A17384:2607
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.
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.
And thus of the exposition: the confirmation follows.
And thus of the exposition: the confirmation followes.
The Apostle in this verse and the next, confirmeth the exhortation, partly by reasons, and partly by answering an Objection: the reasons are in this verse and the next, and the prolepsis, verse 16.
THe Apostle in this verse and the next, confirmeth the exhortation, partly by reasons, and partly by answering an Obiection: the reasons are in this verse and the next, and the prolepsis, verse 16.
The reasons may be referred to two heads; the one taken from the calling of Magistrates, verse 14. and the other from the will of God, verse 15. The calling of Magistrates is considered two ways: First, either in the author of it, and so they are sent of God. Secondly, or in respect of the end of it, which is partly the punishment of the wicked, and partly the praise of them that do well.
The reasons may bee referred to two heads; the one taken from the calling of Magistrates, verse 14. and the other from the will of God, verse 15. The calling of Magistrates is considered two waies: First, either in the author of it, and so they are sent of God. Secondly, or in respect of the end of it, which is partly the punishment of the wicked, and partly the praise of them that doe well.
As they that are sent of him.]
Of him, either may be referred to the King, or to the Lord: If it be referred to the King, then it shows, that all inferior Magistrates receive all their authority from the King; they have no more authority then other subjects, but as it is bestowed upon them by the King, and withal it shows a secret in all well governed Monarchies, which is, that the King reserves the giving of honours and offices to himself, which more obligeth the Under-officers and Magistrates to him; and he is thereby the better acquainted with the State of the Kingdom: but I am rather of the mind of those Interpreters, that refer it to the Lord. And so the ⟨p. 616⟩sense and doctrine is, that both the Kings and the governors are sent of God: It is God, that prefers them, whatsoever the second causes be. Though election or succession seem to make a King, and Kings make governors, yet have we been taught, that none of these come to their places without the providence of God, Proverbs 8.15. Now, God keeps this business in his own hands, to see to the calling of Magistrates, because of the service by them he can execute: For a great part of his Kingdom is managed by their deputation. By them God scourgeth the sins of the wicked, yea of the whole world, either by suffering them to be public miseries, or by guiding them to punish offenders by the sword of Justice: and by them he many times brings many common blessings upon worlds of people, as the next words show.
Of him, either may be referred to the King, or to the Lord: If it bee referred to the King, then it shewes, that all inferior Magistrates receiue all their authority from the King; they haue no more authority then other subiects, but as it is bestowed vpon them by the King, and withall it shewes a secret in all well gouerned Monarchies, which is, that the King reserues the giuing of honours and offices to himselfe, which more obligeth the Vnder-officers and Magistrates to him; and he is therby the better acquainted with the State of the Kingdome: but I am rather of the minde of those Interpreters, that refer it to the Lord. And so the ⟨p. 616⟩sense and doctrine is, that both the Kings and the gouernours are sent of God: It is God, that prefers them, whatsoeuer the second causes bee. Though election or succession seeme to make a King, and Kings make gouernours, yet haue wee beene taught, that none of these come to their places without the prouidence of God, Prouerbes 8.15. Now, God keepes this busines in his owne hands, to see to the calling of Magistrates, because of the seruice by them hee can execute: For a great part of his Kingdome is managed by their deputation. By them God scourgeth the sinnes of the wicked, yea of the whole world, either by suffering them to be publike miseries, or by guiding thē to punish offenders by the sword of Iustice: and by them he manie times brings many common blessings vpon worlds of people, as the next words shew.
Uses. The uses are divers; some particular, some general: In particular it should teach us,
Vses. The vses are diuers; some particular, some generall: In particular it should teach vs,
First, by prayer to s•eke Magistrates of God: subjects may get great blessings of this kind, if they would pray hard for them. For GOD it is that sends Magistrates.
First, by praier to s•eke Magistrates of God: subiects may get great blessings of this kind, if they would pray hard for them. For GOD it is that sends Magistrates.
Secondly, with patience to bear the wrongs of evil Magistrates, seeing there is a hand of God in it.
Secondly, with patience to beare the wrongs of euil Magistrates, seeing there is a hand of God in it.
Thirdly, with thankfulness to give the praise to God for good Magistrates, seeing it was he that sent them, as a common blessing.
Thirdly, with thankfulnes to giue the praise to God for good Magistrates, seeing it was hee that sent them, as a common blessing.
Fourthly, in all suits about the lives, or duties, or successions of Magistrates, to trust unto God: For though we know not, where to be provided in earth, yet God can send one from heaven, as it ⟨p. 617⟩were. The word sent, imports, that God can raise him up beyond expectation.
Fourthly, in all suits about the liues, or duties, or successions of Magistrates, to trust vnto God: For though wee know not, where to bee prouided in earth, yet God can send one from heauen, as it ⟨p. 617⟩were. The word sent, importes, that God can raise him vp beyond expectation.
In general it should stir us up in all things done by outward means in this world, to strive for the skill to find out, and acknowledge Gods hand and providence in it; seeing in these things which are apparently done by means for the most part, yet Gods providence is in it.
In general it shold stir vs vp in al things done by outward meanes in this world, to striue for the skill to finde out, and acknowledge Gods hand and prouidence in it; seeing in these things which are apparantly done by meanes for the most part, yet Gods prouidence is in it.
