A17412:799
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.
3 The entertainment God gives his people in his house, is one special cause of increase of this life in us, as it increaseth both knowledge, and joy, and all goodness, and satisfies the heart of man; especially amongst all the things that are without us, the Word of God, as it is powerfully preached in Gods house, is the food of this life; called the savour of life unto life, 2. Cor. 2.16. Christs words are the words of eternal life, Joh. 6. see Psal. 36.8. Joh 12.50. Prov. 4.22.
3 The entertainment God gives his people in his house, is one speciall cause of encrease of this life in us, as it encreaseth both knowledge, and joy, and all goodnesse, and satisfies the heart of man; especially amongst all the things that are without us, the Word of God, as it is powerfully preached in Gods house, is the food of this life; called the savour of life unto life, 2. Cor. 2.16. Christs words are the words of eternall life, Ioh. 6. see Psal. 36.8. Ioh 12.50. Prov. 4.22.
4 Fellowship with the godly, is singular to quicken and excite the life of grace, and joy, and knowledge in us: therefore it is an amiable thing for brethren to dwell together in unity, because there God hath commanded the blessing, even life for evermore, Psal. 133. ult. Prov. 2.20. The mouth of the righteous is a vein of life Pro. 10.11. Yea, the very reproofs of instruction are the way of life, Pro. 6.23. And therefore weak Christians should be instructed from hence, with faith to rest upon the God of their lives, who by the spirit of Christ can enable them to eternal life; & with thankfulness to embrace all signs of Gods favour and presence; and above all things in life, to provide for themselves powerful means in public, and good society in private; and not to be turned off from either of these, by slight either objections or difficulties; and to resolve to labour more for these, than carnal persons would do, to have their natural lives, if they were in distress or danger. It is also excellent counsel which Saint Jude gives in this point concerning eternal life: he would have us look to four things: The first is, to edify our selves in our most holy faith, striving to get in more store of Gods promises, and divine knowledges, and to strive to establish our hearts in our assurance of our right to them. ⟨p. 149⟩The second is, to pray in the holy Ghost; for he knew that powerful prayer doth greatly further eternal life in us. The third is, to keep our selves in the love of God, avoiding all things might displease him; choosing rather to live under the hatred of all the world, than to anger God by working iniquity. The fourth is, to look as often and as earnestly as we can, after that highest degree of mercy and glory we shall have in the coming of Christ, Jud. 1.19, 20.
4 Fellowship with the godly, is singular to quicken and excite the life of grace, and joy, and knowledge in us: therefore it is an amiable thing for brethren to dwell together in unity, because there God hath commanded the blessing, even life for evermore, Psal. 133. ult. Prov. 2.20. The mouth of the righteous is a veine of life Pro. 10.11. Yea, the very reproofes of instruction are the way of life, Pro. 6.23. And therefore weake Christians should be instructed from hence, with faith to rest upon the God of their lives, who by the spirit of Christ can inable them to eternall life; & with thankfulnesse to embrace all signes of Gods favour and presence; and above all things in life, to provide for themselves powerfull meanes in publike, and good society in private; and not to be turned off from either of these, by slight either objections or difficulties; and to resolve to labour more for these, than carnall persons would doe, to have their naturall lives, if they were in distresse or danger. It is also excellent counsell which Saint Iude gives in this point concerning eternall life: hee would have us looke to foure things: The first is, to edifie our selves in our most holy faith, striving to get in more store of Gods promises, and divine knowledges, and to strive to establish our hearts in our assurance of our right to them. ⟨p. 149⟩The second is, to pray in the holy Ghost; for hee knew that powerfull prayer doth greatly further eternall life in us. The third is, to keepe our selves in the love of God, avoiding all things might displease him; chusing rather to live under the hatred of all the world, than to anger God by working iniquity. The fourth is, to looke as often and as earnestly as we can, after that highest degree of mercy and glory wee shall have in the comming of Christ, Iud. 1.19, 20.
