A17384:2417
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.
Secondly, in respect of our selves, and our own profit, we must study God's Laws, as well as the laws of men, yea, with our first and chief cares, and accordingly yield obedience; because though by keeping the laws of men, we may live quietly and safely, and with much reputation, yet all this will not protect us against the breach of GOD's Law: but the hand of God may pursue us while ⟨p. 563⟩we live, and we may be damned in hell when we die, for want of a religious life.
Secondly, in respect of our selues, and our owne profit, we must study God's Lawes, as well as the lawes of men, yea, with our first and chiefe cares, and accordingly yield obedience; because though by keeping the lawes of men, we may liue quietly and safely, and with much reputation, yet all this will not protect vs against the breach of GOD's Law: but the hand of God may pursue vs while ⟨p. 563⟩we liue, and we may be damned in hell when wee die, for want of a religious life.
Thirdly, in respect of the Magistrate: he shall have the better subjects by it: good Christians are the best Subjects: and the knowledge of Religion and God's Word, makes men obey, not for fear or custom, but for conscience sake, and for fear of God's displeasure. And besides, it makes men humble and charitable: humble, not to think themselves too good to obey; and charitable, in not suspecting the meaning of Princes further than they must needs. And it restrains the excessive proneness of mens natures, that are (without Religion) apt to speak evil of those that are in authority; and chiefly, because true Religion will make men pray heartily to God for their Governors: and GOD himself doth spare, or bless them the rather, for the prayers of the righteous.
Thirdly, in respect of the Magistrate: hee shall haue the better subiects by it: good Christians are the best Subiects: and the knowledge of Religion and God's Word, makes men obey, not for feare or custome, but for conscience sake, and for feare of God's displeasure. And besides, it makes men humble and charitable: humble, not to think themselues too good to obey; and charitable, in not suspecting the meaning of Princes further than they must needs. And it restraines the excessiue pronenesse of mens natures, that are (without Religion) apt to speak euil of those that are in authority; and chiefly, because true Religion will make men pray heartily to God for their Gouerners: and GOD himselfe doth spare, or blesse them the rather, for the praiers of the righteous.