Exposition Upon 1 Peter, Biblical exegesis · Chapter 2 · Verse 13
Verse 13. Submit your selves to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake, whether it be to the king as supreme, Verse 14. Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him, for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well.
NOw followeth the second part of this Chapter,The sum of the second part of this Chapter. containing Exhortations to certain kindes of men, according to their particular and special callings and places, (as the former have been Exhortations to duties of Sanctification, belonging to all Christians) and chiefly of the duties of Inferiors towards their Superiors, namely, of Subjects to their Magistrates, Servants to their Masters, and in the beginning of the following Chapter, of Wives towards their Husbands.
These Verses,The parts of these Verses, and that which followeth. with that which followeth, contain the Subjects duty towards their Magistrates; wherein we have
1. An Exhortation, in these words, Submit your selves to every Ordinance of man, 1. An Exhortation.That is, whatsoever kinde of Government you shall live under, (for all Kingdoms, Countreys, Provinces, Cities, be not govern'd after the same sort) termed the Ordinance of man, not because its ordained by man, (for its Gods Ordinance) but because its proper to man, and is so much for his benefit: This submission consists as well in our willing bearing their Superiority over us, and patiently bearing our inferiority under them, as in doing all the duties of our places to them, and that whether they be worthy of it, or not: Those are distributed into the Principal and Supreme, the King, or those that are Subordinate by him, Governors.
2. Reasons to enforce the same:2. Three reasons to enforce the same. 1. The Lord is the Author of Magistracy, and requireth our subjection, therefore we ought to yield thereunto. 2. They are appointed for the great good of Church and Common-wealth, the punishment of evil doers, and praise of them that do well, without which no Society or Kingdom can stand. 3. Its Gods minde that hereby we should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.
Before I come to the words in particular, consider we two things in general; The first from the Coherence: As before he would have them in their whole conversation to behave themselves as Christians, and exhorted them to a godly life; so he doth now require them to shew the same in their particular callings, and in those special places wherein they were put. Whence note, That
Every mans duty is to shew his godliness in his particular calling;Doctr. As the General of a Field appoints every one their places and standings,Every man must shew forth his godliness in his particular calling. Horsemen, Footmen, Gunners, Pikemen, &c. accordingly requiring and expecting of each the performance of his duty in his several place: So hath the Lord appointed some Superiors, others Inferiors; and accordingly every man must shew his goodness as in all things, so in his particular calling especially, and be faithful in the trust reposed in him therein, as one friend should be to another, especially in great and weighty businesses: Every place whereunto a man is called, as to be a Husband, Magistrate, Minister, Housholder, &c. hath a special trust going along therewith; so that whoso will shew himself godly, if he be a Magistrate, he must be a godly Magistrate; if he be a Minister, he must be a godly Minister, &c. Thus Abraham was a godly man, which he shewed in being a godly Housholder; So Joshua, in being a godly, zealous, couragious Captain; So David, Jehoshaphat Hezekiah, Josiah, in being godly Kings, suppressing Idolatry, and setting up the true worship of God.
1. This sheweth and unvizardeth many to be bad which would be counted honest men;Use 1. They being Magistrates, do (alas) either take against goodness, and defend evil, or at least like Gallio, care for nothing: So being Ministers, have no will, nor skill, gifts or ability to teach the people, nor give example of true godliness: So Housholders, if they be not ill examples of swearing, idle-talking, prophaning the Lords-day, and the like, yet make no account to govern their Families aright, in reading the Word, instructing them therein, Praying with them, and the like: Therefore let none so think of themselves as of honest men and godly, which be not godly in their special Calling; neither let others commend such for such, though haply endued with some good qualities: O he is a very honest man! Its a foolish and lying commendation, whosoever is a godly man, will be good in his particular Calling: Before they enter thereinto, they will finde themselves fit for the same, or if they must needs take the same upon them, they will labor to fit themselves, and therein (for all are not fitted alike) do their utmost endeavor: So if a man be godly, he will be a good Housholder, and where Gaming and the Devils Books were wont to be rife, there have Gods Books read, and Prayer exercised: Therefore whereas the godliest Preachers and Christians are wont to be blamed, as men that cannot abide Government, and would pull the Scepter out of the Magistrates hands, (as Korah with his companions) this must needs be a foul slander; for be they godly men, yea in the conscience of their adversaries, then can they not but be good Subjects, and are indeed the best Subjects, who pay to the King according to their ability most willingly, that pray for the King most often, and heartily, that break fewest of his Laws, and they lead a godly life, to keep Gods wrath away from the King and Realm, whereas others live badly, and thereby provoke God against both.
