Commentary on Peter and Jude, Peter 1 · Commentary · Chapter 5
¶The fifth Chapter.
THe Elders which are emong you, I beſeeche whiche am alſo an Elder, and a witneſſe of the ſuffrynges of Chriſte, and alſo a partaker of the glorie that ſhalbe reueiled.
Feede the flocke of GOD, whiche dependeth vponupon you, caryng for it not by conſtraint, but willingly: not for filthie lucre, but of a readie mynde.
Not as though ye were Lordes ouer Gods heritage, but that ye maie bee enſamples to the flocke.
And when the chief ſhephearde ſhall appeare, ye ſhall receiue an incorruptible croune of glorie.
Likewiſe ye yonger, ſubmit your ſelues vntounto the Elders, and ſubmitte your ſelues eueryevery man, one to an other: decke your ſelues inwardly in lowlineſſe of mynde: for GOD reſiſteth the proude, and giueth grace to the humble.
Humble your ſelues therefore vnderunder the mightie hande of God, that he maie exalt you in due tyme.
Caſt all your care on hym: for he careth for you.
Bee ſober and watche: for your aduerſarie the Deuill as a roaryng Lion walketh aboute, ſeekyng whom he maie denoure:
Whom reſiſt ſtedfaſt in the Faithe, knowyng that the ſame afflictions are accompliſhed in your brethren, whiche are in the worlde.
And the GOD of all grace, whiche hath called vsus vntounto his eternall glorie by Chriſte Ieſus, after that ye hauehave ſuffred a little, make you perfect, confirme, ſtrengthen and ſtabliſhe you.
To hym bee glorie and dominion for euer and euer. Amen.
By Syluanus a faithfull brother vntounto you, as I ſuppoſe, ha…e I written briefly, exhortyng & teſtifiyng, how that this is the true grace of God, wherein ye ſtande.
The Churche that is at Babylon elected together with you, ſaluteth you, and Marcus my ſonne.
Greete ye one an other with the kiſſe of LoueLove. Peace be with you all, whiche are in Chriſt Ieſus. Amen.
The Elders which are among you I beſeech, which am alſo an Elder, and a witneſſe of the ſuffringes of Chriſt,
HEre ſainct Peter teacheth thoſe that hauehave any charge of feedyng the Flocke of Chriſte, how thei ought to behaue thēſelues. In the Chapiter afore, he tolde, that none ſhould preſume to teache or preache any thing, vnleſſe he were certeine and aſſured that the ſame was the ſyncere and pure Worde of GOD, vppon whiche as vponupon a firme and ſtrong Rocke, our Conſciences maie boldly ſtaie. For this in dutie is required of vsus Chriſtians, that wee ſhould bee certaine and knowe throughly what thing is allowed of Chriſte, and what is not: for thei that wauer in vncertaintie of this knowledge, are not to bee taken as Chriſtians. He addeth alſo thus much, that whoſoeuer entreth into any office or functiō, ſhould ſo behaue himſelf therein in eche reſpect, as that he ſhould not doubt but that God was the Authour therof. But what he here ſaith, peculierly belongeth to Biſſhops and Eccleſiaſticall Paſtors, wherein he teacheth them how they are to deme…ne themſelues in the adminiſtration of their dueties and charges, and what maner of perſons thei ought to bee.
Wee muſt here further be acquainted with the phraze and proprietie of the tongue, wherein this Epiſtle was written, that wee bee not deceiued through ignoraunce of the ſignification and force of the Woorde. For this Greeke name foreign, which S. Peter here vſeth, doeth ſignifie An Elder: by whiche worde thei alſo are called that bee. Senatours: that is, Meuiexcellyng in age, grauitie, vertue, wiſedome, and experience. After the ſame ſorce; doeth Chriſt call his Diſciples, Miniſters, and Senate, to whoſe office it belongeth to ouerſee and gouerne his Spirituall Empire (that is, to preache and to take care of the Chriſtian Congregation) by the name of Elders. And therfore meruaile not awhit, neither let it any thing moue thee, though thei which bee Elders, …e nowadaies called by other Titles or names, whereof the Scripture maketh no mention at all: But not reſpectyng the order, wherein thinges preſently ſtande, weigh and conceiue the mater thus: When S. Peter or any other of the Apoſtles, came into any Citie wherein Chriſtians were, thei ordeined ſome one or other of theim, ſuche as liued honeſtly and vnblameably, and had wife and children, and alſo ſkilfull in the Scriptures of GOD, to hauehave the ſuperintendencie and charge ouer the reſt. And them thei called Seniors or Elders, whom afterward bothe ſainct Peter and alſo Saincte Paule called Biſhopps, whereby wee maie note, that Biſhoppes were none others, then the verie ſame, that were Elders.
Touchyng this purpoſe, wee reade in the hiſtorie of ſainct Martine, how a ceirtaine man came vntounto a place in Apbrica, and there in a poore Cotage found an elderly man, whom thei thought to hauehave been ſome plaine Countrieman. Within a while, thei ſawe many people come flockyng to hym, to whō he preached and expounded the Woorde of God, whereby thei perceiued that he was their Paſtour or Biſhopp. For in thoſe daies, there was no difference either in apparaile, or maners betweene the Biſhoppes, and the reſidue of Chriſtians.