I will conclude this point with that one counsel of Solomon; Keep thy heart with all diligence, for there out come the issues of life. Christians that would prosper in spiritual life, should be very careful of the first beginnings of sin in their thoughts and desires, and be very diligent in nourishing all good motions of the holy Ghost, preserving their peace and joy, in believing with all good consciences, Pro. 4.23. Thus of the fourth point.
I will conclude this point with that one counsell of Salomon; Keepe thy heart with all diligence, for there out come the issues of life. Christians that would prosper in spirituall life, should be very carefull of the first beginnings of sin in their thoughts and desires, and bee very diligent in nourishing all good motions of the holy Ghost, preserving their peace and joy, in beleeving with all good consciences, Pro. 4.23. Thus of the fourth point.
5 Now for the differences of life in these degrees, especially the first and last degree, they are very great: for though eternal life in the first degree, be a treasure of singular value, yet the glory of this life doth greatly excel, as it is to be held in another world.
5 Now for the differences of life in these degrees, especially the first and last degree, they are very great: for though eternall life in the first degree, bee a treasure of singular value, yet the glory of this life doth greatly excell, as it is to be held in another world.
I intend not to compare life in heaven with natural life here (for that is not worthy to be mentioned in the balance with that eternal life of glory) but with eternal life it self, as it is held by the godly only in this world. And so the difference is very great.
I entend not to compare life in heaven with naturall life here (for that is not worthy to be mentioned in the balance with that eternall life of glory) but with eternall life it selfe, as it is held by the godly onely in this world. And so the difference is very great.
1 In respect of the place where the godly lives in each degree.1
2 In respect of the means of preservation of life in each degree.
2 In respect of the meanes of preservation of life in each degree.
3 In respect of the company wth whom we live in each degree.
3 In respect of the cōpany wth whō we live in each degree.
4 In respect of the quality of life itself.
4 In respect of the quality of life itselfe.
5 In respect of the effects of life eternal in each degree.
5 In respect of the effects of life eternall in each degree.
For the first, there is great difference between the life of grace,1 and the life of glory, in the very place of living: Here we live in an earthly Tabernacle, in houses of clay; there we shall live in eternal Mansions, buildings that God hath made without hands, 2. Cor. 5.1. Here we live on earth; there in ⟨p. 150⟩heaven. Here we are strangers and pilgrims, far from home, Heb. 11. there we shall live in our Fathers house. Here we are in Egypt; there we shall live in Canaan. Here we live where death, sorrow, and sin, and Devils dwell; there we shall live in a place, where God, and immortality, and all holiness dwells, 2. Pet. 3.13. Here we are but banished men, there we stall live in the celestial Paradise; Here we have no abiding City, but there we shall abide in the new Jerusalem that is above: The glory of the whole earth can but shadow out by similitude, the very walls and gates of that City, Rev. 21. Here we can but enter into the holy place, there we shall enter into the most holy place, Heb. 10.19. To conclude, there we shall enter into the heaven of heavens, which for lightness, largeness, pureness, delightfulness, and all praises, almost infinitely excels the heavens we enjoy in this visible world.
