A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

Others; as Luther, refer this Purging to Baptism: which exposition may carry a probable and profitable sense. This Saint Paul calls the Laver of Regeneration; but Metanimicè; he means the sign or seal of it. Our purgation by CHRISTS blood is not only granted to us in the Charter of the Gospel, but also confirmed in the Sacramental Seals. In the old Testament there was Circumcision, contra peccati reatum: and Occision, or the Passover, contra peccati poenam; as the School speaketh.

Others; as Luther, referre this Purging to Baptisme: which exposition may carry a probable and profitable sense. This Saint Paul calls the Laver of Regeneration; but Metanimicè; hee meanes the signe or seale of it. Our purgation by CHRISTS bloud is not onely granted to us in the Charter of the Gospell, but also confirmed in the Sacramentall Seales. In the old Testament there was Circumcision, contra peccati reatum: and Occision, or the Passeover, contra peccati poenam; as the Schoole speaketh.

Answerable to these we have Baptism and the LORDS Supper: now it is the general consent of the Fathers, that in the most complete Baptism sin is not so taken away, Quod non sit, sed quòd non obsit: non quoad actum, sed quoad reatum; Sin is still within the faithful, but it shall not be destructive to them in whom it is. Indeed if we consider the inward baptism of the Spirit with the outward, there is a true purging. The laver of regeneration cleanseth from the guilt of all sinnes, quae vel humana traxit nativitas, vel contraxit iniquitas, August. So Lactantius sings of the baptised Infant: Candidus egreditur nitidis exercitus undis: Atque vetus vitium purgat in amne novo. Aquinas says, this Sacrament is a Commemoration, a Demonstration, a Prognostication: a Commemoration of Christs Death, that is past: a Demonstration of CHRISTS grace, that is present: a Prognostication of CHRISTS Glory, that is to come. Thus can the GOD of Power effect his will by weak means: as the aspersion of blood on the doors without, shall save the effusion of blood in the house within.¹ Naaman must wash in Jordan, the blind in Siloam, the lame in Bethesda, we in the sacred Font. As none entered the Sanctuary, but they first washed in the