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…

Further, this new name is said to be written in the white stone: that is, in the pledge of absolution: which showeth the union of these two: Absolution, and Regeneration. So that whom the Lord of his mercy absolves from their sins, them in his bounty he brings to a new estate and condition. He that is in Christ, is a new creature, 2. Cor. 5.17. A point to be observed, as yielding special advice to reform the gross and common abuse of Christ. Men persuade themselves, that Christ is their Saviour, and will pardon their sins, for he is merciful: and thereupon they take occasion to live as they list. But let no man herewith deceive himself: for they that have absolution, have regeneration also: a new condition of life goes with the fruition of Gods mercy in Christ: they that go on in sin, have not the pardon of sin: the corruption of sin must be abolished, where the guilt of sin is absolved; and their lives are reformed that have their sins remitted. Here some man may say, Why are not those called by this new name, to whom Christ gives it, for usually men are called after their names? The answer is made in the end of the verse: Because no man knoweth that name save he that receiveth it: that is, in that manner and certainty as he that receiveth it. And therefore the children of God must not be much offended when they are reviled for their profession, because the world knows not their estate.

Further, this new name is sayd to bee written in the white stone: that is, in the pledge of absolution: which sheweth the vnion of these two: Absolution, and Regeneration. So that whom the Lord of his mercie absolues from their sinnes, them in his bountie hee brings to a new estate and condition. He that is in Christ, is a new creature, 2. Cor. 5.17. A point to be obserued, as yeelding speciall aduice to reforme the grosse and common abuse of Christ. Men persuade themselues, that Christ is their Sauiour, and will pardon their sinnes, for he is mercifull: and thereupon they take occasion to liue as they list. But let no man herewith deceiue himselfe: for they that haue absolution, haue regeneration also: a new condition of life goes with the fruition of Gods mercie in Christ: they that go on in sinne, haue not the pardon of sinne: the corruption of sinne must bee abolished, where the guilt of sinne is absolued; and their liues are reformed that haue their sinnes remitted. Here some man may say, Why are not those called by this new name, to whom Christ giues it, for vsually men are called after their names? The answere is made in the end of the verse: Because no man knoweth that name saue he that receiueth it: that is, in that manner and certainetie as hee that receiueth it. And therefore the children of God must not be much offended when they are reuiled for their profession, because the world knowes not their estate.