nor needed any such remedie therefore the lawe was not giuen vnto him 2. The law was not giuen to him to keepe who is the ende of the law but Christ is the ende of the law as the Apostle sheweth Rom. 10. 4. and the law is a schoolemaster to bring vs vnto Christ Gal. 3. 19. 3. Christ is aboue the law and Lord of the law euen as man therefore not vnder the law or subiect vnto it the first is euident where Christ saith the Sonne of man is Lord of the Sabbath which is a part of the law and as he is Lord of part of the law so of the whole 8. Obiect The Apostle saith Heb. 10. 19. By the blood of Iesus we may be bold to enter into the holy place S. Iohn saith 1. epist. 1. 7. The blood of Iesus doth purge vs from all sinne what neede then the imputation of the innocencie and obedience of Christ Ans. 1. Though the blood of Christ onely be named yet by a synecdoche part beeing taken for the whole other parts of his oblation are signified as his obedience and innocencie whereby his blood was made a sacrifice of atonement acceptable vnto God for God was not simply delighted with the shedding of Christs blood but with his obedience as Bernard well saith non mors sed voluntas placuit spontâ— morientis not the death but the will of Christ dying of his owne accord was pleasing vnto God 2. If all were in deede ascribed to Christs blood then the oblation of his flesh and bodie the anguish and agonie of his soule had beene superfluous by the blood then the other parts are signified but the blood is named as the most conspicuous part of his oblation and because it answered to the type the blood of the legal sacrifices 3. And though the blood of Christ doe purge vs from all sinne yet not from that bâ—nd and obligation whereby we are tied to keepe the law which we are freed from by the imputation of the obedience of Christ. 4. So then the expresse mention of the blood of Christ doth not exclude his innocencie and obedience but onely the blood of the legal sacrifices and mans merit and all other humane meanes which auaile not to saluation 9. Obiect But seeing Adams disobedience by the which sinne entred was but one offence in eating the forbidden fruit one act likewise of Christs obedience which was in the sacrifice of his death may seeme to be sufficient for our iustification Ans. Though God gaue but one precept vnto Adaâ— for these reasons 1. because one commandement sufficed to exercise and make triall of mans obedience 2. And the transgression of one commandement was enough to make man guiltie of eternall death 3. And thereby mans impotencie and weaknes appeared who in the state of integritie was not able to keepe that one commandement yet in that one precept were contained and included all the precepts afterwards giuen in the morall law as Tertullian saith primordialis illa lex quasi matrix omnium praeceptorum Dei that first law was the mother and wombe as it were of all Gods precepts And as Augustine well noteth in illo vno peccato intelligi possunt plura peccata in that one sinne many sinnes may be vnderstood c. quia superbia est illic c. for there was pride in that man loued rather to be in his owne power then Gods there was sacriledge because man beleeued not God and homicide because he cast himselfe headlong into death there was spirituall fornication because the integritie of mans minde was corrupted by the enticement of the serpent and there was theft because he vsurped the forbidden fruit and couetousnes in that he desired more then sufficed Wherefore seeing that in Adams transgression we are made guiltie of many sinnes we haue neede also of Christs whole righteousnes 10. Obiect If all Christs innocencie is imputed vnto vs for our righteousnes then all Christs acts must be imputed vnto vs likewise for our iustification Ans. 1. It followeth not that because all Christs acts which concerned the iustice and fulfilling of the law are imputed vnto vs for righteousnes that therefore all his acts are imputed for his descension conception incarnation his miracles are not imputed vnto vs because they were no part of the fulfilling of the law So then it is true that all the righteousnes which is imputed vnto vs Christ wrought for vs and that whatsoeuer Christ did he wrought for vs he was conceiued borne circumcised fasted for vs yet all Christs acts are not applied vnto vs for our iustification but onely those wherein properly consisted Christs obedience and the fulfilling of the law And thus much shal suffice of this question abridged out of Polanus 26. Quest. Whether the iustice brought in by Christ exceede the iustice of Adam The righteousnes of Christ imputed vnto vs by faith is farre more excellent many waies then the iustice which Adam had in the state of his innocencie 1. That was the iustice of a meere man but this is the iustice of that person which is both God and man 2. for the effects the iustice of Christ is meritorious of eternall life it ouercame death subdued the deuill none of all which Adams righteousnes could doe 3. Christs iustice is eternall and immutable but Adams iustice was but temporarie for a time 4. And we are in Christ restored to a more excellent state then we lost in Adam which was but terrene and mutable but by Christ we receiue an heauenly euerlasting and immutable kingdome 27. Quest. Whether it standeth with Gods iustice to iustifie vs by an others righteousnes and how that may be 1. It is not agreeable with Gods iustice to iustifie a sinner by that righteousnes which is not intended vnto him nor wrought for him but seeing Christ wrought not righteousnes for himselfe but intended it wholly vnto vs and our benefit it very well standeth with Gods iustice that we should be iustified thereby 2. And this iustice of Christ which is externall and without vs is more auaileable to saue and iustifie vs then if it were in our selues for then it were subiect to change and alter as all other gifts in vs are mutable and changeable but now this sauing righteousnes is in a subiect namely Christ immutable and vnchangeable 3. And this righteousnes is verily made ours by faith it is not an imiginarie or supposed iustification but verily and in deede for as we verily are by nature guiltie of Adams transgression so is the obedience of Christ verely made ours by imputation through faith And as our sinnes were imputed to Christ and he verely suffered death the punishment of sinne so we by the imputation of his righteousnes are verely made partakers of euerlasting saluation 28. Quest. How the vision and prophesie was to be sealed vp The Latine interpreter readeth vt impleatur c. that the prophesie and vision may be fulfilled which is
my sinne and the sinne of my people Daniel then confesseth not in the name of the people onely but he confesseth his owne sinnes beside the sinnes of the people And further whereas euery one is taught to say in the Lords prayer forgiue vs our sinnes that Councel further decreeth him to be anathema and accursed who should say that a righteous man saying this petition pro alijs potius quam pro se petere intelligatur c. must be vnderstood rather to pray for others then for himselfe Bulling 7. Controv. That the prayers of the faithfull are not meritorious v. 23. For thou art a man greatly beloued c. Daniel was not accepted of God because of his prayers but his prayers were heard because he was a man beloued before and accepted of God in Christ So that it is not the merit or worthinesse of our prayer that maketh vs to be respected with God but the respect which God hath to vs in Christ causeth our prayers to haue entrance vnto God As it is said Gen. 4. 4. God had respect vnto Habel and vnto his offring first his person by faith was accepted and then his prayer because of his person admitted So S. Iames saith the prayer of a righteous man avayleth much c. 5. 16. that is of a man righteous and iustified by faith as a little before he saith the prayer of faith shall saue the sicke 8. Controv. That we are not iustified by any inherent righteousnesse but imputed onely by faith v. 24. To reconcile iniquitie and to bring in euerlasting righteousnesse This then is our iustification when our sinnes which we haue don are not imputed as it is in the Psalme and so cited by the Apostle Rom. 5. 8. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not his sinne and beside the righteousnesse of the Lawe which we could not doe but Christ hath wrought for vs is imputed also vnto vs as the Apostle teacheth 2. Cor. 5. 21. he hath made him sinne for vs that knewe no sinne that we should be made the righteousnesse of God in him Contrarie to this truth of doctrine are these assertions following 1. The Iesuites in Censur Coloniens fol. 186. doe define the iustice of God which is reuealed in the newe Testament to be virtutem in Deo quam iuxta vniuscuiusque dignitatem singulis distribuit vertue in God which he distributeth to euery one according to their worthinesse c. not much vnlike hereunto is the opinion of Andreas Osiander that we are iustified per essentialem Dei iustitiam in nobis habitantem by the essentiall iustice of God dwelling in vs and stirring vs vp vnto good workes But this is an absurd opinion 1. because it confoundeth Gods iustice and righteousnesse with the effects and operation thereof 2. if our righteousnesse be the essentiall iustice of God then Christs obedience is excluded for that is not the essentiall iustice of God 3. this opinion tendeth to blasphemie making the essentiall iustice of God to be a qualitie in man 4. it commeth neere the heresie of the Manichees who held that the essentiall iustice of God was transfused into men 2. An other opinion is that our righteousnesse whereby we are iustified is an inherent vertue infused into vs by the merit of Christ Synod Trident. sess 6. c. 16. And the same is the generall opinion of the Romanists that we are not iustified formally by the righteousnesse of Christ in beeing accounted or reputed iust but by an inherent iustice whereby we are made iust in deede so the Rhemistes to whom Bellarmme consenteth which is directly against the doctrine of the Apostle Abraham beleeued God and it was counted to him for righteousnesse Abrahams iustice was imputatiue by faith There is indeed in euerie faithfull man a iustice inherent and dwelling in him which is nothing else but our regeneration and sanctification which is the fruits of our iustification by this inherent and inhabiting holynesse we are not iustified before God but thereby our iustifying faith is approoued and ratified which S. Paul calleth saith working by loue Galat. 5. 6. 9. Controv. Whether sinne after forgiuenesse may be said any way to remaine in the faithfull Pererius vpon these words to finish wickednesse and take away iniquitie as the Latine translator readeth inferreth that sinnes in the faithfull are not onely not imputed but are vtterly taken away and therefore he by the scandalous name of Heretikes noteth the Protestants that they should hold remanere peccata sed non imputari propter Christum that sinnes doe remaine in those which are iustified but they are not imputed vnto condemnation for Christs sake And to this purpose he alleadgeth Thomas Aquin. who obserueth 4. things in sinne 1. the offence toward God which is said to be remitted as one man forgiueth the trespasse of an other 2. there is an act of sinne which beeing once done cannot be vndone but this is said to be couered because God seeth it not to punish it 3. there is reatus poenae the guiltinesse of punishment which the Lord remitteth in forgiuing sinne that it shall not be imputed vnto punishment 4. there is macula the blot and staine of sinne whereby the soule is defiled and this is taken away when a man is iustified and therefore he is said to be washed hence Pererius inferreth that sinnes to them which are iustified nulla ex parte remanere doe not remaine at all And this he would further prooue by that place 1. Cor. 15. 17. If Christ be not raised ye are yet in your sinnes the Apostle counteth it an absurd and impossible thing that sinne should remaine in a man regenerate Contra. 1. Pererius not citing any Protestant that so affirmeth speaketh but by gesse and â—urmise for the Protestants doe not hold that in the regenerate their former sinnes still remaine beeing onely couered but that they are forgiuen and remooued indeede neuer to be remembred againe This is that we affirme that for the sinnes past they are abolished but for the time to come there remaineth an aptnesse to sinne with some staine and blemish which continueth with the faithfull as long as they are in the flesh 2. Thomas obseruations may be admitted all but the â—ast in that he holdeth the staine or blot of sinne to be washed away if he speake of such a blot qua sublato nitore gratiae animus per pâ—ccatum foedatur whereby the soule the brightnesse of grace beeing taken away is defiled by sinne as his words are such a staine to the extinguishing of grace cannot be in the righteous but such a blemish and staine remaineth whereby the soule is hindered in euerie good worke and whereby the flesh resisteth against the spirit which combate and strife betweene the flâ—sh and the spirit remaineth euen in the righteous as S. Paul giueth instance in himselfe Rom. 7. 22. 23. 3. We must distinguish with the Apostle betweene the dwelling of sinne and the raigning of