2. Its necessary that men labor first to be godly,Use 2. ere they enter into their particular Callings: O then would they be godly Magistrates, Ministers, Housholders; and the contrary is the cause of so much wrack in Church and Common-wealth. Why be there so many wicked Husbands, and lewd and disobedient Wives, so many careless Housholders, that care not for the souls of their Servants and Children, and why so many bad Ministers? even because they be bad men, and have not first endeavored to be holy.
The second, The reason why the Apostle is so earnest with them for duty in the place of Inferiors; Its twofold, partly upon a conceit that was in the minde of the Gentiles, that Christs Apostles and their followers were Enemies to Government, and could not abide Caesar (which came to pass as well through wicked men, raised up by the Devil) which feigning themselves to be holy men, did rebelliously set themselves against Caesars Government,Acts 5. 37. and drew the people away; as Judas of Galilee, who feigned himself to be Christ, and was an Enemy to Caesar, and perswaded the people, that seeing he was an Heathen Emperor, they needed not pay him tribute: Hereupon when Christ came,Matt. 22. 17. he was asked, Whether it was lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not; Luke 23. 2.and notwithstanding of his wise and Subject-like answer, yet at his arraignment he was accused as an Enemy to Caesar; and because he said he was a King (as indeed he was, though no worldly King, and his Kingdom and Caesars might well enough stand together) they thought he could not but be Caesars Enemy; as for that the wicked and Heathen Emperors would try their obedience in unlawful things, as by commanding themselves or their Images to be worshipped (so were Daniel and the three Children tried) which they not daring to obey, though they yielded patiently in the punishment inflicted on them, were therefore counted Rebels (though to try men in bad things, be no true tryal of believers) and partly, because of a disease of the Jews, whereof they were somewhat sick, and in part faulty (which notwithstanding was not occasioned either through Christ, his Apostles, or the Gospel) even that they thought they should not obey these Heathen Magistrates, and the Romane Empire under which they now were, and that not onelyonly for that they came in wrongfully, ruled wickedly, and besides were bad men, but by misconceiving of the freedom purchased to them by Christ: They were made free, therefore (thought they) ought not to be bound; were the children of God, and heirs of HEAVEN, therefore not to be subject to bad men: For those causes, I say, the Apostle is so earnest, even that hereby he might remove as well that conceit of the Gentiles, as cure this disease of the Jews. Hence note,
1. That its the duty of Ministers to prevent offences,Doctr. or remove false conceits out of mens mindes;Ministers must labor to remove false conceits out of mens mindes. and in this particular to teach the people subjection, to provoke thereto, to practise it in all lawful things; for the world still hath this conceit of Gods Ministers and Christians, and that upon the very like grounds (some having risen up from time to time, that have either had ill causes, or if good, handled them very ill, and have been of a railing, scoffing spirit) but let it be known to all that be so minded, that the faithfullest Ministers and Christians usually thus slandered, are as true lovers, & as much subject to Government, as any other whatsoever, and so teach the people, by whose Ministery people are both brought to be good Subjects, and likewise to continue in subjection.
2. Ministers must speak to the purpose,Obs. and apply themselves to the state and necessity of the people they live amongst,Ministers must apply themselves to the state and necessity of their people. observing what duties be most neglected, and what sins be rifest among them, accordingly perswading to the former, and disswading from the latter.
