372 .Manh, 3· 13. • Book. IV. Looking unto fefus. Cbap.2. Secr. 3 preparative to the manifefiation of Jefus, he was only the fo :e- runner of Chrifi and not Chrift himfelfe as himfelfe witnelleth. ' ----·-----~--~----- SECT. 3· Of the Bapti[me o!Je(m. :2. FOr the baptifme ofChrifi. He that formerly was circum~ cifed would now be baptized; be was circumcifed to fanetifie his Church that was, and he was baptized to faneti fie his Church that ihould be; we finde him in both Tefiaments opening a way into heaven. This was the firfi appearing of Chrift in re.- ference to his minifierial office; he that lay hid in the counfel of God from all eternity, and he that lay hid in the womb of bis Mother for the fpace of fourty weeks, and he that lay hid in N a:~;,aret h for the fpace of thirty yeares, now at !aft he begins to fhew himfelfe to the world, and he comufrom Gali!u to Jordan, tu John to be bapti:~;,ea ofhim. The day was but a little broak in John the Baptifi, but Chri.fr the Sonne of righteoufnefs foon entred upon our hemifphere; indeed now-was the full time come, that Jefus took lelve of his Mother, and his trade, to begin his Fathers work, in order to the redemption of the world. For the clearerunderftanding ofChrifis baptifme, wefhall examine thefe particulars.- 1. What reafon had Chrill: to be baptized ? 2. How was it thatJohn knew him to be- Chrifi? ~. Wherein was the glory ofChrifts baptifme l 4. What was the prayer of Chrift, at, or after bis bapt ifmel s·. Why was it that the holy Ghofi defcended on Jefus? 6. Upon what account was it that the holy Ghoft iliould re~ veale himfelfe at this time l and why in the forme of a Dove rather then fome other forme ? I. What reafon bad Chrift to be baptized? we find. John himfelfe wondering at this, I have need to be bttpti:~;,ed of tbee, and com.cH thoH to me ? many reafons aregiven for Chrifis baptifl)le, As ,
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