The Elders (ſaieth S. Peter) vppon whom the charge lieth, to feede the flocke of Chriſt with the Worde of GOD, and to hauehave care ouer them in the Lorde, I exhort, whiche am alſo an Elder. Whereby it manifeſtly appeareth, that thei whom he here nameth Elders, were ſuche as laboured in the miniſterie of the Woorde, and diligently preached the glad tidynges of the Goſpell. For, ſuche as he was that calleth hymſelf their fellowe Elder, ſuche alſo appeareth it that thei were. And here we ſee; how farre he humbleth and abaſeth hymſelf, in that, he taketh not vponupon hym the name of a Prelate, (which in reſpecte that he was an Apoſtle of the Lorde he might hauehave doen) but calleth himſelf a Fellowe Elder, and alſo a witneſſe of the ſuffrynges of Chriſte. As if he had ſaied: I doe not onelyonly preache, but I am alſo emong thoſe Confeſſours of Chriſt, that are exerciſed in daiely afflictions. And withall he alſo ſheweth that ſo many as bee Chriſtians, muſt bee perſecuted and ſuffer affliction. And this is a true Apoſtle of Chriſte, vntounto whom if the Pope and his Biſhoppes were any thing like, (as thei are ſhameleſſe enough, to chalenge to themſelues the ſame title) we would not greatly ſtick, willingly to kiſſe their feete.
And alſo a partaker of the glory that ſhalbe reueiled.
THis parte of the Apoſtles Style and Title, is of farre more excellencie, then any that our Popiſhe Biſhopps dare pretende to vſe. For thereby doeth Sainct Peter take and recken hymſelf holie, and a bleſſed Manne. And alhou…gh he perfectly knewe, that he ſhould be a partaker of the glorie to come, yet taketh he no pride therein, he lifteth not hymſelf vp in any ſwellyng glorie, but modeſtly conteineth hymſelf within the boundes of temperate ſoftnes and curteſie.
Feede the flocke of God, whiche dependeth vponupon you, caryng for it, not by conſtraint, but willingly: not for filthie lucre, but of a readie minde.
CHriſt is the firſt and chiefeſt Paſtour, who hath many Paſtours vnderunder hym: as he alſo hath many Flockes: whom beeyng diſperſed in ſundrie quarters of the worlde, he committeth to the charge and ouerſight of their Shéepheardes and Paſtours, as in this Epiſtle of S. Peter, written into diuers Countreis and Regions appeareth. But what is the charge of theſe Paſtors to do? Forſooth, to feede the Flocke of Chriſt. This worde (Feede) the Pope hath raked and haled vntounto hym ſelf, whereby he goeth aboute to prooue hymſelf Lorde and Prince of all, and that it is in his owne choiſe and aucthoritie, to deale with the Sheepe as he liſteth hymſelf. But alas, who is ſo ignoraunte that knoweth not, what this woorde (Feede) meaneth: To witte, that the Paſtours and Sheepheardes ought to prouide Paſture for their Sheepe, and to ſee theim hauehave their meate in conueniente and due ſeaſon, whereby thei maie growe to bee fruitfull: And moreouer to watche that deuouryng Wolues ruſhe not in emong theim, and teare the Flocke in peeces? This word (Feede) ſignifieth nothyng leſſe then to kill and ſpoile.
Furthermore S. Peter calleth it peculierlie the Flocke of Chriſt, as though he ſhould ſaie: Thinke not that the Flocke is any of your owne, ye are but onelyonly Seruauntes and Miniſter to looke vntounto it, ye are no Lordes nor Maiſters ouer it. Contrarie to the bold practiſe and cuſtomable dealyng of many Biſhops, whiche accoumpt and call eueryevery one within their Dioceſſe and iuriſdiction, their Sheepe. We are the Sheepe of Chriſte, for he ſaied afore, Ye are now retourned vntounto the Sheepheard and Biſhoppe of your Soules. Biſhopps are the Miniſters of Chriſte, to keepe his Sheepe, and to giuegive them meate and paſture. And therefore to feede, is nothyng els then to preache the Goſpel, wherwith their Soules maie be fedde, fatted and fructified, that ſo the Shepe maie be nouriſhed with the Goſpell. This is the onelyonly and proper office of a Biſhopp.
So ſaied Chriſt vntounto Peter: Feede my Sheepe, Ioh. xxj. that is, the Sheepe whiche I committe vntounto thee to feede, are not thyne, but myne. Howbeeit theſe woordes hauehave been ſo canuaſſed and wreſted by my Lorde the Pope, that he thereby vſurpeth and exerciſeth an externall domination and Lordſhip ouer the Churche of Chriſte, whereas neither he, nor any of his ſacrilegious Chapleins, preacheth ſo muche as one worde of the Goſpell. Thei bragge that thei hauehave their ſucceſſion frō S. Peter. If it were ſo; yet feare I, that it could ſcarcely bée prooued that any Pope euer preached the Goſpell: For none of them hath left any thyng behynde hym, that is written and extant, wherein a man maie read the Goſpell. Sainct Gregorie the Pope was ſurely an holie man: and yet the thynges which he preached, are not to bee eſteemed worth a ſtrawe: whei e…y it maie appeare, that the ſame See of Rome is peculiarly and ſpecially accurſed of God. I deny not, but ſundrie of the Popes ſuffred Martiredome vnderunder cruel Tyrauntes, for the Goſpels ſake, but yet there is nothyng extant that was written by any of them, whiche is Euangelicall. And yet thei ſtill bragge and crake, that it is their charge to feede, whereas in deede thei doe nothing els but entangle, and clogge mennes conſciences with Lawes of their owne, and make hauocke and ſale of mennes Soules, neuer troublyng theimſelues with preachyng one woorde of Chriſte his ſacred Goſpell.
