A17412:1097
Sermons upon the ten first verses of the third chapter of the first Epistle…
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.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 faithfull and painfull minister of Gods word, Nicolas Byfield. Wherein method, sense, doctrine, and vse, is, with great varietie of matter, profitably handled; and sundry heads of divinitie 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.
Render not evil for evil.] Now follows the directions for our carriages to wicked, or unreasonable, and injurious men: and so if we would live in peace and out of trouble, we must take heed that we be not provoked by them to revenge or reviling. Where observe.
REnder not evill for evill.] Now followes the directions for our carriages to wicked, or unreasonable, and injurious men: and so if wee would live in peace and out of trouble, wee must take heede that wee be not provoked by them to revenge or reviling. Where observe.
1 That wicked men are naturally bent to do evil, and to be injurious, and to revile others, especially the godly, Psal. 36.3.4. Destruction and misery are in their ways, and the way of peace they have not known: and their throat is an open Sepulchre, their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness, Rom. 3.13, 14, 16, 17. The poison of Asps is under their lips. The use should be therefore to teach godly men to provide for it; wheresoever they live in this world, they must look for it, to be abused and reproached: they may think to live safely in a wilderness, as well as to live without receiving injury from carnal and profane men. God can restrain the very Lyons that they should not fall upon Daniel, and he can cast a fear upon the wicked, that they shall not attempt injury against the godly: but though God do thus at sometimes, yet he will not be bound always to do it. Secondly, this should teach such as desire to live in safety, to avoid all needless conversation with the wicked: for, though at the first thou mightest think they were of fair carriage, and would do no wrong, yet after a time they will show their nature; especially if they see they cannot draw thee to run with them into the same excess of sinning. And thirdly, as ⟨p. 201⟩any desire to have evidence to their own souls, that they are become new creatures, and have new natures, so they should show the proof of it hereby, viz. by avoiding all injurious courses, and reproachful and bitter words.