---------------------------------------------------- 740 Book IV. Parr-4:- Leoking Hnto :je[t$1. Chap.I.Sett.6 btf,·eve. llut a quell:ion, or rwo is here raifed, as whether thefe wounds and prints of the myles and fpeare, can poffibly ~grce with a glorified body ? and why Cbrift rerained thofe wounds and prints? for the firil, whether rhofe prints could .agree with a glorified body? fome affirrne i.t witti rnqch boldneffe; · and they (-.y that chrill: not only retained thofe prints whilefl: he aboade upon earth, but now that he is afcended into heaven he ftill retaines them, for my part I dare not go fo far, becaufe Scripture is filent; but the day is a corning when we lhall fee Chrift face to face, and then we lhall know the truth of this: only I conceive that Chril.h l\ody yet remaining on earth was not entred into that fulneffe of glory a; it is now in heaven, and therefore , he might then retaine fome fears, or blemilhes, to manifell: rhe truth or his refurreetion unto his DifcipleJ, which are not agreeabletohisll:ateinheaven. But this I deliver, notasmatter of faith; reafons are produced both wayes by the antient writers, and I refer you to them. For the fecond, why Chrill: retained thefe woYnds and prints ? many reafons are rendred though I lhall not dofe with all. 1. Some think thofe skarrs or prints were as the trophies of his viCtory ; , nothing is more delightful to a lover, th11n to beare about the wounds undergone for his beloved; and nothing is more honourable for a Souldier than to thew his wounds undergone for his countrie5 g<:~od ; what are they but as fo many arguments of his valour, and tophies ofhis viCtory .? this was Bedes fenfe, Chrijl referved his sk.,arrs , not from lln'} impotency ofcuring !Jed~. ill Luc. thrm, hut toJet or1t the glory and triumph of his vi{lory over death 11nd hell. 2. Others think tl)ofe skarrs or prints were for the fetting out ef Chrill:s fplendor and beauty, as in cut or pinckt garments the inward Glkes do appeare more fplended, fo in Cbrill:s wounds there appeares inwardly far more beauty. rlquin.u atfirmes, that in the vrry plttce of the wou;1ds there is a cert11ine JPecial comr· Th1m.~: part.q linejfe in Cl,rift. And Augu.ftine thinks, that the ver; man;ru 53· accrt. may rrt11ine fame skarrs of their wounds in glory, becaufe there t<f n!J -1u~.•J)~ 1e dr~'ormit;, but dignity in them; and bejides a cerraine beauty may 'JVJ I , Cl• ~' • h • b d' ,r:, b/ h • b • 1 fhme 1n t e1r o us an; wer11 e to t e1r vertue.t w ercm tney exc.cllrd. 3· Others
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