A17384:2910
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.
Honour all men.]
The first thing that the Apostle would have a Christian that lives in humane societies look to, is, a right behaviour of himself toward all men, that is, toward the multitude in general; not because that is his greatest care, or the greatest part of his care and duty, but because the greatest offence many times arises from the neglect of his outward carriage towards all sorts of men, & because Christians are usually faulty, in not watching over their ways herein.
The first thing that the Apostle would haue a Christian that liues in humane societies look to, is, a right behauiour of himself toward all men, that is, toward the multitude in generall; not because that is his greatest care, or the greatest part of his care and duty, but because the greatest offense many times arises from the neglect of his outward carriage towards all sorts of men, & because Christians are vsually faulty, in not watching ouer their waies heerin.
By all men▪ he means the general body of societies where we live, even all sorts of men, good ⟨p. 695⟩and bad; whether religious or profane, friends or enemies, acquaintance or strangers; nor ought they to be scrupulous of giving honour to wicked men: for, though many men or women, in the places where we live, may & ought to be contemned for the wickedness of their lives; yet there are none so vile, but there are some grounds of honour in them, either in respect of some remainder of God's Image in them, some gifts worthy praise, or some place of eminence or authority, or some outward blessings, in which they excel others; as, riches, birth, strength, valour, or the like.