A17412:865
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.
And on the other side,1 the Grace of God includes all things in life, as wholly caused by Gods free favour to us in Christ. For first, our election to life, is from the mere grace of God, Ephes. 1.46. Secondly, the meritorious cause of life is by grace, Gal. 4.4, 5. Thirdly, the promise of life is by grace, Rom. 4.14. Gal. 3.18. Fourthly, the inchoation of life is from grace, whether we respect Vocation, Gal. 1.15. or Justification, Tit. 3. 7. Gal. 2. ult. Lastly, in respect of the consummation of it in the perfection of glory in heaven. Rom. 6. ult.
And on the otherside,1 the Grace of God includes all things in life, as wholly caused by Gods free favour to us in Christ. For first, our election to life, is from the meere grace of God, Ephes. 1.46. Secondly, the meritorious cause of life is by grace, Gal. 4.4, 5. Thirdly, the promise of life is by grace, Rom. 4.14. Gal. 3.18. Fourthly, the inchoation of life is from grace, whether we respect Vocation, Gal. 1.15. or Iustification, Tit. 3. 7. Gal. 2. ult. Lastly, in respect of the consummation of it in the perfection of glorie in heaven. Rom. 6. ult.
Thus of Grace in relation to Life. In it self, Grace is a most amiable attribute in God, extending his goodness unto the creature, without respect of deserts. And that we may the ⟨p. 166⟩more admire the glorious grace of God, it will be profitable to give a touch of the fruits of it unto man, upon whom he sets his favour: for look what men have interest in the grace of God, these things flow upon them from the beams of that grace.
Thus of Grace in relation to Life. In it selfe, Grace is a most amiable attribute in God, extending his goodnesse unto the creature, without respect of deserts. And that we may the ⟨p. 166⟩more admire the glorious grace of God, it will be profitable to give a touch of the fruits of it unto man, upon whom hee sets his favour: for looke what men have interest in the grace of God, these things flow upon them from the beames of that grace.
11 God knows them by name. Exod. 33.12.
11 God knowes them by name. Exod. 33.12.
2 When God is angry with all the world, and about to declare his wrath by terrible judgements, yet still they find favour in his sight. Gen. 6.8. & 19.19.
2 When God is angry with all the world, and about to declare his wrath by terrible judgements, yet still they finde favour in his sight. Gen. 6.8. & 19.19.
3 When they offend, and are sorry for their offences, and seek for mercy; he pardons iniquity, and takes them for his inheritance, and repents him of the evil. Exod. 34.9. Joel 2. 12, 13.
3 When they offend, and are sorie for their offences, and seeke for mercie; he pardons iniquitie, and takes them for his inheritance, and repents him of the evill. Exod. 34.9. Ioel 2. 12, 13.
4 He will withhold no good thing from them. Psal. 84.12. & bestows of his best gifts upon them liberally, in all sorts of gifts. 1. Cor. 1.4, 5.
Lastly, we see by this Text, he gives them the inheritance of eternal life, and all things that belong to life and godliness. 2. Pet. 1.4.
Lastly, we see by this Text, he gives them the inheritance of eternall life, and all things that belong to life and godlinesse. 2. Pet. 1.4.
The use should be to teach us many things: as,
1 To celebrate the praise of this graciousness of God: seeing God doth all things so freely, he stands upon it greatly to have this glory in his Nature acknowledged. Psal. 111.1. & 149.3, 4. Ephes. 1.6.
1 To celebrate the praise of this graciousnesse of God: seeing God doth all things so freely, he stands upon it greatly to have this glory in his Nature acknowledged. Psal. 111.1. & 149.3, 4. Ephes. 1.6.
2 To acknowledge that all good things we enjoy, either in temporal or spiritual things, we receive it from his free grace. Psal. 44.4. Ephes. 2.8. for, by the grace of God we are that we are. 1. Cor. 15.10.
2 To acknowledge that all good things we enjoy, eyther in temporall or spirituall things, wee receive it from his free grace. Psal. 44.4. Ephes. 2.8. for, by the grace of God wee are that we are. 1. Cor. 15.10.
3 When we would wish the best good to others, either in public to the Churches of Christ, or in private at home, or abroad to any that are dear to us, our cry should be Grace, Grace to them. Zach. 4 7.
3 When we would wish the best good to others, eyther in publicke to the Churches of Christ, or in private at home, or abroad to any that are deare to us, our cry should be Grace, Grace to them. Zach. 4 7.
