A17384:2975
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.
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.
Secondly, When wee heare the Word of God, and are told what to auoide or doe, wee are then tried whether we feare God soundly or no: For, if we dare not delay, but make Conscience of it, to practise God's will as fast as wee know it, it is a good signe: but otherwise, it is a foule signe, that many Christians that make a fayre shewe, are not sound, because they are not afraid to liue in the sinnes God reproues by his Word, nor to leaue still vnperformed, the Precepts, Counsels, and directions are giuen them from day to day. The Religion of many that seeme to bee of the better sort, is a meere formality, as this very signe proues, Psal. 86.11. Isaiah 50.10.
Thirdly, a great guess may be had at mens fear of God, by their care and Conscience they make of their obedience, in their particular calling: A man may have comfort, that his fear of God, and profession of Religion is right, if he hate idleness, lying, covetousness, deceit, frowardness, and unjust dealing in his calling: For, though to deal justly with all men, be no infallible sign of the true fear of God, yet it is a probable one; and where it is not, there can be no true fear of God. Thus Magistrates must prove that they fear God, 2. Chron 19.27.