A17384:965
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.
Verses 7.8. 7. Unto you therefore which believe, it is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the Builders disallowed, the same is made the Head of the corner, 8. And a stone to stumble at, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the Word, being disobedient; unto the which thing they were even ordained.
Verses 7.8. 7. Vnto you therefore which beleeue, it is precious: but vnto them which be disobedient, the stone which the Builders disallowed, the same is made the Head of the corner, 8. And a stone to stumble at, and a rock of offense, euen to them which stumble at the Word, being disobedient; vnto the which thing they were euen ordained.
IN these words the Apostle expounds or applies the former testimony of scripture, which he urgeth both for the believer, and against the unbeliever. The believers he calls upon to take notice of their felicity; assuring them, that that Scripture doth avouch, that Christ is an incomparable ⟨p. 216⟩treasure to them. Concerning the unbelievers he speaks terrible things; whom he describes both by their sin, and by their judgement. The sin is disobedience: their judgement is to be considered as it is denounced, first, against their Leaders, whom he calls Builders; and then, against the whole body of unbelievers. The plague upon the Builders, is, that the Kingdom of Christ shall be advanced in spite of their hearts: they shall perish and be confounded, but Christ shall reign and flourish. The plague upon the body of unbelievers, is, that Christ shall be to them a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence; which is amplified by the consideration of the causes, partly in themselves, which is, their stumbling at the Word, and disobedience; and partly in God, who in his justice hath appointed them thereunto.
IN these words the Apostle expounds or applies the former testimony of scripture, which hee vrgeth both for the beleeuer, and against the vnbeleeuer. The beleeuers he cals vpon to take notice of their felicity; assuring them, that that Scripture doth auouch, that Christ is an incomparable