True it is, that there are many to bee founde, aſwell women as men, whiche are able to preache, and that with no leſſe dexteritie and ſufficiencie, then he vntounto whom that charge and office is peculiarly committed. But becauſe the greateſt number in the flocke alwaies is of weakelynges, therefore it is expedient that ſome bee appoincted to ſtrengthen and confirme ſuche, and to keepe backe the Wolfe from ruſſhyng in emong them and deuouryng them. For a Preachers office and duetie is not onelyonly to feede, that is, to teache his Sheepe, how thei ought to frame theimſelues to become true and ſincere Chriſtians: but he hath the charge alſo to looke that the Wolfe bee kept out, and that none of the Sheepe be deuoured, or ſeduced by falſe doctrine, and ſo drawen into errour, whiche is the continuall drifte and practiſe of the Deuill. Now, there bee many that can well enough abide to hauehave the Goſpell preached, ſo that there might bee no exclaimyng, and ſpeakyng againſte Wolues: I meane, ſo that Preachers in their Sermons, would forbeare railyng and tauntyng againſt Prelates. But although I preache ſounde doctrine, and that whiche is true: and although I feede and teach (my charge) the Sheepe, well and rightly: yet is not that ſufficient: for it is further required at my handes to keepe the Sheepe from daunger, and to hauehave a carefull regarde vntounto theim, that Wolues come not emong theim, to driue theim awaie out of their fertile and wholeſome paſtures. For, to what purpoſe is my building. if when I hauehave couched and orderly laied my Stones, an other ſtraightwaies come & hurle them doune as faſt againe, and I ſeyng him, forbidde him not? The Wolfe is well enough contented, that the Sheepe bee well fedde, and fatted in good paſture: becauſe the fatter thei bee, thei pleaſaunter and daintier praie thinketh he to make of them. But that Dogges ſhould inceſſauntly barke and baule at hym, that can he not abide. And therefore it is a matter of no ſmall waight and charge, to feede well, accordyng as GOD hath giuen in commaundement to doe: and it behooueth eche one in that function carefully to conſider his charge in this behalfe.
The Flocke (ſaieth he) whiche dependeth vponupon you, that is, ouer whiche ye hauehave charge, or whiche is among you, and not whiche is ſubiect and liyng at your Feete. Care for it, and that not by cōſtraint becauſe ye can none otherwiſe chooſe, but willingly: not for filthie lucre ſake, but of a readie mynd. Here he comprehendeth in one worde, all that whiche the Prophete Ezechiell in the xxxiiij. Chapter of his Propheſie, writeth concerning Paſtors or Biſſhoppes. The meaning of this place is thus: Not onelyonly feede ye, but take ye care alſo and prouide for them, that thei want nothing, and where any ſtandeth in neceſſitie or neede, there ſee that ye relieue them: and in eche reſpect, doe the partes and dueties of right foreign, that is, good Watchmen and faithfull Eſpialles. Looke out, leaſt daunger appeare, ſtande alwaies preſte and readie on your guarde, and diligently beholde and eſpie out of your Watchtower, what it is that is wantyng, or what it is that is befallen vntounto eueryevery one within your charges. Hereby wee maie well perceiue and knowe, that a Biſſhoppe is euen the ſame that is here meant by an Elder. And therefore it is not true, whiche ſome ſaie, that a Biſſhopricke is a dignitie, and a Biſſhop onelyonly he that weareth a forked Mitre. Epiſcopacie is not a name of Dignitie, but of Office: for he that is inueſted with that name and tytle, ought to looke to his Flocke & to be carefull for it, and to ſerue as a good Watchman, to ſee abroade & learne what thinges be amiſſe any where within his charge. As if there be any that is weake, hauing his conſcience wounded, hym ought he to confirme, comforte and heale: if any fall, him ought he to lift vp againe, and ſo as other defectes ariſe, to bee readie to helpe, whereby Chriſtian people maie bee ſufficiently looked vntounto and prouided for, bothe in Soule and in Bodie. This is the reaſon that hath moued mee heretofore oftentymes to ſaie, that if wee would inſtitute a right Chriſtian Common wealth, it were neceſſarie, that in eueryevery Citie there ſhould bee three or fower Superintendentes, to take care and regarde ouer the Churche and Congregation, and to reforme and reſtore whatſoeuer therein is amiſſe or wantyng.
And here he toucheth two ſpeciall poyntes, ynough almoſt to terrifie and diſcourage any man from bearyng authoritie ouer the people, or to take this greate charge and burden vponupon hym. For, firſt there bee ſome vertuous and honeſt men, who half vnwillynglie are drawen into the Miniſterie and function of Preachyng: for that, thei ſee it to be a painfull and laborious office, to ſkoute aboute eueryevery where, to ſee how the Sheepe liue, to ſuccour and helpe them that bee in want, to ſtrengthen and raiſe vp them that bee waueryng and readie to fall: and finallie to hauehave ſuche diligent care and continuall watche ouer them, that the Wolfe finde no entraunce to inuade and come ruſſhyng in among them: yea in that, he muſt not ſticke to laie downe his life for their preſeruation and ſafegarde. And alſo for that it is ſuche an harde matter & of ſo great difficultie, trulie to diſcharge the office of a godly Paſtor: yea of ſo greate daunger alſo, becauſe it muſt be throughly executed, & that not vnwillingly, or as though it were, by conſtraint. True it is, that no man ought to intrude himſelf into that Office: but if he …hereunto called and required, he ought willingly to take it vponupon hym, and to diſcharge and perfourme as muche as to his function and office appertaineth.
For thei that take this matter vponupon thē vponupon neceſſitie and conſtraint, and hauehave neither courage nor pleaſure in the ſame, ſhall neuer with any profite fruitfully diſcharge or execute their office.
