JOIADA. Truly John was a man, which thing no man can deny, yet notwithstanding, his doctrine and baptism, were not of man, but of God.1 Matthew one and twenty Chapter. But it is called the baptism of John, and of the apostles, not because it is theirs, but because it is ministered by them. I will speak more plainly.2 Christ. Matthew .xi. Chapter, saith that the law and the prophets were till John came, whereby Christ doth show that the thing that the Prophets did afore prophecy, to be or too come, was more fully set forth and declared by the preaching of John. For the things ye afore by the prophets were prophesied to come, under dark figures of words ⟨image 14⟩the self same things are set forth by John, as fulfilled and present,3 and are in a manner showed with the figure. The law had a mystical lamb: John did show the true lamb with his finger. John therefore doth begin first the gospel and the new Testament, and showeth that the Messiah is come. It was necessary then, that he should abolish the old signs, and change them into other, that should be without blood, worthy of the new testament.4 For circumcision was changed into baptism. Therefore John beginneth baptism first, as a sign or seal of the people of God. But let us hear his own witnesses and testimonies of that thing.5 Mat. iii chap When he did see many of the Pharisees and Sadducees, coming too his baptism (that they also might receive baptism of him) he said unto them: Bring ye forth fruits, worthy of repentance. By the which words John doth plainly declare, wherefore, & for what purpose & use, he did minister baptism, although he should say, It shall not be sufficient to have your body washed in the water, but rather this, ye must have a respect unto, that ye be new men ⟨image 15⟩that ye be sorry and repent of your misdeeds that are passed, and take heed of them, that are to come. There is no cause why ye should boast your selves to be the children of Abraham, onlesse ye do follow the faith of Abraham. What did Abraham? he did believe in god, he was obedient unto the word of god, he did approve him self, or showed him self faithful in all things unto the same god.
IOIADA. Truly Ihon was a man, whych thing no man can denye, yet notwythstanding, his doctryne and baptysme, were not of man, but of God.1 Mathewe one and twenty Chapter. But it is called the baptysme of Ihon, and of the apostles, not because it is theyrs, but because it is mynystred by theym. I wyll speake more playnely.2 Christ. Mathewe .xi. Chapter, saythe that the law and the prophetes were tyll Ihon came, whereby Christe doth shew that the thynge that the Prophetes dyd afore prophecye, to be or too come, was more fullye set furthe and declared by ye preachyng of Ihon. For the thynges ye afore by the prophetes were prophecied to come, vnder darke fygures of wordes ⟨image 14⟩the selfe same thinges are sette furthe by Ihon, as fulfylled and presente,3 and are in a maner shewed with the fygure. The lawe had a misticall lambe: Ihon dydde shewe the true lambe wyth hys fynger. Ihon therfore doth begyn first the gospell and the newe Testamente, and sheweth that the Messias is come. It was necessarye then, that he should abolisshe the olde sygnes, and chaunge them into other, that should be without bloud, worthy of the new testamente.4 For circumcision was chaunged into baptysme. Therfore Ihon beginneth baptisme first, as a signe or seale of the people of God. But let vs heare his owne wytnesses and testimonyes of that thynge.5 Mat. iii chap When he did se manye of the Pharyses and Saduces, cōming too his baptysme (that they also might receiue baptism of him) he said vnto them: Bryng ye furth frutes, worthy of repentaūce. By ye whiche wordes Ihon doth plainlye declare, wherfore, & for what purpose & vse, he did minister baptism, although he shuld saie, It shal not be sufficiēt to haue your body wasshed in the water, but rather this, ye must haue a respect vnto, yt ye be new mē ⟨image 15⟩that ye be sory and repente of your mysdeedes that are passed, and take heede of them, that are to come. There is no cause why ye shuld boste your selues to be the children of Abraham, onlesse ye do folow ye fayth of Abraham. What did Abrahā? he dyd beleue in god, hee was obediente vnto the worde of god, hee dyd approue hym selfe, or shewed hym selfe faythfull in all thinges vnto the same god.
- 1Math. xxi. Chapter.
- 2Math. xi. Chapter. how this saying. The law and the prophets were till Ihō cam.Math. xi. Chapter. how thys sayinge. The lawe and the prophetes were tyll Ihō cam.
- 3John beginneth with his baptsme, the gospel and new testament.Ihon begynneth wyth hys baptsme, the gospell and newe testament.
- 4Circumcyon is changed into baptism.Circumcyon is chaū ged intoo baptisme.
- 5Math. iii. Chapter.
