A17384:902
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.
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.
Thirdly, when in our conversation we can be contented to shun all the baits of the world and Satan, and, in respect of Christ, contemn all those sensual pleasures, profits or honours that entice us to make shipwreck of faith and a good conscience. Then we love Christ indeed, when our ⟨p. 201⟩credits, friends, riches, yea, life it self is not dear unto us for Christs sake and the Gospel.
Thirdly, when in our conuersation we can be contented to shun all the baits of the world and Satan, and, in respect of Christ, contemn all those sensuall pleasures, profits or honours that intice vs to make shipwrack of faith and a good conscience. Then wee loue Christ indeed, when our ⟨p. 201⟩credits, friends, riches, yea, life it self is not dear vnto vs for Christs sake and the Gospell.
Fourthly, when we can renounce our own righteousness and praises, and seek only to be found clothed with his righteousness.
Fourthly, when wee can renounce our owne righteousnes and praises, and seek onely to bee found clothed with his righteousnes.
Fifthly, we signify our respect of Christ, by the very respect we show to the members of Christ. He loves Christ with all his heart, that loves and entertains Christians as the only excellent people of the world.
Fiftly, we signifie our respect of Christ, by the very respect we shew to the members of Christ. He loues Christ with all his heart, that loues and entertains Christians as the only excellent people of the world.
Hitherto of that part of the testimony which concerns Christ: the other part, that concerns Christians, follows.
Hitherto of that part of the testimony which concerns Christ: the other part, that concernes Christians, follows.
He that believeth on him, shall not be confounded.]
He that beleeueth on him, shall not be confounded.]
In which words the happiness of the Christian which believeth in Christ, is expressed.
In which words the happinesse of the Christian which beleeueth in Christ, is expressed.
There are many points of doctrine may be observed out of these words; as,
There are many points of doctrine may bee obserued out of these words; as,