Againe, there bee others worſe then theſe, which take this Office vponupon them for none other ende, but for filthie Lucre, to ſcrape and rake together wealth, and to pamper and cramme their bellies. Theſe fellowes ſeeke onelyonly for the Wooll and the Mylke of the Sheepe, but as for good paſtures for them thei care not: and with this ſcabbe is the Popiſhe Clergie horriblie infected. And this is a moſte hurtfull, daungerous, noyſome and filthie Vice, then whiche there can not bee any ſo diſhonorable or ſhamefull for him that taketh on him the name and charge of a Chriſtian Biſſhoppe or Paſtor. Whiche was the thing that cauſed both the Apoſtles, Peter and Paule, and alſo the Prophetes ſo oft to recorde and inculke it. This cauſed Moſes to ſaie, Num. xvj. I hauehave not taken ſo muche as an Aſle from them: neither hauehave I hurt any of them. And Samuell alſo: Ye know that I hauehave not taken any mans Oxe, or Aſſe from hym, nor doen wrong to any &c. j. Sam. xij. For if he that hath this charge and function of feeding the Flocke, be gréedily giuen to ſcraping together of richeſſe and wealth, and to gape after filthie Lucre: ſuche a one (I ſaie) is hymſelf eaſilie and ſoone chaunged from a Paſtor into a Wolfe.
But of a readie mynde:
THat is, euen with pleaſure. Let the Paſtor or Biſſhoppe applie his Office and vocatiō, and that with a readie willingnes. Thei that thus cherefully, prōptly, and zealouſly diſcharge their function, are thoſe, which as thei dooe their dueties willingly, ſo dooe thei not greedily pull the fleeze from the Sheepe. There bee therefore twoo ſortes of falſe Paſtors. The one ſorte occupie their roume grudginglie and vnwillingly: the other willingly and gladlie: but yet for gaine and filthie lucre.
Not as though ye were Lords ouer Gods heritage.
SVche are thei that are willing to take the office vponupon them, for dignitie ſake, becauſe thei would liue pompouſlie and beare greate ſwaie and authoritie in the Worlde. He therefore exhorteth Biſſhoppes, Elders & Paſtors, that thei practiſe not any Lordly tyrannie ouer the Flocke, as though the people were their Slaues and Vnderlings, or as though they had ſuche authoritie and Lordſhippe ouer them, to commaund what thei liſt. For wee hauehave but one Lorde whiche is Chriſte, and he it is whiche gouerneth our Soules. Elders and Paſtors hauehave no further charge thē to féede. And here in one word Saincte Peter vtterly ouerthroweth all the kingdome of the Pope: and concludeth that no Biſſhoppe hath any authoritie, ſomuche as in one worde to clogge and tye the conſciences of the faithfull to the obſeruation of their preceptes. For they themſelues ought to bee Seruauntes and Miniſters, and to ſaie: Thus ſaieth the Lord, and theſe be the Words of Chriſt: it is not wee, the woordes are none of ours: and therefore ye ought to doe that whiche is here commaunded. Accordyng to that whiche Chriſte ſaieth: Luc. xxij. The Kynges of the Gentiles reigne ouer them, and they that beare rule ouer them, are called gracious Lordes, but ye ſhall not bee ſo. Contrary wherevnto the Pope boaſteth and braggeth, ſaiyng. Wee ought to bee Lordes, and to vsus onelyonly it belongeth to exerciſe chief rule and ſupreme authoritie.
But that ye maie bee enſamples to the Flocke.
And when the chiefe Shepeheard ſhall appeare, ye ſhall receiue an incorruptible croune of glorie.
SEE that ye bee the formoſt in the battaile, vſyng ſuche honeſt conuerſation, that your life maie bee a Lanterne to giuegive light, and an example to the people, to imitate you. But our Lordly Shauelynges vſe to tel the people an other tale, bidding them to doe this and that, thei themſelues in the meane while leanyng on their ſoft Cuſſhions, and takyng their eaſe like Lordinges: laiyng vponupon vsus greate and greeuous burdens, whiche thei themſelues will not touche nor lift at with one of their fingers: not trauailyng any whit in preachyng the true Worde of God, but rather in commaundyng others to doe that, whiche thei themſelues neuer did, nor euer ment to dooe. And yet muſt no man tell them therof, for if he doe, he ſhould be ſure quickly to feele the ſmart of it.
Againe, to ſuche Paſtors, Biſſhoppes, Elders and Superintendentes, as here in this worlde did their dueties faithfully, truely, ſincerely and holily, Saincte Peter aſſigneth no temporall rewarde: As though he ſhould ſaie· Your Office and function is of more excellencie and dignitie, then that in this life it can bee requited and recompenced: there is due and kept for you an euerlaſtyng Crowne, that ſhall bee giuen vntounto you whiche faithfullie and diligently feede the Flocke of Chriſte. And this is the Exhortation, where with S. Peter encorageth them, to whom the charge and cure of Soules is committed. Whereby is manifeſtly concluded and proued, that the Pope with his Cardinalles and Biſſhoppes is the very Antichriſt, and the profeſſed aduerſaries of Chriſte, for that they dooe nothyng of all theſe, whiche Sainct Peter here requireth. For thei neither teache others, neither doe thei any thyng themſelues, but are whollie and altogether buſied in thoſe deuiſes, and bymatters, whiche are moſt oppoſite and contrarie therevnto. Thei neither feede the Sheepe themſelues, neither will they ſuffer others to feede theim: but rather plaie the rauenyng Wolues, deuouryng and murtheryng the Flocke, and yet bragge thei that thei bee Chriſtes Vicars on Earth. Too trulie (the more pitie) are thei in the roume and ſteade of Chriſte beyng abſent: after the maner and example of the Deuill? For whereſoeuer Chriſt is not in place, there thei beare ſwaie, and as Butcherlie Tyrauntes raigne and commaunde moſte imperiouſlie.
