A17412:1119
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 should be, to stir up all true Christians to practise true virtue of blessing, and to carry themselves so, as all their words and actions may be blessed, and a blessing to them that converse with them; and may appear to be so, even to their enemies. It is a hard lesson, but yet if we seek constantly to God for this help, it may be attained in some acceptable manner.
The use should be, to stirre up all true Christians to practise true vertue of blessing, and to carry themselves so, as all their words and actions may be blessed, and a blessing to them that converse with them; and may appeare to bee so, even to their enemies. It is a hard lesson, but yet if wee seeke constantly to God for this helpe, it may bee attained in some acceptable manner.
Knowing that ye are thereunto called.] Many things may be here observed.
Knowing that ye are thereunto called.] Manie things may be here observed.
Doct. 1. That a Christian should be vehemently affected with the consideration of his calling: and that for diverse reasons.
1 Because of the cause of it;1 which was Gods purpose, election, and free grace in Jesus Christ: We were sinners, and we were not called for any works of ours, Rom. 8.28. & 9.11 2. Tim. 1.9. The wind bloweth where it listeth; we are taken, and others refused. And this is the more to be thought on, because this grace was given us in Jesus Christ before the world began, 2. Tim. 1 9. It could not be had but by a Mediator, and it was granted from all eternity.
1 Because of the cause of it;1 which was Gods purpose, election, and free grace in Iesus Christ: We were sinners, and we were not called for any workes of ours, Rom. 8.28. & 9.11 2. Tim. 1.9. The winde bloweth where it listeth; wee are taken, and others refused. And this is the more to be thought on, because this grace was given us in Iesus Christ before the world began, 2. Tim. 1 9. It could not be had but by a Mediator, and it was granted from all eternitie.
2 If we consider from what we were called: from gross darkness, 2. Pet. 1.9. from this present evil world, Gal. 1. from the lump of forlorn mankind, from innumerable sins ⟨p. 206⟩and curses, from the danger of eternal damnation of body and soul for ever.
2 If we consider from what we were called: from grosse darkenesse, 2. Pet. 1.9. from this present evill world, Gal. 1. from the lumpe of forlorne mankinde, from innumerable sins ⟨p. 206⟩and curses, from the danger of eternall damnation of body and soule for ever.
3 If we consider the wonder of the means of our calling; which is by the Gospel, which is the voice of Christ, raising us out of the graves of sin: even that voice that shall make mens dead bodies rise at the last day, doth now raise the dead souls of men in this world. One resurrection in this life, another at the day of judgement. Eph. 2.1. 2. Thes. 2.14.
3 If we consider the wonder of the meanes of our calling; which is by the Gospell, which is the voice of Christ, raising us out of the graves of sinne: even that voyce that shall make mens dead bodies rise at the last day, doth now raise the dead soules of men in this world. One resurrection in this life, another at the day of judgement. Eph. 2.1. 2. Thes. 2.14.
4 If we consider that it is a high calling, the most honourable and most holy of any calling in the world. No greater dignity than to be the called of Jesus Christ: greater in it self than to be an Apostle. Phil. 3.14.
4 If we consider that it is a high calling, the most honourable and most holy of any calling in the world. No greater dignitie than to be the called of Iesus Christ: greater in it selfe than to be an Apostle. Phil. 3.14.
5 If we consider to what we are called, viz. to be partners and companions with Jesus Christ. 1. Cor. 1.7. and to great and precious promises, Acts 2.3 9. and to obtain the glory of the Lord Jesus, and a kingdom with him for ever. Phil. 3.14. 1. Tim. 1.6. The called are vessels of Gods mercy, and upon them he will make known the riches of his glory, Rom. 9.24.
5 If we consider to what we are called, viz. to be partners and companions with Iesus Christ. 1. Cor. 1.7. and to great and precious promises, Acts 2.3 9. and to obtaine the glorie of the Lord Iesus, and a kingdome with him for ever. Phil. 3.14. 1. Tim. 1.6. The called are vessels of Gods mercie, and upon them hee will make knowne the riches of his glory, Rom. 9.24.
6 Because the gifts and calling of God is without repentance, Rom. 1 1.29. This, a link in that chain, can never be broken: this takes hold before the world, of election, and after the world, of glorification, Rom. 8.30.
6 Because the gifts and calling of God is without repentance, Rom. 1 1.29. This, a linke in that chaine, can never bee broken: this takes hold before the world, of election, and after the world, of glorification, Rom. 8.30.
7 Because the great, wise, noble, and mighty men of the world are not called, and God hath looked upon such poor and weak creatures. 1. Cor. 1.26.
7 Because the great, wise, noble, and mightie men of the world are not called, and God hath looked upon such poore and weake creatures. 1. Cor. 1.26.
