A17384:1005
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.
Fifthly, that when a man doth, in his own particular, discern this gracious offer of God in the Gospel, and goeth to God, and with his heart relieth upon it, then he doth truly believe, and is justified, and shall be saved.
Fiftly, that when a man doth, in his owne particular, discern this gracious offer of God in the Gospell, and goeth to God, and with his heart relieth vpon it, then he doth truely beleeue, and is iustified, and shall be saued.
Quest. But many men are persuaded, that God hath given Christ for them, and yet it is evident, that they do not believe, because there is no appearance of any repentance or reformation in them: many say they have a strong faith, and yet have none. How shall the persuasion of the godly man be distinguished from this vain presumption in wicked men?
Quest. But many men are perswaded, that God hath giuen Christ for them, and yet it is euident, that they do not beleeue, because there is no appearance of any repentance or reformation in them: many say they haue a strong faith, and yet haue none. How shall the perswasion of the godly man be distinguished from this vain presumption in wicked men?
Ans. That persuasion of Gods grace in Christ, which is true, and of the nature of true faith, doth prove it self to be right, by many infallible signs.
Ans. That perswasion of Gods grace in Christ, which is true, and of the nature of true faith, doth prooue it self to bee right, by many infallible signes.
First,1 by the renovation of the heart. The knowledge of God's love in Christ, doth make ⟨p. 224⟩the heart of man new: it cleanseth out the old dross, and makes a man hate his secret and most secret sins. Faith purifieth the heart, Acts 15.
First,1 by the renouation of the heart. The knowledge of God's loue in Christ, doth make ⟨p. 224⟩the heart of man new: it clenseth out the old drosse, and makes a man hate his secret and most secret sinnes. Faith purifieth the heart, Acts 15.
Secondly, by the joy and comforts of the holy Ghost; with which the believer's hart is refreshed from the presence of God, 1. Pet. 1.9.
Secondly, by the ioy and comforts of the holy Ghost; with which the beleeuer's hart is refreshed from the presence of God, 1. Pet. 1.9.
Thirdly, by the victory of the world. For, the true believer is so satisfied with God's goodness in Christ, that he can deny his profits, pleasures, credit, friends, and the like, for Christ's sake and the Gospel: yea, faith mars the taste of earthly things, and makes a man able to forsake the love of worldly things, 1. John 5.5. It will endure the trial of troubles, of afflictions, and temptations, and persecutions, for the Gospels sake, 1. Pet. 1.7. without making haste to use ill means in the evil day.
Thirdly, by the victory of the world. For, the true beleeuer is so satisfied with God's goodnes in Christ, that he can deny his profits, pleasures, credit, friends, and the like, for Christ's sake and the Gospell: yea, faith marres the taste of earthly things, and makes a man able to forsake the loue of worldly things, 1. Iohn 5.5. It will endure the triall of troubles, of afflictions, and temptations, and persecutions, for the Gospels sake, 1. Pet. 1.7. without making haste to vse ill means in the euill day.
Quest. But, how may faith be discerned in such as say they are not persuaded that they have faith; which sometimes proves to be the case of divers deer children of God?
Quest. But, how may faith bee discerned in such as say they are not perswaded that they haue faith; which sometimes proues to be the case of diuers deere children of God?
Ans. Their faith may be discerned,
First, by repentance, which cannot be separated from it:1 the sight, hatred, confession, and sorrow for their sins, is an argument of true faith, because without faith no man can have true repentance.
First, by repentance, which cannot be separated from it:1 the sight, hatred, confession, and sorrow for their sinnes, is an argument of true faith, because without faith no man can haue true repentance.
Secondly, by their complaining of their unbelief, and desire of faith. I believe, Lord, help my unbelief, was the voice of him that had true faith.
Secondly, by their complaining of their vnbelief, and desire of faith. I beleeue, Lord, help my vnbelief, was the voice of him that had true faith.
Thirdly, by their daily renouncing of their ⟨p. 225⟩own merits, begging favour of God, only for the merits of Christ.
Thirdly, by their daily renouncing of their ⟨p. 225⟩owne merits, begging fauour of God, onely for the merits of Christ.
Fifthly, by other marks and signs of Gods children, which can never be had, but faith is had also: such as are, love of God, and his Word, and of their enemies, and uprightness of heart, and the spirit of prayer, and the like.
Fiftly, by other markes and signes of Gods children, which can neuer bee had, but faith is had also: such as are, loue of God, and his Word, and of their enemies, and vprightnes of heart, and the spirit of praier, and the like.
Precious.]
Christ is precious to them that believe, not only in their account, but by effect; and so, both because he is great riches unto them, as also because he is an honour unto them. He is great riches unto them, yea unsearchable riches, Eph. 3.6. All ages ought to wonder at the riches of Gods kindness to the believers in Jesus Christ, Eph. 2.7. Christ in us is our riches, Col. 1.27 and thus he enricheth us with the favour of God, his own merits and righteousness, the grace of the Spirit, and the promises of the Word, and the hope of glory.
Christ is precious to them that beleeue, not onely in their account, but by effect; and so, both because hee is great riches vnto them, as also because he is an honour vnto them. Hee is great riches vnto them, yea vnsearchable riches, Eph. 3.6. All ages ought to wonder at the riches of Gods kindnes to the beleeuers in Iesus Christ, Eph. 2.7. Christ in vs is our riches, Col. 1.27 and thus he inricheth vs with the fauour of God, his owne merits and righteousnes, the grace of the Spirit, and the promises of the Word, and the hope of glory.
The Uses are many.
The Vses are many.
