A17384:929
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.
They swerve not from the meaning of the Prophet. For by this term is avouched; That the Godly, that believe, shall never have cause to repent themselves, or to fly from God to use ill means.
They swarue not from the meaning of the Prophet. For by this tearme is auouched; That the Godly, that beleeue, shall neuer haue cause to repent themselues, or to fly from God to vse ill meanes.
The holy Ghost, then, in this place is pleased to assure the believer, that he shall not be confounded.
The holy Ghost, then, in this place is pleased to assure the beleeuer, that he shall not be confounded.
To be confounded, signifies sometimes to be reproached, so Psal. 14.6. The wicked are said to ⟨p. 208⟩confound the counsel of the godly, that is, they reproached it. Sometimes it signifies to be daunted, or dismayed.1 Sometimes to be disappointed, or broken in their purposes, as Isaiah 19.9, 10. Sometimes to be extremely shamed: and so it is rendered, Rom. 10.11. Sometimes to be put to a Non plus, as Acts. 9.22. Sometimes to be driven into amazement, or wonder, Acts 2.6. Sometimes to be brought into such a strait, as one hath neither hope, nor help, 2. Cor. 4.8, 9. Lastly, it signifieth to perish utterly, or to be undone, or damned for ever, and so con•usion shall come to all, that hate Zion, or serve graven Images.
To be confounded, signifies sometimes to be reproached, so Psal. 14.6. The wicked are said to ⟨p. 208⟩confound the counsell of the godly, that is, they reproached it. Sometimes it signifies to be daunted, or dismayed.1 Sometimes to bee disappointed, or broken in their purposes, as Esay 19.9, 10. Sometimes to bee extremely shamed: and so it is rendred, Rom. 10.11. Sometimes to bee put to a Non plus, as Acts. 9.22. Sometimes to be driuen into amazement, or wonder, Acts 2.6. Sometimes to bee brought into such a straite, as one hath neither hope, nor help, 2. Cor. 4.8, 9. Lastly, it signifieth to perish vtterly, or to bee vndon, or damned for euer, and so con•usion shall come to all, that hate Sion, or serue grauen Images.
It is true, that sometimes to be confounded, is taken in the good sense, and signifies either the affection of wonder, as before, Acts 2.6. or else a spiritual grace in the heart of a Christian, by which his soul mourns, and is abashed, and ashamed with him. And so there may be three reasons, or rather causes assigned, wherein the godly ought to be confounded.
It is true, that sometimes to be confounded, is taken in the good sence, and signifies either the affection of wonder, as before, Acts 2.6. or else a spirituall grace in the heart of a Christian, by which his soule mournes, and is abashed, and ashamed with him. And so there may bee three reasons, or rather causes assigned, wherein the godly ought to bee confounded.
As first, in repentance for their sins, of which these places entreat, Ezech. 36.32. Jerem. 31.19. Ezech. 16.61. and for this cause rebellious offenders must be noted, and their company shunned, that they may be confounded in themselves for their sins, 2. Thes. 3.14. and the Lord complains, that the people were not ashamed for their sins, Jerem. 6.15. Secondly, when God, or Religion, or the godly are reproached, and disgraced: thus Psalm 44.15, 16. Jerem. 51.51. Thirdly, the people that profess the truth, do err through ⟨p. 209⟩indiscretion, or give offence, or live in any grievous evil, Isaiah 29.22, 23. Ezra 9.6, 7.
As first, in repentance for their sins, of which these places intreat, Ezech. 36.32. Ierem. 31.19. Ezech. 16.61. and for this cause rebellious offenders must be noted, and their companie shunned, that they may bee confounded in themselues for their sinnes, 2. Thes. 3.14. and the Lord complains, that the people were not ashamed for their sinnes, Ierem. 6.15. Secondly, when God, or Religion, or the godly are reproached, and disgraced: thus
Now because the confusion here mentioned,1 is a misery God will turn away from the believer: therefore I will explain that point, and show, how many ways God keeps the believer from being confounded.
Now because the confusion here mentioned,1 is a miserie God will turne away from the beleeuer: therefore I will explaine that point, and shew, how many waies God keepes the beleeuer from being confounded.
They shall not be confounded.]
This, God will make good unto them both in this life, and in the day of Judgement: In this life they shall not be confounded, neither in respect of their outward estate, nor in respect of their spiritual estate.
This, God will make good vnto them both in this life, and in the day of Iudgement: In this life they shall not bee confounded, neither in respect of their outward estate, nor in respect of their spirituall estate.
For their outward estate: whether we respect their condition and credit, or the means of their preservation: For their credit, God will do one of these two things: For either God will make them exceeding glorious, and make them high in praises, as Isaiah 49.2, 3. or, at the least, though they may pass through evil reports, yet they shall not be utterly shamed: God will give them good report amongst the godly, and will greatly esteem them himself, 2. Cor. 6.8. Heb. 11.2. Faith shall obtain a good report.
For their outward estate: whether we respect their condition and credit, or the meanes of their preseruation: For their credit, God will doe one of these two things: For either God will make them exceeding glorious, and make them high in praises, as Esay 49.2, 3. or, at the least, though they may passe through euill reports, yet they shall not be vtterly shamed: God will giue them good report amongst the godly, and will greatly esteem them himselfe, 2. Cor. 6.8. Heb. 11.2. Faith shall obtaine a good report.
And for the means of their preservation: Either first God will save them from the temptations that fell on the world, so as in the evil time they shall be provided for, and preserved from distress, as, Psal. 37.19. or else, secondly, God will not disappoint their trust, but come to their succour, and deliver them, as Psal. 22.6. and 25.3. and Rom. 5.3. or else, thirdly, if God do defer ⟨p. 210⟩for a time, he will in the mean time refresh their hearts, and lighten their faces with the comfort of his favour and presence, as Psal. 34.6. Or else fourthly, if the Lord let the affliction yet continue, he will give them strength to bear it, and patience and magnanimity, so as it shall be no great burden to them, as it is showed of Christ, Isaiah 50.6, 7. so of Paul, Philip. 1.20. 2. Tim. 1.12. Or else fifthly, though they may be many ways distressed, yet they shall never be forsaken, or perplexed, so as to have cause to despair: They shall not be destroyed, 2. Cor. 4.9. In all these senses, they shall not be confounded in respect of their outward estate.
And for the meanes of their preseruation: Either first God will saue them from the temptations that fell on the world, so as in the euill time they shall be prouided for, and preserued from distresse, as, Psal. 37.19. or else, secondly, God will not disappoint their trust, but come to their succour, and deliuer them, as Psal. 22.6
1And for their spiritual estate they shall not be confounded, and this may be showed in divers things: First, in respect of illumination, they shall not abide in darkness, Joh. 12.46. Secondly, in respect of justification, their sins are not imputed to them, and the Lord so surely forgives the believer, that the conscience shall be satisfied with that propitiation is made in the blood of Christ: for, it is not ashamed of the former evil ways, because it believeth, that they enjoy Gods pardon, as if they had never been,2 Zeph. 3.11. Thirdly, in respect of Adoption, because by believing they are made the sons of God, and so need not be ashamed at any time of their condition, Joh. 1.12. Fourthly, in respect of access unto the presence of God. For by faith he is privileged, he may go with boldness and confidence into the presence of the King of Kings; and therefore ⟨p. 211⟩what should confound them? Eph. 3.12. Fifthly, in respect of the promises of God. For by faith, he obtaineth many rich and precious promises, each of them like a Well of joy, and a very spring of contentment, 2. Pet. 1.4. Heb. 11.13, 33, 34 Sixthly, in respect of the hope of glory. For by faith we have access to this grace, whence we stand and rejoice in the hope of the glory to come, Rom. 4.2.
1And for their spirituall estate they shall not be confounded, and this may bee shewed in diuers things: First, in respect of illumination, they shall not abide in darknes,
And for the Day of Judgement, it is certain, they shall not be confounded in two respects: First, they shall have boldness at that Day and hour, and praise before all the world: They that are not a shamed of Christ in this world, he will not then be ashamed of them: And secondly they shall be delivered from eternal confusion, and damnation: They shall enjoy everlasting salvation, and shall not be confounded world without end, Isaiah 45.17.
And for the Day of Iudgement, it is certaine, they shall not bee confounded in two respects: First, they shall haue boldnes at that Day and hower, and praise before all the world: They that are not a shamed of Christ in this world, hee will not then be ashamed of them: And secondly they shall bee deliuered from eternall confusion, and damnation: They shall enioy euerlasting saluation, and shall not bee confounded world without end, Isaiah 45.17.
Quest. So that by this which hath bin said, we may in part know, how to answer that objection which may be made: For some one may say, The Scripture in divers places seems to grant, that Gods servants have bin ashamed, & confounded.
Quest. So that by this which hath bin sayd, we may in part know, how to answer that obiection which may be made: For some one may say, The Scripture in diuers places seemes to graunt, that Gods seruants haue bin ashamed, & confounded.
Ans. Now for answer hereunto, divers things must be distinctly considered of.
Ans. Now for answer heereunto, diuers things must be distinctly considered of.
First,1 the godly shall not be ashamed, or shamed with everlasting shame, or they shall not be ashamed at the day of Judgement: though it were granted, they might be ashamed in this life, Isaiah 45.17. in that World, which is without end, they shall not be ashamed.
First,1 the godly shall not bee ashamed, or shamed with euerlasting shame, or they shall not be asham'd at the day of Iudgement: though it were graunted, they might bee ashamed in this life, Esay 45.17. in that World, which is without end, they shall not bee ashamed.
Secondly, we may answer with the Prophet Daniel, that shame and confusion belongs unto the godly, if we respect their deserts, but they are freed from it by the covenant of grace in Christ, Dan. 9.7.
Secondly, wee may answer with the Prophet Daniel, that shame and confusion belongs vnto the godly, if wee respect their deserts, but they are freed from it by the couenant of grace in Christ, Dan. 9.7.
