1 Let every soul, &c. that he doeth so diligently handle this place, yea & that whiles he dealeth with the institution or fashioning of a christian life, thereby appeareth he was constrained thereunto by some great necessity: which seeing the preaching of the Gospel doeth alway bring with it, at that time chiefly it was like to bring it. For thereby alway tumultuous ⟨p. 172⟩spirits, who think the kingdom of Christ, can not be sufficiently advanced unless all earthly powers or authorities be suppressed: neither that they can enjoy the liberty given by him,1 except they shake off every yoke of humane subjection. Howbeit this error did possess the Jews above others, who thought it unmeet that the progeny of Abraham, whose kingdom flourished before the coming of the Saviour, should now after his manifestation abide in servitude. And there was also another thing, which did no less alienate the Jews then the Gentiles from their princes: namely, because they did not only all of them abhor from piety, but also with most infestuous or deadly minds, did persecute religion. Therefore it seemed an absurd thing, to acknowledge them for lawful Lords and princes, who went about to take the kingdom from Christ, the only Lord of heaven and earth. For these causes it is like, Paul was moved, that with greater care he might confirm the authority of Magistrates. And first of all, he putteth down a general precept, where in summarily be comprehendeth that, he is about to speak of: then afterward he addeth those things which make unto the exposition, and confirmation of the precept. He calleth them high powers, not the highest powers, as though they obtained the highest empire or rule, but which excel above other men. In respect therefore of subjects, and not in respect of them selves, one being compared with another, Magistrates are so called. And verily by this word the Apostle seemeth unto me, to go about to take away the curiosity of men, who are often wont to enquire by what right, they which are in authority, came by their power: but to us it ought to suffice, that they do rule. For they have not ascended unto this estate by their own strength, but they are placed by the hand of God. And whereas he nameth every soul, thereby he taketh away all exception, least any should pretend an immunity or freedom from the common subjection.
1 LEt euery soule, &c. that hee doeth so diligently handle this place, yea & that whiles he dealeth with the institution or fashioning of a christian life, therby appeareth he was constrayned therunto by some great necessitie: which seeing the preaching of the Gospell doeth alway bring with it, at that tyme chiefly it was like to bring it. For thereby alway tumultuous ⟨p. 172⟩spirites, who thinke the kingdom of Christ, can not be sufficiently aduaunced vnlesse all earthly powers or authorities bee suppressed: neyther that they can inioy the libertie giuen by him,1 except they shake off euery yoke of humayne subiection. Howebeit this error did possesse the Iewes aboue others, who thought it vnmeete that the progenie of Abraham, whose kingdome florished before the comming of the Sauiour, shoulde nowe after his manifestation abide in seruitude. And there was also another thing, which did no lesse alienate the Iewes then the Gentiles from their princes: namely, because they did not only all of them abhorre from pietie, but also with most infestuous or deadly mindes, did persecute religion. Therefore it seemed an absurd thing, to acknowledge them for lawfull Lords and princes, who went about to take the kingdome from Christ, the onely Lorde of heauen and earth. For these causes it is like, Paul was mooued, that with greater care hee might confirme the authoritie of Magistrates. And first of al, he putteth down a generall precept, where in summarily be comprehendeth that, he is about to speake of: then afterwarde he addeth those thinges which make vnto the exposition, and confirmation of the precept. Hee calleth them high powers, not the highest powers, as though they obtayned the highest empire or rule, but which excell aboue other men. In respect therefore of subiectes, and not in respect of them selues, one being compared with another, Magistrates are so called. And verily by this worde the Apostle seemeth vnto me, to go about to take away the curiositie of men, who are often wont to enquire by what right, they which are in authoritie, came by their power: but to vs it ought to suffice, that they doe rule. For they haue not ascended vnto this estate by their owne strengthe, but they are placed by the hande of God. And whereas he nameth euery soule, thereby hee taketh away all exception, least any should pretende an immunitie or freedome from the common subiection.
- 1Causes moving Paul to entreat of obedience to Magistrates.Causes mouing Paul to intreat of obedience to Magistrates.
