A17384:3022
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.
Concerning these, it may be inquired, how it comes to pass, that men, that by creation have the same nature with other men, should in their condition be abased to so low and mean an estate, as to serve them, that are in nature alike to them? This seems to be a grievous inequality; and therefore first to be searched into for the original and causes of it.
Concerning these, it may bee inquired, how it comes to passe, that men, that by creation haue the same nature with other men, should in their condition bee abased to so low and meane an estate, as to serue them, that are in nature alike to them? This seemes to bee a grieuous inequality; and therefore first to be searched into for the originall and causes of it.
It is out of doubt, that before the Fall, if man had stayed in his Innocency, there had been no servitude, because all men had been made after the Image of God, both for holiness and glory; and so had been on earth, as the Saints shall be in heaven.
It is out of doubt, that before the Fall, if man had staied in his Innocency, there had beene no seruitude, because all men had beene made after the Image of God, both for holines and glory; and so had beene on earth, as the Saints shall bee in heauen.
The first cause then of subjection and servitude,1 was the confusion, and sin of our first parents brought upon the world, the earth being cursed for mans sake: A necessity of toilsome labour lay upon men: and so from the advantages, or disadvantages of particular mens estates, did arise the freer, or harder condition of some men: besides, this sin had so confounded the very dispositions of men, that through the inequality of natural temper, or care of education, some men are made more fit to govern, and others to be governed.