A17384:2974
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.
First, if we obey in secret, and dare not leave undone such things as no man can charge us withal, and do withal strive against and resist the very hypocrisy of the heart, and stand in fear of God's offence for the evils are found in our very thoughts: this will prove us to fear God soundly in truth and uprightness of heart, Josh. 24.14. Col. 3.22. When we set the Lord always before us, and with desire to approve our selves to him; it is an excellent sign.
First, if we obey in secret, and dare not leaue vndone such things as no man can charge vs withall, and doe withall striue against and resist the very hypocrisie of the heart, and stand in feare of God's offence for the euils are found in our very thoughts: this will proue vs to feare God soundly in truth and vprightnesse of heart, Iosh. 24.14. Col. 3.22. When we set the Lord alwaies before vs, and with desire to approue our selues to him; it is an excellent signe.
Secondly, When we hear the Word of God, and are told what to avoid or do, we are then tried whether we fear God soundly or no: For, if we dare not delay, but make Conscience of it, to practise God's will as fast as we know it, it is a good sign: but otherwise, it is a foul sign, that many Christians that make a fair show, are not sound, because they are not afraid to live in the sins God reproves by his Word, nor to leave still unperformed, the Precepts, Counsels, and directions are given them from day to day. The Religion of many that seem to be of the better sort, is a mere formality, as this very sign proves, Psal. 86.11. Isaiah 50.10.