It is therefore verie expedient and requiſite, that the Lattie and ſimpler ſort ſhould perfectly remember this and ſuche like places: by the whiche thei maie be able to anſwere againſt that Antichriſtian Kyngdome of the Pope, when ſoeuer thei ſhalbe called into queſtion and examination as touchyng their Faithe: yea, thus maie thei well ſaie, when thei are brought vntounto ſuche pinches: Behold, Chriſte ſaieth thus: and the Pope ſaieth the cleane contrary: Chriſte ſaieth yea, the Pope ſaieth naye. Thei therefore thus teachyng contrarie and repugnant doctrines, the one of them muſt needes lye. Now, that Chriſt ſhould lye, it is impoſſible, and therefore it is the Pope, that is the liyng Ruffian of the worlde, and not onelyonly a Deuiliſhe Lyer, but euen Antichriſt hymſelf. Thus oughteſt thou to bee furniſhed and armed with the Scriptures, by the whiche thou maieſt not onelyonly boldlie call the Pope, Antichriſte, but maieſt alſo (when thou haſte ſo doen) muſt plainly and eaſily proue it, ſo that thou maieſt ſurely by the woorde of God perſiſt in thine opinion, euen to the death, againſt the Deuill and all his infernall Armie.
Likewiſe ye younger, ſubmit your ſelues vntounto the Elders.
THeſe are his laſte admonitions of this Epiſtle. This order requireth S. Peter in the Church of Chriſt, that the younger ſort be duetifull and obeiſaunt to their Elders, and that in the whole courſe of their life the Inferiours ſhewe ſubmiſſion towardes their Betters. Which if it were now adaies obſerued and put in vre, we ſhould not neede ſo many Lawes. For he requireth of the Younger ſorte, their obedience toward their Elders, and willyngneſſe to be gouerned, by the directiō of their wiſedomes: For that, thei beſte knowe what is moſte pleaſyng to God, and what ſhall moſte redounde to their commendations and praiſes. But he ſpeaketh here of ſuche Elders as are learned in the holie Ghoſte, and are godlie experienced. For if they theimſelues hee not endued with godlie wiſedome, but bee ſottiſhe and fooliſhe, it is not to be thought, that thei can any waie well gouerne others. But of ſuche as be diſcrete and wiſe, it is moſt expedient and conuenient, the Youth ſhould be gouerned. And ſainct Peter here ſpeaketh not of the ciuile adminiſtration and gouernement of the Commonwealthe, but he ſpeaketh generally: namely, that thei which be Elders, either in yeares or by office, or any waie els, ſhould traine vp and gouerne the Younger ſorte in their dueties, and in matters of the Spirite.
And ſubmitte your ſelues eueryevery man, one to an other: decke your ſelues inwardlie in lowlineſſe of mynde:
HEre he ſomwhat tempereth and qualifieth his woordes ſpoken afore, requiryng that eueryevery one ſhould ſubmit themſelues one to an other. But how can this well agree, that all menne ſhould ſubmit themſelues one to an other, if the ſuperioritie and gouernement bee to bee giuen (as was afore ſaied) vntounto them that bee of the Elder ſorte? Some will ſaie, that Peter in that former ſentence ſpake of Elders and here in this place onelyonly of the Younger ſorte, who ought to ſubmitte themſelues firſt to their Elders, and next one to an other. But wee will take theſe woordes as ſpoken in a generalitie, euen as that ſentence of S. Paule Roma. xij. In giuyng of honour, one goyng before an other. For I take that place, as I alſo doe this preſent ſentence of S. Peter, to hauehave reference to all maner of perſones indifferently, and without reſpecte. The Younger ought to be obedient, & ſubmiſſaunt vntounto the Elder: but yet ſo, that the Elder maie not thinke themſelues to bee Lordes ouer them, but be readie and willyng to ſubmitt them ſelues alſo, and be directed by them that bee Yonger, if any of theim bee endued with deeper vnderſtandyng, or profounder ſkill then thei hauehave. Euen as in the old Teſtament, the Lorde oftentymes aduaunced Yonglie men, to beare chief office and principalitie, where he ſawe theim to excell the Elder in wiſedome and foreſight. The ſame leſſon teacheth Chriſt, Luc. xiiij When thou art bidden to a feaſte, ſette not thy ſelf doune in the chiefeſt place, leaſt a more honourable man then thou be hidden, and then he that badde bothe hym and thee, come and ſaie to thee: GiueGive this man roume, and thou then begin with ſhame to take the loweſt roume. But when thou art bidden, goe ſitte doune in the loweſt roume, &c. Whiche parable he concludeth thus: For he that exalteth hymſelf ſhalbe brought lowe, & he that humbleth hymſelf, ſhalbee exalted. Therefore truly the Yonger ought to ſubmit themſelues, and bee in ſubiection vntounto the Elder: and yet neuertheleſſe, the Elder ought againe for their partes, to bee ſo modeſtly minded that eche of them thinke hymſelf in his harte the loweſt. If we could thus dooe, the worlde would bee in a merueilous quiete ſtaie and tranquillitie. And this (ſaieth he) we ought to applie our ſelues vntounto, that wee maie thereby ſhewe forth the lowlineſſe of mynde, that is emplainted and reſiaunt within vsus.
For God reſiſteth the proude, and giueth grace to the humble.
