A17384:899
A commentary
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.
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.