A17384:277
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 lets of affection in the godly are divers.
The lets of affection in the godly are diuers.
1First, Sometimes it is their worldliness, their too much minding and plodding about the things of this life, or their excessive burdening of their heads about their calling. They have too much to do, or they have too much care; care, I say, that is, distrustful and carking care. Psal. 119.36.
1First, Sometimes it is their worldliness, their too much minding and plodding about the things of this life, or their excessiue burthening of their heads about their calling. They haue too much to doe, or they haue too much care; care, I say, that is, distrustfull and carking care. Psal. 119.36.
Secondly, Sometimes it is want of comfortable fellowship in the Gospel. Affection, that is alone, is seldom constant in the same degree. There is much quickening and comfort and incitation ⟨p. 59⟩in a constant, and tender, and profitable society with such as love the word, Psalm 119. verse 63.
Secondly, Sometimes it is want of comfortable felowshippe in the Gospell. Affection, that is alone, is seldome constant in the same degree. There is much quickning and comfort and incitation ⟨p. 59⟩in a constant, and tender, and profitable society with such as loue the word, Psalm 119. verse 63.
Thirdly, sometimes it is some secret sin that gets too much dominion over them. As affection may stand with mere frailties and infirmities: So, on the other side, if any sin once get head, and men yield to it, and agree to obey it, their affections to the word presently die within them, Psal. 119.133: yea, if this sin be but in the thoughts, and be yielded to and delighted in, and that constantly they seek the pleasure of contemplative wickedness, and do not resist it by praying against it, even vain thoughts may dead the affections, and poison them, Psal. 119.113.
Thirdly, sometimes it is some secret sinne that gets too much dominion ouer them. As affection may stand with meer frailties and infirmities: So, on the other side, if any sinne once get head, and men yeeld to it, and agree to obey it, their affections to the word presently dy within them, Psal. 119.133: yea, if this sinne bee but in the thoughts, and bee yeelded to and delighted in, and that constantly they seek the pleasure of contemplatiue wickednes, and do not resist it by praying against it, euen vain thoughts may dead the affections, and poison them, Psal. 119.113.
Fourthly, sometimes it is neglect of mortification. The soul will gather abundance of humours, as well the body: and therefore Christians should not go too long, especially if they feel a kind of fullness to grow upon them; but take a purge, that is, seriously and secretly set time apart to humble themselves before God, purging out their most secretest corruptions with all hearty confession before God.
Fourthly, sometimes it is neglect of mortification. The soule will gather aboundance of humors, as well the body: and therefore Christians should not go too long, especially if they feele a kinde of fulnesse to growe vpon them; but take a purge, that is, seriously and secretly set time apart to humble themselues before God, purging out their most secretest corruptions with all harty confession before God.
Fifthly, sometimes it is want of practice or want of an orderly disposing of their ways in godliness. If they rest only in hearing, their affections cannot last long sincere: and, besides, the most Christians burden their own harts for very want of order, and that they go not distinctly about the works of godliness, but rake together a great heap of doctrine which they know not ⟨p. 60⟩what to do withal, Psal. 50. ult.
Fiftly, sometimes it is want of practice or want of an orderly disposing of their waies in godlinesse. If they rest onely in hearing, their affections cannot last long sincere: and, besides, the most Christians burden their owne harts for very want of order, and that they go not distinctly about the works of godlinesse, but rake together a great heap of doctrine which they knowe not ⟨p. 60⟩what to doo withall, Psal. 50. vlt.
Sixthly, sometimes again it is occasioned by inordinate feeding: when Christians begin to affect novelties, and seek to themselves a heap of teachers, they scape not long without fullness, and the fits of loathing, 2. Tim. 4.3.
Sixtly, sometimes again it is occasioned by inordinate feeding: when Christians begin to affect nouelties, and seek to themselues a heap of teachers, they scape not long without fulnesse, and the fits of loathing, 2. Tim. 4.3.
Seventhly, sometimes very idleness is the hindrance. The want of a particular calling to employ themselves in the six days, breeds a general kind of weariness and satiety; which extends the heart of it, not only to the times of private duties in the working days, but to the very Sabbath also. They cannot work at Gods work with any great delight, that had no more mind to their own work.
Seuenthly, sometimes very idleness is the hindrance. The want of a particular calling to imploy themselues in the six daies, breeds a general kinde of wearinesse and satiety; which extends the heart of it, not onely to the times of priuate duties in the working daies, but to the very Sabbath also. They cannot work at Gods work with any great delight, that had no more minde to their owne work.
Eighthly, sometimes it is neglect of preparation and prayer, before we come to the word.
Eightthly, sometimes it is neglect of preparation and praier, before we come to the word.
Ninthly, sometimes it is a violent kind of ignorance and unbelief, when a Christian knows not his right to the word, and will not be persuaded of the fatherly love and presence of God in his ordinance. If Preachers must say, I have believed, therefore I will speak: so must Hearers say, I have believed, therefore I will hear. They should know, that they are welcome to Christ, and may eat and drink, Cant. 5.1. and that their heritage lieth in the word, Psal. 119.
Ninthly, sometimes it is a violent kinde of ignorance and vnbeleef, when a Christian knowes not his right to the word, and wil not be perswaded of the fatherly loue and presence of God in his ordinance. If Preachers must say, I haue beleeued, therefore I will speak: so must Hearers say, I haue beleeued, therefore I will hear. They should knowe, that they are welcome to Christ, and may eat and drink, Cant. 5.1. and that their heritage lieth in the word, Psal. 119.
Tenthly, sometimes it is a very disease in the body; as, melancholy, or some other: which doth so oppress the heart, that it doth not take delight in any thing. But of this more in the next Use.
Tenthly, sometimes it is a very disease in the body; as, melancholy, or some other: which doth so oppresse the heart, that it doth not take delight in any thing. But of this more in the next Vse.
Lastly, any of the sins mentioned in the former verse, will hinder affection: Malice, Hypocrisy, or Envy, or any of the rest.
Lastly, any of the sinnes mentioned in the former verse, will hinder affection: Malice, Hypocrisie, or Enuy, or any of the rest.
Use 3. The third use may be for instruction, to teach us to strive for affection to the word, and to provide to order our selves, so as we be not wanting in the direction of the Apostle: and so two sorts are to be taught, that is, such as want appetite; and such as have it, that they may keep it aright.
Vse 3. The third vse may bee for instruction, to teach vs to striue for affection to the word, and to prouide to order our selues, so as wee bee not wanting in the direction of the Apostle: and so two sorts are to be taught, that is, such as want appetite; and such as haue it, that they may keep it aright.
Quest. What must such do as find either want of appetite, or decay of it?
Quest. What must such doo as finde either want of appetite, or decay of it?
Ans. Such as would get sound affections to the word, must do six things.
Ans. Such as would get sound affections to the word, must doo six things.
First,1 they must refrain their feet from every evil way. It is impossible to get sound affections, without sound reformation of life, Psalm 119.
First,1 they must refrain their feet from euery euill way. It is impossible to get sound affections, without sound reformation of life, Psalm 119.
