A17412:714
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.
The use may be, first, to give us occasion to magnify the power and mercy of God. His mercy, that despiseth not his weak creatures, but bestoweth the grace of life upon them. His power, in that he keeps them in life, and preserveth his own work of grace unto the possession of eternal life. Secondly, it should stir up women so much the more to use all the Ordinances of God, and all helps, to make themselves strong in the power of the gifts of grace; especially, they should get a strong faith in God, that they may trust in the power of God, that giveth strength to the weak, Isaiah 40. 29, 31. 1. Pet. 3.5. It will be their greater glory, if they can overcome their natural weaknesses, especially, if they can excel men in the things of the kingdom of God, as many times it comes to pass. Thirdly, all Christians should have those women in great estimation, that have overcome their frailties, and do excel in knowledge, and piety, and mercy, and trust in God. Fourthly, all women should be therefore the more humble, and apt to fear and judge themselves, and more willing to be taught, or admonished, and more frequent in prayer to God, to help them and keep them; and in particular, they should be the more willing to be ruled by their husbands, as knowing it is a mercy of God, considering their weakness, to give them husbands to support them, and provide for them and finally, they should be the more faithful and diligent, to do all the good they can in domesticall affairs, seeing by nature, they are not fit to manage the greater and more public services of God.
The use may be, first, to give vs occasion to magnifie the power and mercy of God. His mercy, that dispiseth not his weake creatures, but bestoweth the grace of life upon them. His power, in that he keepes them in life, and preserveth his owne worke of grace vnto the possession of eternall life. Secondly, it should stirre up women so much the more to use all the Ordinances of God, and all helps, to make themselves strong in the power of the gifts of grace; especially, they should get a strong faith in God, that they may trust in the power of God, that giveth strength to the weake, Esay 40. 29, 31. 1. Pet. 3.5. It will bee their greater glory, if they can overcome their naturall weaknesses, especially, if they can excell men in the things of the kingdome of God, as many times it comes to passe. Thirdly, all Christians should have those women in great estimation, that have overcomne their frailties, and doe excell in knowledge, and piety, and mercy, and trust in God. Fourthly, all women should bee therefore the more humble, and apt to feare and judge themselves, and more willing to be taught, or admonished, and more frequent in praier to God, to helpe them and keepe them; and in particular, they should be the more willing to bee ruled by their husbands, as knowing it is a mercy of God, considering their weaknesse, to give them husbands to support them, and provide for them and finally, they should bee the more faithfull and diligent, to doe all the good they can in domesticall affaires, seeing by nature, they are not fit to manage the greater and more publike services of God.