Readings for Lent and Easter

Footnotes

1. 1 Peter 2:13 That which he spoke generally, he now expoundeth by parts, describing severally every man’s duty. And first of all he speaketh of obedience which is due both to the Laws, and also to the Magistrates both higher and lower.
2. 1 Peter 2:13 By ordinance, is meant the framing and ordering of civil government: which he calleth ordinance of man, not because man invented it, but because it is proper to men.
3. 1 Peter 2:13 The first argument: because the Lord is the author and revenger of this policy of men, that is, which is set amongst men: and therefore the true servants of the Lord must above all others be diligent observers of this order.
4. 1 Peter 2:13 He preventeth a cavil which is made by some, that say they will obey Kings and the higher magistrates, and yet contemn their ministers: as though their ministers were not armed with their authority which sent them.
5. 1 Peter 2:14 The second argument taken of the end of this order, which is not only most profitable, but also very necessary: seeing that by this means virtue is rewarded, and vice punished: wherein the quietness and happiness of this life consisteth.
6. 1 Peter 2:15 He declareth the first argument more amply, showing that Christian liberty doth amongst all things least, or not at all consist herein, to wit, to cast off the bridle of Laws, (as at that time some altogether unskillful in the kingdom of God reported) but rather in this, that living holily according to the will of God, we should make manifest to all men, that the Gospel is not a cloak for sin and wickedness, seeing we are in such sort free, that yet we are still the servants of God, and not of sin.
7. 1 Peter 2:17 He divideth the civil life of man, by occasion of those things of which he spake into two general parts: to wit, into those duties which private men owe to private men, and especially the faithful to the faithful, and into that subjection whereby inferiors are bound to their superiors: but so, that Kings be not made equal to God, seeing that fear is due to God, and honor to Kings.
8. 1 Peter 2:17 Be charitable and dutiful towards all men.
9. 1 Peter 2:17 The assembly and fellowship of the brethren, as Zech. 11:14.
10. 1 Peter 2:18 He goeth to the duty of servants towards their masters, which he describeth with these bounds, that servants submit themselves willingly and not by constraint, not only to the good and courteous, but also to the froward and sharp masters.
11. 1 Peter 2:19 The taking away of an objection: Indeed the condition of servants is hard, especially if they have froward masters: but this their subjection shall be so much the more acceptable to God, if his will prevails more with servants, than the masters’ injuries.
12. 1 Peter 2:19 Because he maketh a conscience of it to offered God, by whose good will and appointment, he knoweth this burden is laid upon him.
13. 1 Peter 2:21 He mitigateth the grievousness of servitude, while he showeth plainly that Christ died also for servants, that they should bear so much the more patiently this inequality betwixt men which are of one selfsame nature, moreover setting before them Christ that Lord of Lords for an ensample, he signifieth that they cannot but seem too delicate, which show themselves more grieved in bearing of injuries, than Christ himself who was most just, and most sharply of all afflicted, and yet was most patient.
14. 1 Peter 2:21 A borrowed kind of speech taken of painters and schoolmasters.
15. 1 Peter 2:23 He showeth them a remedy against injuries, to wit, that they commend their cause to God, by the ensample of Christ.
16. 1 Peter 2:23 He seemeth now to turn his speech to masters, which have also themselves a master and judge in heaven: who will justly revenge the injuries that are done to servants without any respect of persons.
17. 1 Peter 2:24 He calleth the servants back from the consideration of the injuries which they are constrained to bear, to think upon the greatness, and the end of the benefit received of Christ.