Nicholas Byfield

, Son of Rich. Byfield, (who became Minister of Stratford upon Av [•] n, in Jan. 1596.) was born (f)(f) Reg. Ma [•] tic. Univers Ox [•] n. P. pag. [〈◊〉] in Warwickshire, became a Batler [〈◊〉] a Servitour of Exeter coll. in Lent-Term, an. 1596. aged 17. at least, continued under a severe discipline more than 4 years, but never took a degree. Afterwards entring into the Sacred Function, he left the University, and had intentions to go into Ireland to obtain preferment in the Church, but at Chester, in his way thither, he was, upon the delivery of a noted Sermon at that place, invited to be Pastor of St. Peters Church there: Which invitation being esteemed by him as a great providence, he willingly accepted. So that continuing there several years a constant Preacher, was much followed and admired by the precise party, who esteemed his preaching profitable, and his life pious. He was a strict observer of the Lords day at that place, and preached and wrote for the sincere observance of it, which caused some Pens to be active against him, particularly that of Edw. Breerwood, who being a native of that City, was sometimes his auditor. At length being called thence, he had the Benefice of Istleworth in Middlesex confer’d on him, where he remained to his dying day. He was a person, in the opinion of the Zealots, of profound judgment, strong memory, sharp wit, quick invention, and of unwcaried industry. Also that in his Ministry he was powerful, and that unto all turns and upon all occasions, not only at Chester, but at Istleworth, where his preaching and expounding were very frequent, &c. The books that he hath written are these.

An Essay concerning the assurance of God’s love and of mans Salvation. Lond. 1614. oct.

Exposition on the Epist. to the Colossians, &c. Lond. 1615. and 28. &c. in fol. ’Tis the substance of near 7 years week days Sermons at Chester.

Directions for the private reading of the Scriptures, &c. Lond. 1618. &c. oct.

Treatise shewing how a godly Christian may support his heart with comfort against all the distresses, which by reason of any affliction or temptation can befal him in this life. Lond. in oct. This was published afterwards again, in the Marrow of the Oracles of God.

Beginning of the Doctrine of Christ, or a Catalogue of Sins. Lond. 1619. 20. in tw. Sometimes bound in two vol.

The Marrow of the Oracles of God. Lond. 1620. &c. and 1660. in tw. Which edit. of 1660. containeth these six treatises following, viz. (1) [〈◊〉] principles or the pattern of [〈◊〉] words, &c. Printed the first time at Lond. 1618. oct. (2) The spiritual touch stone: or, the signs of a godly man, &c. Lond. 1620. and 3 [•] . in tw. (3) The [〈◊〉] of a wicked man. Lond. 1620. in tw. (4) The promises: or, a treatise shewing how a godly Christian may support his [〈◊〉] with comfort, &c. See before. (5) The [〈…〉] holy life towards God, m [•] n, and our selves. Lond. 1619. 20. in tw. (6) The cure of the fear of death, &c. Lond. 1618. oct.

Commentary o [•] Sermons on the 2 chap. of the 1 Epist. of S. Peter. Lond. 1623. qu.

The principal grounds of Christian Religion,—Several times printed.

Sermons on the first ten verses of the third chap. of the 1 Epist. of S. Peter. Lond. 1626. qu. Which Sermons with the Commentary [〈◊〉] Sermons before-mentioned, came out afterwards with additions, [〈◊〉] A commentary upon the three first chapters of the [〈…〉] &c. in fol. In 1637. (if not before) came out a Com. upon the whole first Epistle, in fol. under the name of Nic. Byfield.

Answer to Mr. Breerwoods treatise of the Sabbath. Oxon. 1630. 31. Written by him while he was at Chester.

Exposition on the Apostles Creed. Lond. 1626. qu.

Light of Faith and way of Holiness. Lond. 1630. oct.

Signs of Gods love to us. Ibid. 1631. oct.

The practice of Christianity: or, an Epitome of Mr. Rich. Rogers’s seven treatises.—The said Treatises were published by Mr. Rogers 1610. and were epitomized by this Nicholas, (as it seems,) and not by Richard, Byfield, as some think.

Several Sermons. As (1) On Psal. 72. 18, 19. (2) On Joh. 5. 28, 29. &c. ’Tis commonly reported that this person died at Istleworth before-mentioned, in sixteen hundred twenty at two:1622 Which, if true, his writings and works shew him (being not then above 44 years of age) to have been a person of great parts, industry and readiness. He left behind him a Son named Adoniram Byfield, a most [•] ealous and forward Brother for the Cause, of whom I shall make mention in R. Byfield in the 2 vol. of this work.