glorious as the christian Iewes did to whom the Apostle Peter wrote 1. Epist cha 1. verse 6 7 8 9 10. In deede it is true that to infidel's and vnbeleeuers these things are no more comfortable then there is taste in the white of an egge without salt as Iob speaketh For it is faith onely which maketh them relish and therefore to the beleeuers onely they are thus sweete and comfortable as hath beene described Whereof we may see a contrary example in either sort that is both of beleeuers and vnbeleeuers Act. 28. verses 23 24. and so forth to the end of the chapter But let vs now proceede What is the comfort of this that the Sonne of God our most blessed and comfortable Sauiour Question is the Christ or annointed of God as we haue seene before Answere This also must needes be exceedingly comfortable to euery beleeuing Christian in that according as he is a person of incomparable dignitie so he is called of God to a most holy office aboue all other both Prophets and also high Priests and Kings euen to such an office as bringeth the greatest ioy that may be to the Church of God as hath alreadie beene in a good part declared ExplicatioÌ„ and proofe It is so indeed For in this respect as was alledged before hee is said to be annointed with the oyle of gladnes aboue all others Heb. 1.9 For the which cause also hee is most worthily celebrated to bee both the light of the Gentiles and also the glorie of Israel and so the onely reioycing of all the people of God Luke chap. 2. verses 29 30 31 32. and 1. Cor. 31. The Comforts And it standeth with very good reason in so much as hereby we know him to be one lawfully called to thiâ— high honour and not to haue intruded himselfe as was likewise obserued before Heb. 5.4 These things with the rest m ntioned in the interpretation are here necessarily to be called to minde againe Generally the comfort hereof may euidently appeare in this that by the grace and vertue of this most holy anointing of our Sauiour Christ all true beleeuers are called to the dignity of christianity according to that which is recorded Acts. 11.16 Where wee see the originall of this honourable name And in the 1. Ep of Iohn ch 2. verses 20. and 17. Where we haue the comfortable signification of it in part as noting that spirituall knowledge wisedome and discretion which christians receiue from Christ But let vs search out the comfort of the â—â—â—â—nting of our Sauiour more particularly Question And first What is the comfort of his anointing to the Prophetship that is to be the Prince of all Prophets and the chiefe Doctor Teacher of the Châ—â—â—â— Answere It is very comfortable in that wee are hereby put out of all doubt whom wee are to heare and in whose doctrine we may safely rest and stay our selues ExplicatioÌ„ proofe It is a very great comfort indeede as we may perceiue by the consideration of the contrary For it breedeth a very vncomfortable distraction and confusion â—n the minde of a man dâ—sirous to know the truth when through the diuersitie of Sects and Teachers hee knoweth not whom to beleeue nor to whom he should ioyne himselfe To this end therefore it may iustly be to the singular comfort of euery christian to consider euen to the certifying and quieting of his minde in this behalfe that our Sauiour Christâ—s vndoubtedly appointed of God to be the onely chiefe and vniuersall Doctor and Teacher of his whole Catholike and vniuersalâ— Church For so â—ur Sauiour himselfe saith Matth. 23.8.10 One is your Doctor Christ And to the end we might the rather be coÌ„fortably established in thiâ— point our Sauiour doth most earnestly and vsually affirme his doctrine in a manner of asseueration proper to himselfe saying Verily verily I say vnto you c Wherevpon also he hath this title giuen vnto him that he is Amen faithfull and true yea the very truth it selfe as we haue seene before To this purpose also it is testified that he hath taught vs the will of God from the bosome of the Father Iohn 1.18 And that â—n him are hidden all the treasures of wisedome and knowledge Colos 2.3 Read also verse 4 c. This I say saith the Apostle lest any man should beguile you with entising words c. As ye haue therefore receiued Christ Iesus the Lord so walke ye in him rooted and built in him established in the faith as ye haue bin taught abouÌ„ding therin with thanksgiuing c This comfort may well be furthermore obserued from the speech of the same Apostle borrowed from the Prophet Moses Rom. 10.6 c. Say not in thine heart who shall ascend into heauen c. or who shall descend into the deepe c. The word is neare thee euen in thy mouth and in thine heart c. And herewithall did Peter comfoâ—t himselfe and hiâ— fellow Disciples Iohn 6.60 For to whom shall we goe saith he to our Sauiour Christ Thou hast the words of eternall life Let vs therefore conclude this point with the words of our Sauiour the very true wisedome of God Pro. 8.33.34 Blessed is the man that heareth me watching daily at my gates and giuing attendance at the postes of my doores For he that findeth me findeth life and he shall obtaine fauour of the Lord. Thus then it is very comfortable to our faith that our Sauiour Christ is anointed of God to be our Prophet We shall see it yet more fully when we come to his doctrine It followeth now that you are to shew what the comfort of the same our faith is Question in that he is anointed of God to be our high Priest yea a royall and kingly high Priest What I say or how great may the comfort of this be Answere The comfort thereof is so much the greater by how much his most holy and high Priesthood is infinitely more beneficiall and profitable to the Church then euer was the Priesthood of Aaron in so much as he is a most mercifull high Priest and able to saue them that come vnto God by him seeing he liueth for euer to make most effectuall intercession for them That it may be so much the more comfortable we may euidently perceiue by that testimony and comparison which the Apostle maketh in this behalfe Heb. cha 2. ExplicatioÌ„ proofe verse 17. And cha 7. the whole chapter c. But is there no other comfort Question In so much as our â—auiour Christ is not onely a high Priest but also of a royall and Princely order Answere this doth further more warrant vnto vs not onely his high estimation with God but also that hee shall preuaile against all the aduersaries of our saluation It warranteth vs also that he hath power and authoritie to make lawes for the gouernement of his kingdome as also to appoint offices and officers for the administration of his
