A17412:1068
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.
5 The practise of secret mercy as well as open; even to think of them, and provide for them, and to provoke others to mercy, and to pray for them when they know not of it; even when we are gone from them, still to show them mercy.
5 The practise of secret mercy as well as open; even to thinke of them, and provide for them, and to provoke others to mercy, and to pray for them when they know not of it; even when we are gone from them, still to shew them mercy.
For the second: our Bowels are right in showing merc.
For the second: our Bowells are right in shewing merc.
11 If we be prepared unto such good works, and so both our ears should be prepared, that they may be open to the cry of the poor, Prov. 21.13. and the matter of mercy should be made ready. And to this purpose, it were an excellent course if Christians would lay up weekly a part of their gettings, which they would consecrate to God, that it might be ready when there were need, 1. Cor. 16.1, 2. and further, if we be (as God is) mindful of mercy, and do exercise it speedily without delay, Prov. 3.27, 28.
11 If we be prepared unto such good works, and so both our eares should bee prepared, that they may bee open to the cry of the poore, Prov. 21.13. and the matter of mercy should be made ready. And to this purpose, it were an excellent course if Christians would lay up weekely a part of their gettings, which they would consecrate to God, that it might bee ready when there were neede, 1. Cor. 16.1, 2. and further, if wee be (as God is) mindefull of mercy, and doe exercise it speedily without delay, Prov. 3.27, 28.
2 If we look not for too much beholdingnesse from them that are relieved. The rich must not rule over the poor, nor the borrower become a servant to the lender, Prov. 22.7.
2 If wee looke not for too much beholdingnesse from them that are relieved. The rich must not rule over the poore, nor the borrower become a servant to the lender, Prov. 22.7.
3 If we have a good eye, Prov. 22.9. and show it by dispensing of our mercy to such as have most need, and to such as are best affected in religion, if there be choice.
3 If wee have a good eye, Prov. 22.9. and shew it by dispensing of our mercy to such as have most need, and to such as are best affected in religion, if there be choise.
4 If we do works of mercy, out of goods well gotten, else God hates robbery, though it were for burnt offerings, Isaiah 61.8.
4 If wee doe workes of mercy, out of goods well gotten, else God hates robbery, though it were for burnt offerings, Esay 61.8.
5 If it be for right ends, as not for merit, or the praise of ⟨p. 197⟩men, Matth. 6.2. Cor. 9.19.
6 If we be full of mercy, rich in mercy, much in mercy, abundant in mercy, not only to our power, but sometimes and in some cases beyond our power. We must open our hands wide, Deut. 15.8. 1. Tim. 6.18. 2. Cor. 8.2, 9. good measure, and pressed down, Luke 6.8. if we give not sparingly.
6 If we be full of mercie, rich in mercie, much in mercie, abundant in mercie, not only to our power, but sometimes and in some cases beyond our power. We must open our hands wide, Deut. 15.8. 1. Tim. 6.18. 2. Cor. 8.2, 9. good measure, and pressed downe, Luke 6.8. if we give not sparingly.
7 If we be discreet, so to ease others as we burden not our selves, 2. Cor. 9.14, 15.
7 If we be discreet, so to ease others as wee burthen not our selves, 2. Cor. 9.14, 15.
8 If we exercise our selves in every kind of mercy, both spiritual and corporal, in giving, lending, visiting, clothing, feeding, instructing, admonishing, comforting, &c.
8 If we exercise our selves in everie kind of mercie, both spirituall and corporall, in giving, lending, visiting, clothing, feeding, instructing, admonishing, comforting, &c.
The use may be, first, for reproof and confutation of diverse sorts of men.
The use may be, first, for reproofe and confutation of diverse sorts of men.
1 Of the Papists, that brag of their good works in this kind: to whom it may be granted, that they show works of mercy; & perhaps have bowels of mercy: but they are not right bowels; both because with the Pharisees, they do their works to be seen of men, and with opinion of justification and salvation by the merit of their works: and beside, though they show compassion to the bodies of men, yet are they without all true compassion to the souls of men.
1 Of the Papists, that brag of their good workes in this kinde: to whom it may be granted, that they shew workes of mercy; & perhaps have bowels of mercy: but they are not right bowells; both because with the Pharisees, they doe their works to be seene of men, and with opinion of justification and salvation by the merite of their workes: and beside, though they shew compassion to the bodies of men, yet are they without all true compassion to the soules of men.
2 Of the house keeping of many Protestants, that brag of their great hospitality, & good house keeping, when their entertainment is either spent upon the rich, or else in the profane abuse of the good creatures of God by drunkenness, or else in the entertainment of disordered and lewd persons.
2 Of the house keeping of many Protestants, that brag of their great hospitalitie, & good house keeping, when their entertainment is either spent upon the rich, or else in the prophane abuse of the good creatures of God by drunkennesse, or else in the entertainment of disordered and lewd persons.
3 Of the great neglect of mercy in the most men, that either show not mercy at all, or not bowels of mercy, or not according to the rules given before, especially such as hide themselves from the poor, Isaiah 58.7. and use shifts and excuses to avoid such supplies, as are necessary for the furtherance of the relief for the poor in such places as they live, Prov. 24.11, 12. But judgement merciless shall be to them that show no mercie, Jam. 2.13.
3 Of the great neglect of mercy in the most men, that either shew not mercy at all, or not bowells of mercy, or not according to the rules given before, especially such as hide themselves from the poore, Esay 58.7. and use shifts and excuses to avoide such supplies, as are necessary for the furtherance of the reliefe for the poore in such places as they live, Prov. 24.11, 12. But judgement mercilesse shall bee to them that shew no mercie, Iam. 2.13.
4 Diverse of the better sort are to be rebuked about this point: many Christians spend a great deal of zeal about ⟨p. 198⟩lesser matters, and in the mean time neglect the greater things of the Law, such as are judgement and mercy; for few Christians are sufficiently instructed, or inflamed in the estimation of the worth of the works of mercy, or the necessity of them to the glorifying of God, and the profession of Religion. Matth. 23.23.
4 Diverse of the better sort are to be rebuked about this point: many Christians spend a great deale of zeale about ⟨p. 198⟩lesser matters, and in the meane time neglect the greater things of the Law, such as are judgement and mercie; for few Christians are sufficiently instructed, or inflamed in the estimation of the worth of the workes of mercie, or the necessitie of them to the glorifying of God, and the profession of Religion. Matth. 23.23.
