A17384:3158
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.
It was the form in the Primitive Times, that the party which was to be baptized, was to be examined before God, whether he did believe: the question was, Credis? Dost thou believe? And he was to answer, Credo, I do believe.
It was the forme in the Primitiue Times, that the party which was to bee baptized, was to bee examined before God, whether hee did beleeue: the question was, Credis? Doost thou beleeue? And he was to answer, Credo, I doo beleeue.
Now, this answer God would not take, unless the conscience would say, that he did believe as he said: this is the answer. A good conscience is mentioned, 1. Pet. 3.21. Again, a good conscience serves in all the offices of our life or affairs, even in all things to be a witness; if we do that which conscience thinks well, to comfort us; and, if we do that which conscience thinks ill, to discourage us, Rom. 2.15. and 9.1. Yea, conscience is the guide ⟨p. 757⟩of our lives. We are here pilgrims and strangers, far from our home, and in journey continually: now, GOD hath set consciences in us to be our guides, that in all things we are to do, we may be directed and encouraged by conscience, taking the direction and warrant of conscience as a special ground of our actions; so as to do contrary to what conscience bids us, is a sin: for, it doth not only witness about what is past, but it directs us about what is to come, as now to be done.
Now, this answer God would not take, vnlesse the conscience would say, that hee did beleeue as he said: this is the answer. A good conscience is mentioned, 1. Pet. 3.21. Again, a good conscience serues in all the offices of our life or affairs, euen in all things to be a witnes; if we do that which conscience thinks well, to comfort vs; and, if we doo that which conscience thinks ill, to discourage vs,