A17384:2151
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.
The causes of those reproaches follow.
Secondly, in the devil: it is his policy, here by.
Secondly, in the diuell: it is his policy, heere by.
1. To keep men from embracing a religion that is so traduced,1 Acts 28. 2. To discourage and hinder the weak Christian, and to make him fearful in the way of God. 3. To pull back certain men which were going towards the Kingdom of God.
1. To keepe men from embracing a religion that is so traduced,1 Acts 28. 2. To discourage and hinder the weake Christian, and to make him fearefull in the way of God. 3. To pull back certaine men which were going towards the Kingdome of God.
Thirdly, in Gods will: hereby to try the constancy of his servants, and to make them live more watchfully.
Thirdly, in Gods will: heereby to trie the constancy of his seruants, and to make them liue more watchfully.
Fourthly, in Christians themselves, it is
Fourthly, in Christians themselues, it is
Sometimes long of hypocrites that break out into scandalous courses, and so make the way of God evil spoken of.
Sometimes long of hypocrites that breake out into scandalous courses, and so make the way of God euill spoken of.
Sometimes it is the indiscretion and weaknesses of some Christians, which first set wicked men awork.
Sometimes it is the indiscretion and weaknesses of some Christians, which first set wicked men aworke.
But chiefly it is their goodness, because they will not run with the wicked into the same excess of riot, 1. Pet. 4.5. Psal. 38. 1 Joh. 3.
But chiefly it is their goodnes, because they will not run with the wicked into the same excesse of riot, 1. Pet. 4.5. Psal. 38. 1 Ioh. 3.
Thus of the first doctrine.
Doct. 2. The second thing may be noted from hence, is, that to speak evil of the godly, is a property of wicked men, of men not yet visited of God. Such as dishonour godly Christians, did never endeavour to glorify God himself, 1. Cor. 6.9, 10. Psalm 15. Romans 1.29, 30. and therefore their tongues that are given to reviling of the godly, are said to be set on fire from hell, Jam. 3.
Doct. 2. The second thing may be noted from hence, is, that to speake euill of the godly, is a property of wicked men, of men not yet visited of God. Such as dishonour godly Christians, did neuer indeuour to glorifie God himselfe, 1. Cor. 6.9, 10. Psalme 15. Romans 1.29, 30. and therefore their tongues that are giuen to reuiling of the godly, are said to bee set on fire from hell, Iam. 3.
Doct. 3. The third thing is, that to speak evil of the good, is a vice that all wicked men are guilty of, as here he supposeth it to be the sin of all the Gentiles, so of all men by nature, Rom. 3.12, 13.
Doct. 3. The third thing is, that to speake euill of the good, is a vice that all wicked men are guilty of, as heere hee supposeth it to bee the sinne of all the Gentiles, so of all men by nature, Rom. 3.12, 13.
It followeth that I should show the uses may be made of the three doctrines together; but first a question may be asked; and that is,
It followeth that I should shew the vses may bee made of the three doctrines together; but first a question may be asked; and that is,
Quest. Whether may not evil be spoken of godly men at all, and in no case? I answer, Evil may not at all be spoken of them in these cases following.
Quest. Whether may not euill bee spoken of godly men at all, and in no case? I answer, Euill may not at all be spoken of them in these cases following.
1First, in things that are hidden, thou mayest not judge them; as, thou mayst not meddle with them for the thoughts and intents of their hearts, 1. Cor. 4.5.
1First, in things that are hidden, thou maist not iudge them; as, thou mayst not meddle with thē for the thoughts and intents of their hearts, 1. Cor. 4.5.
Secondly, in things doubtful, of which there is no proof for in such cases all men must speak and judge the best.
Secondly, in things doubtfull, of which there is no proofe for in such cases all men must speake and iudge the best.
