A17384:2638
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.
7 That there are divers evils, which men cannot punish: for the Magistrate can only punish evil doers, that is, such as offend in word or deed: evil thinkers they cannot meddle withal. Which may warn Magistrates, to be wary how they punish men only upon suspicion, or presumption, without proof that they are evil doers: and withal, it shows, that God hath reserved the judgement of mens works also to himself. For, God hates the sins of the heart, as well as the sins of life: and therefore, since for these evils, men answer not to men, they must provide to answer before God.
7 That there are diuers euils, which men cannot punish: for the Magistrate can onely punish euill doers, that is, such as offend in word or deed: euill thinkers they cannot meddle withall. Which may warne Magistrates, to be wary how they punish men onely vpon suspition, or presumption, without proofe that they are euill doers: and withall, it shewes, that God hath reserued the iudgement of mens workes also to himselfe. For, God hates the sinnes of the heart, as well as the sinnes of life: and therefore, since for these euils, men answer not to men, they must prouide to answer before God.
8. That a Magistrate that punisheth sins, doth but execute the commission he received from God; he was sent of God to that end, and therefore may comfort himself in the Lord, how ill soever his execution of justice be spoken of among men.
8. That a Magistrate that punisheth sinnes, doth but execute the commission hee receiued from God; hee was sent of God to that end, and therefore may comfort himselfe in the Lord, how ill soeuer his execution of iustice bee spoken of among men.
Thus of the punishment of evil doers.