A17412:825
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.
5 Thou must be tied to walk in a strict course of life all thy days, resolving to walk in the way of righteousness, and let the word of God be the rule of all thy actions, and by patient continuance in well-doing, to seek increase of happiness and holiness; for life is only in the way of righteousness, Prov. 12.28. Rom. 2.7, 8. Ezech. 33.15, 16.
5 Thou must be tied to walke in a strict course of life all thy daies, resolving to walke in the way of righteousnesse, and let the word of God be the rule of all thy actions, and by patient continuance in well-doing, to seeke encrease of happinesse and holinesse; for life is onely in the way of righteousnesse, Prov. 12.28. Rom. 2.7, 8. Ezech. 33.15, 16.
1Now, though this work be very hard, yet thou hast many helps, if thy heart be right and willing to obey: for,
1Now, though this worke be very hard, yet thou hast many helpes, if thy heart be right and willing to obey: for,
1 God will give thee his holy Spirit, to work all thy work for thee, and to cause thee to walk in his statutes, and ⟨p. 159⟩keep his judgements, and do them; and will mortify the deeds of the flesh, and teach thee in all truth, and comfort and support thee, and make thy works acceptable to God, as hath been showed before.
1 God will give thee his holy Spirit, to worke all thy worke for thee, and to cause thee to walke in his statutes, and ⟨p. 159⟩keepe his judgements, and doe them; and will mortifie the deeds of the flesh, and teach thee in all truth, and comfort and support thee, and make thy workes acceptable to God, as hath beene shewed before.
2 Thou hast the help of spiritual Armour, that is mighty through God, to cast down strong holds, 2. Cor. 10.3, 4. thou wilt find a strong supply from every ordinance of God; the Word, and Prayer, and Sacraments, all serve to help against the difficulty of this work, and so will the Society with the godly, as was showed before.
2 Thou hast the helpe of spirituall Armour, that is mighty through God, to cast downe strong holds, 2. Cor. 10.3, 4. thou wilt finde a strong supply from every ordinance of God; the Word, and Prayer, and Sacraments, all serve to helpe against the difficultie of this worke, and so will the Societie with the godly, as was shewed before.
3 Thou wilt have the benefit of Christs prayers and intercession for thee in heaven, Joh. 17.17.15. which is of unspeakable force and power to help thee.
3 Thou wilt have the benefite of Christs praiers and intercession for thee in heaven, Ioh. 17.17.15. which is of unspeakable force and power to helpe thee.
4 The greatness of the reward should pluck up thy heart against all the hardship of godliness; for,
4 The greatnesse of the reward should pluck up thy heart against all the hardship of godlinesse; for,
2 Thou shalt have fellowship with God himself; and he will show thee so much when thou seekest to him in his ordinances, 1. Joh. 1.7.
2 Thou shalt have fellowship with God himselfe; and he will shew thee so much when thou seekest to him in his ordinances, 1. Ioh. 1.7.
3 Thou hast most precious promises, recorded every where in the sacred Volume of Gods book, 2. Pet. 1.4.
3 Thou hast most precious promises, recorded every where in the sacred Volume of Gods booke, 2. Pet. 1.4.
4 Who would not be stirred up with the contemplation of that glorious inheritance is reserved for us in heaven? that incorruptible crown should make any body willing to abstain from all things, and to run with all violence in the race set before us, 1. Pet. 1.3. 1. Cor. 9.24, 25, 26, 27.
4 Who would not bee stirred up with the contemplation of that glorious inheritance is reserved for us in heaven? that incorruptible crown should make any body willing to abstain from all things, and to runne with all violence in the race set before us, 1. Pet. 1.3. 1. Cor. 9.24, 25, 26, 27.
