A17384:2589
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.
Thirdly, it is to be noted, that the word is set down indefinitely: and so it shows, that this honour belongeth to all Kings in the substance of it, whether he be a King of one City, or many; whether he be a Jew or Gentile, a Christian or Pagan, Heretical or Orthodoxall, Caesar or Herod, young or old, virtuous or vicious.
Thirdly, it is to bee noted, that the word is set down indefinitely: and so it shewes, that this honour belongeth to all Kings in the substance of it, whether he be a King of one City, or many; whether he be a Iew or Gentile, a Christian or Pagan, Hereticall or Orthodoxall, Caesar or Herod, young or old, vertuous or vitious.
Use. Fourthly, the use should be therefore from hence, to enforce upon our hearts an increase of care and conscience, in acknowledging the honour and right of Kings, and in loyal and sincere observance and obedience to their Laws. It should not seem grievous to men to be held under the yoke of obedience, and to be subject to others that are but men as well as themselves.
Vse. Fourthly, the vse should be therefore from hence, to inforce vpon our hearts an increase of care and conscience, in acknowledging the honor and right of Kings, and in loyall and sincere obseruance and obedience to their Lawes. It should not seem grieuous to men to bee held vnder the yoke of obedience, and to be subiect to others that are but men as well as themselues.
There are many things may encourage the harts of Subjects, without grievance to bear the superiority of Princes, and not to be discontented: for, First, Kings have nothing but what they have received. Secondly, if Kings do wrong, they must give account to God for all the wrongs that they have done. Thirdly, God hath charged Princes to be careful of their Subjects: he hath given them laws, though they be Kings. Fourthly, Princes Subjects are first bound to God: and therefore they are not tied to Princes in any thing contrary to God's Word. Fifthly, though the outward man be subjected to the power of Princes, yet their consciences are free: in spirit they are subject only to the God of spirits.