A17384:2543
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.
Quest. The last question is, Whether we must submit unto Magistrates, when they command unlawful things?
Quest. The last question is, Whether wee must submit vnto Magistrates, when they command vnlawfull things?
Ans. A great difference is to be put between things commanded by Magistrates, concerning the lawfulness of which was doubt, and such things ⟨p. 598⟩concerning which the Subject is assured, that they are unlawful. It is clear, that if I know the Magistrate commands a thing unlawful, I must not do it, because in that case I am bound to obey God, and not men: but, suspicion or doubting of the lawfulness of things, is no discharge for obedience. It is true, that in things indifferent, which I may do or not do, I must be fully persuaded; and whatsoever is not of faith, is sin: but I suppose, that the Inferior is not discharged from his obedience in any case, but when he knows the Magistrate commands a sin. Infinite confusion would follow in the family, and common-wealth, and Churches, if the conjectures and suspicions of the Inferiors might warrant their refusal of subjection.
Ans. A great difference is to bee put between things commanded by Magistrates, concerning the lawfulnes of which was doubt, and such things ⟨p. 598⟩concerning which the Subiect is assured, that they are vnlawfull. It is clear, that if I knowe the Magistrate commands a thing vnlawfull, I must not doo it, because in that case I am bound to obey God, and not men: but, suspicion or doubting of the lawfulnesse of things, is no discharge for obedience. It is true, that in things indifferent, which I may doo or not doo, I must be fully perswaded; and whatsoeuer is not of faith, is sinne: but I suppose, that the Inferiour is not discharged from his obedience in any case, but when hee knowes the Magistrate commands a sinne. Infinite confusion would follow in the family, and common-wealth, and Churches, if the coniectures and suspicions of the Inferiours might warrant their refusall of subiection.