contradiction that our Lord Iesus Christ the Sonne of God is both God and man in one onely Person of a mediator betwixt God and man For so it is necessary for our saluation as may be euidently perceiued by that which hath beene said alreadie Question But what is the reason why he that is our mediator to God must be both God and man in one Person Answere The reason as I haue beene taught is for that if he had not beene man he could not by his sufferings haue satisfied the iustice of God who in his iustice was to punish that nature which had offended him And if hee had not beene God hee could not for one moment haue endured that intollerable burthen of the wrath of God which hee must of necessitie endure that was to make satisfaction for our sinnes Neither could he in so short a time as he suffered haue made a full and perfect satisfaction for vs. Neither could hee haue vanquished our so mightie aduersaries as Sinne Death Hell and the Diuell are Finally hee could not haue purchased and atchieued the crowne of euerlasting happines and glorie for vs most vnworthy and miserable sinners if he had not beene in our nature Immanuel that is God with vs for vs euen very true God and eternall life it selfe Explicatiō and proofe It must needes haue beene so indeede For insomuch as there is no Sauiour that can saue with an eternall saluation but the Lord God the eternall Iehoua as God himselfe often affirmeth and namely Isai 43.11 Neither is there any other name in heauen or in earth whereby we can be saued but by our Sauiuor Christ Act. 4.12 It must therefore follow that our Sauiour and Mediatour betwixt God and vs must needes be God And that euen because as was touched before the most high and infinite merit of the sufferings of our Sauiour and consequently all the most worthie and mightie effects thereof doe depend vpon it as may easily bee perceiued by calling to minde that which is written Act. 20.28 Likewise Colos 1.12 13 14 c. and chap. 2.8 9 10. and Heb. 7. the whole chapter and Reuel 5.2 3 4 5 c. 9 10 c. None was found worthy to take the booke and to open the seales thereof but onely our Sauiour who alone was killed and who alone hath redeemed vs to God by his blood c. And for the same cause it was that the Sonne of God did not take the nature of the Angells but the nature of man as it is expresly obserued Heb. chap. 2. verses 14 15 16 17 18. Reade also Matth. chap. 1. verse 23. The Angell sent from God to Ioseph saith They shall call his name that is the name of the man childe to bee borne of the Virgine Marie Immanuel the which as the Euangelist obserueth is by interpretation GOD WITH VS Thus therefore it behooued that onely the Almighty God in the fraile nature of man should be a meet sufficient Mediatour and Sauiour for vs. And thus I trust that by the grace of God we haue had a sufficient declaration of the meaning of these wordes of our beliefe In Iesus Christ the onelie Sonne of God our Lord. NOW that wee may goe forwarde let vs come to the promise where-vnto our faith is to looke for the support and stay of it in this so necessarie a point The Promise Que. What promise therefore haue we in the holy Scriptures that the Son of God both God and man being anointed of God to be the Christ and a Sauiour and the Lord ouer his Church shall be our Lord and Sauiour a Prophet high Priest and King vnto vs to saue vs and so many as shall truly beleeue in him Answere We haue the promise hereof euen from the beginning of the world immediately after the fall of mankinde a◠hath by another occasion been answered before out of the third chapter of Genesis Where God himselfe saith The seede of the woman shall breake the Serpents head Explication and proofe This seed here spoken of in way of prophetical promise is no doubt Christ the Sonne of God whom now we speake of according to that of the Apostle Paul Gal. ch 4. verse 4. When the fulnes of the time was come God sent forth his Sonne made of a woman and made vnder the law that he might redeeme them which were vnder the law that we might receiue the adoption of Sonnes So that here wee haue both the most ancient and as we may say the primitiue promise of the Gospel and there-withall also the performance of it in the due and proper season appointed therevnto by God himselfe who onely is the vndoubted and most faithfull Author of it Moreouer the Angells interpretation of the name Iesus giuen to the Sonne of God by the commandement of God himselfe as we haue seene before containeth a promise of saluation to the whole Church by him Matth. 1.21 Thou shalt call his name Iesus for he shall saue his people from their sinnes Reade also Isai 49.6 It is a small thing saith the Lord that thou shouldest be my seruant to raise vp the tribes of Iaakob and to restore the desolations of Israel I will also giue thee for a light to the Gentiles that thou maiest be my saluation vnto the end of the world That is ouer the whole earth both to Iew and Gentile There are many such testimonies And yet further all the anointed and consecrated high Priests Prophets and Kings of Iudah and Israel before the comming of our Sauiour Christ they were so many visible or typicall promises as one may say of spirituall redemption and saluation by him But let vs inquire more particularly for the gratious promises of God in this behalfe Question And first of all What promise haue we that the Sonne of God our Lord Iesus Christ should be a Prophet to the Church to teach it the will of God most perfitly as it were from the bosome of the Father Answere We haue the promise hereof expresly recorded in the 18. verse of the 18. chapter of the fift booke of the Prophet Moses called Deuteronomie Rehearse the words I will raise thee vp a Prophet saith the Lord to Moses from among thy brethren like vnto thee and I will put my words in his mouth and he shall speake vnto them all that I shall command him Explication and proofe That this promise is made concerning our Sauiour Christ Reade Acts. 3.22 23 24 25 26. Reade also Isaiah chap. 61. verse 1 c. and Luke 4 1◠c. This was vpon these grounds and testimonies of the holy Prophets so vulgarly expected in Israel that euen the profane woman of Samaria professeth her selfe to be assured that the Messias should come and shew himselfe a most perfect Prophet and Teacher I know well saith she that the Messias shall come who is called Christ When he is come he will tell vs all things And herevnto
accordeth our Sauiour himselfe For he saith by and by vnto her I am he that speaketh to thee Iohn cha 4. verse 19. and 25 26. Thus then it is plaine that our Sauiour Christ was promised to come to be a Prophet and therevpon was of singular expectation in the Church of God * Question What promise haue you likewise that he should be an high Priest and a King vnto his Church “ Answe In the 110. Psalme there is contained a propheticall promise of both and that also with the confirmation of a diuine oath iointly together in these words I haue sworne saith the Lord and will not repent Thou art a Priest for euer after the order of Melchizedek This one proofe is so euident that it may stand in stead of manie For the order of Melchizedeks priesthood doth plainely expresse Kingly order seeing he was both a King ExplicatioÌ„ proofe and a Priest Gen. 14.18 and Heb. 7.1 2 3. and verses 1â— 16 17 18 19 20 21. Read also Zech. chap. 6. verses 12 13. Hee shall rule vpon his throne and he shall be a Priest vpon his throne The like propheticall promise vpon oath is recorded concerning his Kingly dignitie and power Psalm 89.3.4 and verses 27 33 36 37. Reade also Ier. 23.5 6. and chap. 30.9 and chap. 33.15.16.17 And Ezek. chap. 21. verses 25 26 27. and chap. 34.23 24 c. And Luke 1.32 33. Acts. 5.31 Of like nature to this is the dignitie and soueraigntie of Lordship which belongeth to our Sauiour Christ Question Haue we any promise that he should be Lord ouer the Church for the benefit thereof Answere The Lord whom yee seeke saith the holy Prophet Malachie chap. 3. verse 1. shall come speedily to his Temple c. Hee shall sit downe to trie and fine the siluer he shall euen fine the Sonnes of Leuie and purifie them as gold and siluer that they may bring offerings to the Lord in