A17412:1008
Sermons upon the ten first verses of the third chapter of the first Epistle of S. Peter Being the last that were preached by the late faithful and painful minister of Gods word, Nicolas Byfield. Wherein method, sense, doctrine, and use, is, with great variety of matter, profitably handled; and sundry heads of divinity largely discussed. Published since the authors death by William Gouge.
London: printed by H. Lownes for George Latham, 1626
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.
4 The Uses.
4 The Vses.
1 The Proofs are very pregnant, and full in these other ⟨p. 188⟩Scriptures, Rom. 12.4, 15. Heb. 13.3.
1 The Proofes are very pregnant, and full in these other ⟨p. 188⟩Scriptures, Rom. 12.4, 15. Heb. 13.3.
2 For the Explication, this sympathy is to be expressed, both in the case of the evils of others, and in the case of the good of others.1 In the case of the evils of others, we ought to be tenderly affected towards them; both in respect of their sufferings, troubles, griefs, and crosses. Heb. 13.3. & 10.34. Joh 30.25. whether they be inward or outward: as also in respect of their falling by infirmities, when it proves a grief and affliction to them, Gal. 6.1, Jude 22.2. Cor. 11.29. So likewise in the case of the prosperity of others: we ought to rejoice with them that rejoice, and be affected as if the blessing had been ours. Rom. 12.15.
2 For the Explication, this sympathy is to be exprest, both in the case of the evills of others, and in the case of the good of others.1 In the case of the evills of others, we ought to be tenderly affected towards them; both in respect of their sufferings, troubles, griefes, and crosses. Heb. 13.3. & 10.34. Ioh 30.25. whether they be inward or outward: as also in respect of their falling by infirmities, when it proves a griefe and affliction to them, Gal. 6.1, Iude 22.2. Cor. 11.29. So likewise in the case of the prosperity of others: wee ought to rejoice with them that rejoice, and bee affected as if the blessing had been ours. Rom. 12.15.
13 The Reasons are manifest. First, because hereby we prove our selves to be fellow members in the mystical body of Christ; which is to be doubted, if this sympathy be not in us in some measure, 1. Cor. 12.12, 25, 26. Secondly, because hereby we show our selves conformable and like to Christ our Head, who excelled in this virtue, Heb. 4.15. Mat. 25.40. Thirdly, because that which is the case of others now, may be our case hereafter; as the Apostle shows in the case of temptation, Gal. 6 1. Fourthly, a reason may be drawn from the excellency of the grace; It excels alms and outward works of mercy: for when a man gives an alms, he gives somewhat without himself; but when we show compassion, we relieve another by somewhat that is within our selves, and from our selves. And lastly, the coherence shows, that this may be a means to keep us from trouble our selves.
13 The Reasons are manifest. First, because hereby wee prove our selves to be fellow members in the mysticall body of Christ; which is to be doubted, if this sympathy be not in us in some measure, 1. Cor. 12.12, 25, 26. Secondly, because hereby wee shew our selves conformable and like to Christ our Head, who excelled in this vertue, Heb. 4.15. Mat. 25.40. Thirdly, because that which is the case of others now, may bee our case hereafter; as the Apostle shewes in the case of temptation,
The use may be, first, to import the misery of living in this world. This life must needs be a vale of tears, when we have not only occasion of sorrow many ways for our own estates, but also such variety of occasions of sorrow, from the condition of others deer unto us. Neither is our case the better, but the worse, if we do not sorrow with others.
The use may be, first, to import the miserie of living in this world. This life must needes be a vale of teares, when we have not only occasion of sorrow many wayes for our own estates, but also such varietie of occasions of sorrow, from the condition of others deere unto us. Neyther is our case the better, but the worse, if we doe not sorrow with others.
Secondly, this may greatly humble all sorts of men for their Apathy, or want of care, or feeling, or sympathy in the distresses of others: and the rather now, when whole Churches are in great distress, Amos 6.6.