controversie 19. Contr. Why the Lord suffereth Antichrist to rage against his Church That is no reason which Bellarmine pretendeth that the Romane Church is by their outward prosperitie knowne to be the true Church and therefore it is giuen vnto them to prosper but these rather are the causes 1. That herein Gods mercie may appeare who for a long time tied vp and bound Saâ—han though for a while he be let loose yet in that vntill the reuealing of Antichrist he was bridled and not suffered hetherto to powre out all his malice against the Church of God it must be ascribed to his mercie 2. The Lord by this persecution vnder Antichrist will trie out the faithfulnes of his seruants that they may be discerned from the hypocrites as it is shewed here in the former verse that diuers were suffered to fall into affliction to trie and purge them both that they might be scuered and purged from hypocrites as the wheat is from the chaffe and drosse and that the Lord also might haue experience of the faithfulnes and constancie of his seruants Hereupon Hyppolitus thinketh that the Martyrs vnder the tyrannie of Antichrist shall be the most glorious Martyrs that euer were in any persecution before which verily may be affirmed of our holy Martyrs that suffered in the daies of Queene Marie in England and then and since in other places for beside that their torments and cruell manner of death were equivalent the cause for the which they suffered was more hard to be iudged of and their enemies more subtle for the Martyrs of the Primitiue Church died for not yeilding vnto most grosse idolatrie of the heathen which was most manifest impietie and their aduersaries were professed enemies to all Christianitie But these latter Martyrs suffered for matters of religion euen controuerted among Christians and their persecutors themselues pretending to be Christians 3. A third reason is that God by the hypocrisie and tyrannie of Antichrist punisheth the sinnes of the world which abounded at the reuealing of Antichrist Hyppolitus thus well setteth forth the iniquitie of those times wherein Antichrist shall come omnes suo arbitratu vivent silij manus inijcient in parentes c. all shall liue as they list the sonnes shall lay violent hands vpon their parents the wife shall deliuer the husband to death the husband the wife masters shall be cruell toward their seruants and seruants shall be stubborne against their masters no man shall reuerence the aged nor haue pitie on the poore then shall enchanters and sorcerie be in force Pastours shall become wolues and Monks shall couet and desire the things of the world c. All these vices and corruptions abounded in the world when Antichrist beganne to shew himselfe and these things are yet practised vnder the Romane tyrannie Wiues doe accuse their husbands and husbands their wiues children the parents and parents the children one brother riseth against an other to put them to death for religion So that for these and other sinnes the hard yoke of Antichristian bondage yet lieth vpon the world And S. Paul sheweth the reason thereof 2. Thess. 2. 11 12. God shall send them strong delusions to beleeue lies that all they might be damned which beleeue not the truth but had pleasure in vnrighteousnes And so those nations which are yet in bondage vnder Antichrist because they desire not to leaue their superstition and vnrighteous liuing but still continue enemies to the truth therefore they are by the iust iudgement of God kept still in ignorance and misbeleefe 20. Controv. That out of this text v. 36. it can not be prooued that the Pope is not Antichrist as Bellarmine intendeth Bellarm. lib. 3. de Rom. Pontiâ— c. 21. goeth about to prooue by diuers arguments out of this text that the Pope can not be Antichrist Argum. 1. Antichrist here described shall doe what he list and exalt himselfe against God as not holding himselfe tied vnto any law nor acknowledging any superiour so doth not the Pope who taketh himselfe to be bound vnto the law and confesseth Christ to be his Iudge and superiour Ans. The Pope confesseth thus much in words but in effect he abrogateth the law of God and so consequently denieth Christ to be his superiour 1. The Pope dispenseth against the law of God which sheweth his superioritie ouer the law Pope Martin the 5. with the aduise of his Popish diuines dispensed with one to marrie his owne sister germane this is committed to writing by Antoninus Florentin summ 3. p. tit 1. c. 11. § quod Papa whome Necolaus Boerius followeth consil 20. vtrum papa numer 26. such were the incestuous mariages of Egypt for Ptolome Philadelphus maried his owne sister Berenice and so did Ptolome Philopator his sister Eurydice whome he killed Ptolome Physcon married Cleopatra his brother Philometors wife in which very case the Pope dispensed with Henrie the 8. to marrie his brother Prince Arthurs wife Likewise the law of God forbiddeth the setting vp of all images to be worshipped Levit 18. 9. which the Pope commandeth euery where to be done The holy Apostle saith that concupiscence is against the law and consequently sinne Rom. 7. 7. But the Pope in his Councell of Trent decreed the contrarie that concupiscence is not vere proprie peccatum verily and properly sinne 2. As the Pope alloweth that which Gods law forbiddeth and condemneth so likewise he forbiddeth that which Gods word alloweth and commandeth As Gods word commandeth obedience to parents but the Pope set Conradus and Henrie against their father Henrie the 4. who warred against him and Henrie depriued him of his Empire and of Christian sepulture Our Sauiour biddeth to giue vnto Cesar the things which are Cesars as homage tribute obedience but Gregorie the 2. forbad tribute to be paied to Leo the 3. for pulling downe of images or any obedience to be yeilded vnto him The Scripture alloweth that they which haue not the gift of continencie should marrie but Calisthus the 3. refused to dispense with the marriage of a certaine Deacon that alledged he had not the gift of continencie for whome also Cardinal Senensis entreated who was afterward Pope called Pius the 2. who writ hereof vnto his friend in these words alterum Papam expectandum qui melior sit that an other Pope must be expected who should be better Boerius loc citat num 20. The Scripture counteth mariage honourable and maketh it free for all men Hebt 13. 4. yet the Pope forbiddeth mariage to his Clergie as a disgrace to their orders 3. And that it yet may more euidently appeare how the Pope extolleth himselfe aboue Christ In the yeare 1447. when Felix was Bishop of Rome who succeeded Eugenâ—us this answer was made by the Cardinal of S. Angel to the Embassadors of Bohemia Siquis non crederet Christum esse verum Deum hominem idem sentiret Papa eum non damnatum â—ri if any did not beleeue Christ to be
controuersie 1. Controv. Whether the changing of the Popes name be grounded vpon the example of Peter Vers. 7. Vnto whom the chiefe of the Eunuches gaue other names hereupon Pintus taketh occasion to speake of that custome of the Romane Bishops who at their inauguration doe take vnto them newe names Celius Rhodiginus out of Platina alleadgeth this to be the reason thereof because Sergiuâ— the second had but an homely name before he was called os porci swines face and thereupon would be called by a newe name as beeing ashamed of his olde But Pintus thinketh rather that it tooke beginning from Peter whose name the Lord changed calling him in the Syrian tongue Cephas which in the Greeke signifieth petros a stone and out of this he falleth into an other matter that this was not that Cephas mentioned Galath 2. who was not Peter but one of the 72. disciples for it is not like that S. Paul would reprooue Peter Pontificem maximum the chiefe priest to his face neither is that Iohn the Apostle who is there also spoken off but one of the disciples for Paul himselfe saith c. 1. 19. that he had seene none of the Apostles but Iames the Lords brother and againe it appeareth c. 2. 70. that Iames Cephas and Iohn speake of Peter as of an other man beside themselues when they saw that the gospel of the vncircumcision was committed to me as of the circumcision to Peter c. to this purpose Pintus Contra. 1. Platina one of their owne historiographers may be credited for a matter of fact and storie who was best acquainted with the doings of that Sea Pintus conceit commeth too late to checke their owne register and if the changing of Popes names be grounded vpon the change of Peters name by Christ why did not the Popes before Sergius alter their names or why doe they not expect the authoritie of Christ to innouate their names but take them vp themselues 2. As for that Cephas or Peter whom S. Paul reprooued he was no other but Peter the Apostle 1. for be it admitted that one of the disciples was called Cephas yet he was not named Peter too but this was reprooued vnder the name of Peter 2. that Peter which was a pillar of the Church and to whom the Apostleship of the circumcision was committed was reprooued by S. Paul but none of the disciples were Apostles or any Apostleship committed vnto them 3. this Peter was one of the chiefe Galath 2. 6. but the disciples were not counted among the chiefe Neither doe the contrarie arguments conclude any thing 1. for whence can they prooue that Peter was the chiefe of the Apostles the contrarie is inforced here that Peter with the rest gaue vnto Paul the right hand of fellowship therefore there was an equalitie among them and in that Paul so boldly reprooueth Peter it sheweth that there was no superioritie 2. S. Paul speaketh of his twice comming to Ierusalem first after three yeares and then he saw none of the Apostles but Iames then after fourteene yeares Galat. 2. v. 1. when he found at Ierusalem Iames Peter and Iohn This then is a simple collection that at his first comming he saw none but Iames therefore he saw no more of the Apostles at his second comming 3. Neither doth the construction of the words helpe him any thing at all for v. 7. it is onely said when they saw c. Iames Cephas Iohn are not there named and if they were if we vnderstand it thus when Iames Cephas and Iohn saw that the Gospel of the vncircumcision was committed vnto me as the Gospel of the circumcision was to Peter or Cephas it doth not follow that Peter should be none of those three for it is an vsuall Hebraisme to repeat the antecedent in stead of the pronounâ— as Exod. 10. 13. He that is Pharaoh thrust them out from the presence of Pharaoh who is so simple to gather hereupon that there were two Pharaohs 4. Whereas Pintus nameth Clemens Oecumenius Theophylact as fauourers of this opinion that this Cephas was an other beside Peter many Fathers of greater authoritie may be produced which hold that Peter the Apostle was reprooued by S. Paul as Cyprian Hierome Augustine Ambrose with others as is elswhere shewed at large Synops. p. 139. 