A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the…A godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the…

Secondly he addeth; He will make him a pillar in the Temple of God; that is, in the church triumphant; for in the new Testament we have no other Temples, but Gods Church triumphant and militant. Hereby then we must learn to renounce that ignorant opinion of the world, who judge every material church to be the temple of God, and as holy as the Church in Jerusalem was. But the distinction of place and place in regard of holiness which was under the Law, is taken away by Christ. The house is now as holy as the Church; Churches indeed must be regarded and maintained, not for holiness, but for order sake: now men may every where offer the calves of their lips, and lift up pure hands from a pure heart unto God.

Secondly hee addeth; Hee will make him a pillar in the Temple of God; that is, in the church tryumphant; for in the new Testament wee haue no other Temples, but Gods Church tryumphant and militant. Hereby then we must learne to renounce that ignorant opinion of the world, who iudge euery materiall church to be the temple of God, and as holy as the Church in Ierusalem was. But the distinction of place and place in regard of holinesse which was vnder the Law, is taken away by Christ. The house is now as holy as the Church; Churches indeed must be regarded and maintained, not for holinesse, but for order sake: now men may euery where offer the calues of their lips, and lift vp pure hands from a pure heart vnto God.

Thirdly, I will writ upon him the name of my God: that is, whereas God the Father is my God first, I will also communicate unto him the same name of God; and he shall have God even my God, to be his God also. By this it is plain, that no man can have fellowship with God but by Christ: we must not look to have immediate fellowship with God of our selves, or by any other, but by Christ: God hears not, God helps not, God saves not, but by Christ; nay, God is no God unto us, out of Christ. For first, he is a God unto Christ, and then in him and by him unto us. Therefore if we would call upon God, we must call on him through Christ; if we would give him thanks, it must be in and by Christ; for in him only are we heard. If we would know God, it must be by Christ, for he is the very engraven Image of his Father, in whom is manifested the wisdom, justice, and mercy of God, in him dwelleth the fullness of the God-head: and to conceive of God out of Christ, is to make God an idol in the brain. Lastly, if we would receive any temporal blessing from God, it must be in and by Christ; as meat, drink and clothing. For if we receive them from God out of Christ, we are but usurpers of them, and the use thereof shall turn to our further condemnation.