Submit your selves to every Ordinance of man,] He saith not, Love, that had been too familiar,Rom. 13. 1. nor Obey, that had been too straight, but Submit (as elswhere,The duties of Subjects to their superiors be subject) which comprehendeth both, and all other duties of Subjects: Those may be referred to these four heads, Reverence, Obedience, Thankfulness, and Prayer; of every of which I have heretofore spoken at large. These we had need to hear of, for whose heart must not needs accuse him, that he hath failed much in them all? needful they are to be known and practised, that we may procure honor to our Profession, when we declare it by subjection in all parts thereof, and herein exceed those that know not God, nor have had the like means of Salvation, as we have: And had we done our duties better to our Magistrates, no question we might have enjoyed more good by their means, and so shall for the time to come, if we make more conscience hereof; yea, its necessary that women should hear these things, that being Widows, they may pay such dues as are required of them, or Wives be helpful to their Husbands in perswading them hereunto, and that willingly and chearfully: This condemneth the Anabaptists, as flat opposite to Magistrates and all these duties.
For the Lords sake,] The first Reason to move us to subjection, God requires the same.The first Reason to move us to subjection, God will have it to be so, who hath ordained Magistracy; therefore though there be nothing in the person to deserve it (yet are they very bad Magistrates that be not better then none) and though they abuse their calling, yet do the forenamed duty, for Gods sake who hath appointed them: Neither must we do the same, either for fear of punishment on the one side, or hope of reward on the other, but for the reverence we owe unto God; we must not onelyonly do good things, but do them on a good ground, and in a right maner.
This rebukes the most part,Use. who, were it not for fear of after claps, and that they should hear of it, would do nothing, but this is not thank-worthy; Slaves do thus, and they that thus do, their service may be beneficial to the Magistrate, but themselves shall have no benefit of their doing, as not proceeding from a right minde: We ought not to curse (or speak ill of) the King or Magistrate in our thought,Eccles. 10. 20. or in our bed-chamber, which yet they cannot come to know, for God knows it, who will revenge it: We must submit our selves for conscience sake. This is indeed right obedience, and whereof we may have comfort.
Further,How the Laws of Magistrates binde us. Magistrates Laws binde us by vertue not of them, but of God; we must obey them, and all their good Laws binde our Consciences; But why, and how? because they be mens Laws? No; for no man hath power over the conscience, but by vertue of a Commandment of the Lord, who hath set them, and given them power to make Laws for his Worship, and for Civil things agreeable to his Law, and bid us obey them; so that their Commandments binde not our conscience by vertue of them, or any power they have over our conscience, but by vertue of Gods Commandment, and not otherwise. Again, when any that have no authority from God, shall give Laws, they binde us not, as not being the parties allowed of God to make Laws: Thus are not we to obey the Popes Laws, we are not to obey the Laws which a company of Rebels gathered together under some great man (as say, Absolom) do set forth, they touch not the conscience; yea, if even right Magistrates that may make Laws, make wicked ones, contrary to Gods Law, those their Laws do not binde the conscience.
Whether it be to the King as supreme], A distribution of Magistrates.In these and the following words is a distribution of Magistrates, whereof the King is Superior and chief in his Realm, as were David and Solomon Kings of Israel. The King here meant was Caesar, that came in unjustly, ruled Tyrannously, and was an Idolater, to whom notwithstanding they were to do the forenamed duties, as amongst the rest to pray for him; How much more then are good Kings to be prayed for?
A King in his Dominions,A King is supreme Governor over all in his own dominions, and in all causes. and as far as his Kingdom reacheth, hath Soveraignty and Power over all, and is the principal: None is above him in his own Kingdom, not is any exempted from his Government: He is under God the chief, its so with no other; Constables have Justices above them, they Judges, these the Kings Counsels, above them the King, above him none, as none were above David and Solomon: He is over all persons, and in all Causes the chief; Persons, whether high or low, rich or poor, men or women, Ministers or people: He may Tax them, Censure them, Depose them, Imprison them, yea put them to Death, Ministers (if they deserve it) as well as others:Exod. 32. 21. Moses rebuked Aar…n for the golden Calf; Joash found fault with Jehoiada and the Priests,2 Kings 12. 7. for the money no better employed; Solomon deposed Abiathar, 1 Kings 2 27.and set up Zadock in his room: Causes, not Civil onelyonly touching mens goods, lands, lives, and right and wrong, but Ecclesiastical also, as to make Laws, and take Order for the worship of God, the Preaching of the Word, Administration of the Sacraments, the behavior and maintenance of Ministers, and the like, and accordingly to see them done, as did Asa, Jehosophat, Hezekiah, and Josiah: So that a King may be well and truly said to be Supreme Governor over all persons, and in all Causes, yea, and Supreme head in a borrowed speech, as the Husband is the Wives head, not to make new Laws not agreeable to Gods Law, but to be keepers of the two Tables of Gods Law, and to rule according to them.
1. This condemneth the monstrous pride and arrogancy of the Pope,Use. that challengeth and taketh upon him to be Supreme head over the Church, and that he may set up and depose Princes, he may Curse and Excommunicate, and command to go to War at his pleasure, and that he may exempt Subjects from their allegiance, &c. He is a Lyar, Usurper, and a Thief, What hath he do in England? who gave him his Authority? He is a Minister if he be Saint Peters Successor, and hath the Spiritual Sword to fight withal, but he challengeth both Swords, Temporal and Spiritual too, too much in conscience for one man; for one hand to hold and handle two Swords, whereas each will take up the whole man.
But how came he by them, especially by this Temporal Sword, and civil Authority, as to kill, imprison, and do what a King may do?
Oh,Object. Christ gave him the Spiritual Sword, which is the greater, therefore did give him the Civil, which is the lesser.
A sound argument:Sol. The King gives a Nobleman a great Office, therefore hath given him one that is lesser, Doth this follow? Yea, to maintain this his usurped Power, they do so wofully abuse the Scriptures, that it would grieve any heart; as where Peter was bid, Arise, Acts 10. 13.kill and eat; Peter might kill Beasts, therefore the Pope may kill men, a goodly argument; This would rather authorize the Pope to play the Cook,See Dr. Hillet, Mr. Wiggons and W: Barclay, on this Subject. then the King: So Peters dealing with Ananias and Sapphira, and Pauls, with Elimas the Sorcerer are alledged, but was their's with the Temporal Sword? was it with force or violence? was it not with the Word of God? This makes nothing for his Civil Power, Christ refused it, when they would have made him a King, and when he was desired to divide an Inheritance: So these speeches of our Savior,Luke 22. 26, 28. He that hath no Sword, let him sell his Garment and buy one; and when they said, Lord here are two Swords, he said unto them, It is enough: But hereby our Savior doth onelyonly put them in minde of the danger of the ensuing times, and that they should prepare themselves for troubles, not that they should otherwise resist then with the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God; for afterward when Peter used his material Sword against the Officers,Mat. 26. 52. our Savior willed him to put up the same: Whatsoever therefore the Pope, or any for him can alledge, we may safely take the Oath of Supremacy; They that will not, are not to be trusted for good Subjects.
2. This condemneth the Clergy of Rome, Use 2.that exempt themselves from all Princes Authority,Rom. 13. 1. whereas God hath said, Let every soul be subject to the higher powers: If they have souls they must be subject; But how do they exempt themselves? 1. As they say, Jure Divino, 1 Cor. 2. 15.from that of Saint Paul, He that is Spiritual, judgeth all things; yet he himself is judged of no man: An horrible abuse of the place, which ayms at no Civil Judgement, but onelyonly at judging by the Spirit of God of things Divine, which a natural man cannot attain unto; meaning, that as a Natural man cannot judge of Spiritual things, so none can judge of a Spiritual man, but he that is indued with the same Spirit. 2. By the Donation of Constantine; but its not in the power of Princes so to do: They may exempt them from Tribute, if they will,Gen. 47. 22. as Pharoah took not the Priests Lands to gage for Corn; but to exempt them from subjection, they cannot. This were to make themselves wiser then God, who hath put them under their Authority, yea, the too much indulgence and favor of Emperors, hath been the bane of the Church, and helpt up the Pope into his stirrop; Therefore its wisdom in them to hold their Authority which God hath given them.
