A17412:971
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.
12 We must take heed of private interpretations: Men should with much fear and jealousy, hear or read of such opinions or interpretations of Scripture, as have no authors but some one or few men. Of such authors of doctrines. we should say with the Apostle, What, came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? 2. Cor. 14.36. Especially, men must take heed of receiving opinions from mere private persons, that are not Ministers of Gospel: for I suppose it ⟨p. 183⟩cannot be showed from any place of Scripture, that ever any truth was revealed to or by a private man, that was unknown to all the Teachers of the Church: yea, if the authors of diverse and strange doctrines be Ministers, yet that rule of the Apostle should hold, that the spirits of the Prophets should be subject to the Prophets. Such doctrines as may not be approved by the grave and godly learned that are eminent in the Church, must not be broached. 1. Cor. 14.32. And this rule hath one thing more in it, viz. that men should not express difference of opinion, without open and manifest Scripture: Avoid doubtful disputations, Rom. 14.1. Esa. 8.
12 We must take heed of private interpretations: Men should with much feare and jelousie, heare or reade of such opinions or interpretations of Stripture, as have no authors but some one or few men. Of such authors of doctrines. wee should say with the Apostle, What, came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? 2. Cor. 14.36. Especially, men must take heed of receiving opinions from meere private persons, that are not Ministers of Gospell: for I suppose it ⟨p. 183⟩cannot be shewed from any place of Scripture, that ever anie truth was revealed to or by a private man, that was unknowne to all the Teachers of the Church: yea, if the authors of diverse and strange doctrines be Ministers, yet that rule of the Apostle should hold, that the spirits of the Prophets should be subject to the Prophets. Such doctrines as may not be approved by the grave and godly learned that are eminent in the Church, must not be broached. 1. Cor. 14.32. And this rule hath one thing more in it, viz. that men should not expresse difference of opinion, without open and manifest Scripture: Avoide doubtfull disputations, Rom. 14.1. Esa. 8.
3 A great respect must be had to the Churches peace; so as such doctrines as are likely to breed either scandal or division in the Church, are either not to be received, or not uttered, except in some special case. Yea, moderate Christians that make conscience of unity, should hold themselves in conscience bound to be afraid to depart from the judgment of the Church in which they live, unless it be when doctrine is brought in with great demonstration to the Conscience: To preserve the unity of the spirit, we must have great respect to the bond of peace, Rom. 14.19. 1. Cor. 14.33. Eph. 4.3. We must greatly reverence the form of doctrine in the Church where we live, Rom. 6.17.
3 A great respect must be had to the Churches peace; so as such doctrines as are likely to breed eyther scandall or division in the Church, are eyther not to be received, or not uttered, except in some speciall case. Yea, moderate Christians that make conscience of unity, should hold themselves in conscience bound to be affraid to depart from the judgment of the Church in which they live, unlesse it bee when doctrine is brought in with great demonstration to the Conscience: To preserve the unity of the spirit, we must haue great respect to the bond of peace, Rom. 14.19. 1. Cor. 14.33. Eph. 4.3. We must greatly reverence the forme of doctrine in the Church where wee live, Rom. 6.17.
4 That we may be of one mind, every Christian must be sure to know the truth which is given to the Churches, and to make himself fully persuaded in his mind, about such truths as are fundamentally necessary to salvation, 2. Tim. 1.13.
4 That wee may be of one minde, every Christian must be sure to know the truth which is given to the Churches, and to make himselfe fully perswaded in his mind, about such truths as are fundamentally necessarie to salvation, 2. Tim. 1.13.
5 Private Christians in receiving opinions, should have great respect unto such Teachers as have been their fathers in Christ; God hath bound them to a special reverence towards them: which they should show by reverencing their judgements more than any other men, in meet comparison, 1. Cor. 4.15.16. & 11.1.2.4.5. Phil. 3.15.17.
5 Private Christians in receiving opinions, should have great respect unto such Teachers as have beene their fathers in Christ; God hath bound them to a speciall reverence towards them: which they should shew by reverencing their judgements more than any other men, in meet comparison, 1. Cor. 4.15.16. & 11.1.2.4.5. Phil. 3.15.17.
6 To preserve a further unity, it should be the care of such as have gifts of knowledge and utterance, to help forwards such as are weak in judgement, & to comfort the feeble minded, left they being neglected, become a prey to deceivers of minds, 1. Thes. 5.14. and to warn such as are not of the ⟨p. 184⟩same mind, Philip. chap. 4.
6 To preserve a further unity, it should be the care of such as have gifts of knowledge and utterance, to helpe forwards such as are weake in judgement, & to comfort the feeble minded, left they being neglected, become a prey to deceivers of mindes, 1. Thes. 5.14. and to warne such as are not of the ⟨p. 184⟩same minde, Philip. chap. 4.