THem that bee ſo loftie mynded, that thei will not yeelde and ſtoupe, God hymſelf cooleth and deiect…th: and contrariwiſe, exalteth and aduaunceth thoſe which humble and throwe doune themſelues. This is a common beaten ſaiyng in eueryevery mannes mouthe, but would God it were aſwell vſed and putte in vre in life, as it is often and almoſte eueryevery where ſtill talked and pronounced with tongue.
Humble your ſelues therefore vnderunder the mightie hande of God.
FOraſmuche as God ſo requireth, that ye ſhould ſubmit your ſelues our to an other, ſee that ye doe it willingly, and ſo he will exalt you but if ye doe it vnwillyngly, yet ſhall ye doe it, becauſe he will abate your pride, and throwe doune your loftineſſe.
That he maie exalt you in due tyme.
THinke ye not that he will tarie long, but ſtedfaſtly truſt ye in hym: for ye hauehave his ſure promiſe, that this is the hande of GOD, and his bleſſed will: and though in the iudgement of fleſh, the tyme ſeeme ſomewhat long, yet neuer hauehave ye any reſpect to the tyme, but committe your ſelues to be protected and gouerned by the mightie hand of God, which moſte aſſuredly in the ende will exalt you.
Caſte all your care on hym: for he careth for you.
YE hauehave thoſe promiſes, by the whiche ye maie reſt in moſte perfecte aſſuraunce, that God will neuer forſake you, but ſtill take care for you: and therefore abandon and caſte awaie your owne carefulneſſe, and lette the Lorde alone deale for you. Suffer hym to take the entier charge and care, bothe of you and yours. Theſe be moſte comfortable and ſweete woordes, and to a Chriſtian Conſcience moſte chearfull and amiable. And why vſeth he ſo many, and ſuche forcible prouocations and reaſons to perſwade Humilitie? Truely, becauſe the Nature of man is ſo ſtiffe and ſo ſtoute, that no man almoſte willynglie will abaſe and deiecte hymſelf, or renounce his owne ſenſuall phantaſies. And therefore herein he ſuig…y comforteth vsus, ſhewyng how that God dooeth not onelyonly looke to vsus, but alſo careth for …, and beſtoweth euen all the vowelles of his incomparable louelove vponupon vsus.
Bee ſobe… and watche: for your aduerſarie the Deuill, as a roaryng Lyon walketh aboute, ſeekyng whom he maie deuoure.
HE admoniſheth vsus to looke to our ſelues, and goeth about to open our eyes, that wee ſlumber not in ſlouthe or giuegive our ſelues to idleneſſe, not regardyng how nere we bee to daunger and perill. And here wee maie behold and ſee, what this life is, and how this worthie Apoſtle hath depainted and ſet out the ſame vntounto vsus: inſomuche that there is none, hauing his Conſcience touched with any feare of God, but continually wiſheth to bee diſſolued and to exchaunge it for that other. For here we bee in the kingdome of the Deuill and Sathan. And as a trauailer or Straunger that commeth into an Inne, where he knoweth there are none but Theeues and Murtherers, will looke well to himſelf, and bee very carefull for his owne ſafetie before he will enter into that houſe: (if the caſe ſo bee that needes he muſt goe in) and will be ſure (as neere as he can) to arme his bodie from the violence of their furies, and will not ſleepe muche in that houſe, but ſtande vppon, his guarde, that he maie departe thence without harme: Euen ſo and with like daunger liue we here on Earth, where Sathan beareth the ſwaie and is Prince, who hath ſo the hartes of men within the daunger of his power, that by them he bryngeth to paſſe whatſoeuer he liſteth: It is a terrible matter to thinke thereon, and therefore S. Peter herein giueth vsus a watchworde to beware, and admoniſheth vsus to be carefull and diligent in looking to our ſelues: ſaiyng: Be ye ſober. For they that be giuen to drunkennes and ſurphetting, and as Swine, care for nothyng but for their bellie, are fitte for nothyng that good is. And therefore wee muſt endeuour our ſelues to hauehave alwaies in readineſſe our Armor of Sobrietie.
And Watche ye (ſaieth he) and that not onelyonly ſpirituallie but alſo corporallie. For a heauie, lumpiſhe and drowſie body, when it hath pampered, crammed and ingurged it ſelf with meates and drinks, is not fit nor able to reſiſt the Deuill ſeing it is hard enough for them ſo to doe, which are ſtrong in faith, and hauehave plentifull giftes of the Spirite.
But what is the cauſe why wee ſhould ſo muche giuegive our ſelues to Sobrietie, and watchfulneſſe? Becauſe (ſaieth hee) your aduerſarie the Deuill ſkuddeth about like a roaring Lion, ſeeking whom he maie deuour. For the Deuill neuer ſleepeth, he is throughly enured and furniſhed with guile, ſuttletie and malice, and carieth that cancarde ſtomack againſt vsus, that he leaueth no waie vnattempted how he maie moleſt and enſnare vsus, yea he well knoweth whiche waie to laie his baytes to catch vsus & bryng vsus vntounto his lure, and therfore he roameth and trudgeth vp and downe, like a roaryng and rampyng Lyon, that yelleth and roareth hideouſlie and horribly, as though he would deuoure all that commeth in his waie. And therefore hath ſainct Peter left vntounto vsus in writyng this ſo neceſſarie and profitable an admonition: wherein he diſcouereth vntounto vsus our deadly and infernall Enemie, that wee ſhould take heede of hym, and with S. Paule not bee ignoraunt of his malicious driftes. For, in that he ſkuddeth and walketh about, his drift and meanyng is thereby to bryng vsus into a negligence and ſecuritie: wherein if he maie once lulle vsus, there ſtraightwaies iſſue and budde out from thence Anger, Wrath, Contention, Arrogance, Shameleſneſſe, contempt of God, and all other miſchieues whatſoeuer.
