A17384:2456
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.
First, that Magistrates are an ordinance of men; and so they are in divers respects; because magistracy is a thing proper to men. Secondly, in respect of the end, because it is ordained for the good of men. Thirdly, because the choice of the kind of Magistrates hath been for the most part left unto men: for God hath not tied all nations to a kind of government, but left them for the most part free: and therefore some governed by Kings, some by Emperors, some by Consuls, some by Dukes, some by Princes or Earls or the like. Fourthly, because in the new Testament Christ did not at all employ himself in settling any order for the corporal government of his Church in this world, it being specially his intent for the raising of his spiritual kingdom, and the ordering of the government that concerned the souls of men and their full subjection. Only we must take heed of one sin here, and that is, that we conceive not, the Magistrates are mans ordinance, as if man appointed or ordained or invented them, for that is contrary to express Scripture: that calls all those earthly powers Gods ordinance: they are by divine Institution, Rom. 13.1, 2, 3. Pro. 8.15. 2. Chro. 19.6. Dan. 4.14, 22.
First, that Magistrates are an ordinance of men; and so they are in diuers respects; because magistracy is a thing proper to men. Secondly, in respect of the end, because it is ordained for the good of men. Thirdly, because the choise of the kind of Magistrates hath beene for the most part left vnto men: for God hath not tyed all nations to a kind of gouernment, but left thē for the most part free: and therefore some gouerned by Kings, some by Emperours, some by Consuls, some by Dukes, som by Princes or Earles or the like. Fourthly, because in the newe Testament Christ did not at al imploy himselfe in settling any order for the corporall gouernment of his Church in this world, it being specially his intent for the raising of his spiritual kingdom, and the ordering of the gouernment that cō cerned the soules of men and their full subiection. Only wee must take heed of one sinne heere, and that is, that wee conceiue not, the Magistrates are mans ordinance, as if man appointed or ordained or inuented them, for that is contrary to express Scripture: that calles all those earthly powers Gods ordinance: they are by diuine Institution,