For the first, there is great difference betweene the life of grace,1 and the life of glory, in the very place of living: Here we live in an earthly Tabernacle, in houses of clay; there wee shall live in eternall Mansions, buildings that God hath made without hands, 2. Cor. 5.1. Here we live on earth; there in ⟨p. 150⟩
1For the second; in this life, unto the preservation of life, we have need of many things: as first, we need meat, drink, raiment, sleep, marriage, physic, the light of the Sun by day, and the Moon by night: Yea, the life of Grace, though it consist not in these things, yet in a remote consideration, hath need of these, that we may be the better able to serve. God in body and soul. But in heaven we shall need none of these, we shall be as the Angels of heaven, and God himself shall there be all in all, and shall fill us with his goodness, 1. Cor. 15.28. Our life shall subsist in God himself, who shall satisfy us out of the plenty of his own glory. In that City there will be no need of the Sun to shine by day, or of the Moon to give light by night, for the glory of the Lord doth lighten it, and the Lamb shall be the light thereof, and there shall be no night there, Rev. 21.23. & 22.5. Isaiah 2.60.19. Secondly, in this world we need the help of superiors, as Kings, Rulers, Parents, Husbands, Teachers, &c. But in that world inferiority and subjection shall cease, when we shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of God, Mat. 8.11. and so all the first things shall then be done away, Rev. 21.4. Thirdly, in this world we need spiritual means for our souls, and the help of divers ⟨p. 151⟩gifts in the Spirit, which serve for our furtherance in the way to eternal life; Our souls cannot live without a Temple on earth, without the Word, and Prayer, and Sacraments; but in that new Jerusalem, S. John saw no Temple in it, there is no preaching nor praying; there we shall not need any, nor have cause to mourn for the want of it, as many times we do now: for the Lord God almighty, and the Lamb, are the Temple thereof; from God we shall have an infinite supply, in stead of all these things, Rev. 21.22. Here we treat with God by means at a great distance, there we shall enjoy him immediately: yea, those gifts of the Spirit, that suppose imperfection in us, or misery in others, shall there be done away. The gifts that suppose imperfection in us, are faith, and hope, and repentance; we shall not need promises to imply either faith or hope, because all shall then be performed, and we shall have actual possession,
Nor shall we need sorrow for our sins, because all our iniquities shall then be done away. The gifts that suppose misery or sin in others, are such as these; holy fear, anger, jealousy, care, hatred, grief, pity, or such like; now all these shall then be put off for ever, because in that kingdom shall be nothing that is either unclean, or wretched, or in danger to fall away. Yet notwithstanding this hinders not, but that God may delight the souls of his people, by ways unknown to us, after a most glorious manner; which seems to be shadowed out, by eating of the tree of life, which bears so often fruit, and by drinking of the water of life, which runs like a river, pure as crystal, and proceeds from the Throne of God, Revel. 21.6. & 22.1.
Nor shall wee neede sorrow for our sinnes, because all our iniquities shall then be done away. The gifts that suppose misery or sinne in others, are such as these; holy feare, anger, jealousie, care, hatred, griefe, pitty, or such like; now all these shall then be put off for ever, because in that kingdome shall bee nothing that is either uncleane, or wretched, or in danger to fall away. Yet notwithstanding this hinders not, but that God may delight the soules of his people, by waies unknowne to us, after a most glorious manner; which seemes to bee shadowed out, by eating of the tree of life, which beares so often fruit, and by drinking of the water of life, which runnes like a river, pure as crystall, and proceedes from the Throne of God, Revel. 21.6. & 22.1.