righteousnes Then shall the offerings of Iuda and Ierusalem be acceptable to the Lord c. ExplicatioÌ„ proofe That this prophesie containing a promise of the Lords comming to his Temple is concerning our Sauiour Christ the words of the text do make it plaine in that they make mention of Iohn Baptist that was to be his Messenger to prepare the way before him And accordingly the promised fruit and benefit thereof doth concerne the Church of Christ generally vnder the names of Iuda and Ierusalem And like to this is that of Micah chap. 5. verse 2. Out of Bethlehem shall hee come forth vnto thee that shall be ruler in Israel whose goings forth that is the effects and declaration of his Godhead haue beene from the beginning and of ancient time To wit euen as clearely manifested as the Sunne maketh it selfe manifest by the daily risings thereof The word of God is stored most plentifully with all sorts of most sweete and gratious promises touching forgiuenes of sinnes resurrection of the bodie and euerlasting life and saluation through our Lord Iesus Christ as we shall by the grace of God see more fully when we come to those Articles of our faith Generally all the promises of God are yea and Amen in our Lord Iesus Christ the Sonne of God 2. Cor. 1.19 20. And they are worthily called by the Apostle Peter most great and pretious promises 2. Epist 1.4 HEtherto of the promises The Comforts contained and as it were lapped vp in the promises are now to be inquired after and to be as it were vnfolded of vs. Question First therefore What is the comfort of this that our Sauiour in whom we beleeue is the Sonne of God Answere The comfort is this that hereby we are assured that we haue a most perfect and alsufficient Sauiour in so much as this title Sonne of God assureth vs that he is not onely man but also verie true and most gratious and almighty God ExplicatioÌ„ and proofe It is very true For from this ground it is most comfortably affirmed that Whoseuer beleeueth in him shall not perish but haue euerlasting life Iohn 3.16 c. And châ— 8.36 If the Sonne make yee free ye shall be free indeed Read also Rom. 8.3.4 and verses 38 39. And Gal. ch 2.26 and cha 4.4 5 6 7. And Iohn 1. Ep. 4.9 10. We liue through him He is the reconciliation for our sins And verse 13. Whosoeuer confesseth that Iesus is the Son of God in him dwelleth God and he in God And chap. 5. verse 5. The meaning of it Who else is he that ouer-commeth the world saith the Apostle but be who beleeueth that Iesus is the Sonne of God As though hee should say Certainely none but such can haue so great a victorie And verse 20. He is very God and eternall life Wherefore as it is in the 2. Psalme Blessed are all that trust in him The comfort of this that the Sonne of God is thus our Sauiour is infinitely aboue that comfort which the Iudges of Israel could possibly bring to the people though they did not in vaine beare the name of Sauiours among them For they deliuered them onely from the oppressions of their externall enemies and Tyrants And therein they were but onely certaine obscure types and figures of this our Sauiour who deliuereth and saueth vs out of the hands of all our enemies both the Diuell and all sorts of his destroying instruments The excellencie of the Comfort therefore is according to the excellencie of the Person aboue euerie other Sauior whether Gideon Iphtah or Sampson Dauid or Salomon or any other And that by verie good reason For great and excellent Persons giue no small gifts they are not sent to worke small exploits When they take vpon them to be mediators they procure no small fauour They will not be denied their requests that they make for their fauorites c. But heerein the fauour is most admirable that our Sauiour working from God and by his diuine grace and power the greatest saluation of all other is so desirous that we should be partakers of it that whereas wee through our rudenes and ignorance doe not esteeme of it as wee ought hee is as it were a most earnest Suter that wee would accept of it 2. Cor. 5.19 20. The exceeding greatnes of this saluation may be the better discerned if we shall seriously bend our mindes on the one side to consider the greatnes of the euills specially of sinne and that horâ—â—ble damnation and torment which is for euer due vnto it from which we are deliuered and on the other side if we will truly ponder and weigh in our mindes the greatnes of the contrarie happines and eternall glorie which our Sauiour hath aduaunced all true beleeuers vnto Verily the more those things shall be dulie thought of the more wonderfull will tâ—ey appeare to be So iustly may we in the comfort hereof reioyce in our Sauiour with the Virgin Marie and with ioy vnspeakeable and
earnestlie affected to giue glorie to God in the reading hearing anâ— meditating vpon them as anie euer were or ought to haue bene in the present beholding of them when they were wrought before them Wee ought likewise from them to comfort and strengthen our faith that our Sauiour is the verie true Sonne of God the promised Messiah c. Yea and so to rest satisfied in the confirmation therof by his miracles that henceforth wee desire no more for anie further confirmation thereof Wee ought accordingly more and more to submit our selues vnto him and his holie doctrine euen as we would gladlie be more and more partakers of the fruit and benefit of his most gratious diuine and all-sauing power Finalie wee ought to take incouragement from hence to seeke vnto our Sauiour Christ for helpe and succour in all our necessities It is verie meet indeed that wee should doe so ExplicatioÌ„ proofe And herein as touching the first branch of the Answer wee haue manie of the â—eholders of the working of these miracles by our Sauiour verie worthie examples as may appeare from their speeches rehearsed not long since The which also we may easilie call againe to minde if we shall turne to these and such like places of the historie of the Gospell Matth 15.30.31 Mark 7.37 Luke 5.25.26 and ch 7.16 and ch 13. verses 13.17 and Iohn 6.14 Touching the second branch of the Answer that the Miracles of our Sauiour are sufficient to confirme our faith the testimonie of S. Iohn the Euangelist alledged likewise before is plaine chapt 20.30.31 For as a lease or a deede of gifte beeing once sealed is as firme at the last and for the last yeere as it was for the first so it is in this case The Apostle Paul alledgeth the miracles which he wrought among the Corinthians for the proofe of his Apostleship 2. Epist chapt 12. verse 12. Much rather then may we reason from the miracles of our Sauiour The danger of not beleeuing to make proofe of his calling c. Away therefore with all the palâ—â—ie miracles of poperie to confirme any doctrine contrarie or not agreeing with the least point of the Gospel Away I say with all their lying Legends c. For they hinder and destroy faith but no way helpe and establish it The third branch is of it selfe so cleare that we neede vse no proofe for it And so is the last branch also to euerie teachable Scholler For seeing our Sauiour hath healed all kinde of diseases the due consideration hereof doth notably discouer the wicked vanitie of all superstitious ones who seeke to themselues so many Patrones as the seuerall members of our bodies c. are subiect to diuers and sundry maladies Question To conclude all that we haue furthermore