And here note, how he ſaieth that the Deuill walketh about. He ſetteth not vponupon thee directly before thy face, where he knoweth thou art fenced and garded: but he cowardly lyeth in waite to ſurprize thee behinde at thy backe, or aſlope on the one ſide: he pryeth and tooteth within thee and without thee very diligently to eſpie thee at ſome vauntage, where he maie ſet vppon thee. For when he hath attempted thee one waie (if he ſpeede not of his purpoſe) he ſtraightwaies taketh an other in hande. If he miſſe his purpoſe on this ſide of thee, he flingeth to the other, omitting no ſuttle deuiſe, no craftie ambuſh, no cunnyng pollicie to catche thee in a trippe and ſo to poſſeſſe thee. If he finde thee ſtrongly armed and fenced on one parte, he planteth his batterie to an other ſide: if he bee diſappoincted there, he chargeth vponupon thee (and that with incredible ſpeede) in an other place, he neuer ceaſſeth, but is in cōtinuall practiſe of miſchiefe, for thy ouerthrowe and confuſion: he neuer taketh any pauſe or ſtaie, but ſtill runneth about, not ſuffryng thee to hauehave any maner of teſt, or intermiſſion. And yet wee as men ſenſeleſſe and careleſſe make no reckonyng of this geare, neither watche wee to withſtande hym, whereby he maie eaſilie and without reſiſtaunce aſſaile and ouerthrowe vsus. Let eueryevery one therefore looke diligently and warely to hymſelf: and he ſhall finde all this to be moſt true: as thei that hauehave been tempted, can not bee ignoraunt. And therefore wee are more then twiſe miſerable, that liue here ſo careleſly and retchleſly. For if we would enter into cōſideration with our ſelues of this our life preſent, we ſhould ſee good cauſe for vsus to crye out and call for help, none otherwiſe then if wee were beſet with a nūber of murtherous Theeues. This cauſed Iob to ſaie, that the life of man on Earth is a mere Warfare, and a continuall temptation or fight. But why then (will ye ſaie) doth God place vsus in this life beeyng ſo full of miſeries? Truely for this cauſe, that our Faith maie be exerciſed and encreaſed, and that we ſhould be the gladder and willinger to departe hence: and further that Death might become more ſauoueie vntounto vsus, and bee the earneſtlier of vsus deſired.
Whom reſiſt, ſtedfaſt in the Faithe,
WEE muſt bee ſober and watche, but yet to this ende, that our bodies maie bee fit and readie for the conflict and battaile: and yet this is not ſufficient, to ouercome the Deuill withall. Theſe weapons are onelyonly auaileable for this reſpect, that the bodie maie bee the leſſe occaſioned to ſinne. But the true weapon wherewith wee muſt giuegive the ouerthrowe and foyle to our Eenemie, is Faithe. For if wee take ſure holde of GOD in his Worde, and in harte conſtantly cleaue therevnto by Faithe, the Deuill ſhall neuer bee able to vanquiſhe vsus, but like a daunced Cowarde ſtraight waies runne out of the fielde. If thou canſt ſaie: This hath my Lord my God ſpoken, this I do ſtedfaſtly beleue, hereupon I ſtaie my ſelf, & hereunto doe I leane: thou ſhalt ſee the Deuill quickly like a Micher ſneake awaie and departe: with whom all beautineſſe, all ill concupiſcence and iuſte, all wrath, all couetouſneſſe, all faint-hartedneſſe and deſperation vaniſhe and packe awaie alſo. But ſuche is the …uctletie and craft of the Deuill, that he will hardlie ſuffer thee to come to that poynct, but will vſe all the meanes that hee can, to plucke this weapon out of thy hande. Whiche he eaſily bryngeth to paſſe, when he hath once enſnared thee in a drowſie ſlothfulneſſe, and made thy bodie vtterly vnapt for the battaile, and giuen to nothyng els but to laſciuious wantonnes. For by that meanes with little adoe he wringeth out of thy hande the Sworde of the Spirite, which is the Worde of God, as he did by our firſte Graundmother Eue. She had the Word of God, wherevnto if ſhe had firmely and ſtedfaſtly adhered, ſhee had not fallen. But when the Deuill ſawe her negligently and careleſly to regarde the Worde, he eaſilie pulled it out of her harte, and ſo obteined that whiche he would hauehave.
Sainct Peter therefore hath here ſufficiently warned vsus, that wee ſhould ſtriue and fight againſt the Deuill. To which battaile and encountrie, it nothyng auaileth to runne vp and doune hither and thither for any good Worke, whiche thou of thy ſelf canſt doe: but this onelyonly muſt thou hauehave care vntounto, that thou conſtantlie ſticke, and ſtedfaſtly by faithe embrace the Worde of God. If the Deuill then approache thee, and goe about to hurle thee into penſiueneſſe of minde and deſperation, by reaſon of thy manifolde ſinnes and tranſgreſſions before committed: betake thou thy ſelf ſtraightwaies to the Word of God, wherein remiſſion of all thy Synnes is promiſed: commit thy ſelf wholly thereunto, and thou ſhalt ſee, that he will quickly packe awaie and be gonne from thee.
Knowyng that the ſame afflictions are accompliſhed in your brethren, whiche are in the worlde.
MEruaile ye not, that ye muſt ſuffer temptatiōs of the Deuill: let this rather comforte you that you ſuffer not the ſame alone. For there bee a greate many of you, and ye are all Brethren: and ye muſt all ſuffer and endure the ſame: All they take your partes, and in this conflict are aiders and helpers vntounto you.
