The last text heere quoted is the. 2. Tim. 2. verse. 3. 4. Thou there∣fore* 1.1 suffer affliction as a good souldiour of Iesus Christ: no man that vvar∣reth entangleth him selfe vvith the affayres of this life, bicause he vvould please hym that hath chosen him to be a souldiour. This latter sentence is generall, and perteyneth to all men. The meaning is this, who∣soeuer would be a souldiour vnder Christ, muste leaue all worldly things, and followe him. It speaketh nothing eyther of ciuill or ec∣clesiasticall offices. For if you will knowe what he there meaneth by the affayres of this life, heare what M. Caluine sayth, writing* 1.2 vpon that place: per negotia vitae intelligit familiae administr 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cur〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 & 〈◊〉〈◊〉 occupationes: By the affayres of this life he vnderstandeth the care of gouer∣ning his familie, and other ordinary businesse.
If you will learne howe this place is to be applyed, the same M.* 1.3 Caluine teacheth you like wise in these wordes following: Nunc appli∣canda est comparatio ad rem praesentem, quod quisquis vult sub Christo mil t〈1 line〉〈1 line〉e, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 relictis omni∣bus mundi tricis & auocamentis se illi totum sua{que} studia addi〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ere: Novve this compara∣tion is to be applied to the present purpose, that vvhosoeuer vvill playe the vvarriour vnder Christe, leauing all vvorldely matters and impedi∣ments, muste giue him selfe vvholly vnto him. This therefore is gene∣tall, and perteyneth to all Christians, but chiefly and especially to the ministers of the worde, who maye not occupie them selues in worldly businesse, as other men do: that is, they muste not be mar∣chaunts, husbandmen, craftes men, or hinder their vocation with* 1.4 suche lyke worldly affayres. As for suche ciuill offices as be com∣mitted to them, they be rather helpes to their vocation, than im∣pediments: for the office of a Iustice of peace, of an highe Commis∣sioner, and suche like, is to punishe vice and iniquitie, to see good or∣der kepte in the common wealth, aswell in matters touching reli∣gion, as other common and publike businesse. Wherefore as these offices be not meere ciuill, but partely ecclesiasticall, and be for dis∣cipline and correction of sinnes: so in my opinion they be most meete to be committed to some of the wysest and best of the Cleargie, to the ende that suche as by the word will not, by conuenient dysci∣pline may be cōpelled to do their dueties. Neyther are such offices to be accounted worldly affayres, but rather heauenly and spiri∣tuall, forasmuche as they serue to the mayntenance of religion and godlynesse, and to the suppressing of sinne and wickednesse. If it be true that Augustine sayth: Seruiunt Reges Christo, leges ferendo pro Christo. It is also true, Seruiunt Episcopi Christo, leges exequendo pro Christo.