to obserue concerning the miraculous works of our Sauiour Is there any danger in not beleeuing that our Sauiour Christ hath wrought them as they are recorded by the holy Euangelists Answer They that will not beleeue the miracles to be wrought by our Sauiour according to their testimonie will neuer truly beleeue in him to be the true Christ nor that his doctrines recorded by them is the onely true doctrine of saluation ExplicatioÌ„ proofe It is very true For the doctrine of our Sauiour Christ is in maiestie and strangenes to humane and carnall reason like to his workes That is the doctrine is as much aboue carnall reason as the works exceeded common sense This is as strange to the carnall eare as they were in the eye of flesh Moreouer this is certaine that such as will not beleeue the true miracles of our Sauiour Christ they are in very great and speedie danger to be deceiued by false miracles in time of teâ—tation and so to be led to imbrace lying doctrines as our Sauiour giueth to vnderstand concerning all such Matth. chap. 24. verses 23 24 25. And so doth the Apostle Paul 2. Thes 2. verses 9.11 And Iohn Reuel ch 13. verses 1â— 14 Let vs in this behalfe take warning from the heauy iudgement of God vppon the prowd Pharisies For they blaspheming the miracles of our Sauiour were giuen vp to the hardnes of their hearts and to beleeue lies Let vs also admonish our selues from the fearefull example of the foolish Papists euen to this day who for want of due regard of the miracles of our Sauiour haue suffered themselues to be blindely led and confirmed in false doctrine by euery fabulous report or superstitious beholding of lying miracles which were no better then iuggling trickes of deceiuers such as were the sweating of the crucifixe and the weeping of their Ladie c. Finally let vs be admonished from the words of the Euangelist Iohn chap. 12. verses 37 38 39 40 41. Though saith he our Sauiour had done so many miracles before them yet beleeued they not in him That the saying of Esaias the Prophet might be fulfilled that he said Lord who beleeued our report c. And from the words of our Sauiour himselfe chap. 1â— verse 24. If I had not done works which no other man did they had not had sinne but now they haue both seene and haue hated both me and my Father And Finally from the wordes of the Apostle Hebr. chap. 2. verses 3.4 How shall we escape if we refuse so great saluation as hath been both preached by the Lord and also confirmed by signes and wonders and with diuers miracles and gifts of the holy Ghost according to his owne will Beliefe in God the Son who suffered vnder Pontius Pilate Beliefe in God the Sonne who suffered vnder Pontius Pilate The grouÌ„d and history more generally HAuing thus interposed our inquirie concerning the life doctrine and miracles of our Sauiour Christ betâ—eÌ„ the birth and the time of his principall sufferings vnder Pontius Pilate the which were approching the time of his death Let vs now proceede to consider of these his sufferings as they follow mentioned in the Articles of our beliefe Rehearse ye therefore the words againe Question Which are they Answer They are these He suffered vnder Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried he descended into hell ExplicatioÌ„ proofe In these words the Articles of our beliefe doe shew vs how after that our Sauiour Christ had performed his office of Prophetship in teaching the doctrine of the Kingdome of God and also giuen forth such a glimse of his kingly dâ—gnitie and gouernment as was meete the time of his humiliation yet continuing they doe shew vs now in these words how he performed his office of Priesthood and therein his most deepe sufferings and humiliation in that he offered vp himselfe a sacrifice to God for our eternall redemption and prayed for his Church in most earnest manner c. It is true indeede that our Sauiour Christ was from his conception anointed of God to be both a Prophet high Priest King to his Church and people and so is to be accounted
successiuely followe till his body was taken downe from the Crosse For these are the things belonging to the last part of the third space of time wherein our Sauiour continued hanging vpon the Crosse after that he was dead Question First therefore which are those effects which did either accompanie or immediatly follow vpon the same Answer There are foure of them First the rending of the vaile of the Temple Secondly the Earthquake Thirdly the cleauing of the stones and rockes Fourthly the opening of the graues From whence also after that our Sauiour rose againe the dead bodies of many of the Saints arose out of them and shewed themselues to many in the Citie Question That we may see our ground before vs let vs call to minde the words of the text Which are they Answer 51. And behold saith the Euangelist Matthew the vaile of the Temple was rent in twaine from the top to the bottome and the earth did quake and the stones were clouen 52 And the graues did open themselues many bodies of the Saints which slept arose 53 And came out of the graues after his resurrection and went into the holy Citie and appeared to many Expli Here is a plaine record of the foure effects which you rehearsed and all of them verie memorable and in the wisedome of God wrought to singular purposes euen for the honouring of the most blessed death of our Sauiour and for the rebuke of his wicked persecutors to whom both he and his death were most vile and reprochfull Let vs therefore consider as diligently as we can of the gracious wisedome and purpose of God in euery of them ANd first concerning the rending of the vaile of the Temple the which being from the top to the bottome as Saint Matthew hath told vs and also in the very midst of the vaile as the Euangelist Luke sheweth chap. 23.45 the Lord would no doubt hereby declare first against the Iewes the exinanition as one may say or making voide of all their former prerogatiues and whole dignitie which they had aboue other nations yea euen the abiection and casting off of the Temple and Citie it selfe For insomuch as all their prerogatiues and whole dignitie was founded in Christ and the promise of his comming as it was apprehended by faith of the orthodoxe and true beleeuing fathers and progenitors of the Iewes and their holie posteritie it cannot be but Christ when he is come being most contumeliously reiected of the degenerate and apostate Iewes they themselues also must in the iustice of God be likewise necessarily reiected and cast off of him Reade Rom. 9.1 2 3 4 5. And secondly as touching the Gentiles God giueth plainely to vnderstand the ceasing of all the ceremoniall and figuratiue worship and the ordinances thereof whatsoeuer had beene in former times as the partition wall betwixt them and the Iewes and consequently betwixt them and God him selfe vnlesse they would while the law stood in force haue as it were incorporated themselues into the bodie of the Iewes Reade Heb. chap. 7. verses 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19. And chap. 8. verses 7 13. And chap. 10.5 6 7 8 9 10. Thirdly touching all beleeuing christians both Iewes and Gentiles God declareth by the renting of the vaile the vniting of them together to be one people vnto him in a most holy and spirituall communion and fellowship through our Lord Iesus Christ Reade Ephes chap. 2. verse 12 13 14 c. to the end of