A17384:2443
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.
Ans. The ecclesiastical government is superior to the secular government, and it is inferior to it: it is superior, in respect of the rule over themselves in the things of the Kingdom of heaven, by means appointed of Christ, viz. the Word and Sacraments, &c: but it is inferior, in respect of civill subjection in the obedience or submission that concerns body and goods. The Prince must be subject to the Church in matters of faith and godliness; and the Church, subject to the Prince in matters of this life, and civill subjection. How far Princes have power in cases ecclesiastical, will be showed afterwards.
Ans. The ecclesiasticall gouernment is superiour to the secular gouernment, and it is inferiour to it: it is superiour, in respect of the rule ouer themselues in the things of the Kingdome of heauen, by means appointed of Christ, viz. the Word and Sacraments, &c: but it is inferiour, in respect of ciuill subiection in the obedience or submission that concerns body and goods. The Prince must bee subiect to the Church in matters of faith and godlinesse; and the Church, subiect to the Prince in matters of this life, and ciuill subiection. How far Princes haue power in cases ecclesiasticall, will be shewed afterwards.
They object, that divers Councils do except the Clergy from the Bar and Tribunal of Princes; and divers Popes have discharged the Clergy of such subjection.
They obiect, that diuers Councels doo except the Clergy from the Barre and Tribunall of Princes; and diuers Popes haue discharged the Clergy of such subiection.
Ans. Councils & Popes cannot decree against the Word of God: besides, they judge and determine in their own case; for, what were the Popes or Councils, but Clergy-men? Moreover, the Popes assumed a power to themselves, which was never given them: for, they were so far off from having power to free their Clergy that they had no power to free themselves,