2. Controv. That fasting is not meritorious nor satisfactorie Vpon this example of Daniel vers 8. who determined with himselfe not to be defiled with the kings meates Pererius taketh occasion to set downe generally the endes of Christian abstinence which he maketh to be these eight 1. to mitigate and oppresse the anger of God kindled against sinne 2. to obtaine somewhat at the hand of God 3. to imitate the abstinence of Christ and his Apostles 4. to satisfie God for their owne sinnes and others 5. to ouercome the tentations of Sathan 6. to preuent sinnes to come 7. to subdue the concupiscence of the flesh 8. to make the soule more prompt and readie for spirituall exercise and meditation Contra. The rest of the causes of abstinence beeing admitted three of them we worthily take exception to namely the 1. 3. 4. 1. Gods wrath can not be appeased by any worke of ours it is onely Christ in whom God is well pleased with vs and who hath made an atonement for vs he onely hath offred a sacrifice of sweete smelling sauour vnto God for vs Ephes. 5. 2. 2. Neither can we imitate the miraculous fast of our blessed Sauiour who continued 40. daies and nights without eating any thing neither did Christ fast to that ende to giue vs an example to doe the like but wherein we should imitate Christ he himselfe teacheth vs saying learne of me that I am meeke and lowly in heart 3. And that fasting doth not satisfie for sinne it is euident by the example of the vainglorious Pharisie who boasted in his prayer that he fasted twice in the weeke and yet he was not thereby iustified see more hereof Synops. p. 955. 3. Controv. That the prescript of fasting daies for religion and forbearing of certaine kinds of meate is not warranted here by Daniels abstinence Pintus vpon this example groundeth the lenten-fast of 40. daies and other fasts obserued in the Papall Church and thereupon inueigheth against Protestants calling them heretikes because they doe Ecclesiae ieiunia aspernari despise the fasts of the Church and saith whereas we pretend to haue reformed the Church non Ecclesiae sed sectae Epicureae reformatores c. we are not reformers of the Church but of the Epicures sect Pintus p. 18. Contra. 1. Protestants onely reiect their superstitious and hypocriticall fasts true fasting which is an abstinence from all meates and drinkes for a time to make their prayers more feruent they practise more then Papists who knowe not what such fasting meaneth 2. Who are the Epicures and bellie gods of this age their fat Monkes and Abbey-lubbers are wittnesses who while they forbeare eating of flesh
Pere Iunius thinketh it is a phrase of speach signifying God to be the supreame God as before he called Nebuchadnezzar king of kings ver 37. but it signifieth more cogit in ordinem ipsum Belum totam illam faecem falsorum deorum he bringeth into order Bel himselfe and that filthie rabble of the false gods Polan 2. As by nature he confesseth the Lord to be the true God so for his power and authoritie he saith he is the Lord of kings whereby he subiecteth his kingdome and Dominions to the power of God 3. He saith he is the reuealer of secrets thereby acknowledging him to be the true God who onely hath the knowledge of things to come Quest. 67. Whether Nebuchadnezzar had the true knowledge of God 1. Bullinger thinketh that Nebuchadnezzar thus confessing was vera fide imbutus in Deum endued with a true faith toward God though afterward he set vp an idol for S. Peter after Christ had commended him for his confession of him yet deserued to be called Sathan for his carnall counsell giuen vnto Christ which yet proceeded from a good intention as might Nebuchadnezzars setting vp of an idol Contra. 1. It is not possible that any endued with a right and true faith should commit idolatrie which is indeede a deniall of the faith the Apostle saith Galath 4. 8. euen then when ye knewe not God yee did seruice vnto them which by nature are no gods while men then are idolaters they haue not the right knowledge of God 2. there is great difference betweene sinnes of infirmitie which euen the faithful are subiect vnto as Peter was and open apostasie and idolatrie 2. Wherefore I rather condescend to Caluins iudgement hoc fuit momentaneum c. that this was but a momentanie and sudden affection in Nebuchadnezzar as was that also in Pharaoh Exod. 9. 27. Geneuens for there is a twofold knowledge of God momentanea a knowledge for a moment such as profane men may haue which are striken with some sudden admiration as Nebuchadnezzar here and there is stabilis cognitio a stable and permanent knowledge such as is onely in the elect Polan And this is an euident argument that the king was not wholly conuerted to the knowledge and worship of the God of Israel alias non erexisset idolum for otherwise he would not haue set vp the golden idol Osiand Quest. 68. Whether Daniel did well in accepting of the gifts and honours which the king bestowed on him 1. Porphyrie also obiecteth this as a fault in Daniel because he receiued of the king these gifts and preferments But Daniel did accept them not of any ambitious and couetous minde sed in captiuorum consolationem but for the comfort of the captiues so Ioseph was honoured of Pharaoh and Mordecai of Assuerus gloss ordi 2. It must be considered that some men may lawfully accept of gifts and honours vsing them to the common good of Christs Church namely such as are thereunto called and some may commendably refuse them as Eliseus did Namaans gifts least he might haue beene thought to haue sold the gift of healing Polan 3. Further though it be not lawfull aliquid ex parte accipere pro spiritualibus to receiue any thing by way of compact or composition for spirituall things yet he which ministreth spirituall things may receiue temporall gifts by way of recompence as Daniel here doth of the king Lyran. 4. Neither are the gifts so much here to be weighed as animus suscipienti◠the minde of the receiuer Pellican who intended herein not his owne priuate commoditie but the common good of his brethren Quest. 69. VVhether Daniel with a good conscience could be set ouer the wise men and soothsayers of Babylon 1. In three things was Daniel rewarded of the king with gifts with ciuill authoritie beeing appointed chiefe gouernour ouer the prouince of Babel and with ecclesiasticall iurisdiction ouer the schooles of the wise men Iun. as it were their Superintendent Osiand 2. In this office of his superintendentship 1. such laudable sciences as might safely be learned he promoted and furthered 2. such corruption and superstitions as were practised among them he corrected and reformed 3. but such abuses as could not be taken away he for his owne part forbeared and kept himselfe free from Iun. 3. Caluin thinketh quod repudiauit hunc honorem he refused this honour in cap. 5. ver 10. but this would haue beene euill taken of the king it is more like that he vsed the place with such moderation as is before shewed Quest. 70. How Daniel is said to haue sate in the kings gate 1. Some giue this sense that Daniel sate in the gate vt ius diceret c. to giue iudgement because they vsed to that ende to sit in the gate Vatab. Pint. But the other three also were made gouernours ouer the Prouince of Babel to whose office it belonged to giue iudgement this then was rather some particular dignitie which Daniel had 2. Some expound it that he was à latere regis non recedens one that departed not from the king but was alwaies at hand gloss interlin and thus Daniel did least in his absence some might bring him out of the kings fauour Lyran. But yet this had beene no peculiar thing to Daniel for there were many beside which were neere the king 3. Some thinke that this is expressed to shew a difference between Daniels office and the other three that they were employed abroad in their places of gouernement and Daniel stayed still in the Court Bulling but this had beene no speciall prerogatiue more then other of the kings Court had 4. Some so take it that Daniel onely of these foure was aduanced to the office of gouernement and the other three were made ourseers of mens labours and taske ex Lyran. But this had beene no such place of authoritie for Daniel to make request for vnto the king 5. Caluin thinketh that Daniel had such an office in the Court that no man could enter into the kings palace sine eius permissu without his leaue but that was the porters office to keepe out strangers from entring into the kings Court or Palace 6. Therefore this rather is the meaning admissionis ius ad regem Danieli commissum that the power of admitting men vnto the kings presence was committed vnto Daniel for it was not for euerie one to come into the kings presence but for certaine of the chiefe nobles thereunto appointed of the king Iun. Polan Genevens Quest. 71. Whether it be lawfull for a Christian to liue in an idolatrous kings Court 1. It may appeare by the examples of Ioseph who liued in Pharaohs Court and of Mardocheus who was neere vnto king Assuerus and by Daniel here that it is not vnlawfull to beare office in forren Princes Courts but two things must aduisedly be considered and thought vpon 1. that they doe not propound vnto themselues such places of honour for their owne
onely vnto God to be controlled of none nor to giue account of his doings to any Therefore the presumption of the Pope is intolerable who challengeth that to himselfe which is onely peculiar vnto God As thus his clawbacks and flatterers write of the Papall preheminence and priuiledge non est de eius potestate inquirendum quum primae causa nulla si causâ— no man must inquire of his power seeing he is the cause of causes and of the first cause there can be no cause c. secund Bald. in capit Eâ—cles c. And nemo potest dicere Papae c. no man must say vnto the Pope why doe you so distinct 40. c. si Papa Hereof Fâ—ederick the 2. Emperour complained in an epistle to Otto Duke of Bavaria Rationem actuum nemini quasi sit Deus reddere vult id quod soli Deo conuenit vsurpat c. he will render account to none of his doings he vsurpeth that which onely agreeth vnto God that he can not erre c. Annal. Aventin lib. 7. ex Polan 6. Morall observations 1. Observ. Worldly and carnall men doe onely craue the helpe of the godly in the time of neede v. 5. Till at the last Daniel came before me If the Soothsayers and Sorcerers could haue serued Nabuchadnezzers turne he would not haue sought vnto Daniel but now all other meanes fayling him he craueth his helpe to expound the dreame like as men in their health regard not the physitians but in their sicknes runne vnto them So Ieroboam when Abiah his some was sicke sent vnto Ahiah the Prophet 2. king 14. 2. Observ. Witches and Sorcerers not to be sought vnto Nabuchadnezzer called all his wise men together to vnfold the secret of his dreame but they could doe him no good by which we are taught not to runne vnto any such for helpe 1. because they can not helpe they are both ignorant and know nothing and of no power and can doe little as is euident in these Chaldean wizzards who did but deceiue and abuse the king 2. Such doe vse the conference of wicked spirits and therefore to goe vnto such were to forsake God As Ahaziah in â—eeking vnto Beelzebub the god of Ekron did therein denie that there was a God in Israel 2. King 1. 3. Observ. Prosperitie is daungerous v. 9. The boughes thereof were faire and the fruit much Nabuchadnezzer in his flourishing and prosperous state is compared to a good tree both faire and fruitfull this his prosperitie did lift vp his heart and made him proud and therefore his boughes were broken off to make him know himselfe So riches and abundance are but a snare to them which know not how to vse them therefore the wise man prayeth that God would not giue him riches least I be full and denie thee Prov. 30. 9. They say that the palme tree will not grow in a sat ground but in a light and sandie and if the soyle be strong and fertile they must cast salt and ashes at the roote to qualifie the strength of the ground So if prosperitie be not seasoned with the salt of grace it is vnfruitfull and vnprofitable Pintus 4. Observ. Ministers must be faithfull in deliuering the truth though it be not pleasing As Daniel vers 2. deliuereth the interpretation to the king of this fearefull and terrible dreame though he knew it should not be welcome vnto him so must Ministers in their office be faithfull as the Apostle saith It is required of the disposers that euery one be found faithfull 1. Cor. 4. 