The use should be, to teach us with all possible affections to magnify Gods grace in our calling, and to strive to walk worthy of our calling, Ephes. 4.1. and to pray hard unto God to fulfil the work of his grace in our calling, that we may live to his glory, and abound in all faith and well-doing, 2. Thess. 1.11, 12.
The use should be, to teach us with all possible affections to magnifie Gods grace in our calling, and to strive to walk worthie of our calling, Ephes. 4.1. and to pray hard unto God to fulfill the worke of his grace in our calling, that we may live to his glory, and abound in all faith and well-doing, 2. Thess. 1.11, 12.
The second use may be for great reproof of mens wickedness, in neglecting the voice of Christ in the Gospel, and in entertaining so many excuses, & delays, hardening themselves in their evil ways, and suffering the Devil to keep them without this high preferment. Matth. 22.
The second use may be for great reproofe of mens wickednesse, in neglecting the voyce of Christ in the Gospell, and in intertayning so many excuses, & delayes, hardning themselves in their evill wayes, and suffering the Divell to keepe them without this high preferment. Matth. 22.
Doct. 2. From the coherence it is plain, That all Gods servants are called to holiness of life, aswell as to happiness. ⟨p. 207⟩Their calling is a holy calling; & they are called to be Saints, Rom. 1.7. so also 2. Thes. 2.14, 13. 1. Pet. 1.15.1. Thes. 4.7. The use is, to discover false Christians from true; by their fruits you shall know them. Such as make not conscience of their ways, to serve God all the days of their lives in holiness and fear, are not right Christians. And therefore as men desire to have comfort in their calling, they must take heed that they abuse not their liberty to licentiousness, Gal. 5.13.
Doct. 2. From the coherence it is plaine, That all Gods servants are called to holinesse of life, aswell as to happinesse. ⟨p. 207⟩Their calling is a holy calling; & they are called to be Saints, Rom. 1.7. so also 2. Thes. 2.14, 13. 1. Pet. 1.15.1. Thes. 4.7. The use is, to discover false Christians from true; by their fruits you shall know them. Such as make not conscience of their waies, to serve God all the daies of their lives in holinesse and feare, are not right Christians. And therefore as men desire to have comfort in their calling, they must take heed that they abuse not their liberty to licentiousnesse, Gal. 5.13.
Doct. 3 The calling of a Christian is a hard calling to flesh and blood: he is called to hard work. As in the coherence here, to be so humble, and unmoveable, and holy disposed, as when he is grossly abused and wronged in words & deeds, yet not only to be patient, but to bless. So it is in other parts of their work; as when a man must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Christ: For a man to forsake every thing his heart naturally desireth, and to be daily crossed, is a hard task. The use should be, to raise up the hearts of Christians to a care to live above the course of this world, and to press forward towards the mark, not caring for the difficulty of the race, but looking to the price of his calling. Phil. 3.14.
Doct. 3 The calling of a Christian is a hard calling to flesh and bloud: he is called to hard worke. As in the coherence here, to be so humble, and unmoveable, and holy disposed, as when he is grossely abused and wronged in words & deeds, yet not onely to be patient, but to blesse. So it is in other parts of their worke; as when a man must deny himselfe, and take up his crosse daily and follow Christ: For a man to forsake every thing his heart naturally desireth, and to bee daily crossed, is a hard taske. The use should bee, to raise up the hearts of Christians to a care to live above the course of this world, and to presse forward towards the marke, not caring for the difficulty of the race, but looking to the price of his calling. Phil. 3.14.
Doct. 4. A true Christian may know his calling: Know it, I say, that is, he may be infallibly assured of it. And this is true in two respects: first, he may know that he is truly called, and converted, & elected of God: secondly, he may know his calling in respect of the warrant of all his particular actions: as here, he may know what is required of him in his carriage towards his enemies.
Doct. 4. A true Christian may know his calling: Know it, I say, that is, hee may be infallibly assured of it. And this is true in two respects: first, he may know that he is truely called, and converted, & elected of God: secondly, he may know his calling in respect of the warrant of all his particular actions: as here, he may know what is required of him in his carriage towards his enemies.
Now, that every true Christian may be sure of his calling & election, and may know his conversion, is most apparent by these Scriptures, 2. Cor 13.5. 1. Cor. 3.16. 2. Tim. 1.12. Heb. 8.11. 1. John 2.3. & 3.14. & 4.16. & 5.13.19.
Now, that everie true Christian may be sure of his calling & election, and may know his conversion, is most apparant by these Scriptures, 2. Cor 13.5. 1. Cor. 3.16. 2. Tim. 1.12. Heb. 8.11. 1. Iohn 2.3. & 3.14. & 4.16. & 5.13.19.
