A17384:977
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.
Fourthly, thou must avoid all doubtful disputations, and unprofitable questions, and vain janglings, that tend not to edification, and the salvation of thy soul; and account it as a happiness, ⟨p. 218⟩to be able to keep thy self free from entanglements therein. And therefore stand at the door of every opinion, and, before thou let it in, ask this question: What shall my soul be advantaged by this opinion at the day of JESUS CHRIST? And if it cannot answer to it directly, reject it, Psal. 119.66. David prays God to teach him good judgement and knowledge.
Fourthly, thou must auoid all doubtfull disputations, and vnprofitable questions, and vain ianglings, that tend not to edification, and the saluation of thy soule; and account it as a happinesse, ⟨p. 218⟩to be able to keep thy self free from intanglements therein. And therefore stand at the door of euery opinion, and, before thou let it in, ask this question: What shall my soule bee aduantaged by this opinion at the day of IESVS CHRIST? And if it cannot answer to it directly, reiect it, Psal. 119.66. Dauid praies God to teach him good iudgement and knowledge.
Fifthly, let the public Ministry of GOD's servants be the ordinary rule of thy interpretation, so long as no sense is taught there contrary to the former rules, 1. Cor. 14.36. and where thou doubtest, thou must seek the law at the Priest's mouth, and be very fearful, in any thing to be wiser than thy Teacher; I mean, to nourish private opinions, which are not justified by public doctrine.
Fiftly, let the publique Ministery of GOD's seruants be the ordinary rule of thy interpretation, so long as no sense is taught there contrary to the former rules,