A17384:3163
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.
Observe by the way the difference between the Court of Conscience within us, and mens Courts of Justice without us. For, in mens Courts they proceed secundum allegata & probata, according to allegation and proofs: but God hath appointed another Judgement in the heart of man; there God judgeth not according to allegation and proofs, but according to Conscience, and hath associated to every man a notary of his own, and a witness of his own, which he produceth out of his very bosom: so as man shall be made to confess what he hath done, though all the world excuse him; and shall have comfortable testimony in himself, though all the world beside accuse him.
Obserue by the way the difference between the Court of Conscience within vs, and mens Courts of Iustice without vs. For, in mens Courts they proceed secundum allegata & probata, according to allegation and proofs: but God hath appointed another Iudgement in the heart of man; there God iudgeth not according to allegation and proofes, but according to Conscience, and hath associated to euery man a notary of his owne, and a witnesse of his owne, which hee produceth out of his very bosome: so as man shall be made to confesse what hee hath done, though all the world excuse him; and shall haue comfortable testimony in himselfe, though all the world beside accuse him.
The glory of the power of Conscience appears by the third point; and that is, the prerogatives & properties of Conscience in a man: for, 1. It keeps Court in the heart of a man,1 without limitation of time: it will call a man to answer and hear Judgement at any time: it is not limited to any terms, nor can the Sentence be delayed: it hath power to examine, testify, and give Sentence at any time of the year at pleasure, nor will it admit any appeal to any creature. 2. It is subject properly only to God: no earthly Prince can command the Conscience of a ⟨p. 760⟩man, as will more appear afterwards. 3. It keeps continual residence in the heart of man: it is always with him, at home & abroad: it observeth and watcheth him in all places, in the Church, at his table, in his bed, day and night: it never leaves him. 4. God hath subjected man to the obedience of Conscience, if it command erroneously, if it be in things indifferent; as, in the case of meats and days, in the Apostles time, if the Conscience doubted, or forbade the use of them, which yet in themselves might be used, the man was bound to follow his Conscience, though the Conscience erred, and so sinned in doubting or forbidding,