A17412:1166
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.
2 In the means of grace and salvation: and so they enjoy the blessing of God in his house-keeping; and great is th••• blessing, where with God blesseth his people in his house, on his holy hill, and round about. The Lord hath long since ⟨p. 216⟩promised to make all the places about his holy hill, blessings. Yea, there Gods people do receive showers of blessing: every powerful Sermon is as a shower of blessing; every doctrine being as a blessed drop of instruction or comfort, Ezech. 34.26. Exod. 20.24. Psal. 132.15.
2 In the meanes of grace and salvation: and so they enjoy the blessing of God in his house-keeping; and great is th••• blessing, where with God blesseth his people in his house, on his holy hill, and round about. The Lord hath long since ⟨p. 216⟩promised to make all the places about his holy hill, blessings. Yea, there Gods people doe receive showers of blessing: every powerfull Sermon is as a shower of blessing; every doctrine being as a blessed drop of instruction or comfort, Ezech. 34.26. Exod. 20.24. Psal. 132.15.
3 In the gifts of grace: and so he hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly things, A poor Christian carrieth about with him in his heart, more treasure than all the Monarchs of the world (being not true Christians) can any way possess or command, Eph. 1.3.
3 In the gifts of grace: and so he hath blessed us with all spirituall blessings in heavenly things, A poore Christian carrieth about with him in his heart, more treasure than all the Monarchs of the world (being not true Christians) can any way possesse or command, Eph. 1.3.
Thus of Gods blessing in this life. After this life, who can recount the glory of their inheritance, in the blessing they shall have then from God? Oh that our hearts could be enlarged to think of the power of these words of Christ at the last day, Come ye blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you before the foundation of the world!
Thus of Gods blessing in this life. After this life, who can recount the glory of their inheritance, in the blessing they shall have then from God? Oh that our hearts could be enlarged to thinke of the power of these words of Christ at the last day, Come yee blessed of my father, inherite the kingdome prepared for you before the foundation of the world!
The use should be, for great comfort to all true Christians. They have great cause to rejoice in their fathers blessing all their days: and the rather, if they consider that Gods blessing, as a Father, is better than the blessing of any earthly father: For an earthly fathers blessing is most an end but verbal, in words; Gods blessing is real, in deeds. A father on earth cannot derive blessing to his child from himself, but from God; whereas Gods blessing is from himself. Besides, if an earthly father would bless his child, yet he wants power to give him what he desires; but God our Father is almighty, able to give as much as he wisheth, Gen. 28.3. Finally, an earthly fathers blessing may be lost, as Chams was; but Gods blessing cannot be lost; he will bless with everlasting mercy.
The use should be, for great comfort to all true Christians. They have great cause to rejoyce in their fathers blessing all their daies: and the rather, if they consider that Gods blessing, as a Father, is better than the blessing of any earthly father: For an earthly fathers blessing is most an end but verball, in words; Gods blessing is reall, in deeds. A father on earth cannot derive blessing to his childe from himselfe, but from God; whereas Gods blessing is from himselfe. Besides, if an earthly father would blesse his childe, yet hee wants power to give him what he desires; but God our Father is almighty, able to give as much as he wisheth, Gen. 28.3. Finally, an earthly fathers blessing may bee lost, as Chams was; but Gods blessing cannot be lost; hee will blesse with everlasting mercy.
Secondly, such as yet enjoy not the privilege of Gods called ones, should be greatly stirred up with desire to get this blessing, even to have Gods blessing. Let no man be profane like Esa•, to contemn Gods blessing, but seek it while it may be had, Heb. 12.17.
Secondly, such as yet enjoy not the priviledge of Gods called ones, should be greatly stirred up with desire to get this blessing, even to have Gods blessing. Let no man bee prophane like Esa•, to contemne Gods blessing, but seeke it while it may be had, Heb. 12.17.
Que. But what should we do, to get Gods blessing?
Que. But what should we doe, to get Gods blessing?
1Ans. First, you must diligently resort to Gods house; for there God hath commanded the blessing, Psal. 133.3. and ⟨p. 217⟩be careful and attentive hearers of Gods Word: for the ground that drinketh in the rain, receiveth a blessing from God, Heb. 6.7. the rain of instruction must soak into your hearts.
1Ans. First, you must diligently resort to Gods house; for there God hath commanded the blessing, Psal. 133.3. and ⟨p. 217⟩bee carefull and attentive hearers of Gods Word: for the ground that drinketh in the raine, receiveth a blessing from God, Heb. 6.7. the raine of instruction must soake into your hearts.
