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…

The third point is, the manner how true believers become kings and priests: they are not such by nature, neither doth this dignity come by descent in blood or birth-right, or by any other privilege they have from man, but only from Christ Jesus, who by divine calling makes them spiritual kings and priests, like as under the law, by solemn election and ordination, some were made earthly kings and priests. Now in this calling of Christ, two things concur: First, Christ giveth his members right to his own kingdom and priesthood: yet not so, that they can execute the regiment sustained by Christ, or perform the office of his priesthood; but because they have right in part to these offices, and the benefit of them both redoundeth to them wholly. And this right they have, is brought to pass in the covenant of the Gospel: wherein they are bound to believe in God through Christ; and God is bound again to give unto them Christ with all his benefits: among which, these two must be accounted: for indeed, every thing which belongs to Christ, as he is mediator, is conveyed in some sort to every true believer. Secondly, in this divine calling, Christ endues all his members with gifts and graces, whereby they are enabled for the duties of spiritual kings and priests unto God. For as Christ is anointed, so are all his members. So the Psalmist speaking of Christ saith, He is anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows, Psal. 45. vers. 7. Therefore his fellows (that is believers) are anointed with the same oil, though in less measure. And Saint John saith; Ye have received the anointing, 1. John 2.27. yea, God himself chargeth wicked men, not to touch his anointed, Psal. 105.15. meaning not only Patriarchs, Kings, and Prophets, but all true believers, who are then anointed when they are endued with the gifts of the same spirit, in some measure, wherewith Christ in his manhood was filled above measure.

The third point is, the manner how true beleeuers become kings and priests: they are not such by nature, neither doth this dignitie come by descent in bloud or birth-right, or by any other priuiledge they haue from man, but onely from Christ Iesus, who by diuine calling makes them spirituall kings and priests, like as vnder the law, by solemne election and ordination, some were made earthly kings and priests. Now in this calling of Christ, two things concurre: First, Christ giueth his members right to his owne kingdome and priesthood: yet not so, that they can execute the regiment sustained by Christ, or perform the office of his priesthood; but because they haue right in part to these offices, and the benefit of them both redoundeth to them wholly. And this right they haue, is brought to passe in the couenant of the Gospell: wherein they are bound to beleeue in God through Christ; and God is bound againe to giue vnto them Christ with all his benefites: among which, these two must be accounted: for indeed, euery thing which belongs to Christ, as he is mediatour, is conueyed in some sort to euery true beleeuer. Secondly, in this diuine calling, Christ endues all his members with gifts and graces, whereby they are enabled for the duties of spirituall kings and priests vnto God. For as Christ is annointed, so are all his members. So the Psalmist speaking of Christ sayth, He is annointed with the oyle of gladnesse aboue his fellowes,