the chapter Finally God would hereby giue to vnderstand that in the daies of the Gospel there should be both to Iew and Gentile whosoeuer would receiue and imbrace Christ by a true and liuely faith not onely a more cleare and full knowledge of the mysterie of godlines but also a more sweet and comfortable apprehension of the ioyes of the kingdome of heauen and of the power of the endlesse life belonging to the same Yea and a more comfortable assurance of the possession of heauen it selfe And therefore in the Gospel the time of the Gospel is often called by the name of the kingdome of heauen and of God according to that speech of our Sauiour Christ to his Disciples at the beginning of his publike administration of the same his kingdome Verily verily I say vnto you hereaf er shall ye see heauen open and the Angells of God descending vpon the Sonne of man Read also Rom. chap. 8.14 15 16. and chap. 14.17 The kingdome of God is not meate and drinke but righteousnes peace and ioy in the holy Ghost And most fully and plainely Heb. 9 verses 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14. So then no lesse elegantly in choâ—se maner then fruitfully for the matter it selfe may learned Beza figuratiuely put this speech as it were a Sermon partly to the Gentiles and partly to the Iewes into the mouth of the vaile being thus rent asunder as it followeth The vaile saith he whereby the people were restrained yea euen the Priests themselues saue onely the high Priest from the sight of the Sanctuarie it seemeth first of all to haue answered euen with an Amen to the Lord when it was rent asunder from the bottome to the very top of it The ground and history of his agonie vpon the Crosse and to haue ratified these last words of Christ It is finished euen as if he had by this vaile at that time inuited the whole christian church vsing these words Come hether you elect search ye out euen the very secrets of your saluation For behold this great and eternall Priest he hath once entred into the true heauenly Sanctuarie to the end that he being entered in you might follow him as they that haue attained such knowledge as sheweth you that all these shadowes and figures are now at an end wherefore goe ye on forward Legentes illius vestigia and boldly enter vnto the throne of his Maiestie treading as it were in his footesteppes to whom I giue place insomâ—ch as the whol time date of my ministry is now ended past Thus saith he ye haue the Sermon of this vaile clearely and plainely speaking to the elect although it haue neither mouth or tongue to speake withall yea and it speaketh to vs also euen to this day according as these things are declared more at large in the 9. and 10. chapter of the epistle to the Hebrewes What shall we say then of these wretches who did againe aduance that vaile in the Apostles time ioyning circumcision with baptisme according to that expresse mention which is made Act. 15.1 and thereby were more troublesome to the Apostles then any other whom seeing the Apostle doth rightly call enemies of the Crosse of our Lord Iesus Christ Philip. 3.18 yea so that he saith If ye be circumcised Christ profiteth you nothing Gal. 5.2 What doe we thinke shall become of them who in stead of the Mosaicall vaile which they haue in part restored haue not hetherto
Iewe and Gentile and that not onely by his owne most holy ministerie but also by the ministerie of his seruants In the 53. cha he prophesieth of his sufferings euen as if he had seene them inflicted vpon him before his eyes And with the same hee doth most sweetly lay before vs and to the view of the eye of our faith what should be and so still are the mighty and effectuall fruites therof to our eternall comfort And in the same chapter he speaketh of the miracles which our Sauiour should work as the Euangelist Matthew doth interpret the meaning of the holy Ghost speaking by his seruant the Prophet ch 8. verses 16.17.18 The which thing also he doth before ch 35.5.6 And beside all this he doth in that 53. chap. foretell the buriall of our Sauiour as it is euident in the 9. verse of the chapter In the 55. ch verse 3. he prophesieth of his resurrection and therein of his preuailing against death to the end he might performe to his Church the fruit and blessing of Gods most gratious couenant The which he could not haue done if he had perished by death as this part of his prophesie is interpreted by the Apostle Paul Act. 13.34 And chap. 61. verse 8. c. Isaiah prophesieth againe of the preaching of our Sauiour and what shall be the singular fruit thereof The which his holy prophesie was performed in part as our Sauiour himselfe certifieth vs at such time as he preached at Nazareth Luk. 4.16 c. His prophesies are many more concerning our Sauiour as euery where is to be read in his booke of his prophesies euen as they haue beene of ancient time compiled and laid together that is euen from the time that it pleased God to publish them to his Church by his holy ministery in the daies of the raigne of Vzziah Iotham Ahas and Hezekiah Kings of Iudah But these shall suffice for our present purpose We haste to the rest The Prophet Ieremiah prophesieth likewise Ieremiah of what family our Sauiour Christ should take mans nature and of that iustification and saluation which should come by him ch 23.5.6 and ch 33.15 The Prophet Ezekiel prophesieth Ezekiel that the Kingdome shall be taken out of the hands of vsurpers and giuen to our Sauiour Christ as of right belonging to him chap. 21. verses 26 27. Moreouer all the visions of Ezekiel from the 40. ch to the end of the booke of his prophesies they are typicall adumbrations or shadowings forth of the excellencie of the kingdome and gouernment of our Sauiour Christ by an allegorical allusion to the Land Temple ceremonies Lawes Common-wealth c. of the Iewes The Prophet Daniel in the 9. ch ver 24. c. he foretelleth the death of our Sauiour yea the yeare of his death and the time of the yeare if we mark well that computation which the Angel of God numbred and deliuered vnto him Hosea prophesieth of the victory of our Sauiour ouer our last enemies death and the graue Hosea chapter 13 verse 14. Yea so that we in him shall likewise ouercome for euer 1. Cor. 15.54 c. Ioel. Ioel prophesieth of the extraordinarie gifts of the holy Ghost which God would giue to his Church immediatly after the ascension of our Sauiour vp into heauen ch 2.28 c. and Act. 2. verses 14.15.16.17 c. And Ioel againe chap. 3.16 c. Amos. Amos foretelleth the calling of the Gentiles as a fruit of the ascension of our Sauiour Christ and of the preaching of his Gospell chap. 9.11 and Act. 15. verses 15.16.17 Obadiah Obadiah likewise doth prophesie of the calling of the Gentiles and of the covniting and conioyning of them with the Iewes to be one Church vnto our Sauiour Christ verse 17. c. to the end Ionah Ionah was a propheticall type of the buriall and resurrection of our Sauiour in that he was three dayes and three nights in the belly of the Whale as our Sauiour himselfe sheweth Math. 12.39.40 and chap. 16.4 Micah Micah prophesieth of the place of our Sauiours birth and therewithall of his kingdome and of his eternall Dietie assuming vnto it the humane nature chap. 5.1.2 Nahum Nahum prophesieth that the Lord should returne with the excellencie of Iacob that is with our Sauiour Christ the Sonne of God on the behalfe of