2. They must feare rather to offend God then to displease men So the Lord saith to his Prophet Crie aloud spare not lift vp thy voice like a trumpet and shew my people their transgression c. Eli was iudged for sparing and forbearing his wicked sonnes 1. Sam. 2. and the false prophets are threatned for flattering the people and sowing pillowes vnder their elbowes Esech 13. and the watchmen which tell not the people of the sword comming shall beare their sinne the Lord will require their blood at his hand Esec 33. 6. 5. Observ. We must looke vnto Gods prouidence in our affliction So Daniel saith c. 2. 21. It is the decree of the most high which is come vpon my Lord the king When the Lord layeth his hand vpon his children they must looke vnto him that correcteth them and humble themselues before him and not murmure against him seeing it commeth not by chaunce but as it pleaseth the diuine prouidence to dispose as the Prophet Dauid excellently saith I held my peace because it was thy doing Psal. 39. 4. 6. Observ. Of the vtilitie and benefit that commeth of true and effectuall repentance V. 33. My glorie and beautie was restored vnto me c. Nebuchadnezzar after his seauen yeares humiliation is restored vnto as great honour as euer he was So Iob after he had beene afflicted was raised vp to a more glorious and flourishing estate then he had before Dauid after his long time of persecution was established in the kingdome so affliction and if it worke true humiliation and repentance bringeth greater ioy and comfort in the ende as the Apostle saith one light affliction which is but for a moment causeth vnto vs a farre more excellent and eternall weight of glorie 2. Cor. 4. 17. 7. Observ. Of the greatnesse of the sinne of pride and how the Lord abhorreth it V. 28. While the proud word was in the kings mouth whereby he boasted of his goodly buildings which he had made not for Gods honour but his owne euen in the same moment did the Lord cast him downe from his princely throne So Daniel saith c. 5. 20. when his heart was hardened in pride he was deposed from his kingly throne therefore let all those take heede by this example whose hearts are lifted vp ascribing their gifts and works to their owne wit industrie and strength or making their owne glorie and praise the ende and scope of all their doings for the Scripture saith the Lord resisteth the proud 1. Pet. 5. 5. 8. Observ. God fighteth for vs against the Deuill V. 27. According to his will he worketh in the armie of heauen The Lord is the commander of the Angels and princes both good and bad are subiect vnto him all things in heauen and earth are swayed according to his will which is much to the comfort of Gods children that nothing can hinder their saluation neither Angels nor principalities nor powers height nor depth can separate them from the loue of God in Christ Rom. 8. 39. And so our Blessed Sauiour saith My father is greater then all and none can take you out of his hand Iohn 10. 29. CHAP. V. 1. The Methode and Argument THe summe and argument of this chapter is an historicall narration 1. of a fearefull sight an hand was seene writing vpon a wall 2. and the interpretation thereof by Daniel In the vision these things are declared 1. the
is thereatned against him that he should haue none of his seede to succeede him and his bodie should be cast forth vnburied Ierem. 36. 30. 4. Doctr. That Angels haue not all knowledge v. 13. In that one of the Angels enquireth of Palmoni which is Christ how long this vision should endure therein it appeareth that Angels haue not the knowledge of all secrets for here they are instructed by Christ concerning the meaning of this vision Further that the knowledge of Angels is limited and that they encrease in knowledge and haue things reuealed vnto them which they knew not before is euident by that place of the Apostle Eph. 3. 10. That vnto Principalities and Powers in heauenly places might be knowne by the Church the manifold wisdome of God so also S. Peter saith 1. Pet. 1. 12. Which things the Angels desire to behold they still proceede in the beholding of the mysterie of our redemption 5. Doctr. Christ is the Lord and head of the Angels v. 13. In that the Angel enquireth of Palmoni the meaning of this vision which is Christ who afterward v. 16. appointeth the angel Gabriel to open the vision to Daniel it is hence inferred that Christ is superiour to the Angels that they receiue their directions from him and that they are his ministers sent abroad for the seruice of his Church So the Apostle faith Hebr. 1. 6. When he bringeth in his first begotten Sonne into the world he saith And let all the Angels of God worship him and v. 14. Are they not all ministring spirits sent forth to minister for their sakes which shall be heires of saluation 5. Places of controversie 1. Controv. Prosperitie and externall felicitie is no perpetuall note of the Church v. 15. Antiochus is permitted for a time to tread downe the Sanctuarie and armie that is the Church militant vnder feete whereby it is euident that the Church is not alwaies discerned by outward prosperitie which Bellarmine maketh one of the notes and marks of the Church The people of God are more subiect to affliction and persecution in this world they are oftner pressed downe with aduersitie then lifted vp by prosperitie as our blessed Sauiour saith In the world ye shall haue affliction but in him we haue peace Ioh. 16. 33. See more hereof Synops. 2. controv qu. 3. note 15. 2. Controv. That the abomination of desolation spoken of v. 13. is not the abolishing of the sacrifice of the Masse The Romanists make this a marke of Antichrist that the daily sacrifice of the Maffe shall be abolished at his comming and therefore they charge Protestants to be forerunners of Antichrist because they haue banished out from among them the Masse Contra. 1. The new Testament acknowledgeth no other externall sacrifice but the sacrifice of atonement made by Christ of himselfe vpon the crosse the vertue and efficacie whereof beeing euerlasting it is not to be iterated or repeated as the Apostle saith Hebr. 9. 25. Not that he should offer himselfe often and v. 28. Christ was once offered to take away sinnes 2. The sacrifices now offered vp by Christians are spirituall Hebr. 13. 12. Let vs by him offer the sacrifice of praise alwaies vnto God And in this sense the Apostle saith He hath made vs Kings and Priests to God his father Revel 1. 6. 3. The Papists are they which haue abolished the true commemoration of Christs sacrifice in stead of the Eucharist hauing instituted a theatricall and pompous shew of the Masse Papp 3. Controv. The authoritie of the Scripture dependeth not vpon the testimonie of the Church v. 27. The vision of the euening and morning is true c. The Angel here giueth testimonie vnto the truth of this vision yet therefore dependeth it not vpon the Angels approbation but vpon the authoritie of Christ this then is but a weake argument of the Romanists the Church giueth testimonie to and of the Scriptures therefore the authoritie of Scripture dependeth of the Church Polan Indeede the consent and generall approbation of the Church may induce vs at the first and may make a way and as it were prepare vs but we beleeue the Scriptures for the truths sake therein contained beeing thereunto perswaded by the spirit of God See further of this question Synops. Centur. 1. err 5. 4. Controv. The description of Antiochus agreeth to the Pope and Antichrist Although historically this vision of the little horne were fulfilled in Antiochus yet for as much as he was a type of Antichrist all those properties doe fitly agree vnto him also shadowed forth in Antiochus and so Gregor in 40. c. Iob and Lyranus doe in diuers points make Antiochus a type of Antichrist though they doe not take the Romane Bishop to be he 1. Before Antiochus raged against the people of God there was a defection and falling away of many from the faith to Paganisme and this is touched v. 23. In the ende of their kingdome when their rebellions defections or falling away shall be perfited for so Iason and Menelaus with diuers other of the Iewes forsooke their religion and followed the Gentile customes 1. Macchab. 14. 15. So before Antichrist come there shall be a departure or apostasie 2. Thess. 2. 3. which shall be a falling away from the faith as Ireneus interpreteth lib. 5. advers haeres c. 21. so also Primasius Chrysostome Oecumen Lyran. vpon that place which we see is come to passe that the most part of Christian nations had forsaken the puritie of the Gospel 2. Antiochus was of an impudent face so Antichrist shall be ad omne malum inuerecundus vnshamefast to euery euill worke Lyran. which is fulfilled in the Pope who without all modestie and shamefastnes challengeth to be the Vicar of Christ the head of the Church Vniuersall Bishop and what not 3. His power was great but not by his owne strength Antiochus was assisted by the malicious practises of others as of Menelaus So the Pope hath encreased by the helpe of others Phocas that killed Mauritius the Emperour first graunted vnto Pope Boniface the 3. to be called head of the Church And of late times the French and Spanish kings haue waged battell for the Pope 4. v. 23. He shall vnderstand darke sentences whereby is vnderstood his craft and subtiltie so Antichrist as Lyranus noteth callidissimus erit auxilio Diaboli shall be most craftie by the helpe of the deuill And so the Pope hath bewitched the world with his intoxicate cuppe of fornications with deceitfull and subtile doctrines of inuocation of Saints prayer for the dead purgatorie indulgences and such like and he hath also deceiued the world with lying signes and wonders as S. Paul prophecieth 2. Thess. 2. 9. 5. Antiochus should destroy the mightie and the holy people So the Pope hath deposed kings and depriued them of their kingdomes he hath also more persecuted the people of God then euer did any of the Pagan Emperours 6. Antiochus is prophecied to waxe great
super notat oppressionem this word vpon noteth their oppression who finally were destroyed by the Romanes some giue this sense within this time all these things shal come to passe which belong vnto the eternal saluatioÌ„ of the people Osi. But both rather are signified both the mercie which should be offred vnto this people in taking away their sinnes by the comming of the Messiah and the iudgement which should befal them for their contempt reiecting of the Messiah for both these are afterward touched the benefits which the Messiah should bring vnto them vers 24. and the calamiti ewhich should be sent vpon them vers 26. And both these Iunius in his commentarie ioyneth together Quest. 20. The meaning of these words v. 24. to finish or rather restraine wickednesse 1. R. Salamon who endeth these 70. weekes at the second destruction of the citie and Temple by Titus thus interpreteth that then the Iewes should endure a longer captiuitie then before and thereby should learne to leaue off their sinnes and by their long punishment merit forgiuenesse of their sinne Contra. 1. Lyranus thus refelleth the Rabbine that the Iewes are so farre off from leauing their sinnes by this long captiuitie that they are rather worse for their periuries vsurie profane oathes are notoriously knowne And seeing God punished their idolatrie but with captiuitie of 70. years and now they haue endured captiuitie more then twice 7. hundred yeares it must needs be a greater sinne for the which they sustaine so long a time of punishment which can be none other then their killing the Lord of life the Blessed Messiah 2. Paulus Burgen addeth further that this finishing of iniquitie must be within the 70. weeks but that ceasing from sinne which the Rabbine imagineth must follow after these 70. weeks expired 3. adde hereunto that no man by the workes of the law is iustified or can doe any thing acceptable vnto God how then can the Iewes without the Messiah obtaine remission of sinnes And againe men by their punishment though it be neuer so long and great cannot satisfie for their sinnes for then they which are tormented in hell might at length satisfie for their iniquitie Polan 2. Some following the Latine text to consummate or finish sinne doe thus interpret it to make perfect sinne as the Iewes were come to the height of sinne when they crucified Christ in this sense our Sauiour saith Matth. 