Verse 5. Likewise ye younger, submit your selves unto the elder: yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Verse 6. Humble your selves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.
Verse 7. Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you.
The Analysis.
The Apostle having in the former verses described the duty of the Elders towards the Church or the younger sort, and perswaded them unto it, he doth there-hence conclude the duty of the younger towards the elders by a comparing of things that are alike unto it, as the first word of the 5 verse shewes unto us, Likewise. This duty is in generall pointed out by subjection, which is set forth by the other duty, that is due not only to the Elders, but also to all the members of the Church, by reason of that nature which it hath common with the former; and it is also called subjection in those words, yea, all of you be subject one to another. Now this subjection as well unto the Elders as unto all, is first described what kinde of subjection it ought to be, to wit, not only outward, but proceeding from the inward subjection of the soule unto God, be clothed with humility. And that it is meant of humility towards God may be gathered from verse 6. Secondly, He doth perswade them also unto this humility: 1. Because it is an ornament of the minde; that by the way. 2. From Gods blessing adjoyned, which followes thereupon, God gives grace unto the humble, which is illustrated by Gods curse contrary thereunto, that fals upon the proud, God resisteth the proud. Thirdly, he doth urge and presse them unto this subjection towards God, verse 6. Humble your selves therefore; and he shewes the proper reason of this subjection, which is the mighty hand or omnipotency of God: and withall hee explaines that reason, which he had before propounded concerning the blessing and grace of God towards the humble, to wit, that by that grace they shall be exalted: the time of which exaltation is marked out, that it shall be in due time, that hee may exalt you in due time. In the last place by anticipation of a close, but weighty objection, whereby this subjection is usually made very difficult, he shewes the true manner thereof, to wit, that it should be joyned with that confidence, which casts all care upon God, so that no feare or worldly care can hinder this subjection, which confidence he doth perswade them unto by that effectuall providence which God hath over the faithfull for their good, verse 7. at the end, For he careth for you.
The doctrines arising herehence.
Doctrine 1. There is the like duty of the people towards their Pastors, as there is of the Pastors towards the people.
This is gathered from verse 5 at the beginning. Likewise ye younger. Now by the younger in this place is chiefely meant the flock, which depends upon the Pastors, because the Pastors and Presbyters were for the most part chosen of those that were elder in age, and therefore the greatest part of the flock consisted of youngers. Now their duty is said to be like, not for that it is in the same kinde, that the people should guide their Pastors, as the Pastors do guide the people, but because there is the like reason of both their duties.
Reason 1. Because the same God and Lord both of Pastors & people, hath imposed and prescribed to both their duties.