A17384:3207
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.
6. Because unto the making up of the complete misery of the impenitent sinner, the Sentence of Conscience, and the testimony of it shall be heard & admitted at the last day before the Tribunal of Christ. For though an evil conscience shall never disgrace for some effects, as for that of working despair of mercy: yet for the main body of the proceedings of Conscience, it shall be not only allowed, but justified by the voice of Christ, to the eternal shame and confusion of the offender.
6. Because vnto the making vp of the compleat misery of the impenitent sinner, the Sentence of Conscience, and the testimony of it shall be heard & admitted at the last day before the Tribunal of Christ. For thogh an euil conscience shall neuer disgrace for some effects, as for that of working despaire of mercy: yet for the maine body of the proceedings of Conscience, it shal be not only allowed, but iustified by the voice of Christ, to the eternall shame and confusion of the offendor.
And though it be true, that the worst of the effects before mentioned, arise from a stirring Conscience, yet is not the man safe, that hath a still conscience, if it be evil. For first, he is in continual danger of the awaking of that Conscience of his, that now is asleep. What ease can that mans heart beat, if he had all pleasures round about him, if he were tied to a Bear, or Lion, or mad Dog, though he were then asleep? for he may awake every moment, and then where is he? The stillness of an ill Conscience is but like the sleep of a frantic man. Secondly, there can be no true peace unto the man that lieth in sin without repentance, Isaiah 57. There is no peace to the wicked, saith my God. Though he be friends with himself for a time, yet God is not friends with him, nor is sin and Satan at peace with him, though there be an uncertain truce for a time. Thirdly, the danger of a still Conscience is the greater: for the terrors of a troubled Conscience may prepare a man for Christ, and compel a ⟨p. 773⟩man to seek help from Christ, but in the case of a still conscience, there are these two usual miseries: the one, that men take a still Conscience to be a good Conscience: and the other is, that a man runs only blindfolded so long, till death and hell may seize upon him. Thus of the effects of an evil Conscience: The means, how Conscience may be made good, follow.