Only let me conclude this point with an earnest exhortation to all Christians, that would have comfort of life, to apply themselves to get all possible knowledge they can in the Scriptures; for that knowledge is a tree of life, Prov. 3.18. & 16.22. and those sacred knowledges they must not let go, but take fast hold on them, Prov. 4.13. They must attend, incline their ears, and not let them depart from between their eyes, and be sure to keep them in the middest of their hearts, Prov. 4.22.21.20. Mark every one of those words to do it; and consider, that it is not the having of the Bibles, or Sermons, or the reading, or hearing, but the knowledge we get into our hearts: nor is it any knowledge, but wisdom, ⟨p. 160⟩or the wise knowledge of the Scriptures: and our knowledge is then wise, when it is an understanding of our own ways; and we are wise for our selves, when we study profitable things, and when we sow those seeds of truth in daily practise, and when we practise with discretion, looking to the circumstances of every duty, not to draw upon our selves encumbrances by our own rashness or indiscretion. And lastly, when with all knowledge we join lowliness of mind, and meekness; that meekness that is called meekness of wisdom, by Saint James.
Onely let mee conclude this point with an earnest exhortation to all Christians, that would have comfort of life, to apply themselves to get all possible knowledge they can in the Scriptures; for that knowledge is a tree of life, Prov. 3.18. & 16.22. and those sacred knowledges they must not let go, but take fast hold on them, Prov. 4.13. They must attend, incline their eares, and not let them depart from betweene their eyes, and be sure to keepe them in the middest of their hearts,
Thus of the means to attain life: The signs follow.
Thus of the meanes to attaine life: The signes follow.
There are divers ways to try our selves, whether eternal life be begun in us: as,
There are divers waies to try our selves, whether eternall life be begunne in us: as,
11 By the savouring of those things that are immortal. Our mortal life relisheth nothing but what is transitory: and eternal life finds happiness in nothing but what is eternal, or tends to it. Thus a man that is endued with this life, esteems with sense, grace above riches, spiritual treasures above all earthly. In particular, the desire after the Word of God, is a sign that we are at least new borne babes in Gods kingdom if so be we desire it with a kind of natural affection, as the child doth the breast; and constantly, and as the word is sincere; and with an unfeigned desire to grow in grace and goodness, by the power of the Word, Rom. 8.5. 1. Pet. 2. John 6.27.
11 By the savouring of those things that are immortall. Our mortall life relisheth nothing but what is transitory: and eternall life findes happinesse in nothing but what is eternall, or tends to it. Thus a man that is endued with this life, esteemes with sense, grace above riches, spirituall treasures above all earthly. In particular, the desire after the Word of God, is a signe that we are at least new borne babes in Gods kingdom if so be wee desire it with a kind of naturall affection, as the childe doth the breast; and constantly, and as the word is sincere; and with an unfained desire to grow in grace and goodnesse, by the power of the Word, Rom. 8.5. 1. Pet. 2. Iohn 6.27.
2 By our knowledge of God in Christ, as hath been showed before, when it is such a knowledge as works not only admiration, but also sound transformation of our hearts and lives.
2 By our knowledge of God in Christ, as hath beene shewed before, when it is such a knowledge as workes not onely admiration, but also sound transformation of our hearts and lives.
3 There is a kind of sorrow, that the Apostle saith is to salvation, 2. Cor. 10.7. and that is, such a sorrow as is voluntary and secret; for our sins, and for all sorts of sins, Rom. 7. Esa. 6.5. Esa. 1.16. and as they are sins, and not for other respects; and such a sorrow as quieteth the heart, and leaveth a vehement desire of reformation, and is most stirred by the sense of Gods goodness, Hos. 3.5. Esa. 1.16. and is found in prosperity as well as adversity.
3 There is a kinde of sorrow, that the Apostle saith is to salvation, 2. Cor. 10.7. and that is, such a sorrow as is voluntary and secret; for our sinnes, and for all sorts of sinnes, Rom. 7. Esa. 6.5. Esa. 1.16. and as they are sinnes, and not for other respects; and such a sorrow as quieteth the heart, and leaveth a vehement desire of reformation, and is most stirred by the sense of Gods goodnesse, Hos. 3.5. Esa. 1.16. and is found in prosperity as well as adversitie.
