A17412:1036
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.
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, •. Ioh. 4.20, 21.
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,
1 We must not fashion our selves according to this world, but avoid all needless conversation with wicked men,1 Rom. 12.1, 2.
1 We must not fashion our selves according to this world, but avoide all needelesse conversation with wicked men,1 Rom. 12.1, 2.
2 We must take heed of, and avoid such as sow discord, or cause divisions amongst men: whether they be such as go about to seduce men in opinions, Rom. 16.19. Gal. 5. 12, 2. Pet. 3.16, or such as make contention in practise. A little leaven of dissenting or discord may leaven the whole lump.
2 Wee must take heede of, and avoide such as sow difcord, or cause diuisions amongst men: whether they be such as goe about to seduce men in opinions, Rom. 16.19. Gal. 5. 12, 2. Pet. 3.16, or such as make contention in practise. A little leaven of dissenting or discord may leaven the whole lumpe.
3 We must take heed that we be not ensnared or entangled with vain glorious desires after worldly greatness, whether in Church or Common wealth: Therefore Christ chargeth his Disciples not to be called Rabbi, because they and all the godly were brethren, Mat. 23.8. Gal. 5. ult.
3 Wee must take heed that wee be not ensnared or entangled with vaine glorious desires after worldly greatnesse, whether in Church or Common wealth: Therefore Christ chargeth his Disciples not to be called Rabbi, because they and all the godly were brethren, Mat. 23.8. Gal. 5. ult.
4 If we would preserve brotherly love, we must take heed of conceitedness and wilfulness of judgement; we must not be wise in our selves, but rather in lowliness of mind, esteem another mans gifts and judgement better than ⟨p. 194⟩our own; and show it by making our selves equal to them of the lower sort. Phil. 2.3. Rom. 12.10.16, Prov. 12.15.
4 If wee would preserve brotherly love, wee must take heede of conceitednesse and wilfulnesse of judgement; wee must not bee wise in our selves, but rather in lowlinesse of minde, esteeme another mans gifts and judgement better than ⟨p. 194⟩our owne; and shew it by making our selves equall to them of the lower sort. Phil. 2.3. Rom. 12.10.16, Prov. 12.15.
5 We must take heed of worldliness and self-love, and the minding of our own things, and studying of our ends in conversing, 1. Cor. 13, 5. Phil. 2.4.
5 Wee must take heed of worldlinesse and selfe-love, and the minding of our own things, and studying of our ends in conversing, 1. Cor. 13, 5. Phil. 2.4.
6 We must take heed of overmuch retiredness, and neglecting of comfortable and profitable fellowship with our brethren, Heb. 10.25. Phil. 1.6. Psal. 133.1.
6 Wee must take heede of overmuch retyrednesse, and neglecting of comfortable and profitable fellowship with our brethren, Heb. 10.25. Phil. 1.6. Psal. 133.1.
These are things we must avoid. There are divers things likewise to be done, that we may preserve brotherly love: as,
These are things wee must avoid. There are divers things likewise to be done, that we may preserve brotherly love: as,
11 We must provoke one another to love, by all words and carriages that may be without flattery or dissimulation, Heb. 10.24.
11 Wee must provoke one another to love, by all words and carriages that may bee without flattery or dissimulation, Heb. 10.24.
2 We should strive, without complement, to show the sound proof of our love in all our actions; and by the fruits of it, in all well-doing, strive to approve our selves to God, and before men in this thing, 2. Cor. 8.24.
2 Wee should strive, without complement, to shew the sound proofe of our love in all our actions; and by the fruits of it, in all well-doing, strive to approve our selves to God, and before men in this thing, 2. Cor. 8.24.
3 In all things we do to, or for the brethren, we should strive to do them after a loving and respective manner. Let all your things be done in love, faith the Apostle, 1. Cor. 16.14.
3 In all things wee doe to, or for the brethren, we should strive to doe them after a loving and respective manner. Let all your things bee done in love, faith the Apostle, 1. Cor. 16.14.
4 We must strive to be rightly ordered towards our brethren, in case of sin against God, or trespass against us: And that we shall be, if we soundly practise these four Rules.
4 Wee must strive to be rightly ordered towards our brethren, in case of sinne against God, or trespasse against us: And that wee shall be, if wee soundly practise these foure Rules.
11 If we know any fault by our brother, and feel that it doth tempt us to alienation, we must then remember the charge given, Levit. 19.17. which is, not to suffer our hearts to hate him, but give a vent unto our hearts by a plain and discreet reproof.
11 If wee know any fault by our brother, and feele that it doth tempt us to alienation, wee must then remember the charge given, Levit. 19.17. which is, not to suffer our hearts to hate him, but give a vent unto our hearts by a plaine and discreet reproofe.
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.
