A17384:3157
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.
For God then, Conscience works diversely, and hath many offices under God and for God: for it is Gods special spy set in the hart of man to watch him, and his Intelligencer, & Notary to set down,1 what man hath done: It is God's hand-writing, the Law of God written in our hearts, or rather worketh by the help of that body of the Law written by the finger of God upon the Tables of mens hearts: It is a co-witness with God, Rom 9.1. It is also Gods Lieutenant, and a great Commander placed within us, that severely requires homage and service to be done to God, and especially diverts man from ill, directing him in the careful manner of serving of God: For God will not accept any service that Conscience doth not order, 2. Tim. 1.3. It is a taster for GOD, in point of doctrine of Religion; For all doctrines must be brought to the Conscience to be tried, whether they be of God, or no, 2. Cor. 4.2. And finally, it makes a man endure grief, and suffer wrong for God and his glory, as this Text imports. For man, Conscience is many ways employed: as first, it is employed in viewing and surveying the things of man, especially the hidden things of man: and here the power of Conscience is wonderful. For other creatures may see the things without them, but have no power to see the things within them: only man, he hath a knowledge reflexed. The eye of a man too can see other things, but without ⟨p. 756⟩a glass it cannot see it self. But now Conscience can discern it self, and the whole actions of man; and so it differs from Science, or the knowledge of the mind: for, to know other things, is science; but, to know our selves, is Conscience. The soul then, by Conscience knows it self: it views the thoughts, memory, affections of the soul, and can tell what we think, desire, love, fear, hate, &c. Secondly, in matters of Religion, Conscience is specially employed; for instance, both in the Word and the Sacraments. For the Word: the mystery of faith, even all the grounds of Religion, they are laid up, and are in the keeping of Conscience, 1. Tim. 3.9. And in Baptism, whereas God makes a covenant with us, and likewise requires a restipulation or promise on our part, Conscience is herein employed; and without Conscience, God will do nothing in the business.