A17384:2412
A commentary
A commentary: or, sermons upon the second chapter of the first epistle of Saint Peter wherein method, sense, doctrine, and use, is, with great variety of matter, profitably handled; and sundry heads of divinity largely discussed. By Nicholas Byfield, late preacher of God's Word at Isle-worth in Middlesex.A commentary: or, sermons vpon the second chapter of the first epistle of Saint Peter vvherein method, sense, doctrine, and vse, is, with great variety of matter, profitably handled; and sundry heads of diuinity largely discussed. By Nicholas Byfield, late preacher of God's Word at Isle-worth in Middlesex.
London: printed by Humphrey Lownes for George Latham, 1623London: printed by Humfrey Lownes for George Latham, 1623
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
2 The Apostle would have Christians in a special manner careful that they offend not the laws ⟨p. 560⟩of the Princes of this world; this appears, in that he enjoins them the duties of Subjects first, and in that they do teach them the duty of submission, both in this and other Scriptures with great force and violence (as it were) of arguments: which shows, that they were wonderful desirous to charge and instruct the Christians so, that if it were possible, they might not offend that way, and the reasons are divers & many, why Christians should be above all men careful to keep the laws of Princes: first, because by breaking the laws of men, they sin against God. Secondly, because evil minded men have in all ages watched godly Christians, to see whether they could find any fault by them in the matters of the kingdom. Thirdly, because if earthly Princes be provoked, it may cause a general trouble of the Churches, the offenders many times suffer not alone, but many others upon displeasure raised by them. Fourthly, because if earthly Princes be good, the careful obedience of their Subjects may encourage them to be great helps to religion, even to be Nursing fathers and nursing mothers to the Churches, 1. Tim. 2.2. Fifthly, because perverseness and contempt, and careless neglect of the laws of Princes many times proves scandalous, and We must not offend them that are without, 1. Cor. 10. 2. Col. 4.5. Many that were somewhat inclined to embrace the sincerity of the Gospel, have been cast back, and profess, that therefore they abhor such people, because they observe their disobedience against humane government, either through indiscretion ⟨p. 561⟩or nice scruples, or perverse wilfulness.
2 The Apostle would haue Christians in a speciall manner careful that they offend not the lawes ⟨p. 560⟩of the Princes of this world; this appeares, in that hee enioynes them the duties of Subiects first, and in that they doe teach them the duty of submission, both in this and other Scriptures with great force and violence (as it were) of arguments: which shewes, that they were wonderfull desirous to charge and instruct the Christians so, that if it were possible, they might not offend that way, and the reasons are diuers & many, why Christians should bee aboue all men carefull to keepe the lawes of Princes: first, because by breaking the lawes of men, they sinne against God. Secondly, because euill minded men haue in all ages watched godly Christians, to see whether they could finde any fault by them in the matters of the kingdome. Thirdly, because if earthly Princes bee prouoked, it may cause a generall trouble of the Churches, the offendors many times suffer not alone, but many others vpon displeasure raised by them. Fourthly, because if earthly Princes be good, the carefull obedience of their Subiects may incourage them to bee great helps to religion, euen to bee Nursing fathers and nursing mothers to the Churches,