23. Fulfillye the measure of your fathers thus expound Chrysostome orat 2. cont Iudaeos Theodoret vpon this place and Eusebius lib. 8. de praeparat Euang. but the next words following to seale vp 〈◊〉 and reconcile iniquitie doe shewe that this phrase signifieth rather the consumption then consummation of sinne 3. Some reading to finish sinne vnderstand it of the consumption of sinne and taking of it away by the death of Christ as a candle is said to be ended when it is consumed Hugo so is the word finishing taken Isa. 40. 2. Speake comfortably to Ierusalem c. that her warfare is finished and her iniquitie is pardoned Perer. so also Calv. Genevens Vatabl. Pintus this sense is not to be misliked sauing that the word is not well interpreted which signifieth not to finish but rather to restraine or shut vp 4. The word cala with aleph which is here vsed signifieth to shut vp but calâ—h with he is to finish and consummate the meaning then is to restraine sinne which Iunius and Polanus following him doe interpret of the preseruing of the elect from that generall defection and falling away of the Iewes which began in the time of Antiochus Epiphanes 5. But seeing the words following to seale vp sinnes c. are generall not of any speciall iniquitie or of some speciall nation but of the sinnes of all these words are better vnderstood also generally that by the comming of Christ and preaching of the Gospel there should be a generall restraint of sinne as many which made no conscience before of adulterie idolatrie couetousnes and such like should be reclaimed by the Gospel Bullinger as the Apostle saith hauing made mention of idolaters fornicatours adulterers and such like who shall not inherit the kingdome of God addeth but such were some of you but ye are washed ye are sanctified c. 1. Cor. 6. 10. 22. Quest. Of the sealing of sinnes 1. The Latine translatour readeth to finish sinne whereupon Pererius taketh occasion to shew how diuers waies sinne was finished by the death of Christ in that he paied the ransome for our sinne abolished idolatrie conquered Sathan So M. Lively preferreth this reading and expoundeth it by that place Ioh. 1. 29. Behold the lambe of God which taketh away the sinne of the world 2. But seeing the word is chatam which signifieth to seale vp and so the Septuagint read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in sealing therefore this reading is to be preferred to seale vp sinnes that is to binde vp as it were and to seale and cloase them as neuer any more to be opened read or declared against vs for as writings are vnfolded and opened to be rehearsed and read so they are sealed vp to be concealed and buried in obliuion which S. Paul calleth the putting out of the hand-writing c. which was against vs Coloss. â— 14. Polan Quest. 22. What it is to reconcile iniquitie 1. The vulgar Latine readeth to take away sinne so also Lyranus Hugo Pintus with others and hereupon Pererius sheweth how three wayes a thing may be taken away by washing and wiping by scraping as a blot in writing and by dissipating or dissoluing as when a cloud or mist is dispersed and so in all these phrases sinne is said to be taken away as Dauid saith Psal. 51. wash away my sinne and S. Paul that Christ hath rased out the hand-writing of our sinne Colos. 2. And Isay 44. 22. the Lord saith I haue put away thy transgression as a cloud This sense is true but it is not well grounded for the word caphar signifieth to expiate reconcile not to take away 2. Some by this expiation and reconciliation vnderstand the taking away of the guilt of sinne whereby we are made guiltie of eternall damnation Polan but that seemeth to be signified before in the sealing of sinnes that they should not be had in remembrance to ouâ— condemnation 3. Hereby then rather is signified that Christ hath made reconciliation for sinne that is he satisfied in his death vpon the crosse pro culpa poena c. for the fault and punishment Bulling 4. Thus by these three words here vsed peshagh chataoth ghaven which are translated wickednesse sinnes iniquitie all manner of sinnes whatsoeuer are implied sinne onely against the holy Ghost excepted Bulling which may thus be distinguished wickednesse against God sinne in our selues and iniquitie against our neighbour Hugo And here this benefit of taking away sinne is set forth in three degrees in restraining the act in sealing them vp in respect of
the guilt vnto condemnation and in making expiation for the fault and offence it selfe Quest. 23. v. 24. How the Messiah brought euerlasting righteousnesse 1. Some by this euerlasting iustice vnderstand Christ himselfe Vatab. who is said to be our iustice fiue wayes 1. exemplariter because his iustice and righteousnesse is set before vs to imitate and follow 2. satisfactorie because he hath satisfied the wrath of God by his righteousnesse for our sinnes 3. meritorie he hath by his righteousnes merited for vs eternall life 4. efficienter he is the efficient cause of our iustice and righteousnes 5. finaliter because this is the ende of our holinesse and righteousnesse to be made like and conformable to the image of the sonne as the Apostle speaketh Rom. 8. 29. Perer. But here is vnderstood not that righteousnesse which Christ hath in himselfe but that which is communicated vnto vs for here are two benefits rehearsed which should come by the Messiah the first is the taking away of sinne which is before expressed the other the bringing and giuing of righteousnesse 2. Some by iustice vnderstand the preaching of righteousnesse by the gospel as Lyranus as it is taken Isay. 45. 23. the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousnesse Pintus But the preaching of the gospell shall not be euerlasting for in the next world there shall be no neede of preaching the Saints shall enioy the presence and sight of the lambe who shall be their light 3. Some by iustice interpret the actiue iustice which God exercised vpon the crosse in not sparing his sonne but giuing him for the redemption of the world Hug. Card. But the verie phrase to bring in euerlasting righteousnesse sheweth that such a iustice is here meant not which was shewed vpon Christ but was communnicated to his members 4. Wherefore by iustice here is vnderstood nothing els but our iustification whereby the iustice of Christ is imputed vnto vs freely and made ours by faith Bulling and in this sense is the word iustice or righteousnesse taken Iames. 2. 23. Abraham beleeued God and it was imputed to him for iustice or righteousnesse Pintus 5. But we must take heede here of that Popish conceit of inherent iustice as Pererius here vnderstandeth that iustice quae in homine inest à Deo effecta which is in â—â—an wrought by God c. for this iustice which is wrought in man by faith is nothing else but our sanctification which is imperfect and therefore it is not that euerlasting iustice which is the iustice of Christ imputed vnto vs by faith Quest. 24. Why it is called euerlasting righteousnesse 1. The iustice or righteousnesse of faith in Christ is called euerlasting in respect of the iustice of the lawe non euanescet sicut iustitia legis it shall not vanish away as the iustice of the law Osiand which was a temporarie iustice consisting in the obseruation of legall rites and ceremonies which were not to continue Perer. such was the righteousnesse of Zacharie and Elizabeth which are called iust because they walked in all the commandements and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 constitutions and ordinances of the lawe Luk. 1. 6. so also the gloss it is called eternall iustice quae legis iustitiam vincat which should exceede the iustice of the lawe 2. This iustice of faith is euerlasting because it is omnium temporum for all times all that euer liued in the world were iustified by the iustice of faith in Christ Bulling 3. And is eternall quia inchoatur in via in patria perficitur it is begunne here as in the way and shall be perfited in our countrey Pintus 4. But it is rather so called in respect of the euerlasting force and vertue of this iustice which shall neuer be extinguished but shall make vs accepted of God for euer Polan as the Prophet Isay saith c. 45. 17. Israel shall be saned in the Lord with an euerlasting saluation ye shall not be ashawed nor confounded world without ende Here followe certaine questions of the iustice of Christ in what manner wherein and in what measure it is applyed Quest. 25. Whether as Christs satisfaction for the punishment of sinne is imputed to vs by faith so likewise his innocencie It must of necessitie followe if that Christ hath obtayned and purchased for vs a perfect and absolute redemption that he hath discharged our whole debt not onely in satisfying for the punishment of the lawe but in imputing also vnto vs his innocencie and obedience as may appeare by these reasons 1. Christ is of greater power to communicate vnto vs his innocencie then Adam was to deriue vnto vs the guilt of his sinne and disobedience then as by Adam sinne was propagated and death came in by sinne Rom. 5. 12. so it is necessarie that we should receiue from Christ not onely exemption from death by his death but be cloathed also with his righteousnesse 2. We cannot stand in iudgement before God vnlesse we be endued with perfect iustice now perfect iustice is that whereby the commandements of God are exactly fulfilled which was performed not onely by that one act of Christs death but by the perfect innocencie and holinesse of his whole life therefore the whole obedience of Christ must be imputed and communicated vnto vs. 3. Christ discharged our whole debt Now we are debters not onely in respect of the punishment of the lawe which by our disobedience we haue deserued but the lawe exacteth also of vs perfect obedience and integritie from sinne in both these respects then we haue neede of Christ. 4. The Apostle saith directly Rom. 10. 4. that Christ is the ende of the lawe for righteousnesse vnto euerie one that beleeueth that is by faith the righteousnes of Christ in fulfilling the lawe is imputed vnto vs in as full and ample manner as if we had fulfilled the lawe our selues 5. If Christ hath not fulfilled the lawe for vs it would followe that the law remaineth still to be fulfilled by vs which is impossible The contrarie obiections answered Obiect 1. The righteousnesse of faith and the righteousnesse and fulfilling of the lawe are two diuerse things the righteousnesse which we receiue by Christ is by faith therefore not the fulfâ—â—â—ng of the lawe Answ. The righteousnes of the lawe by works and of the gospel by faith are not two diuerse righteousnes for they differ neither in matter as both requiring that obedience which is to be performed vnto God not in forme for the lawe of God is the rule of righteousnes in both they differ in the efficient and worker the legal righteousnes must be performed by man himselfe the Euangelical by Christ in our name and in the ende for the ende of the legal righteousnes is the glorie of man if he could keepe it by his owne strength the ende of the Euangelical iustice is the glorie of God in the setting forth of his mercie So then one and the same righteousnes is both of
