A17384:988
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.
Thirdly, we may hence note, that all men, in the visible Church, have not a right to the comforts ⟨p. 221⟩of the Scripture; and it is the Ministers duty to drive wicked men off, from claiming any part in the promises, which are the only treasure of the Saints, as here we see in these two verses, the Apostle carefully doth: Men must do the works of Jacob, if they would have the comforts of Jacob, Micah 2. verse 7. A Minister must separate betimes the clean and unclean. His word must be like a Fan, that will drive the chaff one way, and the Wheat another; and though wicked men brook not this, yet God requireth this discretion at the hands of his people. Gods Ministers must not daub with untempered mortar, or give the children's bread to dogs, or cast holy things to swine.
Thirdly, we may hence note, that all men, in the visible Church, haue not a right to the comforts ⟨p. 221⟩of the Scripture; and it is the Ministers dutie to driue wicked men off, from claiming anie part in the promises, which are the only treasure of the Saints, as here we see in these two verses, the Apostle carefully doth: Men must doe the workes of Iacob, if they would haue the comforts of Iacob, Micah 2. verse 7. A Minister must separate betimes the cleane and vncleane. His word must be like a Fanne, that will driue the chaffe one way, and the Wheat another; and though wicked men brooke not this, yet God requireth this discretion at the hands of his people. Gods Ministers must not dawbe with vntempered morter, or giue the childrens bread to dogs, or cast holy things to swine.
Fourthly, they may hence clearly also see, that no other difference may be put between many, then what faith and unbelief, obedience and disobedience make. Men must not be known after the flesh.