2 You must turn you every one from all your transgressions if you will have Gods blessing in his Son Jesus, Act. 3.26. without sound repentance Gods blessing will not be had. Men must not think to get Gods blessing, and do after the things they do now a days every one that, is right in his own eyes Deut. 12.7, 8.
2 You must turne you every one from all your transgressions if you will have Gods blessing in his Son Iesus, Act. 3.26. without sound repentance Gods blessing will not be had. Men must not thinke to get Gods blessing, and doe after the things they doe now a daies every one that, is right in his owne eyes Deut. 12.7, 8.
Finally, we must be all such as fear God truly, Psal. 115.13. and such as will not lift up their souls to follow vanity, but get clean hands and a pure heart; for such only shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of their salvation, Psal. 24.4.5. and to this end we must carefully hearken to Gods voice, and observe to do all that he commandeth us, Deut. 15.4.5.6.
Finally, wee must be all such as feare God truly, Psal. 115.13. and such as will not lift up their soules to follow vanity, but get cleane hands and a pure heart; for such onely shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousnesse from the God of their salvation, Psal. 24.4.5. and to this end we must carefully hearken to Gods voice, and observe to doe all that he commandeth us, Deut. 15.4.5.6.
Lastly, Gods own children, that have felt the comfort of Gods blessing, must be admonished to carry themselves so, as they may grow in the comforts of it more and more: And to this end,
Lastly, Gods owne children, that have felt the comfort of Gods blessing, must be admonished to carry themselves so, as they may grow in the comforts of it more and more: And to this end,
1 They must daily ask God blessing,1 and by their daily prayers let the Lord know, that they make more account of his blessing, than any children of earthly parents can do of their fathers blessings.
1 They must daily aske God blessing,1 and by their daily prayers let the Lord know, that they make more account of his blessing, than any children of earthly parents can doe of their fathers blessings.
2 Since they have such showers of blessing in Gods house daily, they especially should be like good ground, so to drink in the spiritual rain, that the fruits of it may appear in their lives, in all piety, and mercy, and righteousness, Heb. 6.7.
2 Since they have such showers of blessing in Gods house daily, they especially should be like good ground, so to drinke in the spirituall raine, that the fruits of it may appeare in their lives, in all pietie, and mercy, and righteousnesse, Heb. 6.7.
3 Since they know the worth of Gods blessing, they should learn of Abraham to command their servants, and their children, and their households to fear God and to live righteously, that so they may be a means to help them also to this great happiness of inheriting Gods blessing, Gen. 18.18.19.
3 Since they know the worth of Gods blessing, they should learne of Abraham to command their servants, and their children, and their housholds to feare God and to live righteously, that so they may bee a meanes to helpe them also to this great happinesse of inheriting Gods blessing, Gen. 18.18.19.
4 If they be put to it, to deny themselves in things most dear to them, for the glory of God, they shall approve themselves, as Abraham did in offering up Isaac, to be such indeed ⟨p. 218⟩as do fear God, and esteem his favour above all things, Gen. 22.17, 18.
4 If they bee put to it, to deny themselves in things most deare to them, for the glory of God, they shall approove themselves, as Abraham did in offering up Isaac, to be such indeed ⟨p. 218⟩as doe feare God, and esteeme his favour above all things, Gen. 22.17, 18.
Thus of the first reason, taken from the condition of Gods servants, as they are heirs of blessing. In these words is contained the second reason, taken from Prophetical testimony: David long since taught the same doctrine Saint Peter now doth, and gave the same advice in effect: for he had showed, That if a man would live a quiet and contented life, free from troubles and mischief, he must then take heed of all reviling and evil speaking, and avoid all things might offend, either the godly or the wicked: All things, I say, that are evil; and must labour after all courses of peace, and mercy, and well-doing: and then God would be a protector of such godly and careful men, and he would recompense upon the wicked, all the wrongs they do to his servants. This is the sum of the meaning of these words.
THus of the first reason, taken from the condition of Gods servants, as they are heires of blessing. In these words is contained the second reason, taken from Propheticall testimonie: David long since taught the same doctrine Saint Peter now doth, and gave the same advice in effect: for hee had shewed, That if a man would live a quiet and contented life, free from troubles and mischiefe, hee must then take heed of all reviling and evill speaking, and avoid all things might offend, either the godly or the wicked: All things, I say, that are evill; and must labour after all courses of peace, and mercy, and well-doing: and then God would bee a protectour of such godly and carefull men, and hee would recompence upon the wicked, all the wrongs they do to his servants. This is the summe of the meaning of these words.
