A Golden Chain

The comfort which Gods people may reap of the sanctification of Christs manhood is great. For why was he sanctified? Surely if we mark it well, we shall find it was for the good and benefit of his Elect. For Adam and Christ be two roots as hath been showed. Adam by creation, first received Gods image, and after lost the same for himself and his posterity. Now Christ to remove the sin of man is made the second Adam, and the root and very head of all the Elect. His manhood was filled with holiness above measure: that from thence as from a storehouse it might be derived to all his members. And therefore by his most holy conception, our sinful birth and conception is sanctified, and his holiness serves as a cover to hide our manifold corruptions from the eyes of God. Yea it serves as a buckler to award the temptations of the devil: for when he shall say to our hearts on this manner; no unclean thing can enter into the kingdom of heaven; but thou by reason of the remnants of original sin art unclean: therefore thou canst not enter into the kingdom of heaven: we return our answer, saying, that Christs righteousness is our righteousness, serving to make us stand without blame or spot before God. And as Jacob put on Esau's garments that he might get his fathers blessing: so if by faith we do put on the white garment of righteousness of our elder brother Christ Jesus, and present our selves in it unto our heavenly father, we shall obtain his blessing which is eternal happiness.

The comfort which Gods people may reape of the sanctification of Christs manhood is great. For why was he sanctified? Surely if we marke it well, we shall finde it was for the good and benefit of his Elect. For Adam and Christ be two rootes as hath beene shewed. Adam by creation, first receiued Gods image, and after lost the same for himselfe and his posteritie. Now Christ to remooue the sinne of man is made the second Adam, and the roote and very head of all the Elect. His manhood was filled with holinesse aboue measure: that from thence as from a storehouse it might be deriued to all his members. And therefore by his most holy conception, our sinnefull birth and conception is sanctified, and his holinesse serues as a couer to hide our manifolde corruptions from the eyes of God. Yea it serues as a buckler to award the temptations of the deuill: for when he shall say to our hearts on this manner; no vncleane thing can enter into the kingdome of heauen; but thou by reason of the remnants of originall sinne art vncleane: therefore thou canst not enter into the kingdome of heauen: we returne our answer, saying, that Christs righteousnesse is our righteousnesse, seruing to make vs stand without blame or spot before God. And as Iacob put on Esaus garments that he might get his fathers blessing: so if by faith we doe put on the white garment of righteousnes of our elder brother Christ Iesus, and present our selues in it vnto our heauenly father, we shall obtaine his blessing which is eternall happines.