A Golden Chain

The third point is, that he then gave the disciples their Apostolical commissions, saying, Go and teach all the nations: of which, three points are to be considered: the first, to whom it is given. Answer. To them all, as well to one as to another, and not to Peter only. And this overthrows the fond and forged opinions of the Papists concerning Peters supremacy. If his calling had been above the rest, then he should have had a special commission above the rest: but one and the same commission is given alike to all. The second, that with the commission he gives his spirit; for whom he appointeth to publish his will and word, them he furnisheth with sufficient gifts of his holy spirit to discharge that great function: & therefore it is a defect, that any are set apart to be ministers of the gospel of Christ, which have not received the spirit of knowledge, the spirit of wisdom, and the spirit of prophecy in some measure. The third point is, that in conferring of his spirit he useth an outward sign, for the text saith, He breathed on them, and said, receive the Holy Ghost. The reasons hereof may be these. First when God created Adam and put into him a living soul, it is said, he breathed in his face. And so our Saviour Christ in giving unto his disciples the holy Ghost, doth the same, to show unto them, that the same person that giveth life, giveth grace; and also to signify unto them, that being to send them over all the world to preach his Gospel, he was as it were to make a second creation of man, by renewing the image of God in him which he had lost by the fall of Adam. Again he breathed on them in giving his spirit, to put them in mind that their preaching of the gospel could not be effectual in the hearts of their hearers, before the Lord doth breath into them his spirit, and thereby draw them to believe: and therefore the spouse of Christ desireth the Lord to send forth his north and south wind to blow on her garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. ¹This garden is the church of God, which desireth Christ to comfort her, and to pour out the graces of his spirit on her, that the people of God which are the herbs and trees of righteousness, may bring forth sweet spices whose fruit may be for meat and their leaves for medicines.

The third point is, that he then gaue the disciples their Apostolicall commissions, saying, Goe and teach all the nations: of which, three points are to bee considered: the first, to whome it is giuen. Ansvvere. To them all, as well to one as to another, and not to Peter onely. And this ouerthrowes the fonde and forged opinions of the Papists concerning Peters supremacy. If his calling had beene aboue the rest, then he should haue had a speciall commission aboue the rest: but one and the same commission is giuen alike to all. The second, that with the commission he giues his spirit; for whome he appointeth to publish his will and word, them hee furnisheth with sufficient gifts of his holy spirit to discharge that great function: & therefore it is a defect, that any are set apart to be ministers of the gospell of Christ, which haue not receiued the spirit of knowledge, the spirit of wisdome, and the spirit of prophesie in some measure. The third point is, that in conferring of his spirit he vseth an outward signe, for the text saith, He breathed on them, and said, receiue the Holy Ghost. The reasons hereof may be these. First when God created Adam and put into him a liuing soule, it is said, he breathed in his face. And so our Sauiour Christ in giuing vnto his disciples the holy Ghost, doth the same, to shewe vnto them, that the same person that giueth life, giueth grace; and also to signifie vnto them, that beeing to send them ouer all the worlde to preach his Gospel, he was as it were to make a second creation of man, by renuing the image of God in him which he had lost by the fall of Adam. Againe he breathed on them in giuing his spirit, to put them in mind that their preaching of the gospel could not be effectuall in the hearts of their hearers, before the Lord doth breath into them his spirit, and thereby drawe them to beleeue: and therefore the spouse of Christ desireth the Lord to send forth his north and south winde to blow on her garden, that the spices thereof may flow out.