the law in respect of Christ who fulfilled the law and it is not of the law in respect of vs because we fulfill not the law but of faith because we beleeue in him who hath fulfilled the law for vs. 2. Obiect If the obedience of the life of Christ be imputed vnto vs it seemeth then there was no cause why Christ should die for vs seeing we are made iust by his obedience Ans. 1. As by Adam both sinne entred and death by sinne so it was requisite that in both we should in the one be healed in the other helped by our blessed Mediâ—â—our so Iustin Martyr per conuersationem exactam evacuans lapsum per mortem indebitam debitam extinguens by his most exact conuersation he auoided mans fall and by his vndue death abolished our due death c. 2. seeing the perfect fulfilling of the law consisteth in the perfect loue of God and of man it was necessarie that Christ should die for therein he shewed his perfect loue vnto God his father in beeing obedient vnto him Ioh. 14. 31. It is that the world may know that I loue the Father as likewise his perfect loue of man as our Sauiour saith Ioh. 15. 13. Greater loue then this hath no man when any man bestoweth his life for his friends 3. Obiect The law bindeth either vnto obedience of the law or to the punishment not vnto both if then Christs obedience be imputed vnto vs the imputation of his satisfaction by his death would seeme to be superfluous Ans. 1. That proposition is not simply true that the law bindeth either vnto obedience of the law or to the punishment for the law doth not properly binde vnto punishment but that is added as a commination the rather to mooue vnto obedience of the commandement as when the Lord saide to Adam that in the day he did eate of the forbidden fruit he should die the death that commination was no part of the bond or obligation of the commandement but a conditionail commination if the other were not performed 2. We must distinguish betweene the state of mans integritie and his fall while man stood in his integritie he was onely bound vnto the obedience of the commandement but since his fall man both is subiect to the obedience of the law which is not giuen him in vaine and to the punishment because he can not fulfill the law 3. Againe of the reprobate and wicked God exacteth onely the punishment due vnto their disobedience but of his elect he requireth both the obedience of the law and the penaltie both which are performed in Christ he hath fulfilled for them the one and suffered the other ex Polan 4. Obiect If Christ hath fulfilled the law for vs and we are by his obedience made righteous then it would follow that no other obedience or holines of life should be required of vs. Ans. It followeth not Indeede that perfect and absolute obedience of Christ whereby he perfectly fulfilled the law is not exacted of vs for Christs obedience is ours by faith yet an imperfect obedience is required as a testimonie of our faith and signe of our thankfulnes vnto God Like as it followeth not because Christ died for vs the death of the bodie that therefore it is not necessarie that we should die the death of the bodie still remaineth euen in the children of God for it is appointed for men to die once Hebr. 9. 27. but death is neither now as a punishment or as a satisfaction for sinne but as a condition of their mortall nature and a passage vnto a better life After the same manner obedience is now required of the members of Christ but neither such an obedience as Christs was that is perfect absolute nor to the same ende to be meritorious or satisfactorie for sinne 5. Obiect How are we made iust by the obedience of Christ seeing that we in Christs death are together punished with him Ans. 1. We 〈◊〉 not actually made iust by Christs obedience but by the imputation thereof we are iustified and held as iust in the sight of God 2. It is not all one to say we are punished in Christ and Christ was punished for vs and in our stead this is warranted by the Scriptuâ—e as the Prophet saith Isa. 53. 6. God hath laid vpon him the sinne of vs all But the other can not be affirmed 〈◊〉 seeing in Christs death we haue remission of our sinnes we can not be said for the same sinnes to be punished in and with Christ whereof we haue remission in his death 6. Obiect Seeing Christ died to that ende that we should be iustified by his death as the Apostle saith 2. Cor. 5. 21. He made him sinne for vs that knew no sinne that we should be made the righteousnes of God in him how then is our righteousnes obtained by the obedience of his life Ans. 1. The obedience of Christ in his life and death can not be seuered for in perfect obedience is required constancie and perseuerance vnto the ende therefore the obedience of Christ in his death and suffering is a part of his integritie innocencie and righteousnes 2. Neither doth that place prooue that our righteousnes was purchased onely by Christs death but to make that a perfect and acceptable sacrifice the integritie of his life is required for in that he knew no sinne in himselfe but our sinnes were imputed vnto him as his righteousnes is vnto vs therein he was the vnspotted lambe and so was made for vs the sacrifice of atonement We see then that euen to make the sacrifice of his death acceptable the obedience and integritie of his life was requisite 7. Obiect How is Christs obedience made ours seeing he as a creature was subiect to the law and so was obedient thereunto for himselfe Ans. 1. It followeth not that because Christ as man was a creature that therefore he was for himselfe subiect to the law this is true of those which are creatures for themselues but Christ was not made a creature for himselfe he was not incarnate and made man for himselfe but for vs therefore not for himselfe but for vs was he subiect to the law 2. And further that Christ was not for himselfe bound and subiect to the law it may appeare by these arguments 1. to them onely the law was giuen whome the ends of the law concerne which are these before the fall of man the Law was giuen to these two ends to teach man the will of God and to containe and keepe him in obedience to the will of God After mans fall the law likewise hath two ends to teach man to know himselfe and to acknowledge his sinnes and to stirre him vp to seeke the remedie against the same But none of all these endes doe appertaine vnto Christ he needed not to be taught the will of God nor yet to haue any helpe to containe him in his obedience he had no sinnes to acknowledge
7. Wherefore the plaine and proper meaning of these words is that after these weekes the Messiah out Blessed Sauiour should be put to death for our sinnes And this is an euident proofe of this sense because it is said v. 27. He shall confirme the conenant which euen in M. Liuelies iudgement is vnderstood of the Messiah p. 218. Then the Messiah to whom this word he hath reference vnto must be expressed and spoken of before Quest. 64. Of the meaning of these words and he shall haue nothing or rather not for himselfe 1. There are diuerse expositions of these words 1. Oecolampad referreth them to the people of Ierusalem nothing to him that is the people shall haue neither king nor Priest nothing shall be left vnto them but the Messiah beeing spoken of immediately before these words veenâ—o and not to him must haue reference to the Messiah 2. Iunius in his first edition thus interpreteth nihil ad illum nothing to him that is death shall haue no power vpon him neither for all this shall his iudgements be staied which he purposed to bring vpon the citie 3. In his last edition in his annotations and in his commentarie he thus expoundeth that all shall depart from him he shall not haue in Ierusalem any disciple for a little before the besieging of the citie they of the Church were admonished by reuelation to goe out of Ierusalem vnto a towne in Petrea called Pella Euseb. l. 3. hist. Eccl. c. 5. 4. Not much differing here-from is the interpretation of Lyranus Hugo Pintus with others following the Latine translation non erit ei populus qui eum negaturus est they shall not be his people which denied him for the Iewes said they had no king but Cesar Ioh 19. 15. and as for this man say they we know not whence he is Ioh. 9. 29. 5. M. Calvin thus interpreteth nihil ei erit he shall haue nothing so also Genevens that is he shall haue a contemptible death and be counted as nothing as the Prophet Isai saith c. 53. 3. He hath neither forme not beautie 6. Vatablus thus expoundeth there shall be none to helpe him or deliuer him 7. But the fittest and best sense is this the Messias shall be slaine but not for himselfe Bulling B. translation H. Br. vpon Daniel And this sense best agreeth to the prophesie of Christ Isa. 53. 4. We did iudge him as plagued and smitten of God but he was wounded for our transgressions c. And to the Apostles doctrine 2. Cor. 5. 25. He hath made him sinne for vs that knew no sinne that we should be made the righteousnes of God in him But seeing here mention is made of the death of Christ before we goe any further it shall not be amisse briefly to handle the questions of the time both of the birth baptisme and passion of our blessed Sauiour 65. Quest. Of the yeare of the natiuitie of our blessed Sauiour There are three accounts to finde out the birth of Christ 1. by the Romane Chronologie 2. by the Greeke Olympiads 3. by the Hebrewes computation 1. The Romane account of yeares is either by the yeares of the building of Rome by the Consuls or by the yeares of the Emperours for the yeares of the citie Pererius casteth the time of Christs birth into the 752. yeare which he prooueth out of Dions Chronologie who placeth the 15. yeare of Tiberius when Christ at 30. yeares was baptized in the 782. yeare But therein he is somewhat deceiued for setting the 1. yeare of Christ in the 752. of the citie in the 782. beginneth the 31. yeare of Christ as M. Bullinger casteth it and the 15. yeare of Tiberius was in the 781. yeare M. Lively in his table setteth downe the birth of Christ in the 751. yeare but the receiued opinion is that it was in the 752. yeare which was the 42. of Augustus raigne Concerning the computation by the yeares of the Consuls it is vncertaine Sulpitius thinketh that Sabinus and Ruffinus were then Consuls lib. 2. sacr histor Cassiodorus nameth C. Lentulus and M. Mâ—ssalinus but these are placed by others in the 749. yeare not the 752. of the citie Onuphrius in chronie and Epiphanius in hares 51. and Eusebius in chronic doe hold that Augustus was the 13. time Consul and Syllanus when Christ was borne which Carolus Sigonius in his commentaries agreeth vnto as the most probable yet M. Liuely setteth them in the yeare of the citie 750. the yeare before he supposeth Christ to haue beene borne This account then by Consuls we leaue as vncertaine The surer way then by the Romane computation is to count by the yeares of the raigne of the Emperours Augustus Cesar is held to haue liued 75. yeares and 10. moneths and 20. daies beeing borne as Dio doth cast his natiuitie in the yeare of the citie 691. and ending his life in the yeare 767. But others doe place his birth in the yeare of the citie 689. as Eutropius lib. 6. and Orosius lib. 6. when Cicero and Antonie were Consuls together which was in the yeare 689. Bulling M. Lively by this latter account Augustus should be two yeare elder and so liued in all 77. yeares and odde moneths But Plinie is wide who placeth the Consulship of Cicero and Antonie in the 700. yeare which should be aboue tenne yeares after lib. 9. c. 39. Now for the time of his gouernment he raigned alone after he had ouercome Antonie at Actium 44. yeares 12. he had the ioynt gouernment with Antonie so that from the beginning of his first Consulship and regiment he gouerned 56. yeares some say 58. yeares Tacit. dialog de clar oratorib some 57. as Iosephus counteth l. 18. c. 3. but the most Chronologers agree that he raigned in all 56. yeares 6. moneths so Epiphan in Anchorat and Beda lib. de 6. atâ—tib Fererius thinketh he raigned not full out 56. the difference is not great The yeare then of Christs birth compared with Augustus raigne beeing in the 752. yeare of the citie falleth out to be in the 42. yeare of Augustus sole gouernment the 62. of his age and the 30. yeare after the conquest of Antonie Beda thinketh it was the 27. yeare so also Ioseph Scalig. Clemens the 28. lib. 1. stromat Onuphrius the 29. but it was the 30. yeare iust from the victorie of Antonie which was the 42. yeare from the beginning of Augustus first Consulship as it may be thus gathered Christ in the 15. yeare of Tiberius Cesar was 30. yeare old Luk. 3. 1. 23. then put vnto that number 15. more of Augustus 56. and we shal come iust to the 42. yeare of Augustus Thus much of the Latine computation 2. By the computation of the Greeke Olympiads Christs birth fell out in the 3. yeare of the 194. Olympiad as Eusebius in chronic and Beda lib de 6. aetat and Iosep. Scalig. so also M. Lively but other cast it to be in the 4. yeare of the 194.