his Church against the Assirians as Iunius interpreteth posteriori Bib editione cha 2. verse 2. Habbakuk Habbakuk setteth down the excellent doctrine of our iustification by faith in Christ chap. 2.4 as the Apostle Paule doth interpret those words of the Prophet Rom. 1.17 and againe Gal. 3.11 and Heb. 10.38 The iust shall liue by faith Zephaniah Zephaniah prophesieth of the calling of the Gentiles and of the sanctifying gifts and graces of the Spirit which should be giuen them through the grace of our Sauiour Christ and by his Gospell to wit faith and repentance with forgiuenes of sinnes and euerlasting life Haggai How the Prophet Haggai prophesied of our Sauiour we haue partly seene before in that the second Temple should be made more glorious then the former by the comming of him being the Lord of glory into it and by his preaching in it c. Moreouer hee prophesieth of the mighty power of the Gospel in the conuersion of the Gentiles to God vnder these significant speeches of shaking the heauen and the earth And that the kingdome of our Sauiour shall ouerthrow all the kingdomes of the heathen chap. 2. verses 3.4.5.6.7 8. And verses 22.23 And all this vnder the name and person of Zerubbabel a Prince of Iudah one of the Ancestors of our Sauiour who was also by the appointment of God a type and figure of him Zechariah Zechariah in the first chap. of his holy Prophesie ver 8. c. he sheweth that in a vision our Sauiour Christ represented himselfe vnto him in the forme of a man and as an Angel of the Lord to whom other Angels doe serue for the helpe of the Church against the aduersaries thereof And in the same chap. he sheweth further that this chiefe Angel is a mediator vnto God for mercy in the behalfe of his Church In the 2. ch he telleth vs that he had another vision wherin this Angel informed him by another Angel that the Gentiles should be called to be one Church with the Iewes in the faith of the Gospel In the third chapter he saw in another vision the same Angell euen our Sauiour in the likenes of an Angell rebuking Sathan for hindering the peace and prosperitie of the Church And he sheweth also that hee vsed the ministerie of the other Angelles his seruaunts to further the prospâ—â—itie thereof Yea the Prophet sheweth that this Angell assured Iehoshua the high Priest The proofe of his resurrection by his first appearance all that should faithfully serue God in the ministery of his holy ordinances that the Lord would giue
same end blesse the same his Apostles and leaue his blessing behind him to the effecting of his good will and pleasure for the calling sanctification and saluation of his whole Church to the end of the world ExplicatioÌ„ This questionles must needes be esteemed a singular comfort And the rather if as was noted partly before and may well be called to minde here againe that the blessing of our Sauiour Christ is infinitly to be preferred before the pronouncing of blessing by any other either holy Priest of the Lawe or most faithfull minister of the blessed Gospell For as the one did blesse so doth the other that is onely by way of intreatie from God as his Ministers though in speciall maÌ„ner aboue the priuate mans blessing whether Parent or any other seeing God hath made a speciall promise of blessing in this behalfe as we haue seene before But our Sauiour Christ blessed not onely as a minister of the word or rather as a Mediator of the euerlasting couenant of God intreating itâ— from him but euen as a selfe commander hauing equall power with God to conferre all grace and blessing whatsoeuer He doth not therefore blesse as Aaron blessed Israel but rather as Melchisedek blessed Abraham in whose loynes was Aaron yea rather as God to bee blessed for euer did blesse Melchisedek himselfe And thus it is euident that we are to account it a speciall benefite not onely to the Apostles but euen to our selues being as it were in their loynes touching the spirituall propagation of the Church by them insomuch as being in the action of blessingâ— he went into heauen giuing thereby no doubt to vnderstand that hee minded euen from thence to blesse out of the heauenly Sion euen from that sanctuarie and Tabernacle which the Lord God himselfe pight and not man Heb 8.2 ch 9 11.12 Let vs therefore haue his blessing in most high and singular estimation Iaakob as we know so greatly esteemed to be blessed of his Father before he should dye that by all meanes he laboured to obtaine it Yea profane Esau after he had lost the blessing of his father laboured importunately to recouer it What thankes therefore infinitely much more ought wee to render to our Lord Iesus Christ the euerlasting Father of blessing to his Church In whom and by whom all the nations of the earth are blessed Isai 9.6 Yea for that he hath so preuented vs with his blessing that wee neede not seeke it by vnlawfull meanes as Rebecka and Iaakob did the blessing of his Father Isaak Neither neede wee feare any contrarie curse according to that Number ch 23. verse 23. There is no sorcerie against Iaakob For who can curse when God hath blessed c. Read also Gen 12.3 Question But what comfortable benefite haue wee also by the ascension of our Sauiour Christ Answer As it it aâ—â— higher degree of the exaltation of our Sauiour Christ in our humane nature then was his resurrection from the dead so it it a further confirmation and assurance vnto vs that we are perfectly iustified in the sight of God by him ExplicatioÌ„ The reason is very cleare For insomuch as it is truly said that if our Sauiour had not fully satisfied the iustice of God for our sinnes insomuch as hee had made himselfe sinne for vs by taking vpon him the guiltines and offences of vs and all the elect hee could neuer haue risen againe from the dead as a conquerour of death which is the iust stipend or wages of sinne for euer Rom 6 in the end of the chapter much lesse may we say could he haue beene admitted to ascend vp into heauen But now that we knowe hee is not onely risen from the dead but is also ascended vp to the liuing God appearing there on our behalfe as wee shall haue further occasion to obserue in the next Article we may iustly reason from hence by way of amplification that it is now much more manifest by the ascension of our Sauiour into heauen that we are surely discharged indeede both of the guiltinesse and also of the punishment of all our sinnes and perfectly instified in the sight of God through faith in his name Read Iohn 16. verse 10. and Rom 8.34 For the ascension is included as one degree of exaltation and so of the amplification of the comfort to be vnderstood betwixt the resurrection of our Sauiour and his sitting at the right hand of the Father Of the which more afterward In the meane season let vs gather together the rest of the comfortable fruites of the ascension Question Which may they be Answer A third comfort may iustly bee this that it is likewise a further assurance vnto vs that our Sauiour hath so vanquished and subdued all our Spirituall aduersaries that they shall neuer recouer themselues to be able to preuaile against vs or any of the children of God This also we may see confirmed Ioh 16 verse 11. where our Sauiour himselfe telleth his Disciples that after his ascension the holy Ghost should reproue the world of iudgement because the Prince of this world is iudged We may see it also plainely testified