1 Expofition upon Chap.3. grew firft about circumcifion , which the Iemajoyned with Chrift ; alit) be- caufe the leseer counted circumcifion a noble worke, and a worthy worfhip of God; from whence wee may infer, that if Abraham were not juftified by circum titian, much leffe by any other worke : therefore the imputed jufice of faith be- longs to Abraham, children which are not circumcifed, fo that they beleeve as Abraham did. T I M. What are wce taught from hence ? Si L. That all, even the lcaftthings Righteouf. in Scripture, the very, circumstances nesnffaih is often had of time are of great ufe. Second- before the ly, that the Scriptures muff bee read e i áant, with very great Rudy and diligence. which fol. Thirdly, that Sacraments by the low Tort worke done, and a &ion of the Mini - g e befo e fter,conferre orworks nothing toward ascaufu. the forgiveneffe of finne; for Abra- ham had his finnes forgiven him, and was accepted for righteous being yet uncircumcifed; but hee had the Sa- crament of circumcifion as a figue and Peale of the pardon of his finnes, and of righteoufneffe which before bee had ob- tained through his faith : for this order is well to bee marked. Firft, God Pet forth to Abraham his promifes. Se- condly, then followed faith. Thirdly, after that in order of cauCes (but not of time)juflification. Fourthly,unto this was added circumcifion, to confirme his faith, and to teftífie his obedience to God. It is Popifh errour to tie' grace unto Sacraments. cumcifion only , or upon the uneir- cumcifton alfa? For wee fay , that faith war imputed to Abraham for righte- oufnef, how war it then imputed, when bee wee in the Circumcifton, or when bee war intbe uncircumcifon al- fo? Not in the circumcifion but in the uncircumcifion. The parts of this Text bee two : Firft, a queftion. Secondly, an anfwer. TrmoThEUS. WHat is' the drift of this Text? at what mark dotb it ayme? S r L. To apply to Abraham, the text in the Pfalme, and to prove by cir- cumftanceof time, that not by workes but by faith Abraham was juttified be- fore God : for there David mentions not works; yet Peeing he was circumcifed, it might be thought that thereby came forgiveneffe. Ta M . Hew loth hepreve by circumffance of tìme°, that circumcifion did not jufftfre Abraham, and fo not David, or any other bran ? S a L. Thus : Abraham was reckon- ed righteous at the time when hee was not circumcifed, therefore his righte- oufneffe came not by the workes of the law; for that which was not could could not bring righteoufneffe to Abra- ham:. blot circumcifion was not when Abraham was juftified,God did not juffi- fie hint by it. T r M. How doth it appeare, that Abra- ham war pronounced luft, before he had cir- cumcifion? S r L. By the hiflory of Genefis, comparing the 15. Chapter with the Abraham 17. from whence I doe gather that A- pom fe of brabam was circumcifed 14. yeares af- aghteout ter bee was pronounced juft by faith : ners,Anno hereof the Apoftle doth colle& two ES ofhis age:bur he things.: Firft, that circumcifion was no .was eir- caufe of Abraham, ftification be- cnmcifed, u 1 , Annoyy. Calk .tbis was fir(t; and circumcifion came long after, and a caufe muff goe before his effe &. Secondly, that no workes juftified Abraham, becaufe all the concroverfie about juftification; An DIALOGUE V. Verfe r L. After bee received the fgne of circumcif one as the flak of the righteoufneffe of the faith which bee had when bee waruneir- eumciJed. TrMOTHEUs. V / jHat tr th edrift aoft nCwhi err7ext? S[L:Toafecret ób,jeeti-
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