doe signifie a certaine and definite time and they are onely taken for weekes of yeares so must the 70. and last weeke be vnderstood also and considering that this last weeke is deuided into two halfe weekes the latter expressed the other vnderstood therein must be contained a definite and certaine number for the parts beeing finite and certaine so must the whole be likewise 5. Osiander taketh this last weeke to beginne after Christs resurrection in which space of seuen yeares many by the preaching of the Gospel were receiued and admitted to the newe couenant But seeing the Angel saith that 70. weekes are determined and cut out to finish wickednesse and to seale vp sinnes which things are performed in the death of Christ there also must the weekes ende 6. Many beginne this last weeke at the baptisme of Christ and ende it 3. yeares and an halfe after as Melancthon Iunius edition 1. Pintus with others But seeing it is said he shall confirme the couenant for one weeke he that is the Messiah the couenant must be confirmed before the Messiah be slaine for otherwise how should it appeare that this couenant was confirmed by the Messiah if it be not done in his time that is in the dayes of his flesh he then must confirme it either before or at his death priusquam tollitur è medio before he be taken out of the way Vatab. for otherwise it should not be conspicuous and apparant to be the Messiahs worke 7. Some doe referre this last weeke vnto the last seuen yeares which went immediately before the destruction of the citie Iun. Polan M. Liuely But it is sufficiently shewed before that these 70. weekes must expire in the death of the Messiah and are not to be extended so farre see quest 49. 8. The best interpretation then is this that this last weeke must beginne 7. yeares before the death of Christ the first halfe yeare went before his baptisme as a preparation thereunto then in the latter halfe weeke these things were performed as the next words shewe H. Br. Concent the whole week is named because these things were done in the last week but not in all the weeke onely in the latter halfe thereof beginning at Christs baptisme So Hugo expoundeth it quia non in principio hebdomadis hae mirabilia coeperunt ideo determinat quando haec inchoata sunt c. because these things were not done in the beginning of the weeke therefore he determineth when they should beginne namely in the latter halfe weeke which beganne in the 15. yeare of Tiberius when Christ was baptised Quest. 82. What is vnderstood by the couenant 1. R. Selomâ— by the couenant vnderstandeth the truce for 7. yeares which the Romanes made with the Iewes at the time of the besieging of the citie But Lyranus doth refell this conceit by these two reasons 1. because Iosephus maketh no mention of any such league or truce neither in his bookes of the antiquities of the Iewes nor of the Iewâ—â— warres 2. And if there had beene any such truce it should haue beene made with all the Iewes not with some onely as it is here said he shall confirme this couenant with many 2. Some referring this last weeke vnto the destruction of Ierusalem by this couenant doe vnderstand that speciall fauour which the Lord shewed and the fatherly care which he had of his Church in Ierusalem who were admonished by a reuelation to depart the citie before the siege beganne so Iun. Polan But here rather we are to vnderstand the euerlasting couenant of grace which Christ hath confirmed with his blood then any such temporall fauour 3. M. Calvin seemeth specially to vnderstand this couenant of the vocation and calling of the Gentiles which was fulfilled after his resurrection but this couenant as hath beene said alreadie was confirmed by Christ at and before his death not after Then indeede was this couenant by the preaching of the Apostles published and divulged but there is difference between the ratification of a couenant and the publication thereof as there is between the confirmation of a will and the execution 4. Therefore by the couenant here is vnderstood the couenant of grace made in Christ for remission of sinnes vnto all that beleeue Osiander the new Euangelicall lawe preached by Christ and confirmed in his death Vatablus Pintus such as the Prophet Ieremie speaketh of c. 31. 33. this shall be the couenant which I will make with the house of Israel After those dayes saith the Lord I will put my lawe in their inward parts c. I will forgiue their sinnes and remember their iniquities no more c. Quest. 83. How this couenant was ratified and confirmed Some doe expound these words multis with many of the diuerse wayes and meanes whereby this couenant was ratified Perer. but the word larabbini to many is beter vnderstood of the persons with whom or for whom this couenant shall be ratified as the prâ—position lamed sheweth yet true it is that this couenant was ratified and confirmed many wayes 1. First it was ratified by many glorious testimonies of our Blessed Sauiour 1. of the Angels Luk. 2. 2. of the wisemen that came from the East and worshipped Matth. 2. 3. of the holy men and women then liuing at the time of Christs birth as of Zacharie Elizabeth Simâ—on Anna Luk. 1. 2. 4. of Iohn Baptist who gaue witnesse to Christ. 5. of God the father from heauen Math. 3. 6. of Moses and Elias which appeared in the mount where Christ was transfigured Matth. 17. 7. of the Pharisies themselues as Nicodemus said we knowe thou art a teacher come from God Iohn 3. 8. yea of the deuils themselues who beeing cast out of men cried out and confessed that he was Christ the Sonne of God 2. The second kind of confirmation was by the prophecies of the old Testament concerning the Messiah which were all fulfilled in Christ as the historie of 〈◊〉 Gospell sheweth 3. The third ratification was by Christs wonderfull and most glorious miracles 4. by his holy life and conuersation 5. by the predictions of our Lord himselfe which are noted to be seuen 1. of the ruine and destruction of the citie Luk. 19. 43. 2. of the miracles which should be wrought by his disciples Mark 14. 17. 3. of the great persecutions which his disciples should suffer for his name Iohn 16. 2. 4. of the preaching of the Gospell thorough the world Act. 1. 8. 5. of the propagating of his Church ouer the world Ioh. 10. 16. 6. of the continuance of the same Church as hauing a most sure foundation beeing builded vpon the rocke Matth. 16. 18. 7. of his owne death his resurrection Mat. 16. 21. and the sending of the Holy Ghost Act. 1. Perer. 6. But Lyranus also mentioneth sixe wayes whereby Christ confirmed this couenant praedicando miracula faciendo c. by preaching doing of miracles in dying rising againe ascending and sending the Holy Ghost
sinne Rom. 6. 12. and between the warring after the flesh and walking in the flesh 2. Cor. 10. 3. Though sinne raigne not in the regenerate yet it is in the regenerate as the Apostle saith 1. Iohn 1. 8. if we say we haue no sinne we deceiue our selues and the truth is not in vs. 4. In that place 1. Cor. 15. 17. the Apostle meaneth that if Christ were not risen againe they could not haue remission of their sinnes for then our redemption had not beene perfited he speaketh not of evacuating of sinne that it should haue no more beeing in the faithfull but of the not imputing of sinne as the next words before shewe if Christ be not risen againe your faith is in vaine c. that is by faith ye could haue no remission of sinne But see more of this question how farre sinne remaineth in the regenerate Synops. Papis Centur. 3. quest 10. 10. Controv. That charitie is not more principall in the matter of iustification then faith v. 24. To bring in euerlasting righteousnesse Hence Pererius would prooue that charitie is the cheifest and preferred before faith in the worke of iustification because this iustice is euerlasting and therefore faith is not this iustice which remaineth not alwayes but charitie remaineth for euer and therefore the Apostle concludeth that the chiefest of these is loue Contra. 1. We doe not say that faith is the iustice it selfe whereby we are iustified but it apprehendeth instrumentally the iustice of Christ whereby we are iustified and therefore he concludeth not to the purpose 2. though faith remaine not yet the effect of faith which is our iustification abideth for euer no more shall the preaching of Gods word be necessarie in the next world yet it is called the immortail seede 1. Pet. 1. 13. because it is the seede whereby God begetteth vs who liueth for euer and in respect of the euerlasting fruite that commeth by the word it begetteth faith and faith bringeth euerlasting righteousnesse 3. charitie is euerlasting but it is not the euerlasting righteousnesse here spoken of which is the righteousnesse of Christ applyed by saith 4. And charirie is the chiefest not simply but in respect of the perpetuitie it is not preferred as more avayleable then faith to iustification wherefore it followeth not charitie is chiefer then faith because it endureth longer therefore euerie way it is the chiefest 11. Controv. That the Pope doth blasphemously vsurpe the title of Christ to be called most holy v. 24. To anoint the most holy Pererius here maketh this collection that not onely Christ is called holy but whatsoeuer belongeth vnto Christ as the Church is called holy the faithfull are called Saints that is holy And the Pope because he is Christs Vicar and representeth him in earth is called most holy yea sanctitas holines it selfe Contra. 1. True it is that the things which belong vnto Christ are holy by the participation of Christs holinesse as his spouse the Church and his members but they which are neither this spouse not members as the Pope is the head of the Antichristian Church haue no part in this holinesse 2. And though they are called holy yet the title of most holy and of holinesse it selfe cannot without blasphemie simply be giuen vnto any mortall and sinnefull man 3. Christ needeth no vniuersall Vicar in earth and it is impossible that to one man should be committed the dispensation of the whole Church 4. Euery prince is Gods Vicar and Vicegerent in his kingdome they are called Gods beeing in Gods stead and they are the Lords anointed and so holy But yet the title of most holy is peculiar vnto Christ his Vicar and representer may be holy but the person represented is onely most holy 12. Controv. Whether the Sacrament of the Altar be most holy The Romanists doe giue this title of most holy vnto the sacrament of the Altar as they call it as simply giuing it the preheminence of holinesse before all other things Contra. 