Lastly, we should mark such as cause divisions and offences, contrary to the Doctrine which we have learned, and avoid them, Rom. 16.17, 18.
Lastly, wee should marke such as cause divisions and offences, contrary to the Doctrine which wee have learned, and avoide them, Rom. 16.17, 18.
The second use may be for the reproof of multitudes of Christians in all places, that offend greatly against this Doctrine, by their dissenting in opinions, without due respect of the former rules. There is almost no Congregation in the kingdom, but is disquieted with this sin: yea, many times the glory of such as profess religion, is greatly obscured by this sin, and the sincerity of religion much exposed to contempt, and the profane reproach of the wicked. And this sin is the greater,
The second use may be for the reproofe of multitudes of Christians in all places, that offend greatly against this Doctrine, by their dissenting in opinions, without due respect of the former rules. There is almost no Congregation in the kingdome, but is disquieted with this sinne: yea, many times the glory of such as professe religion, is greatly obscured by this sinne, and the sincerity of religion much exposed to contempt, and the prophane reproach of the wicked. And this sinne is the greater,
11 When men not only bring in new opinions, but also bring them in with an opinion that they are more holy, and more spiritual than such as receive them not, or resist them, 1. Cor. 14.37.
11 When men not onely bring in new opinions, but also bring them in with an opinion that they are more holy, and more spirituall than such as receive them not, or resist them, 1. Cor. 14.37.
2 When the opinions are merely new, and unheard of before in the Christian world.
2 When the opinions are meerely new, and unheard of before in the Christian world.
3 When they are brought in by private persons, that go from house to house, to infer upon others the singularity of their conceits.
3 When they are brought in by private persons, that goe from house to house, to inferre upon others the singularity of their conceits.
4 When themselves are doubtful inwardly of the truth of what they affirm, and are not fully persuaded, but doubt both ways, and yet take to that side that differs from the general judgement of the Churches, Rom. 14.5. 1. Tim. 1.6.7.
4 When themselves are doubtfull inwardly of the truth of what they affirme, and are not fully perswaded, but doubt both waies, and yet take to that side that differs from the generall judgement of the Churches, Rom. 14.5. 1. Tim. 1.6.7.
5 When men urge their dissenting so violently, that a Schism is made in the Church, or Christians are divided from the exercise of brotherly love, and mutual fellowship, 1. Cor. 1.10.11.
5 When men urge their dissenting so violently, that a Schisme is made in the Church, or Christians are divided from the exercise of brotherly love, and mutuall fellowship, 1. Cor. 1.10.11.
6 When men are vain talkers, & will have all the words, and by their good wills will talk of nothing else, and so hinder edification in profitable doctrine, and such as is out of question, Tit. 1.10, 11. and when men lust to be contentious, and are like Salamanders that live always in the fire, and know no zeal without contention, 1. Cor. 11.16.
6 When men are vaine talkers, & will have all the words, and by their good wills will talke of nothing else, and so hinder edification in profitable doctrine, and such as is out of question, Tit. 1.10, 11. and when men lust to be contentious, and are like Salamanders that live alwaies in the fire, and know no zeale without contention, 1. Cor. 11.16.
7 When men differ in judgment, in the very points of ⟨p. 185⟩foundation; and err against such truths as must be believed to salvation.
7 When men differ in judgment, in the very points of ⟨p. 185⟩foundation; and erre against such truths as must be beleeved to salvation.
8 If men be so light headed, and variable, that they are tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine; sometimes of one opinion, and shortly after of another: especially when men are so new fangled, as in every place to receive almost any doctrine that is new and diverse, Eph. 4.14.
8 If men be so light headed, and variable, that they are tossed to and fro, and carried about with every winde of doctrine; sometimes of one opinion, and shortly after of another: especially when men are so new fangled, as in every place to receive almost any doctrine that is new and diverse, Eph. 4.14.
9 When men quarrel so earnestly about things of less moment, contrary to the custom of the Churches; as about praying, or prophesying bare or covered; or about eating the Sacrament full or fasting, 1. Cor. 11. or about such indifferent things as may be used or not used, with Christian liberty, Rom. 14. or about Genealogies, 1. Tim. 1.4. and such like. And that this reproof may enter the more deeply upon the hearts of some Christians, it will be profitable to consider of the ill causes of dissenting: which are these, and such like.
9 When men quarrell so earnestly about things of lesse moment, contrary to the custome of the Churches; as about praying, or prophecying bare or covered; or about eating the Sacrament full or fasting, 1. Cor. 11. or about such indifferent things as may be used or not used, with Christian liberty, Rom. 14. or about Genealogies, 1. Tim. 1.4. and such like. And that this reproofe may enter the more deepely upon the hearts of some Christians, it will be profitable to consider of the ill causes of dissenting: which are these, and such like.