Ephes 4 8. according to the prophesie of the 68. Psal verse 17.18 when he ascended vp on high â—e â—eâ— * Captiuorâ—â—â—stituaâ—â—â—â— scimundum carnen â—â—â—catum mortem Satanam cap titam fecitâ— id est subâ— gâ—t Trenâ— Iuâ— captiuitie captiue that is hee hath most gloriously surprised and taken our enemies and subdued them Hee had euen vpon the crosse rifled and spoiled the diuel and tooke away the hand writing which was against vs. Collos 2.14.15 but his ascension sheweth it more clearly a great deale Neither is it to be neglected for the furtherance of our comfort in this behalfe that whereas the diuel and his arme is described as hauing the aduantage in fighting against vs not onely in heauenly things but also from the aire we being as poore earthwormes creeping vpon the earth Eph 2.2 and ch 6.12 Our Sauiour who is our captaine and vnder whose ensigne we fight is farre higher then they and hath infinitely much more power and aduantage against them for the leading and safe conducting of vs then they haue against vs for our hurt So this may well be a third comfort indeede according to that Psalm 68.34.35 Ascribe the power to God for his maiestie is vppon Israel and his strength in the clowdes c. Question Now in the fourth place how may the ascension of our Sauiour be yet a further comfort vnto vs Answer Our Sauiour Christ being ascended vp into heauen hath from thence and since that time and euen to this day more plentifully inriched his Church with heauenly gifts and graces of the holy Ghost for the further benefiting of euery particular member of it then euer he had done before ExplicatioÌ„ It is true For so Ephes chap 4. verse 8.11 c. the Apostle Paul addeth to the leading of captiuitie captiue
mindes to wit the mindes of infidells that the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the image of God should not shine vnto them But now that we may come to the third fruit and benefit of our Sauiours sitting at the right hand of God in that he is aduanced in his princely prophesie to wit to those most gratious and plentifull effects which from that time he gaue to the Ministers and Preachers of his Gospel and their ministerie aboue that hee euer gaue to the ministerie of his former Prophets or to his owne most sacred preaching while he was bodily vpon the earth the holy historie intituled the Acts of the Apostles doth plentifully confirme that hee did so euen from the beginning of the 2. chapter to the end of the 28. chap. which is the last of that notable booke According also as it is most briefly testified by Saint Marke chap. 16.20 where hee sheweth that after our Sauiour was receiued into heauen and sate at the right hand of God the Apostles went forth preached euery where And that the Lord wrought with them and confirmed the word with signes that followed And this was that which our Sauiour himselfe had promised before his death Iohn 14.12 Verily verily I say vnto you he that beleeueth in me the works that I doe he shall doe also and greater then these shall he doe for I goe to my Father These greater workes were the preaching of the Gospel to the Gentiles and their conuersion to the faith of Christ and to the obedience of the Gospel which were not fulfilled till our Sauiour was set downe at the right hand of God that he had endewed his Apostles with great power of his grace from the same right hand of the power of God as the whole history of the Acts of the Apostles doth plentifully declare We conclude therefore that looke what comfort we finde by the ministerie of the Gospel yea and from the word and Gospel of the new Testament it selfe written to our vses by the holy Apostles we are to ascribe it most immediately and as touching the perfit sealing of it vp vnto vs to the sitting of our Sauiour at the right hand of God So that seeing the people reioyced greatly at the workes of our Sauiour while he was vpon the earth for a time because God had raised vp a great Prophet among them though they did not then know him to be the Son of God Luke 7.16 Much more may we iustly reioyce who know and beleeue that the same great Prophet the Prince of all Prophets the most princely Prophet is royally aduanced at the right hand of God to such excellent ends as haue beene hetherto declared And thus much shall suffice to note out the comforts of this article of our saith in regard of the propheticall office of our Sauiour Christ Let vs come to the like comfortable fruites and benefites of his aduancement to the right hand of God in respect of his kingly priesthood Question Which are they Ans We are hereby assured that all the comfortable fruites and benefits of the most holie sacrifice of our Sauiour Christ in his death and sufferings for our sinnes as well touching the euils remoued as the benefites conferred and bestowed thereby are most perfâ—â—ty confirmed to vs and all true beleeuers Yea that the couenant it selfe of the whole bountie of Gods most free grace euen to our eternall saluation and glory is for euer most authentically sealed vp and confirmed to the whole Church of Christ. It is very true For in this respect hee is in titled to be a Priest not according to the lawe of the carnall commandement ExplicatioÌ„ but according to the power of endlesse life For hee that is God by his holy Prophet testifieth thus Thou art a Priest for euer after the order of Melchisedechâ— Heb. 7.16.17 The which excellencie and perfection of our Sauiours priesthoode is in the same place confirmed from hence that hee is aduanced to the right hand of God as this article of our Christian beliefe teacheth vs according also as it followeth in the some Epistle to the Hebrewes chapter 8.1 in these words Now of the things which we haue spoken saith the Apostle this is the summe that wee haue such an high Priest that sitteth at the right hand of the throne of the Maiestie in the heauens And is a Minister of the Sanctuarie and of the true Tabernacle which the Lord pight and noâ— man And therevpon also hee saith further verse 6. that the same our high Priest hath obtained a more excellent office insomuch as hee is the Mediator of a better Testament which is established vpon better promises c. Now what the fruites and benefites be which are most perfitly assured vnto vs and to the whole Church of our Sauiour Christ by this his sitting at the right hand of God in regard of his aduancement in his roiall Priesthood we are to call them to minde from that which hath beene obserued before concerning the sufferings and death of our Sauiour in the proper place thereof But whence is it that all those fruites should take their full effect from the sitting of our Sauiour in his priestly aduancement at the right hand of God Was it not sufficient that our Sauiour in the time of his humiliation suffered to death euen to the death vpon the Crosse to be a sacrifice for our sinnes seeing it is expresly saide in the 10. chapter of the same Epistle to the Hebrewes verse 14. that with one offering he hath consecrated for euer them that are sanctified Seeing also as the holy Apostle saith further in the same place the holy Ghost beareth vs record in that after hee said before This is the Testament which I will make vnto them after those daies saith the Lord I will put my lawes in their heart and in their mindes I will write them And their sinnes and iniquities will I remember no more Was not therfore I say the sacrifice of the death of our Sauiour in it selfe fully sufficient once for all without any further respect to this his sitting at the right hand of God Question The sufferings and death of our Sauiour were fully sufficient to the act of meriting all things for vs at the hand of God Answer once for all They were so in deede for so it followeth still in the same text verse 18. in these words Now where remission of these thinges is there is no more offering for sinne Question What was remaining then to be yet further fulfilled Answer Our Sauiour is risen againe froÌ„ the dead ascended vp into heauen thenceforth sitteth for euer at the right hand of God to dispence apply the fruits benefits of the same his merit to euery true beleeuer in him And to this purpose we are further taught assured that our Sauiour beeing at the right hand of God doth make continuall intercession for vs. This also is
