Reformed Covenanter
Cancelled Commissioner
... Thirdly, add further what the Apostle doth, v. 4. [For he is the Minister of GOD to thee for good,] Is this true of persecuting Nero, in the case of his persecuting? Whereby the Apostle proves he will praise thee, doing that which is good? Surely in an over-ruling Work of GOD’S Grace, the very Devil is GOD’S instrument for GOOD, as to Job, (and we may say Minister too.) And Nero not a whit more in the Act of persecuting. But this far from St. Paul’s meaning: For he means a civil good, praising, and rewarding, and protecting. Nero did (St. Paul knew) quite contrary to this: He cannot then mean him as a Persecutor; and so never intends here to forbid resisting his Persecution. ...
For more, see Herbert Palmer: Was Nero the persecutor God’s servant for good?
For more, see Herbert Palmer: Was Nero the persecutor God’s servant for good?
