A17412:984
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.
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.
1 Ignorance of the Scripture:1 if they had more true knowledge they would not disagree: And this ignorance, (yea, sometimes palpable ignorance) may be found in some that think themselves to have more knowledge, and to be more spiritual than a multitude of those from whom they disagree, Mat. 22.1. Tim. 1.7, 6. 1. Cor. 14.37, 38.
1 Ignorance of the Scripture:1 if they had more true knowledge they would not disagree: And this ignorance, (yea, somtimes palpable ignorance) may bee found in some that thinke themselves to have more knowledge, and to be more spirituall than a multitude of those from whom they disagree, Mat. 22.1. Tim. 1.7, 6. 1. Cor. 14.37, 38.
2 Want of love to those sound truths that more concern sanctification, causeth God in his justice sometimes to give men up to delusions, and to believe lies, 2. Thes. 2.
2 Want of love to those sound truths that more concerne sanctification, causeth God in his justice sometimes to give men up to delusions, and to beleeve lies, 2. Thes. 2.
3 Vain glory: the very desire to be some-body, and to excel others, makes some Christians gladly to receive, or bring in different opinions, 1. Cor. 4.8. Phil. 2.3. Gal. 5.26.
3 Vaine glory: the very desire to be some-body, and to excell others, makes some Christians gladly to receive, or bring in different opinions, 1. Cor. 4.8. Phil. 2.3. Gal. 5.26.
4 Over much trust upon the judgments of some men they esteem, when they respect some Ministers so much as to be of their opinion, though their consciences be not informed of any sound reason from the word of God for it. This estimation of men above that is written, hath deceived many, 1. Cor. 3.21. & 4.6.
4 Over much trust upon the judgments of some men they esteeme, when they respect some Ministers so much as to be of their opinion, though their consciences be not enformed of any sound reason from the word of God for it. This estimation of men above that is written, hath deceived many, 1. Cor. 3.21. & 4.6.
5 Respect of earthly things. Some men teach and profess to hold opinions of dissenting, sometimes merely for ⟨p. 186⟩advantage to their estates, either to get maintenance or preferment in the world by it, Tit. 1.10.11. Rom. 16.19, 20.
5 Respect of earthly things. Some men teach and professe to hold opinions of dissenting, sometimes meerely for ⟨p. 186⟩advantage to their estates, either to get maintenance or preferment in the world by it, Tit. 1.10.11. Rom. 16.19, 20.
6 Prejudice is the root of dissenting many times: as the Gentiles would not abide yielding to ceremonies, out of very dislike of the Jews; and the Jews would not understand the needlessness of their ceremonies, out of very contempt of the Gentiles: and so the strength of faction on both sides kept them from agreeing.
6 Prejudice is the roote of dissenting many times: as the Gentiles would not abide yeelding to ceremonies, out of very dislike of the Iewes; and the Iewes would not understand the needlesnesse of their ceremonies, out of very contempt of the Gentiles: and so the strength of faction on both sides kept them from agreeing.
7 Heaping up of Teachers disorderly: when Christians are so diseased with humour, and so hard to be pleased with sound doctrine, that they hunt up and down to hear all sorts of men; it many times proves hurtful in this respect, that they get infection from the different humours of the many Teachers they hear. Disordered hearing in this respect, breeds as a surfeit of the inward regard of sound doctrine, so a great aptness to receive divers and strange doctrines, 2. Tim. 4.3, 4.
7 Heaping up of Teachers disorderly: when Christians are so diseased with humour, and so hard to bee pleased with sound doctrine, that they hunt up and downe to heare all sorts of men; it many times prooves hurtfull in this respect, that they get infection from the different humours of the many Teachers they heare. Disordered hearing in this respect, breeds as a surfet of the inward regard of sound doctrine, so a great aptnesse to receive divers and strange doctrines, 2. Tim. 4.3, 4.
8 The contempt of their godly Teachers, and want of sound affection to them: To them I say, that have a charge over their souls, whom they ought to obey. And this is the more vile, as some Christians order the matter, because of their hypocrisy, in magnifying the judgement or gifts of Teachers that are absent, and have not the charge of their souls, and abusing the due respect of their own Teachers: which is yet more vile, if this injury be done to such as were their fathers in Christ. Thus of the use for reproof.
8 The contempt of their godly Teachers, and want of sound affection to them: To them I say, that have a charge over their soules, whom they ought to obey. And this is the more vile, as some Christians order the matter, because of their hypocrisie, in magnifying the judgement or gifts of Teachers that are absent, and have not the charge of their soules, and abusing the due respect of their owne Teachers: which is yet more vile, if this injury be done to such as were their fathers in Christ. Thus of the use for reproofe.
By the limitation given before from other express Scriptures, we learn so to understand this doctrine of unity, as it excludes all unity of opinion or practise with such Churches, or particular persons, as hold doctrines against the foundation of Christian religion; so as we must never agree with them. As for instance; We may not, without the damnation of our souls, be of one mind with the Church of Rome: for there are many things which they believe and practise, which we must in no case join with them in; and it is impossible to reconcile us to them, unless they change their minds. I will instance in divers things, wherein we cannot, without losing Christ, be of one mind: as,
By the limitation given before from other expresse Scriptures, wee learne so to understand this doctrine of unity, as it excludes all unity of opinion or practise with such Churches, or particular persons, as hold doctrines against the foundation of Christian religion; so as wee must never agree with them. As for instance; Wee may not, without the damnation of our soules, be of one minde with the Church of Rome: for there are many things which they beleeve and practise, which we must in no case joyne with them in; and it is impossible to reconcile us to them, unless they change their minds. I will instance indivers things, wherein wee cannot, without losing Christ, be of one minde: as,
1 In opinion of merit of works: for thereby we make the Gospel or Doctrine of Gods grace of none effect,1 and the promise of God void; which is to deny the very grounds of Christian Religion. Gal. 5.3. Rom. 4.14. & 11.6.
1 In opinion of merite of workes: for thereby we make the Gospell or Doctrine of Gods grace of none effect,1 and the promise of God voide; which is to deny the very grounds of Christian Religion. Gal. 5.3. Rom. 4.14. & 11.6.
2 In the opinion of worshipping Saints and Angels: for the Apostle saith expressly, that they that do so, hold not the head, and so cannot be true members of Christ. Col. 2.18, 19.
2 In the opinion of worshipping Saints and Angels: for the Apostle saith expressely, that they that doe so, hold not the head, and so cannot be true members of Christ. Col. 2.18, 19.
3 In their Polatry, in making and worshipping of Images, and almost infinite superstitions, contrary to the second Commandment expressly; and so as we are commanded to get out of this spiritual Babel, in respect of her spiritual fornications.
3 In their Polatry, in making and worshipping of Images, and almost infinite superstitions, contrary to the second Commandement expressely; and so as wee are commanded to get out of this spirituall Babel, in respect of her spirituall fornications.
4 In their doctrine of Traditions: for they teach, that Traditions that are not agreeable to Scripture, yet are to be received, if they be delivered by the Church, in equal authority with the Scriptures. If we be of one mind with them herein, we cannot escape Gods eternal curse; as these Scriptures show. Gal 1.8. Rev. 22 18.
4 In their doctrine of Traditions: for they teach, that Traditions that are not agreeable to Scripture, yet are to be received, if they be delivered by the Church, in equall authoritie with the Scriptures. If wee be of one minde with them herein, we cannot escape Gods eternall curse; as these Scriptures shew. Gal 1.8. Rev. 22 18.
