A17384:2712
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.
Of well-doing in it self, I have entreated before: only, before I pass from it, me thinks it is lamentable, that our hearts can be no more fired to the care of it. Oh that we were once brought but to consent from the heart, with confirmed purpose, to set up a course by our lives to win glory to our Religion! We see how fain God would have us do so: and it would plague wicked men, that would fain rail at us: nothing would more confute them. And besides, other Scriptures show, no life aboundeth more with steadfastness and contentment, than a life fruitfully spent: especially, how can we be still thus careless, if we remember the great recompense of reward in another world? Oh this formality, and outward show, and serving God for fashion! how deeply is it seated in mens manners! It is ⟨p. 641⟩likely, the most of you that hear this doctrine, will say it is good, and perhaps some one or two of you will be a little touched with a kind of consultation in your selves, which way you might do well. But alas, alas! out and alas! Oh that I could get words to gore your very Souls with smarting pain, that this Doctrine might be written in your very flesh; for a thousand to one, you will go the most of you away, and not redress your ways: Religion shall not be honoured by you more then before: cursed be that worldly dross or spiritual security, that will thus rob and spoil your Souls, and keep Religion without her true gloss and beauty, and shining glory.
Of well-doing in it self, I haue intreated before: onely, before I passe from it, me thinks it is lamentable, that our hearts can bee no more fired to the care of it. Oh that wee were once brought but to consent from the heart, with confirmed purpose, to set vp a course by our liues to win glory to our Religion! We see how fain God would haue vs do so: and it would plague wicked men, that would fain rail at vs: nothing would more confute them. And besides, other Scriptures shew, no life aboundeth more with stedfastnes and contentment, than a life fruitfully spent: especially, how can wee bee still thus careless, if we remember the great recompense of reward in another world? Oh this formality, and outward shew, and seruing God for fashion! how deeply is it seated in mens manners! It is ⟨p. 641⟩likely, the most of you that hear this doctrine, will say it is good, and perhaps some one or two of you wil be a little toucht with a kind of consultation in your selues, which way you might doe well. But alas, alas! out and alas! Oh that I could get words to gore your very Soules with smarting paine, that this Doctrine might be written in your very flesh; for a thousand to one, you will goe the most of you away, and not redresse your waies: Religion shall not be honored by you more then before: cursed be that worldly drosse or spirituall security, that will thus robbe and spoyle your Soules, and keepe Religion without her true glosse and beautie, and shining glory.