is no saluation it is the dutie of euerie one that belongeth to God to forsake himselfe and all wicked assemblies and to ioyne himselfe vnto it by imbracing the same faith and liuing in obedience to the same word and Gospel of God our Sauiour Christ with a godly care of preseruing the holy vnitie and peace thereof And to this ende it is furthermore the dutie of euery true member of the Church to associate and ioyne himselfe to some particular Church or congregation of the people of God and therein to continue and abide It is likewise the dutie of all particular and visible Churches as well as of the whole Church generally faithfully to imbrace testifie and vphold the truth of God committed to the custodie of it Finally wee doe all stand bound alwaies to inlarge our hearts to blesse and praise the Lord for the largenes of his mercie thus vniuersally extended to all estates and degrees of people in euery nation and that also to euery generation since the beginning of the world but specially in these our dayes and since the time of the more full reuelation of the Gospel ExplicatioÌ„ proofe All these duties doe belong to this comfort by very good right and with good warrant from the word of God and as the matter speaketh very plainly to euery reasonable man euen of it selfe But let vs see something for the better confirmation of them vnto vs. And first touching the first branch of the answer we may well take one speciall proofe from the wordes of our Sauiour who is the onely head of this one Church Mat 16.24 If any man will followe me let him forsake himselfe and take vp his crosse and follow me Likewise Luk 9 23. Here is a plaine proofe that we must forsake our selues And herewithall very fitly are wee admonished that seeing we are to ioyne our selues to the militant Church here on earth that therefore also we must purposedly dispose of our selues to beare our part in the coÌ„mon afflictions thereof In which respect as likewise to shewe that we must forsake the societie of Idolaters and profane persons the example of Moses is very notable Heb 11.24 25.26 Read also Psal 26 v. 4.5 But we haue an expresse commandement confirmed by many holy reasons and perswasions 2. Cor. 6.14 15 16 17 18. Be not vnequally yoked with infidels c saith the Apostle come out from among them and seperate your selues saith the Lord himselfe Read also Reuel 14 6 7 8 9 10 11 And ch 18 4 5 6 7 8. The reason is for that no vncleane thing nor whatsoeuer worketh abomination or lyes shal enter into the kingdome of heauen but they which are written in the Lambes booke of life cha 21.27 Verily as there was no saluation in the dayes of Noah out of the Arke so is there at no time any saluation to those that are out of the Church of God Wherefore touching the second branch of the answer that it is our dutie to ioine our selues to the Church in the outward societie of it that is in the exercises of the true worship of God for the confirmation of faith c. it is that which our Sauiour Christ directeth his spouse to doe she being desirous to be guided by him Song of Songs ch 1. v. 6 7. And it may wel be hence obserued in that it is said The Lord added to the Church from day to day such as should be saued Read also Heb 10 25 ver 29. where the Apostle sheweth that there is danger of perdition to euery one that shall withdrawe himselfe after that hee hath once entered this holy fellowship For the third dutie of the whole Church and of all particular assemblies or congregations which is that they ought to be faithfvll vpholders and keepers and as it were pillars of the truth of God read Deut 31.9.10 11.12.13 The law was committed io the custodie of the Priests the Sonnes of Leui for the common benefite of the people of Israel that they might by theÌ„ heare learne feare the Lord God keepe obserue all the words of his lawe And in this very respect the Church of God is called the pillar and ground of truth 1. Tim 3 15. as we haue seene before And now that according to the last branch wee ought alwaies most instantly praise the Lord for the largenes of his grace mercy toward the infinite thousands of the lost posteritie of Adam the heauenly vision of Iohn may teach vs Reuel ch 5 v. 8.9.10 c. Whervnto also let vs ad this that much lesse ought we to repine or grudge at the receiuing of any the poorest or most sinfull to mercie but contrariwise to be so much the more yea more and more thankfull by how much God doth more plentifully magnifie the riches of his free mercie not onely toward our selues but also toward euery other and therefore to embrace them as brethren and to reioyce in them and for them to the great praise of our most gracious and mercifull God Such are the duties arising from the comfort of faith in regard of the vniuersalitie of the catholike church of God It followeth that we inquire into the duties of euery one in respect of the holiâ—es of it Question Which ought they to be Answer It is the dutie of euery member or particular person in the Church of God first to apprehend by faith the perfect holines of our Sauiour Christ who alone is the onely full fountaine thereof Secondly to seeke to be partakers of some portion of the ouer-flowings of this fulnes And thirdly to seeke to further and increase holines both in our selues and also in as many other as possibly we may ExplicatioÌ„ and proofe Seeing God hath made our Sauiour to be perfect sanctification and holines vnto vs 1. Cor 1 30. Colos 1 22 it were extreme folie not to lay hold on him most gratefully in this behalfe Yea and if we shuld not as it were open our mouthes wide to receiue of his fulnes a meet portion of his aboundant grace answerable to that Ioh. 1 15.16 And ch 7 ver 37.38.39 Read also ch 13.8.9 If I wash thee not saith our Sauiour to Peter thou shalt haue no part with me And the same is affirmed generally Heb 12.14 Without holines shall no man see the Lord. And 2. Cor 5.17 If any man be in Christ let him be a newe creature Olde things are passed away behold all things are become newe And besides how vnseemely yea how absurd a thing were it that any polluted and defiled member should be ioined to a most pure head and to the rest of the beautifull members thereof This must needes be a dishonour and an vtter disgracing to the whole body It were as if a man should goe about to make the glorious church of our Sauiour Christ like to that deformed image which Nebuchadnezzar sawe in his dreame the which hauing the head of