A17384:2595
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.
This supremacy of Kings gives them authority in all causes both ecclesiastical and civill, and over all persons, Churchm-en, as well as Lay-men, as hath been proved at large before in the former parts of this verse.
This supremacy of Kings giues them authority in all causes both ecclesiasticall and ciuill, and ouer all persons, Churchm-en, as well as Lay-men, as hath beene proued at large before in the former parts of this verse.
The use is therefore to confute the damnable pleadings of the Popes of Rome, & their adherents, that claim to have the right of supremacy above the Kings and Princes of the world. There are divers manifest arguments to overthrow the supremacy of the Pope.
The vse is therefore to confute the damnable pleadings of the Popes of Rome, & their adherents, that claime to haue the right of supremacy aboue the Kings and Princes of the world. There are diuers manifest arguments to ouerthrowe the supremacy of the Pope.
First, this express text, that acknowledgeth the King to be superior, this was the Doctrine in the Apostles times.
First, this expresse text, that acknowledgeth the King to bee superior, this was the Doctrine in the Apostles times.
Secondly, it is more to be noted, that Peter himself, who by the opinion of the Papists had the height of place in the church, that even Peter (I say) is so far from claiming this to himself, that he directs christians to acknowledge supremacy only as the right of Kings, yea and flatly forbids dominion in the Clergy, 1. Pet. 5.5.
Secondly, it is more to be noted, that Peter himselfe, who by the opinion of the Papists had the height of place in the church, that euen Peter (I say) is so far from clayming this to himselfe, that hee directs christians to acknowledge supremacy only as the right of Kings, yea and flatly forbids dominion in the Clergy, 1. Pet. 5.5.
Thirdly, our Saviour Christ at large beats down this primacy, or supremacy in his Apostles and all churchmen, showing that they had not authority, ⟨p. 613⟩as the Kings of the earth had. It must not be so with them, and much less had they authority over the Kings of the earth, Matthew 20.25. Luke 22, 25.
Thirdly, our Sauiour Christ at large beates downe this primacy, or supremacy in his Apostles and all churchmen, shewing that they had not authority, ⟨p. 613⟩as the Kings of the earth had. It must not bee so with them, and much lesse had they authority ouer the Kings of the earth, Mathew 20.25. Luke 22, 25.
Fourthly, every soul must be subject to the higher powers. If every soul, then Churchmen, if they have souls, must be subject, and therefore may not rule, Rom. 13.1.
Fourthly, euery soule must bee subiect to the higher powers. If euery soule, then Churchmen, if they haue soules, must bee subiect, and therefore may not rule, Rom. 13.1.
Fifthly, Christ and the Apostles never claimed any such supremacy, but showed the contrary by their Doctrine and practice.
Fiftly, Christ and the Apostles neuer claymed any such supremacy, but shewed the contrary by their Doctrine and practice.
Sixthly, it is made the express mark of that Man of sin, that he lifts up himself above all that is called God, that is above Magistrates, 2. Thes. 2.
Sixtly, it is made the expresse mark of that Man of sinne, that he lifts vp himselfe aboue all that is called God, that is aboue Magistrates, 2. Thes. 2.
This hath been the constant Doctrine of the ancient Fathers.
This hath beene the constant Doctrine of the ancient Fathers.
Origen Homil. 7. in Isaiah saith, He that is called to a Bishopric, is not called to principality, but to the service of the Church.
Origen Homil. 7. in Isaiah saith, Hee that is called to a Bishoprick, is not called to principality, but to the seruice of the Church.
Tertullian lib. ad Scapul. saith, We reverence the Emperor, as a man second to God, and the only one that is less then God; and also, Tertullian de Ido. Capite 18.
Tertullian lib. ad Scapul. saith, We reuerence the Emperor, as a man second to God, and the onely one that is lesse then God; and also, Tertullian de Ido. Capite 18.
Nazianzen orat. ad subdit. et Imperat. All men must be subject to higher powers.
Nazianzen orat. ad subdit. et Imperat. All men must bee subiect to higher powers.
The express testimonies of Chrysostom, and Bernard, upon Rom. 13. have been quoted before, read Bernard. de consid. lib. 2. Capite 4. Hilar. ad Anx. Chrysost. homil. 42. in Joan Ambrose in 2. Tim. 2.4.
The expresse testimonies of Chrysostome, and Bernard, vpon Rom. 13. haue beene quoted before, read Bernard. de consid. lib. 2. Capite 4. Hilar. ad Anx. Chrysost. homil. 42. in Ioan Ambrose in 2. Tim. 2.4.
Secondly, this should confirm every good subject, to acknowledge and maintain the Kings ⟨p. 612⟩[…] ⟨p. 613⟩[…] ⟨p. 614⟩supremacy, and willingly to bind himself thereunto by oath: For the oath of supremacy is the bond of this subjection, and this oath men must take without equivocation, mental evasion, or secret reservation, yea it should bind in them the same resolution was in Saint Barnard:1 who saith thus: If all the world would conspire against me, to make me complot any thing against the Kings Majesty: yet I would fear God, and not dare to offend the King ordained of God.
Secondly, this should confirme euery good subiect, to acknowledge and maintaine the Kings ⟨p. 612⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 613⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 614⟩supremacy, and willingly to bind himselfe therevnto by oath: For the oath of supremacy is the bond of this subiection, and this oath men must take without equiuocation, mentall euasion, or secret reseruation, yea it should bind in them the same resolution was in Saint Barnard:1 who saith thus: If all the world would conspire against mee, to make mee complot any thing against the Kings Maiesty: yet I would feare God, and not dare to offend the King ordained of God.
Or unto governors.]
Or vnto gouernours.]
By governors, he either means all other sorts of magistracy besides a Monarchy, or else such Magistrates, as in a Kingdom have commission from the King to hear and determine causes, or any way to rule and exercise any Laws of the King: and it is the Apostles meaning, that Christians should be subject to all sorts of Magistrates, of what form or dignity soever, from the highest to the lowest, so as it should be no more lawful for them to disobey an inferior Magistrate▪ then to disobey the King: so far forth as the inferior Magistrate hath authority, and doth proceed according to his commission in lawful things. This point needs not to be further handled, having been entreated of in the general doctrine in submission to all Magistrates before.
By gouernours, he either meanes all other sorts of magistracy besides a Monarchy, or else such Magistrates, as in a Kingdome haue commission from the King to heare and determine causes, or any way to rule and exercise any Lawes of the King: and it is the Apostles meaning, that Christians should bee subiect to all sorts of Magistrates, of what forme or dignity soeuer, from the highest to the lowest, so as it should bee no more lawfull for them to disobey an inferior Magistrate▪ then to disobey the King: so far foorth as the inferior Magistrate hath authority, and doth proceed according to his commission in lawfull things. This point needes not to bee further handled, hauing beene intreated of in the generall doctrine in submission to all Magistrates before.
