Ver. z r. Satramenta ¡,nt & Jgiva,n.. 'Narita j Jt.-'- , tia Qy. vita, Sacramente be Eignes ; Firn. of grace: Se- conaly,of dury. oc ¡,gnat c5 analogia Fani, ey. ,paa,ohau flipsdatiano . the Epiftle to the Romans. obje &ion, which was this If Abraham were juftified before his circumcifion, wherefore then did he take circumci- fion? Unto which the Apoftie anfwe- reth, that he received circumcifion to confirm hisfaith ih that righteoufneffe which before was given him, when he began to beleeve; or rather here is an anfwer to a double objeaion. Firft is, that righteoufneffe Lelongeth to the uncircumcifed onely, fithence Abraham had juflification.in the time of uncir- cumcifion bellowed on him. Not fo, faith Paul, for he was circumcifcd : but to what purpofc (might one fay) ha- ving already faith and righteoufneffe That is true, (faith our Apotlle) but his faith needed confirmation: there- fore he took from the hand of God cir- cumcifion, which is not onely a figni- lying or diflinguifhing figne , but a ftrengthening fe al more to affure him of Gods promifes in Chrill. For inter- pretation of the words, note, that(figne ofcircumcilion) is put for circumcifion, which is a figne (as Mat. 24. figne of the Son of man, fir the Son of man whole ap- pearing (hall be a figne of a prefent judge- ment) not a common, but a facred ligne; thence by the Latines tearmed (Sacra - menta.) To receive,fignifiestotakeitin his flefh by the appointment and ordi- nance of God: now if nAbrabam re- ceived it, this argueth that God gave it, (for receiving and giving are relatives) fo Circumcifion was a fign both on Gods part giving, and on Abraham' part re- ceiving it; it figned and affixed the grace and promife of the one ; and the faithfull imbracing of the other. (The figne) that is, for a ligne, or to this end, to be a ligne and fèal, thatis,as a divine pledge or leal, to ratifie unto Abraham the righteoufneffe of faith, which he received being yet uncircumcifed. (Seal) a fpeech borrowed from Kings and Princes, which add their Peal- broad, or private Signet to ratifie and confirm the leagues, edi &s, grants, charters, for bet- ter affurance of fuch as be confederates, to ftbjebîa, to warrant covenants and gifts. Sodid God that heavenly King, againft the (baking and weakneffe of Abrahams faith, touching the pro- mired led , and bleflednclf by him, 1 (which is here called righteouiricf =,and before was termed forgivenes of tar') and not imputing fins, which is blef ed- nefs inchoate or begun, leading to per lea happinefs in heaven. The funs of the text is,that though Gods promiieof bleffednefs to beleeving Abraham , by Chritt his feed, were certain and un- doubted ; for God is truth it felt : yet for more authority , and the better to fence and flablifh 4brahama l ith,ogain(i doubtings and fears, there was :tided a Peal of circumcifion. Gbferve , that albeit it be one ale of a Peal to flan up and hide for a time , things sa hich be f cret, and molt tint yet be manifefted, (as Matth.27.66. Revel.g.I. & co. 14.) Yet in this text P.m! h, th refpe & to the other life of a Peal, which iz f rratlF- cation, as it is bled, I Cor. 9. 2. 2 Tim. 2.9. ñev.7.2,4. 2 Cor. I. 22, Sithence God had in his Word expreffed and non :anent» .mentioned his covenant with Abraham., 6^n' hr..* 1C1fiJn therefore he could nut take circus: faeanrdy to hide or cover the righteoufnefs of 6FQnat.iai° faith, but rather to help and comfort g %é :a his faith in temptation and tryalls, wherewith God meant to prove his faith,as he did to the utternroti,namely, at the offering of Ifaac. T t M. What thing alas chiefly taught out of thin Text? S a L. The true nature and the prin- cipal! rife of all Sacraments, old and new,which generally ferve to be fignes, given of God, to adnioniíh us by my- fticalI fignification; and feals to afï'ure us of Chrill, and our righteoufilefs by him. Every ligne is not a Peal, but cir- cùmcition is both : and this is common to all Sacraments, to be both lignes and lea's. T I M. How many forts of floe' be there ? S I L. Divers forts : Firft, natural! fignes, as clouds be a ligne of rain. Secondly, civili lignes, as a fword borne before aMagiftrate, is a ligne ofautho- rity. Thirdly, religious fignes, which appertain to godlinefs, of which there be four forts. Firft, fome be lignes of L 3 things
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=