A17384:3080
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.
Thus of the proposition of the duties of servants.
Thus of the proposition of the duties of seruants.
The exposition follows: and so, first, he showeth the manner how they must be subject, viz.
The exposition followes: and so, first, he sheweth the manner how they must be subiect, viz.
With all fear.]
With all feare.]
Servants must subject themselves to their masters in all fear: which, being put down indefinitely, must be understood both in respect of God, and in respect of their masters.
Seruants must subiect themselues to their masters in all feare: which, being put downe indefinitely, must be vnderstood both in respect of God, and in respect of their masters.
Servants must show their fear of God in their places, divers ways:
Seruants must shew their feare of God in their places, diuers waies:
1First, by avoiding such sins as are contrary to the will and commandment of God in their general life; such as are, swearing, lying, slandering, hatred of the godly, drunkenness, whoredom, and the like, Psalm 101.3, 4, 5.
1First, by auoiding such sinnes as are contrary to the will and commandement of God in their generall life; such as are, swearing, lying, slandering, hatred of the godly, drunkennesse, whoredome, and the like, Psalm 101.3, 4, 5.
Secondly, by carefulness to do God service, as well as their masters; not only by spending the Sabbath in the duties of Religion, but in redeeming the time in the week-days (as may be without hindrance of their work, or offence to their masters) to employ themselves in prayer, reading, conference, &c. and the reason is, because as servants must do their masters work as they are servants: so they stand bound, in the common obligation, to do God's service as they are men; and no man but is subject to the Law of God; who hath given all his Commandments to servants, as well as to masters.
Secondly, by carefulnesse to doo God seruice, as well as their masters; not onely by spending the Sabbath in the duties of Religion, but in redeeming the time in the week-daies (as may be without hindrance of their work, or offense to their masters) to imploy themselues in praier, reading, conference, &c. and the reason is, because as seruants must doo their masters work as they are seruants: so they stand bound, in the common obligation, to do God's seruice as they are men; and no man but is subiect to the Law of God; who hath giuen all his Commandements to seruants, as well as to masters.
Thirdly, by doing their masters work out of conscience, respecting the will and commandments of God; and therefore serving their masters with all faithfulness, as if the service were to be done to God himself, or to Jesus Christ, Eph. 6.5. Col. 3.23.
Thirdly, by dooing their masters work out of conscience, respecting the will and commandements of God; and therefore seruing their masters with all faithfulnesse, as if the seruice were to bee done to God himself, or to Iesus Christ, Eph. 6.5. Col. 3.23.
Fourthly, by praying for their masters, and for the good success of their labours for their masters commodity: thus Abraham's servant is commended for his practice of the fear of God, and left for an example to all servants to do likewise, Genes. 24.
Fourthly, by praying for their masters, and for the good successe of their labours for their masters commodity: thus Abraham's seruant is commended for his practice of the feare of God, and left for an example to all seruants to doo likewise, Genes. 24.
Fifthly, by doing their masters work without eye-service, being as careful and as diligent when ⟨p. 735⟩their masters are absent, as when they are present; as remembering, that the Lord sees them, though their masters do not, Col. 3.22.
Fiftly, by dooing their masters work without eye-seruice, being as carefull and as diligent when ⟨p. 735⟩their masters are absent, as when they are present; as remembring, that the Lord sees them, though their masters doo not, Col. 3.22.
The fear, then, toward their masters, they may show divers ways.
The feare, then, toward their masters, they may shew diuers waies.
First, by avoiding what might displease their Masters; such as is, answering again, Tit. 2.10. contention with their fellows, and all unquietness, Phil. 2.4. sullenness, Prou. 29.19. and all unfaithfulness, showed either by purloining in the least things, Tit. 2.10. or carelessness in disappointing the trust committed to them; as also masterfulness, pride, and haughty behaviour, when they will not abide it to be told or directed; or doing what they list, not what they be appointed.
First, by auoiding what might displease their Masters; such as is, answering again, Tit. 2.10. contention with their fellowes, and all vnquietnesse, Phil. 2.4. sullennesse, Prou. 29.19. and all vnfaithfulnes, shewed either by purloining in the least things, Tit. 2.10. or carelesness in disappointing the trust committed to them; as also masterfulnesse, pride, and haughtie behauiour, when they will not abide it to be told or directed; or doing what they list, not what they be appointed.
Secondly, by reverent behaviour to be showed by lowliness of countenance, by giving titles of honour and respect, John 13.13. by standing before them when they sit, Luke 17. by avoiding rude behaviour, or saucy familiarity, as accounting them in heart worthy of all honour, 1. Tim. 6.1. one point of which reverence is, that servants should not presume to deliver their opinions easily in their Masters presence, unless it be required, or may be gathered by argument from the less, Job 32.6, 7.
Secondly, by reuerent behauiour to be shewed by lowlynesse of countenance, by giuing titles of honor and respect, Iohn 13.13. by standing before them when they sit, Luke 17. by auoiding rude behauiour, or sawcy familiarity, as accounting them in heart worthy of all honor, 1. Tim. 6.1. one point of which reuerence is, that seruants should not presume to deliuer their opinions easily in their Masters presence, vnlesse it be required, or may bee gathered by argument from the lesse, Iob 32.6, 7.
Thirdly, by their secrecy in all the affairs of their Masters, especially they should take heed of discovering their Masters infirmities to others abroad out of the family.
Thirdly, by their secrecy in all the affayres of their Masters, especially they should take heede of discouering their Masters infirmities to others abroad out of the family.
Fourthly, by avoiding inquisitiveness, to meddle only with their own business; the servant knoweth not what his Master doth, John 15.15.
Fourthly, by auoyding inquisitiuenesse, to meddle only with their owne businesse; the seruant knoweth not what his Master doth, Iohn 15.15.
Fifthly, by doing their work with all faithfulness and diligence, in absence as well as presence; that when the Master comes, he may find them so doing, Math. 24. Thus of the manner of the duty; •he persons to whom they must thus submit themselves follow: And so they must be subject with all fear, not only to the good, but also to the froward.
Fiftly, by doing their work with all faithfulnesse and diligence, in absence as well as presence; that when the Master comes, he may finde them so doing, Math. 24. Thus of the manner of the duty; •he persons to whom they must thus submit themselues follow: And so they must be subiect with all fear, not onely to the good, but also to the froward.
