A17412:1024
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.
For the second; our relation to the Godly as brethren ought not to be despised: for, as we are brethren by religion, we enjoy many excellent prerogatives; for thereby we partake of a heavenly calling, Heb. 3.1. we stand all in relation to God, as his own children by adoption, Eph. 4.6. and so peace, and the blessing of God as a father, is upon us all, Eph. 6.23. Gal. 6.16. and we are greatly beloved of God, Rom. 1.7. and brought up in the same family, Eph. 3.17. fed with the same diet and entertainment in Gods house, and estated into an inheritance, better than all the kingdoms of the world, Rom. 9.17. And hereby also we enjoy the fruit of the love of all the godly in the world, even those that know us not in the face.
For the second; our relation to the Godly as brethren ought not to be dispised: for, as wee are brethren by religion, wee enjoy many excellent prerogatives; for thereby wee partake of a heavenly calling, Heb. 3.1. wee stand all in relation to God, as his owne children by adoption, Eph. 4.6. and so peace, and the blessing of God as a father, is upon us all, Eph. 6.23. Gal. 6.16. and we are greatly beloved of God, Rom. 1.7. and brought up in the same family, Eph. 3.17. fed with the same diet and entertainment in Gods house, and estated into an inheritance, better than all the kingdomes of the world, Rom. 9.17. And hereby also wee enjoy the fruit of the love of all the godly in the world, even those that know us not in the face.
1For the third: There are many reasons why we should love the godly, as our brethren, above all the people in the world: For first, if to be all the children of one father, have such a power over the natural affections of men, then should it not be without power in religion. Secondly, this is charged upon us, above many other things: yea, above all things we should put on love, Col. 3.14. and yet he had reckoned many excellent virtues before. This was the special, and one of the last commandments of our blessed Saviour, which he gave in charge when he was going to his death, 1. Joh. 3.23. Joh. 13. 34. Thirdly, because this love comes of God, and is a sign that God is in us, and dwells in us, and that we do indeed love God himself, 1. John 4.7, 8, 12, 16, 20, 21. Fourthly, we have the example of God himself, and Christ his Son, that love them as their peculiar treasure above all the world; and he showed them love by unspeakable benefits, 1. Joh. 4. 11, 10. Fifthly, because our souls will thrive and be edified, as brotherly love is continued, and increased in us, Eph. 4.16. Sixthly, because the Godly they must be our everlasting companions ⟨p. 191⟩in heaven, 1. Pet. 4.8. 1. Cor. 13.8. and if we cannot see so much, it is because we are purblind, 2. Pet. 1.
1For the third: There are many reasons why we should love the godly, as our brethren, above all the people in the world: For first, if to be all the children of one father, have such a power over the naturall affections of men, then should it not bee without power in religion. Secondly, this is charged upon us, above many other things: yea, above all things wee should put on love,
For the fourth point; if any ask with what kind of love we should love them? I answer, that our love must have many properties in it.
For the fourth point; if any aske with what kinde of love wee should love them? I answer, that our love must have many properties in it.
1 It must be a natural love,1 that is, such a love as is not by constraint, but ariseth out of our dispositions and inclinations, as we are made new Creatures in Jesus Christ, 2. Cor. 8.8.
1 It must be a naturall love,1 that is, such a love as is not by constraint, but ariseth out of our dispositions and inclinations, as wee are made new Creatures in Iesus Christ, 2. Cor. 8.8.
2 It must be a sincere love, a love without dissimulation. Rom. 12.10. not in word but in deed, 1. Joh. 3.18.
2 It must be a sincere love, a love without dissimulation. Rom. 12.10. not in word but in deed, 1. Ioh. 3.18.
3 It must be a fervent love: we must love them earnestly, and with great affection, above all other people, 1. Pet 4.8. brotherly kind love, 2. Pet. 1.7.
3 It must be a fervent love: wee must love them earnestly, and with great affection, above all other people, 1. Pet 4.8. brotherly kind love, 2. Pet. 1.7.
4 It must be a pure love, that comes from a pure heart, 1. Tim. 1.5. and projects not any iniquity, 1. Cor. 13.6. and therefore must be a love in the Spirit, Col. 1.8.
5 It must be a diligent love, that will express it by the daily fruits of it upon all occasions; a labouring and working love, 1. Thes. 1.3. Heb. 6.10.
5 It must be a diligent love, that will expresse it by the daily fruits of it upon all occasions; a labouring and working love, 1. Thes. 1.3. Heb. 6.10.
6 It must be a speedy love, that will not put off or delay; a love that will not say, Go, and come again tomorrow, Prov. 3.28.
6 It must bee a speedy love, that will not put off or delay; a love that will not say, Goe, and come againe tomorrow, Prov. 3.28.
7 It must be an humble love; a love that would ever serve the brethren, not do them good only, Gal. 5.13. And that is further showed, by not respecting persons, but loving all the Saints, even those that are poor, or sick, or in temptations, or fallen by weakness, Eph. 1.15. Prov. 19.7. Jam. 2. and that is also showed by carrying our selves with all lowliness, and meekness of mind, in all long suffering, and forbearing one another, Eph. 4.2.
7 It must be an humble love; a love that would ever serve the brethren, not doe them good only, Gal. 5.13. And that is further shewed, by not respecting persons, but loving all the Saints, even those that are poore, or sicke, or in temptations, or fallen by weaknesse, Eph. 1.15. Prov. 19.7. Iam. 2. and that is also shewed by carrying our selves with all lowlinesse, and meekenesse of minde, in all long suffering, and forbearing one another, Eph. 4.2.
9 It must be a growing love, that will still increase and abound, Phil. 1.9. 1. Thes. 4.10.
9 It must be a growing love, that will still encrease and abound, Phil. 1.9. 1. Thes. 4.10.
The use may be divers: for,
Use 1. First, carnal Christians are by this doctrine, sharply to be reproved for their want of love to the brethren, and ⟨p. 192⟩for all the courses by which they show their dislike or hatred of godly Christians. This very sin is grievous in the sight of God; for, for this sins sake, when they hate a godly Christian, because his works are better than theirs, God reckons of them but as Cainites, the seed of Cain; yea, as the children of the Devil, 1. Joh. 3.10. yea, God will reckon with them as if they were guilty of murder. To hate a godly man is murder in the sight of God, and deprives a man of eternal life, 1. Joh. 3.14 15. and proves him that is guilty of it, to be a person that abides in death. And it is in vain to plead that they love God: for if a man say he loveth God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar; for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And it is Gods peremptory commandment, that he that loveth God, love his brother also, •. Joh. 4.20, 21.
Vse 1. First, carnall Christians are by this doctrine, sharply to be reprooved for their want of love to the brethren, and ⟨p. 192⟩for all the courses by which they shew their dislike or hatred of godly Christians. This verie sinne is grievous in the sight of God; for, for this sinnes sake, when they hate a godly Christian, because his workes are better than theirs, God reckons of them but as Cainites, the seed of Cain; yea, as the children of the Divel, 1. Ioh. 3.10. yea, God will reckon with them as if they were guilty of murther. To hate a godly man is murther in the sight of God, and deprives a man of eternall life, 1. Ioh. 3.14 15. and prooves him that is guilty of it, to bee a person that abides in death. And it is in vaine to plead that they love God: for if a man say he loveth God, and hateth his brother, he is a lyar; for hee that loveth not his brother whom he hath seene, how can hee love God whom hee hath not seene? And it is Gods peremptory commandement, that hee that loveth God, love his brother also, .
Yea, this Doctrine affordeth matter of reproof to divers that go for true Christians: and so for many faults. As first, it reproveth those that have the faith of Christ in respect of persons, Jam. 2.1, &c. This is a fault in the richer sort, and such as stand upon their worldly greatness: they rest in their show of respect and love to some Ministers, or to some great persons that answer to their own rank, but wholly neglect the acquaintance, and entertainment, and fellowship of poor Christians; and thereby not only displease God, but much darken their own evidence in this sign of the love of the brethren, because they show not their love to all the Saints, as they might and ought. Secondly, it reproveth intemperate Christians, that sin against brotherly love, by rash censuring and condemning of their brethren; especially when they become divulgers of censure, and stand out as accusers of their brethren. This is a devilish sin; for it is the devils special sin to be an adversary, and an accuser of the brethren, Rev. 12.10. so that he is a devil incarnate that useth this course, Rom. 14.3, 10, 13. Jam. 4.11, 12. & 5, 9. Thirdly, it reproveth the great worldliness that is discerned in divers Christians, that are so hardly drawn to show compassion and mercy to poor Christians when they are in ⟨p. 193⟩distress. They have this worldly goods, and yet shut up the bowels of their compassion from their brethren, though they see they have need, and therefore how dwelleth the love of God in them? 1. John 3.17. Fourthly, it reproves the great aptness to contention, that appears in many, that easily fall into discord, & from thence into suites of Law, against their brethren: which is clearly condemned in these Scriptures both by example and prohibition, Gen. 13.8. Act. 7.26.
Use 2. Secondly, this Doctrine may serve for instruction, and so it should prevail with us, to desire & endeavour to express and preserve amongst us brotherly love, that it may be, and continue, and increase amongst all such as fear God, Heb. 13.1. And to this end divers rules are to be observed: for, that brotherly love may continue,
Vse 2. Secondly, this Doctrine may serve for instruction, and so it should prevaile with us, to desire & endeavour to expresse and preserve amongst us brotherly love, that it may be, and continue, and encrease amongst all such as feare God, Heb. 13.1. And to this end divers rules are to be observed: for, that brotherly love may continue,
Yea, this Doctrine affordeth matter of reproofe to divers that goe for true Christians: and so for many faults. As first, it reprooveth those that have the faith of Christ in respect of persons, Iam. 2.1, &c. This is a fault in the richer sort, and such as stand upon their worldly greatnesse: they rest in their shew of respect and love to some Ministers, or to some great persons that answer to their owne ranke, but wholly neglect the acquaintance, and entertainement, and fellowship of poore Christians; and thereby not onely displease God, but much darken their owne evidence in this signe of the love of the brethren, because they shew not their love to all the Saints, as they might and ought. Secondly, it reprooveth intemperate Christians, that sinne against brotherly love, by rash censuring and condemning of their brethren; especially when they become divulgers of censure, and stand out as accusers of their brethren. This is a divellish sinne; for it is the divells speciall sinne to be an adversary, and an accuser of the brethren, Rev. 12.10. so that hee is a divell incarnate that useth this course, Rom. 14.3, 10, 13. Iam. 4.11, 12. & 5, 9. Thirdly, it reprooveth the great worldlinesse that is discerned in divers Christians, that are so hardly drawne to shew compassion and mercy to poore Christians when they are in ⟨p. 193⟩distresse. They have this worldly goods, and yet shut up the bowells of their compassion from their brethren, though they see they have need, and therefore how dwelleth the love of God in them? 1. Iohn 3.17. Fourthly, it reprooves the great aptnesse to contention, that appeares in many, that easily fall into discord, & from thence into suites of Law, against their brethren: which is cleerely condemned in these Scriptures both by example and prohibition, Gen. 13.8. Act. 7.26. 1. Cor. 1.10. & 6.5. Fiftly, it greatly reprooveth such as by their opinions or practise offend and grieve weake Christians, and cause them to stagger, or stumble, or bee unsetled in the good way of God; and so endanger not onely their present consolation, but (as much as in them lyeth) their salvation also, Mat. 18.6.1. Cor. 8, 11, 12, 13. Thus of the use for reproofe.