For the third,1 there is great difference between the company with whom we live here, and those with whom we shall live there; and that in seven things. As first, in the sorts of peoples: Here our life is made grievous by the evil ones, that either molest us with their oppositions, or grieve us with their wickedness, or infect us with their evil examples: but there shall be no wicked ones, no Devils to tempt us, no devilish men to slander us, or persecute us, no abominable persons, either to grieve or pollute us: All these enemies shall ⟨p. 152⟩be cast into the Lake of fire, Revel. 21.8. & 20.4. & 22.14. we shall never be troubled with them more; and the people there are all righteous, Isaiah 60.23. Secondly, in the dignity of the friends we shall find in heaven. They are usually but mean persons we must sort withal here, but there they are such as exceed all the glory of this world; our friends and companions shall be glorious Angels, and blessed Patriarchs, and Kings, and Prophets, and Apostles, and the Martyrs of Jesus; and in general, all wear Crowns of glory. Thirdly, in respect of the number of our friends: Here we have scarce one friend we have reason much to admire, or can safely rely upon, there we shall have an innumerable company of Angels, of the spirits of just men, a huge congregation of the first borne, even the general assembly of all Gods elect, Heb. 12. 22, 23. Fourthly, in respect of disposition, both theirs and our own: Here our life with our friends is made often grievous, by reason of envy, suspicion, offence, passion, pride, forgetfulness, and private discords; or our own indisposition at sometimes to take delight in the presence of our friends: but in heaven, the spirits of just men are made perfect, Heb. 12.23. and charity will be inflamed on all hands, to perform exactly all those properties mentioned, 1. Cor. 13
but in heaven, there is all sufficiency of power, to solace and content one another to all eternity. Lastly, in their relation to us: On earth we lose daily such as are near and dear to us; in heaven we shall have them all, and it is very probable, we shall know them all, and one by one. Adam in his innocency knew his Wife, and could call her by her name, without any body to tell him. And Peter and John in the Transfiguration on the Mount, knew Moses and Elijah, and yet had never seen them. ⟨p. 153⟩how much more in heaven shall our knowledge be perfected, to know and to be known particularly, and as it were by name?
but in heaven, there is all sufficiency of power, to solace and content one another to all eternity. Lastly, in their relation to us: On earth wee lose daily such as are neare and deare to us; in heaven we shall have them all, and it is very probable, wee shall know them all, and one by one. Adam in his innocency knew his Wife, and could call her by her name, without any body to tell him. And Peter and Iohn in the Transfiguration on the Mount, knew Moses and Elias, and yet had never seene them. ⟨p. 153⟩how much more in heaven shall our knowledge be perfected, to know and to bee knowne particularly, and as it were by name?
For the fourth;1 Our knowledge (which is our life) differs greatly now from that it shall be, both in respect of the ground of it, and in respect of the manner of it and in respect of the measure of it. The ground of it is our union with God, by which we partake of his light, Psal. 36.8. Now in heaven we shall be made one with God, after an unspeakable manner, in such a nearness as we cannot conceive of now. This is that which our Saviour prays so earnestly for, Joh. 17. 20.21. Secondly, in respect of the manner of it; Now God treats with us by means, as by the Word and Sacraments, &c. but then without means, immediately: Now we see by the help of a glass, or as an old man doth by Spectacles; but then we shall see God by direct vision. Moses, that saw as much of God as a mortal man then could, saw but his back parts; he saw God, as we see a man going from us, but then we shall see him face to face, as he is coming to us; yea, as he is possessed by us. We shall not need help to show God to us, as we do now, for God himself shall be our everlasting light, as was showed before.
For the fourth;1 Our knowledge (which is our life) differs greatly now from that it shall bee, both in respect of the ground of it, and in respect of the manner of it and in respect of the measure of it. The ground of it is our union with God, by which we partake of his light, Psal. 36.8. Now in heaven we shall be made one with God, after an unspeakable manner, in such a nearenesse as wee cannot conceive of now. This is that which our Saviour praies so earnestly for, Ioh. 17. 20.21. Secondly, in respect of the manner of it; Now God treates with us by meanes, as by the Word and Sacraments, &c. but then without meanes, immediately: Now wee see by the helpe of a glasse, or as an old man doth by Spectacles; but then wee shall see God by direct vision. Moses, that saw as much of God as a mortal man then could, saw but his backe parts; hee saw God, as wee see a man going from us, but then wee shall see him face to face, as hee is comming to us; yea, as hee is possessed by us. Wee shall not need helpe to shew God to us, as we doe now, for God himselfe shall be our everlasting light, as was shewed before.
