A17384:945
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.
Thirdly, if we consider of the state of the Church in the public condition of it, as both good and bad are mingled together: so God may pour out terrible shame and confusion upon visible Churches for their great provocations, as, Jerem. 9.19. and 17.13.
Thirdly, if wee consider of the state of the Church in the publike condition of it, as both good and bad are mingled together: so God may powre out terrible shame and confusion vpon visible Churches for their great prouocations, as, Ierem. 9.19. and 17.13.
Fourthly, this promise shows, what God will make good to the believer, if the fault be not in himself: he shall be set in such a condition, as he shall have no reason to be ashamed, but in all distresses two things shall be certain: first, that God will come quickly to his succour, Heb. 10.35, 36. Secondly, that till his deliverance he shall have a fair assurance and evidence for his hope in God, by his promises: so as if he do not withdraw himself through unbelief, in rest and quietness he shall be fortified, Isaiah 30.19.
Fourthly, this promise shewes, what God will make good to the beleeuer, if the fault bee not in himselfe: he shall bee set in such a condition, as he shall haue no reason to bee ashamed, but in all distresses two things shall bee certaine: first, that God will come quickly to his succor, Heb. 10.35, 36. Secondly, that till his deliuerance hee shall haue a faire assurance and euidence for his hope in God, by his promises: so as if hee doe not withdraw himselfe through vnbelief, in rest and quietnes hee shall be fortified, Esay 30.19.
Fifthly, if we restrain the sense to the coherence and particular drift of this place, we may answer three things. First, that he shall not be so confounded, as to be driven to run headlong upon the use of any unlawful means. Secondly, that he shall not fall down from the foundation, which is Christ, though he should endure many a sore storm. And thirdly, he shall not be ashamed in the point of Justification: he shall never repent, that he relied upon ⟨p. 213⟩Christ, and his merits and righteousness.
Fiftly, if wee restraine the sence to the coherence and particular drift of this place, wee may answer three things. First, that he shall not be so confounded, as to bee driuen to run headlong vpon the vse of any vnlawfull meanes. Secondly, that hee shall not fall downe from the foundation, which is Christ, though he should endure many a sore storme. And thirdly, he shall not bee ashamed in the point of Iustification: hee shall neuer repent, that hee relied vpon ⟨p. 213⟩Christ, and his merits and righteousnesse.
Sixthly, It is true, that in some temporal crosses they may be foiled in the judgement of the world, and in their own sense, as the Prophet confesseth, Psal. 48.9. and so far as this promise reacheth to temporal things, it must be understood with that common limitation, Isaiah 54.4. viz. so far, as it is good for them, they shall be kept from shame, as for poverty, or sickness, or the like, that is, if it be good for them. But yet if this temporal shame do fall upon them for their sins, repentance will remove it, as is promised, Joel 2.13.26.
Sixtly, It is true, that in some temporall crosses they may bee foiled in the iudgement of the world, and in their owne sence, as the Prophet confesseth, Psal. 48.9. and so farre as this promise reacheth to temporall things, it must bee vnderstood with that common limitation, Esay 54.4. viz. so farre, as it is good for them, they shall be kept from shame, as for pouerty, or sicknesse, or the like, that is, if it bee good for them. But yet if this temporall shame doe fall vpon them for their sinnes, repentance will remoue it, as is promised, Ioel 2.13.26.
Lastly, the Lord will give his people double for all their confusion, Isaiah 61.7. and therefore it is not to be reckoned as a cross, for which they have so much recompense made them.
Lastly, the Lord will giue his people double for all their confusion, Esay 61.7. and therefore it is not to be reckned as a crosse, for which they haue so much recompence made them.
Uses. The use of all this remains then to be considered of, which concerns first, the godly; secondly, the wicked.
Vses. The vse of all this remaines then to bee considered of, which concernes first, the godly; secondly, the wicked.
The Godly should here learn,
The Godly should heere learne,
First, to take notice of their privileges above other men in this respect, &c.
First, to take notice of their priuiledges aboue other men in this respect, &c.
Secondly, To sue out this promise upon all occasions. For since they have a grant of freedom in this kind, they should seek unto God for the obtaining of it, as they shall find need: when either their crosses press them, or their hearts fail them: so did David in many places of the Psalms, as Psal. 31.1, 17. and 119.116. and in divers other places.
Secondly, To sue out this promise vpon all occasions. For since they haue a graunt of freedome in this kind, they should seek vnto God for the obtaining of it, as they shall find need: when either their crosses presse them, or their hearts faile them: so did Dauid in many places of the Psalmes, as Psal. 31.1, 17. and 119.116. and in diuers other places.
Thirdly, but they must ever look to it, that ⟨p. 214⟩they be such as may answer the conditions of this promise, expressed in this or in other Scriptures; as, 11. They must preserve a constant respect unto God's commandments, and in all their ways be sound in God's statutes; else, wilful sin and shame will be companions, Psalm 119.6, 80. 2. They must not be ashamed of GOD's truth, and the profession of it, but witness a good profession before all men, Psalm 119.46. 3. They must not be too tender in matter of reproach from the world, but learn of Christ to despise the shame and scorns of men, Heb. 12.2. Isaiah 51.6, 7. 4. In this Text they must hold fast their faith, and live by it: it is a promise to the Godly, as he is a believer, and will rely upon Gods mercy in Jesus Christ: we must be established in the faith.
Thirdly, but they must euer looke to it, that ⟨p. 214⟩they bee such as may answer the conditions of this promise, expressed in this or in other Scriptures; as, 11. They must preserue a constant respect vnto God's commandements, and in all their waies be sound in God's statutes; else, wilfull sinne and shame will be companions, Psalm 119.6, 80. 2. They must not bee ashamed of GOD's truth, and the profession of it, but witnes a good profession before all men, Psalm 119.46. 3. They must not be too tender in matter of reproach from the world, but learn of Christ to despise the shame and scorns of men, Heb. 12.2. Esay 51.6, 7. 4. In this Text they must hould fast their faith, and liue by it: it is a promise to the Godly, as he is a beleeuer, and will relie vpon Gods mercy in Iesus Christ: we must be established in the faith.
The wicked may hence gather an argument of of singular terror. For, this Text imports, that such as live in their sins without repentance, and have not a lively faith in Jesus Christ, shall certainly be confounded: and this will more particularly touch such sorts of men as are distinctly designed out to shame and confusion.
The wicked may hence gather an argument of of singular terror. For, this Text imports, that such as liue in their sinnes without repentance, and haue not a liuely faith in Iesus Christ, shall certainly be confounded: and this will more particularly touch such sorts of men as are distinctly designed out to shame and confusion.
Quest. Now, if any ask who are they shall be ashamed and confounded?
Ans. I answer out of several Scriptures, They shall be ashamed and confounded,
Ans. I answer out of seuerall Scriptures, They shall be ashamed and confounded,
1First, that worship graven Images, and trust upon them, Psalm 97.7. Isaiah 42.17.
1First, that worship grauen Images, and trust vpon them, Psalm 97.7. Esay 42.17.
Secondly, that wish evil, and hate the Godly, and rejoice at their misery, and seek to do them mischief, Psalm 44.7. Psalm 129.5. Isaiah 26.11. and 41.11.
Secondly, that wish euill, and hate the Godly, and reioice at their misery, and seek to doo them mischief, Psalm 44.7. Psalm 129.5. Esay 26.11. and 41.11.
Thirdly, that are proud, and deal perversely: for, pride is a fore-runner of shame, Pro.
Thirdly, that are proud, and deal peruersly: for, pride is a fore-runner of shame, Pro.