Secondly, this may greatly humble all sorts of men for their Apathie, or want of care, or feeling, or sympathie in the distresses of others: and the rather now, when whole Churches are in great distresse, Amos 6.6.
Thirdly, this should greatly move true Christians to strive ⟨p. 189⟩after this virtue, and to express it lively, and show it forth in all the fruits of it: as first, by declaring our affection to the afflicted, with all tenderness of heart, and words of comfort: secondly, by using all our means and power to relieve them, and help them out of distress: thirdly, by pouring out our souls before God for them.
Thirdly, this should greatly move true Christians to strive ⟨p. 189⟩after this vertue, and to expresse it lively, and shew it forth in all the fruits of it: as first, by declaring our affection to the afflicted, with all tendernesse of heart, and words of comfort: secondly, by using all our meanes and power to relieve them, and helpe them out of distresse: thirdly, by pouring out our soules before God for them.
Love as brethren.] This is the third duty charged upon them, viz. the exercise of brotherly love. This is vehemently urged in many Scriptures. Rom. 12.10. Heb. 13.1. Joh. 13.34. 1. Joh. 2.7. & 4.21. Now for the explication of this doctrine, four things would be distinctly considered of, viz.
Love as brethren.] This is the third duetie charged upon them, viz. the exercise of brotherly love. This is vehemently urged in many Scriptures. Rom. 12.10. Heb. 13.1. Ioh. 13.34. 1. Ioh. 2.7. & 4.21. Now for the explication of this doctrine, foure things would be distinctly considered of, viz.
1 Who are brethren.
2 What privilege they have by the brotherhood, or by being brethren.
2 What priviledge they have by the brotherhood, or by being brethren.
3 For what reasons we should so love them.
4 With what kind of love we should love them.
4 With what kinde of love we should love them.
For the first; Men become brethren one to another many ways:1 as first by propagation, when they are borne of the same blood, and so the children of the same parents are brethren: and in a remoter sense, kinsmen of the same blood are brethren, Luke 8.19.
For the first; Men become brethren one to another manie wayes:1 as first by propagation, when they are borne of the same bloud, and so the children of the same parents are brethren: and in a remoter sense, kinsmen of the same bloud are brethren, Luke 8.19.
Secondly, by Nation: when men are countrymen, they are called brethren, especially when they descend originally from the fountain of the same ancient families; and so the people of the twelve Tribes were brethren, Exod. 2.11.
Secondly, by Nation: when men are countreymen, they are called brethren, especially when they descend originally from the fountaine of the same ancient families; and so the people of the twelve Tribes were brethren, Exod. 2.11.
Fourthly, communion with Christ; and so we become brethren either by his incarnation, Heb. 2.16, 17. or in respect of our mystical union with him in his mystical body, Col. 1.2. Matth. 25.40. And so we are brethren with the Angels, as they also are joined under this head Christ Jesus, Rev. 19.10. & 22. So then if any ask who are the brethren here meant, that we must so love? I answer, they are such as are professors with us of the same religion, & fellow members of the body of Christ. But that we may more plainly see, who are meant by brethren ⟨p. 190⟩in the Scriptures it will be profitable to observe, that they are described by their holiness. The brethren we must love, are such as are partakers of the holy calling, Heb. 3.1. such as are begotten of God, 1 Joh. 5.1. such as will do the will of God by sound practise, Mat. 12.47, 49. They are the holy brethren we are here charged to love, 1. Thes. 5.27.
Fourthly, communion with Christ; and so wee become brethren eyther by his incarnation, Heb. 2.16, 17. or in respect of our mystical union with him in his mysticall bodie, Col. 1.2. Matth. 25.40. And so we are brethren with the Angels, as they also are joined under this head Christ Iesus, Rev. 19.10. & 22. So then if any aske who are the brethren here meant, that wee must so love? I answer, they are such as are professors with us of the same religion, & fellow members of the body of Christ. But that we may more plainly see, who are meant by brethren
