A17412:702
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.
Now for the word Weaker: It signifies the frailties and defects in the Sex of women; in respect of which, they are inferior to men: not so much their sinful defects, as their natural defects; defects of negation rather than defects of privation.
Now for the word Weaker: It signifies the frailties and defects in the Sexe of women; in respect of which, they are inferiour to men: not so much their sinnefull defects, as their naturall defects; defects of negation rather than defects of privation.
So then the sense is, That inasmuch as women whom God hath given unto man, instruments of his blessing and their help, are by nature frail, and have many weaknesses and defects; men should be the more tender and careful in their carriage towards them: and so here are three points of doctrine may be observed.
So then the sense is, That in asmuch as women whom God hath given vnto man, instruments of his blessing and their helpe, are by nature fraile, and have many weaknesses and defects; men should be the more tender and carefull in their carriage towards them: and so here are three points of doctrine may be observed.
Doct. 1. In that men and women are called Vessels, in respect of the service God doth cause them to perform, we may learn, That in works of grace or matters of holiness, we are rather Patients than Agents. Not but that by Gods assistance, men and women do work that which is good; but because thereby God would have us to ascribe all to his grace: And therefore he compares us not to active instruments, as tools are in the hands of the workman; but to passive instruments, such as Dishes are, that bear and carry Treasure, or meat, or such like. Hence it is the Apostles call themselves earthen Vessels,