1. If there were present indeede the verie bodie of Christ which is but their superstitious imagination then it would followe that it were most holy But that is their owne conceit without any ground for S. Peter saith that the heauens must containe Christ vntill the time that all things be restored Act. 3. 21. And Christs bodie beeing in heauen is not at the same time in the earth neither is in more then one place at once for otherwise the Angel had not reasoned well Matth. 28. 6. He is not here for he is risen 2. As it is a sacrament and so representeth the bodie and blood of Christ we confesse that the Eucharist is holy and to be reuerenced yet most holy it can not be said to be as hauing the preheminence before all other things The word of God is not inferiour to the Sacrament if not before it for that which sanctifieth is greater then that which is sanctified as our Sauiour reasoneth concerning the Altar and the offering Matth. 23. 19. but the Sacrament is sanctified by the word Eph. 5. 26. That he might sanctifie it by the washing of water through the word for all things are sanctified by the word of God and prayer 1. Tim. 4. 5. Augustine also to this effect saith Dicite mihi c. tell me which seemeth greater vnto you the word of God or the bodie of Christâ— respondere debetis quod non sit minus verbum Dei you must answer that the word of God is not inferiour Homil. 26. But if the Sacrament were simply most holy then it should be more holy then the word 3. Yet may the Sacrament in some respect be called most holy namely comparatiuely if it be set against other things which are prophane or not of like holines for like as in the Sanctuarie the most holy place where the Arke was had simply that name of most holy yet other things also comparatiuely were called most holy as the altar of burnt-offering Exod. 29. 37. and the perfume c. 30. 36. the altar was most holy in comparison of all other things in the outward Court and the perfume beeing set against all other perfumes So simply the most holy of all is the sweete smelling sacrifice of our blessed Sauiour vpon the crosse as Origen saith ipse est hostia sancta sanctorum he is the offering most holy of holies in Levit. 7 comparatiuely the Sacrament and other holy things may also be said to be most holy 4. But their Sacrament of the altar which they haue made an abominable idol giuing the highest adoration to a peece of bread which they make their impanate god hath no holines at all and therefore is farre from the title of most holy 13. Controv. That Christ is mediatour both as God and man In that the most holy is saide here to be anointed first the Arrians inferre that Christ is not God for God can not be anointed secondly the Romanists collect that Christ was our
11. epist. c. 3. These scrappes of some auncient writers the Romanists in these daies haue gathered vp who affirme the same that Antichrist shall haue his seat at Ierusalem reedifie the Temple and command circumcision The same is the generall opinion of the Iewes that when their expected Messiah commeth the citie and Temple shall be built againe and he shall restore vnto them their kingdome and countrey be a victorious conqueror suppressing the armies of Gog Magog Now then as the Romanists themselues hold the obstinate Iewes to be in error that denie the Messiah and Christ to be come looking for an other so they making their Antichrist to be the same with the Iewes Messiah are in the like error expecting for the comming of an other Antichrist who long since is come alreadie and manifested in the world and as soone shall the Iewes Messiah come as this their imagined Antichrist Hauing now thus briefly discouered these errors of the Romanists concerning Antichrist we will now come to set forth the true signes and marks whereby the Antichrist is discouered and so find him out where he is 10. Controv. Of the true markes whereby Antichrist may be discerned 1. As he is called Antichrist so he shall in all things be opposite and contrarie vnto Christ. 1. Christ was most holy and by the spirit of God which remained in him was mooued in his thoughts words and workes onely to that which was good but Antichrist by the operation and instinct of Sathan shall be stirred vp vnto all kind of euill this Pererius confesseth how this hath bin performed in that Romish chaire of pestilence all the world seeth and they which are not wilfully blinded must needes acknowledge what blasphemie idolatrie profanenes vncleannes of life murders and other impieties haue beene committed by that Sea hath beene abundantly shewed elswhere so that that title which the holy Apostle hath giuen vnto Antichrist calling him the man of sinne 2. Thess. 2. 8. doth more fitly agree vnto none then to the Bishop of Rome 2. Christ was humble and meeke but Antichrist shall be most proud 3. Christ was most obedient vnto his father and gaue most honourable testimonie of him Antichrist shall be most contumelious and blasphemous against God and therfore he is said Apoc. 13. to be full of the names of blasphemie 4. Christ came to preach the truth Antichrist shall be the sower of all corrupt and false doctrine 5. Christ said his kingdome was not of this world but Antichrist shall altogether seeke the pompe and glorie of this world 6. Christ was the head of all good and holy men and Antichrist shal be caput malorum the head of the euill and wicked men These notes and marks Pererius giueth of Antichrist shewing wherein he shall be an enemie and aduersarie vnto Christ. All which notes and markes doe most fitly agree to the Bishop of Rome for what place can shew more examples of all kind of wickednes then that who is more proud and ambitious blasphemous then he where is taught more false and corrupt doctrine then there who seeketh more the outward pompe of the world then he and who els chalengeth to be head of the malignant Church but he 2. Pererius saith that Antichrist shall be a great dissembler and hypocrite he shall make a shew of three great vertues chastitie abstinencie and pietie And who maketh a greater shew of these then the Pope he would seeme to be so chast that he forbiddeth his Clergie lawfull marriage yet suffering them to practise secretly all kind of vncleannes he would seeme to be abstemious in forbidding the vse of lawfull meates and for his pietie he will be saluted and called the most holy father 3. Antichrist shall corrupt many with his great gifts and liberall rewards And so the Pope hath Cardinals hats Archbishops palles Bishops miters and other dignities with ample and large reuenues to bestow vpon his followers as Bishop Fisher in king Henries daies was rewarded with a Cardinals hat for his good seruice in maintaining the Popes supremacie but the head that should haue worne it was first set vp vpon London bridge Bellarmine for his great paines taken in defending of the Popes supremacie and other points of Antichristian doctrine was made a Cardinal 4. Pererius addeth further that whome Antichrist cannot winne with flatterie gifts he will seeke to ouercome by terror and torments lib. 14. in 11. Dan. v. 21. Such hath beene the practise of the Antichristian Prelates as the former daies of persecution in England doe plentifully testifie for first they would set vpon the faithfull seruants of God by flatterie and faire promises and so not preuailing they would threaten faggot and fire this may be euidently seene in the examinations of the blessed seruants of God D. Taylor M. Philpot. M. Bradford with the rest 5. Last of all Antichrist shall deceiue saith Pererius faciendo plurima admiranda prodigia by working many prodigious things And this hath beene the continuall practise of the Papal Church with forged miracles to deceiue the simple people as hath beene before declared And hitherto I haue followed Pererius steppes shewing how his markes of Antichrist doe most fitly agree vnto his Pope holy father the Bishop of Rome 11. Controv. How the description of Antiochus historically doth typically decypher the Pope and Antichrist Though in this propheticall narration of Daniel c. 11. from v. 21. to the ende Antiochus be properly described yet figuratiuely it may be applyed vnto Antichrist And it letteth not that Antiochus was a ciuill and temporall king and the Pope taketh vpon him chiefely to be a spirituall gouernour for as Doeg notwithstanding he was one of Sauls courtiers yet was a type of Iudas one of the twelue Apostles as appeareth Psal. 69. 26. and 109. 8. compared with Act. 1. 20. And so Achitophel also one of Dauids politike Counsellers of state a figure of the same Iudas Psal. 55. 14. and Mark 14. 20. So Antiochus as well may be a figure and type of the Antichristian Prelate 1. Antiochus is said to be a vile and abiect person and not to haue come vnto the honour of the kingdome by any right and title or by consent or election but by flatterie So the Romane Bishop was at the first of small respect who by little and little vsurped ouer the Church not by any right or title thereunto or by common consent and suffrage of the Church but by flatterie and deceit Bulling Polan Hereunto also agreeth the former prophesie c. 7. 8. where this enemie vnto the people of God is called a little horne in respect of his obscure and base beginning and Reuel 13. the beast which signifieth Antichrist is said to ascend out of the â—arth 2. Antiochus is set forth as a victorious conqueror the armes shall be broken before him v. 22. So the Antichrist of Rome hath much preuailed and prospered in the world though not so much