Or unto Governors, Subordinate Magistrates are also to be obeyed.] A King is but a man, and cannot rule a Kingdom by himself, and therefore must have others under him for the same purpose; in War, Generals, Captains, Lieutenants, &c. and in Peace,Exod. 18. 21. Judges, Justices, Majors, Baliffs, Sheriffs, Constables,Deut. 16. 18. &c. accordingly was Jethro's Counsel,Prov. 8. 16. questionless by Gods direction; accordingly was Gods own prescription, and by him do they also rule: Such did Jehoshophat set throughout all the Cities of his Land,2 Chron. 19. 5. City by City: These be the Princes eyes to see, and hands to execute Judgement, who therefore must be obeyed, even the meanest of them.
This condemneth them that are afraid to commit Treason against the King,Use. but for other Magistrates, they care not for them, set light by them, sometimes outface them: An Officers gown hath been heretofore more feared, then his person now, so proud and insolent are youth grown in these lewd times, that with the Judge in the Gospel,Luke 18. 2. they neither fear God nor man: In Jobs time, the wicked would flie from him,Iob 29. 8. when they saw him; but now tell a company of drunkards in an Ale-house, that the Constable comes, what care they; yea, they will not onelyonly sit still there, but with vile speeches outface him: This comes to pass partly through the coldness and remisness of Magistrates, whereby they lose their authority, which is Gods judgement on them, and partly through the boldness of youth, over in times past: Let them look to it, they resist not onelyonly the King in the meanest Officer, but even God and his Ordinance, and shall receive to themselves judgement, whom God will pursue, though men connive at them: Such contemners of Magistrates for the most part come to the gallows, or such fearful ends.
As unto them that are sent by him,] Both the Supreme and Subordinate are sent of God.This is in effect the same with the foregoing Reason. There is a nature in us contrary to this subjection, but we must submit our selves to them, for they be sent of God, both the highest and the lower ones:Prov. 8. 15. The powers that be, are ordained of God.Rom. 13. 1.
1. This teacheth all sorts of Officers and Magistrates,Use 1. to be careful in the performance of their duties, remembring that they are sent of God, that they bear his Name, and that he will call them to an account: They that are faithful in this trust reposed on them, shall receive a good reward; as contrarily, they that do his work negligently,Mat. 25. 26. 30 and are unfaithful, shall hear this doleful sound, O evil and unfaithful Servant, &c. take and binde him, &c.
2. It teacheth them to do their duties couragiously:Use 2. They have a sure back,2 Chro. 19. 6. … he that sets them on work, is able to defend and maintain them.
3. People must submit themselves to them,Use 3. they are sent of God; if they do not thus, they shall answer the same at their uttermost perils.
For the punishment of evil doers,The second Reason. and for the praise of them that do well.] The second Reason of the foregoing Exhortation,
Its taken from the end of Magistrates,The end why Magistrates were ordained. appointed for the great benefit of a Commonwealth, even to punish evil doers, commend and defend the good, without which no Kingdom could stand; as there could be no garden, if all the Hogs in the Town were suffered to root it up; no orchard, if Cattel were suffered to eat it off the buds, and bark of the trees, &c. so that unless we be vipers, and seek the ruine of our Countrey, we cannot but acknowledge the benefit we get by Magistrates, and accordingly perform our duties towards them.
