A17412:789
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.
4 It must be such a knowledge of God, as conceives of him in Jesus Christ (that is) that sees the way how Gods infinite justice, provoked by many sins, is pacified by the atonement made by Jesus Christ, as the Mediator between God and man, Joh. 17.3. else the knowledge of God, in respect of the contemplation of his justice, will be so far from inliving our hearts, that it would kill them if they had life. and this rule excludes all such from eternal life, as live in despair of Gods mercy, as Cain and Judas. These knowledges are such, as without which life cannot be had, but yet in themselves do not quicken the Soul, and inspire it with life.
4 It must be such a knowledge of God, as conceives of him in Iesus Christ (that is) that sees the way how Gods infinite justice, provoked by many sinnes, is pacified by the attonement made by Iesus Christ, as the Mediatour betweene God and man, Ioh. 17.3. else the knowledge of God, in respect of the contemplation of his justice, will be so far from inliving our hearts, that it would kill them if they had life. and this rule excludes all such from eternall life, as live in despaire of Gods mercie, as Cain and Iudas. These knowledges are such, as without which life cannot bee had, but yet in themselves doe not quicken the Soule, and inspire it with life.
5 It must be such a knowledge, as doth nor only discern aright the doctrine of the Nature of God, and of the person and offices of Christ; but doth discern that God is ours (in particular) in Jesus Christ; and fully reconciled to us, and our portion for ever. To know God to be our God in Christ, is the very life of our souls: Now, because we discern this in God two ways, viz. by the light of faith, believing the promises ⟨p. 146⟩of the Word, though we see him not; and by the light of vision, when we shall see him in his goodness face to face: therefore is the former light called the light of faith, and belongs to this life; and the later light belongs to another world. Hence our justification which is by faith, is called, The justification of life,