Thus haſt thou this former Epiſtle of S. Peter ſomwhat largelie expounded: In the whiche thou art taught euen fullie and abundauntly the whole ſumme of Chriſtian doctrine, and wherein alſo thou maieſt ſee Faithe, LoueLove, and the Croſſe, right aptly and copiouſlie deſcribed: and maieſt alſo read many godlie inſtructions, and neceſſarie premonitions how to wage battaile, and continue fight with that greate Dragon the Deuill. Whiche Epiſtle who ſo euer hath rightly and throughlie learned, hath (no doubte) a riche Storehouſe of all ſuche thynges, as any waie concerne ſincere and true Chriſtianitie: In ſomuche that he ſhall not neede any other doctrine or helpe beſide this: as in deede there is none other: Sauyng that God of the aboundaunte ſtore of his merciemercy and bountie teacheth the ſame doctrine, in ſundrie and many other places of the Scriptures. For other then this that is here ſett doune by ſainct Peter, there is nothyng that can be taught, or that needeth to bee diſplaied, ſith he herein hath omitted nothyng of all thoſe thinges, whiche are expediente and behoouefull for a Chriſtian to knowe.
Finallie, he here deliuereth the partes of a faithfull Preacher and good Paſtour: to witte, that he ſhould accoumpt it his bounden duetie, not onelyonly to feede the Sheepe, but alſo to bee carefull for them, and to praie for theim, that God maie graciouſlie encreaſe theim in goodneſſe, and ſtrengthen theim in Faithe, whereby thei maie bothe receiue and heare the Word, and alſo digeſt, vnderſtande, and bryng forthe the fruites therof. And thus with a praier in the ende, he concludeth, ſaiyng:
And the GOD of all grace, whiche hath called vsus vntounto his eternall glorie by Chriſte Ieſus, after that ye hauehave ſuffred a little, make you perfect, confirme, ſtrengthen, and ſtabliſhe you.
IN this Praier he commendeth them to God. The God (ſaieth he) who a…de is the giuer of all Grace, and that not pinchyngly, or in parte, but who moſte liberally and aboundauntly (as it were) by full heapes, powreth all his Graces vponupon you: who hath called you through Chriſte, that ye ſhould enioy and be partakers of eternal glorie, & that not for any merite of your own, but by & through Chriſt. Whom if ye hauehave, ye alſo hauehave through Faithe in him (not for any merite of your owne) eternall life and felicitie. He it is that ſhall make you perfecte, that you beeyng by hym ſtrengthened, maie growe and ſtande faſte, readie to woorke all good woorkes: He alſo ſhall confirme and ſtabliſhe you, that you ſhalbee able to ſuffer and abide all thynges.
To hym bee glorie and Dominion for euer and euer. Amen.
THis praiſe, is that Sacrifice, whiche the duetie of all vsus which bee Chriſtians, is to offer. He addeth yet a fewe woordes moe.
By Syluanus a faithfull brother vntounto you, as I ſuppoſe, hauehave I written brieflie, exhortyng and teſtifiyng how that this is the true grace of God, wherein ye ſtande.
ALthough I am not ignoraunte, that ye hauehave heard and learned theſe thynges afore, ſo that ye greatlie neede not to bee taught the ſame againe at my handes, yet thought I it good to write the ſame againe vntounto you: to thintent I might bee as a Remembrauncer to you (as it is the duetie of al true Apoſtles to bee) to perſeuere and continue in that doctrine which ye hauehave learned, to practiſe and exerciſe it, and to liue accordyng to the preceptes, rules, and directions thereof: not thinkyng that I doe preache any other thyng vntounto you now, then ye hauehave afore bothe heard and learned.
The Churche that is at Babylon elected together with you, ſaluteth you.
SAlutations were wont in this ſorte to bee ſent by letters. The Churche (ſaieth he) that is at Babylon ſaluteth you. There were twoo greate Cities of this name, the one in Chaldaea, the other in Aegypt, whiche is now called Alkair. Rome alſo by an Allegorie is called Babylon, becauſe of the greate confuſion of villainous vices, beeyng gathered thither, as into the common Sinke of the worlde. And ſome would faine hauehave it to be here ſo taken. But I can not bée brought to that opinion. The woorde by interpretation ſignifieth Confuſion. It is moſte like to bee that Babylon in Aſſyria or Chaldaea, where Saincte Peter was the Apoſtle of the Circumciſion.
And Marcus my Sonne.
SOme ſaie this was Marke the Euangeliſt, whom he calleth his Sonne, not after the Fleſh, but after the Spirit. As ſainct Paule likewiſe calleth Timotheus and Titus his Soonnes, and writeth to the Corinthians, that he had begotten them in Chriſt.
Greete ye one an other with the kiſſe of LoueLove.
THis cuſtome of Kiſſyng is now growen out of vſe. Wee reade in the Goſpell that Chriſt kiſſed his Diſciples, whiche was a cuſtome then in thoſe Countreis. Of this Kiſſe Sainct Paule alſo maketh often mention. Act. xx.j. Cor. xvj.ij. Cor. xiij. Rom. xvj.
Peace bee with you all, whiche are in Chriſte Ieſus. Amen.
THat is, whiche faithfullie beleeue in Chriſte. And this is the ende of this his former Epiſtle, wherein he commendeth theim vntounto the protection and tuition of Almightie God: who mercifullie graunt that wee maie throughlie vnderſtande, and effectuallie keepe and practiſe the doctrine compriſed in the ſame. Amen.