1For the second; in this life, unto the preservation of life, we have neede of many things: as first, we neede meate, drinke, rayment, sleepe, marriage, physicke, the light of the Sunne by day, and the Moone by night: Yea, the life of Grace, though it consist not in these things, yet in a remote consideration, hath neede of these, that wee may bee the better able to serve. God in body and soule. But in heaven wee shall neede none of these, wee shall bee as the Angells of heaven, and God himselfe shall there be all in all, and shall fill us with his goodnesse, 1. Cor. 15.28. Our life shall subsist in God himselfe, who shall satisfie us out of the plenty of his owne glory. In that City there will be no need of the Sunne to shine by day, or of the Moone to give light by night, for the glory of the Lord doth lighten it, and the Lambe shall bee the light thereof, and there shall bee no night there, Rev. 21.23. & 22.5. Esay 2.60.19. Secondly, in this world wee neede the helpe of superiours, as Kings, Rulers, Parents, Husbands, Teachers, &c. But in that world inferiority and subjection shall cease, when wee shall sit downe with Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob in the Kingdome of God, Mat. 8.11. and so all the first things shall then be done away, Rev. 21.4. Thirdly, in this world wee need spirituall meanes for our soules, and the helpe of divers ⟨p. 151⟩gifts in the Spirit, which serve for our furtherance in the way to eternal life; Our soules cannot live without a Temple on earth, without the Word, and Prayer, and Sacraments; but in that new Ierusalem, S. Iohn saw no Temple in it, there is no preaching nor praying; there wee shall not neede any, nor have cause to mourne for the want of it, as many times we doe now: for the Lord God almighty, and the Lambe, are the Temple thereof; from God wee shall have an infinite supply, in stead of all these things, Rev. 21.22. Here wee treat with God by meanes at a great distance, there wee shall enjoy him immediately: yea, those gifts of the Spirit, that suppose imperfection in us, or misery in others, shall there be done away. The gifts that suppose imperfection in us, are faith, and hope, and repentance; wee shall not need promises to imply either faith or hope, because all shall then bee performed, and wee shall have actuall possession, 1. Cor. 13. ult.
For the third,1 there is great difference betweene the company with whom wee live here, and those with whom wee shall live there; and that in seven things. As first, in the sorts of peoples: Here our life is made grievous by the evill ones, that either molest us with their oppositions, or grieve us with their wickednesse, or infect us with their evill examples: but there shall bee no wicked ones, no Divels to tempt us, no divellish men to slander us, or persecute us, no abominable persons, either to grieve or pollute us: All these enemies shall ⟨p. 152⟩be cast into the Lake of fire, Revel. 21.8. & 20.4. & 22.14. wee shall never be troubled with them more; and the people there are all righteous, Esay 60.23. Secondly, in the dignity of the friends wee shall finde in heaven. They are usually but meane persons wee must sort withall here, but there they are such as exceed all the glory of this world; our friends and companions shall be glorious Angells, and blessed Patriarches, and Kings, and Prophets, and Apostles, and the Martyres of Iesus; and in generall, all weare Crownes of glory. Thirdly, in respect of the number of our friends: Here we have scarce one friend we have reason much to admire, or can safely relye upon, there we shall have an innumerable company of Angels, of the spirits of just men, a huge congregation of the first borne, even the generall assembly of all Gods elect, Heb. 12. 22, 23. Fourthly, in respect of disposition, both theirs and our owne: Here our life with our friends is made often grievous, by reason of envie, suspicion, offence, passion, pride, forgetfulnesse, and private discords; or our owne indisposition at sometimes to take delight in the presence of our friends: but in heaven, the spirits of just men are made perfect, Heb. 12.23. and charity will be inflamed on all hands, to perform exactly all those properties mentioned, 1. Cor. 13. Fiftly, in respect of constancy: Our friends here are not onely mortall, and must leave us, but mutable, and may forsake us; but there all the company is immortall, and being perfectly sanctified, are as God himselfe, immutable; and so their love is not only perfect, but everlasting: Charity there will abide for ever, 1. Cor. 13. ult. Sixtly, in power to content us, and satisfie us. Alas, here on earth, many things befall us, wherin our friends, though they would, yet they cannot helpe us:
