peasant, that will for ever undo us, and neglect the continual solicitations of the Heir of all things. Lord, put to our faith, and make us for ever resolute to cleave to the Lord Jesus, and him alone.
There are two Epithets, by which the corner stone is commended, as meet to bee the onely head of the corner. The first is, that it is an Elect one, a choise one, that one of a thousand, there was not such another to be found in all the heape of the creatures to make a corner stone of. This is hee that is separate from sinners, and acknowledged to be better and fitter for this worke, then the Angels in heauen. There can bee no other name, vpon which we may be founded, but onely the happy name of Iesus. And therefore for the vse of it, let euery knee bow at the name of Iesus, and let euery tongue confesse to the glory of God the Father, that he hath been wonderfull in his choise. Let vs adore him, whom God hath chosen, and giuen vnto vs as the foundation of all our happines, especially let vs learn of God to make our choise of him.
Secondly, he is said to be precious. Of this before, but yet somewhat note for the use: Is he precious? O then first, how should we admire the glory of that building, when the foundation is laid with precious stones? Secondly, this should beget in us an high estimation of Christ.
Secondly, he is sayd to be precious. Of this before, but yet somewhat note for the vse: Is he precious? O then first, how should we admire the glorie of that building, when the foundation is layed with precious stones? Secondly, this should begette in vs an high estimation of Christ.
Quest. What should we do to attain to this, ⟨p. 199⟩heartily to account of Christ, as so excellent above all other things?
Quest. What should we do to attaine to this, ⟨p. 199⟩heartily to account of Christ, as so excellent aboue all other things?
Ans. First,1 we must think much of our misery, and our need of Christ. The true reason, why we are not more joyed in Christ, is, because we are not soundly Catechized in the particulars of our misery in our selves; we should seriously lay that doctrine one time after another upon our hearts, and it will make us run to Christ with singular affection.
Ans. First,1 we must think much of our misery, and our need of Christ. The true reason, why wee are not more ioyed in Christ, is, because we are not soundly Catechized in the particulars of our miserie in our selues; we should seriously lay that doctrine one time after another vpon our hearts, and it will make vs run to Christ with singular affection.
Secondly, we should get Catalogues of the great things, purchased by Christ, and of the wonderful precious promises made unto godliness both for this life, and that which is to come. This would put all other projects from the world, or the Devil, or the flesh, because there can be nothing in any degree comparable unto the unsearchable riches is to be had by Christ. Oh the preferment of a true Christian, if he had studied the premises soundly! If we could effectually think upon the favour of God, the pardon of all sins, the inhabitation of the H. Ghost, the gifts of the Spirit, and all other sorts of spiritual blessings, if there were nothing else to be had by Christ, what can be equal in value to that immortal inheritance reserved for us in heaven?
Secondly, we should get Catalogues of the great things, purchased by Christ, and of the wonderfull precious promises made vnto godlines both for this life, and that which is to come. This would put all other proiects frō the world, or the Diuell, or the flesh, because there can bee nothing in any degree comparable vnto the vnsearchable riches is to be had by Christ. Oh the preferment of a true Christian, if he had studied the premises soundly! If we could effectually think vpon the fauour of God, the pardon of all sinnes, the inhabitation of the H. Ghost, the gifts of the Spirit, and all other sorts of spiritual blessings, if there were nothing else to bee had by Christ, what can be equal in value to that immortall inheritance reserued for vs in heauen?
Thirdly, we should much think of the dignity of the person of Christ, of whom it is true, that when God brought out his first begotten Son, he said, Let all the Angels of heaven worship him; As also of his transcendent preferment to be carried up to heaven, and there sit at the right ⟨p. 200⟩hand of the Majesty on high; a King of all Kings, even such a King, as all the Kings of the earth must cast down their Crowns at his feet. It is unspeakable stupidity, that keeps us from being fired with these things.
Thirdly, we should much thinke of the dignity of the person of Christ, of whom it is true, that when God brought out his first begotten Sonne, hee said, Let all the Angels of heauen worship him; As also of his transcendent preferment to be carried vp to heauen, and there sit at the right ⟨p. 200⟩hand of the Maiesty on high; a King of all Kings, euen such a King, as all the Kings of the earth must cast downe their Crownes at his feet. It is vnspeakeable stupidity, that keepes vs from being fired with these things.
Fourthly, we should often contemplate of our interest in Christ, and the assurance that he is of God given to us: All things are ours, because Christ is ours, as the Apostle Paul speaks.
Fourthly, we should often contemplate of our interest in Christ, and the assurance that he is of God giuen to vs: All things are ours, because Christ is ours, as the Apostle Paul speakes.
Question. But how should we show, that we do account Christ as dear and precious?
Question. But how should we shew, that wee do account Christ as deare and precious?
Answer. I answer by divers things.
Answere. I answere by diuers things.
1First, By longing for his coming again to us, mourning for our own absence from him. Then we did indeed soundly show our love to Christ, when we did feel our hearts affectionately moved with a vehement desire after him. It is a dull love of Christ, that can be content with his absence.
1First, By longing for his comming againe to vs, mourning for our owne absence from him. Then wee did indeed soundly shew our loue to Christ, when we did feel our hearts affectionately moued with a vehement desire after him. It is a dull loue of Christ, that can bee content with his absence.
Secondly, while we are here in this world, we may show the high account we make of Christ, by joying in him, that is, by taking comfort in the means of his presence, or in the thoughts of his love to us; when we can prefer our entertainment in the House of Christ, above our greatest joys on earth.
Secondly, while we are heer in this world, we may shew the high account wee make of Christ, by ioying in him, that is, by taking comfort in the means of his presence, or in the thoughts of his loue to vs; when wee can preferre our entertainment in the House of Christ, aboue our greatest ioyes on earth.