As they are to make good Laws,Use. both for the worship of God, tending to his glory, and the Salvation of their peoples Souls, and the preservation of Justice and Peace (wherein Mercy and Judgement are to meet together) and are to justifie the Righteous,Psal. 101. 1. and condemn the wicked (as good gardiners pull up the weeds,Deut. 25. 1. but cherish good herbs) whereby vertue may flourish by due encouragement, and vice may be suppressed by due punishment: So must we accordingly behave our selves towards them for their encouragement.
For the punishment of evil doers,] God is a just God, who both hates and punisheth sin;Exod. 34. 7. so must Magistrates do, they have not the Sword for nought:Magistrates must punish evil doers. It must not be as a childes Dagger, never drawn out, or rust in the scabberd, as those hanged up in our houses in the times of Peace: Samuel hewed Agag in pieces, Joshua put Achan to death, Moses was zealous this way:Exod. 18. 21. Magistrates must be men of courage,Deut. 25. 2. and must punish the wicked according to their fault;Prov. 20. 30. and 29. 15. This is the ready way to bring them to repentance (as the rod and correction gives life to a childe) and keep others from the like faults.Deut. 21. 21. Thus was the stubborn son to be stoned, that all Israel might hear and fear: Hereby also they stay the cry of sin, and so provide for Gods glory, and safety both of Church and Commonwealth: If they smite not, God will, as Elies sons and Agag.
1. This rebuketh the wonderful coldness of most Magistrates,Use 1. that care not whether they have any ill doers brought before them, if they can shift it off; or if they be brought, yet handle them so gently, that not onelyonly that are not the more reformed, but the more emboldened in their wickedness, and such as complained of them quite discouraged;See Eccle. 8. 11 a fearful thing. Thus under colour of mercy, sin is encreased, God dishonored, the Commonwealth marred: Thus whereas they might do much good, they do much hurt to others, they hurt also themselves; as Saul in sparing Agag, and Ahab in sparing Benhadad: How will Magistrates answer this? God calls, Who is on my side?Psal. 119. 126. Who? he looks who will help him against the mighty; assuredly its now time for him to work: O let Magistrates look to this, they shall provide well for themselves against the time of need, they may look for help from God, and say as Nehemiah, Remember me, Neh. 13. 22.O Lord my God, in goodness, according to all that I have done: This is also the sin of Headboroughs and Constables, that are not zealous to finde out such, and complain of them, but rather cold, loath to stir for being counted medlers,Ier. 9 3. &c. so that we may say, men have no courage for the Truth,Isa. 59. 4. and no man calleth for Justice: And thus they make themselves work while they shun it, for so sin encreaseth, and will set them on work whether they will or not.
2. This rebuketh also all such as take part with persons and causes;Use 2. There's no Town but hath vile persons in it; there's none so vile, but lightly one rich man or other that should joyn to punish him, takes part with him: If they cannot scape the curse that help not the Lord against the mighty,Iudg. 5. 23. what shall become of them that help the mighty against the Lord, and all that seek to punish them? a threefold curse waiteth for them, and where shall they appear?
And for the praise of them that do well.] Magistrates should stand for well-doersGod loves and rewards well doing; so should Magistrates, they must defend and advance such; their eyes must be upon the faithful in the Land,Isa. 32. 1, 2, &c. and with Cornelius, Rom. 13. 1.they should have such wait on them as fear God.Psal. 101. 6.
1. This rebukes those that hearten not good persons,Acts 10. 7. when they come with complaints to them,Use 1. neither shew any countenance to such.
2. Much more them that set themselves against those:Use 2. O its a sickly time, when the best be most afraid and punisht! As Micaiah imprisoned by Ahab, Eliah feign to flie from Jezabel, and Jeremiah put in a Dungeon, Mephibosheth deprived of his means, Daniel cast into the Lyons Den, &c. Magistrates should not be feared of them that do well, yet its often so; so it was in Queen Maries time, the godliest hid their heads in Woods and Dens, were Imprisoned, put to Death, whereas Idolaters were in request: In such cases we had great need to pray for redress.