4 We should especially be moved to seek this grace of God to our selves, as the sufficient and the only happiness in the world. Col. 1.6. Now that this point may the more effectually be understood, I will show you how this grace of God ⟨p. 167⟩comes to men; and then what we should strive to be, that we may be sure to receive the comfort of it, that God is gracious to us. For the first, we must know, that all grace from God is given to Jesus Christ, and comes by him, John 1.17. and therefore called the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the blessing at the end of the Epistles. Without Christ, no grace can come to sinful men. Further we must again know, that the grace of God is extended unto us from Christ, by the Gospel, that brings the doctrine of it to us: therefore is the word called the word of his grace, and the Gospel the Gospel of the grace of God. And yet further we must know, that there must be wrought in us that supernatural gift of faith, by which only we can be capable to receive this grace of God: we have our access only by faith, Rom. 5.2. Now for the second point, there are many things God stands upon to find in the persons, that should receive the comfort of his grace; not for the merit of them, but for the honour of his own grace, that it be not abused: As first, we see by that which went before, we must have faith to believe and apply to our selves the doctrine of Gods grace. Secondly, we must be good men: not such as are men of wicked devises, or such as make a mock of sin; but such as are careful in all their ways to avoid what may displease so gracious a God, Prov. 12.2. & 14.9. Tit. 2.11, 12. Thirdly, we must be lowly and humble persons, that attribute nothing to our selves, but all to Gods goodness, Prov. 3.34. Jam. 4.6
5 This doctrine of Gods grace may wonderfully comfort the godly, and establish their hearts in the assured expectation of Heaven when they die: for nothing can hinder their comfort and hope herein, but only their unworthiness; and that is removed by this doctrine of Gods grace: Thus the Apostle saith, We have good hope through grace, 2. Thes. 2. 16. and again, We have access unto this grace, by which we stand & rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, Rom. 5.2.
5 This doctrine of Gods grace may wonderfully comfort the godly, and establish their hearts in the assured expectation of Heaven when they die: for nothing can hinder their comfort and hope herein, but onely their unworthinesse; and that is removed by this doctrine of Gods grace: Thus the Apostle saith, Wee have good hope through grace, 2. Thes. 2. 16. and againe, Wee have acccesse unto this grace, by which we stand & rejoyce in the hope of the glory of God, Rom. 5.2.
6 It may wonderfully embolden us, in our suites and requests to go to Gods Throne, seeing it is a Throne of grace, where petitions are granted freely, and great suits as easily as lesser, Heb. 4.16.
6 It may wonderfully embolden us, in our suites and requests to goe to Gods Throne, seeing it is a Throne of grace, where petitions are granted freely, and great suits as easily as lesser, Heb. 4.16.
7 Men should be warned to take heed that they do not transgress against this doctrine of the grace of God. And men sin against the grace of God fearfully, four ways. First,1 when they frustrate it in the doctrine of it: which they do, partly when they receive the doctrine of it in vain, and fail of the right knowledge of it, 2. Cor. 6.1. Hebr. 12. 15. partly when they trust upon the merits of their own works, Gal. 2. ult. Secondly, when they fall away from grace, either by relapsing to the world, by entertaining the corruptions they had forsaken, or by removing the sincere doctrine of Gods grace, Gal. 5.4. Thirdly, when men turn the grace of God into wantonness, and draw wicked and licentious conclusions from the pure doctrine of Gods grace, making it a cloak for their sinful liberties, Jud. 1.4. Rom. 6.1. Fourthly, when men despite the Spirit of grace, that shows it self, either in the power of Gods ordinances, or in the practise of true Christians, Heb. 10.29.
7 Men should be warned to take heed that they doe not transgresse against this doctrine of the grace of God. And men sinne against the grace of God fearefully, foure waies. First,1 when they frustrate it in the doctrine of it: which they doe, partly when they receive the doctrine of it in vaine, and faile of the right knowledge of it, 2. Cor. 6.1. Hebr. 12. 15. partly when they trust upon the merits of their owne workes, Gal. 2. ult. Secondly, when they fall away from grace, either by relapsing to the world, by entertaining the corruptions they had forsaken, or by removing the sincere doctrine of Gods grace,
4 We should especially be moved to seeke this grace of God to our selves, as the sufficient and the onely happinesse in the world. Col. 1.6. Now that this point may the more effectually be understood, I will shew you how this grace of God ⟨p. 167⟩comes to men; and then what we should strive to be, that we may be sure to receive the comfort of it, that God is gracious to us. For the first, we must know, that all grace from God is given to Iesus Christ, and comes by him, Iohn 1.17. and therefore called the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ, in the blessing at the end of the Epistles. Without Christ, no grace can come to sinfull men. Further we must againe know, that the grace of God is extended unto us from Christ, by the Gospel, that brings the doctrine of it to us: therefore is the word called the word of his grace, and the Gospel the Gospel of the grace of God. And yet further wee must know, that there must bee wrought in us that supernaturall gift of faith, by which onely we can be capable to receive this grace of God: we have our accesse onely by faith, Rom. 5.2. Now for the second point, there are many things God stands upon to finde in the persons, that should receive the comfort of his grace; not for the merit of them, but for the honour of his owne grace, that it be not abused: As first, wee see by that which went before, wee must have faith to believe and apply to our selves the doctrine of Gods grace. Secondly, wee must bee good men: not such as are men of wicked devises, or such as make a mocke of sinne; but such as are carefull in all their waies to avoid what may displease so gracious a God, Prov. 12.2. & 14.9. Tit. 2.11, 12. Thirdly, wee must be lowly and humble persons, that attribute nothing to our selves, but all to Gods goodnesse, Prov. 3.34. Iam. 4.6. 1. Pet. 5. And therefore it concernes all Christians to take heed, that they rest not in the hearing of the doctrine of Gods grace, but must labour truly and effectually to know Gods grace to themselves, Col. 1.6.
