Paul answereth, that it (namely his life) consisteth in faith, whereby he avoucheth that it is a mystery hidden from the sense of man. The life than which we obtain by faith, appeareth not to the eyes, but it is perceived within in the conscience, by the efficacy of the spirit, and therefore the bodily life letteth not, but that we may by faith possess the heavenly life. Ephe. 1.20. He hath placed us in heavenly things, &c. Also, Now ye are the Citizens of the Saints, and of the household of God. Ephe. 2.19. Also to the Philippians, 3.20 Our conversation is in heaven. Also to the Colossians, We are dead, and our life is hid with Christ in God▪ to be short, Paul is full of such testimonies, whereby he affirmeth that we do so live in the world, that nevertheless we live also in heaven: not only because there is our head, but also that by the right or interest of unity, we have a life common with him: as S. John speaketh, cap. 14. ver. 1. In the mean while let us note that here he bringeth his reason from the nature of faith, that he may teach us that it is no absurdity if that life be hid which is grafted or placed in faith: because that thing which we hope for doth not yet appear, that faith may be named the knowledge of things invisible. Which hath loved me. These words are added to express the force of Faith, or else this thought would come into every mans mind, Whence cometh such virtue of faith that it should shed out upon us the life of Christ? therefore the hypostasis whereon faith leaneth,1 doth declare the love and death of Christ: for thereof is the effect of faith to be estimated. Howe cometh it to pass than that we ⟨p. 50⟩live by the faith of Christ? because he hath loved us, and given himself for us. the love I say wherewith Christ hath embraced us, did cause that he did make himself one with us, that hath he done by his death: for in giving himself for us, he hath suffered no otherwise than in our person. and therefore whatsoever faith findeth in Christ, of the same it maketh us partakers. Whereas he maketh mention of Love, he meaneth that which is taught, 1. Joh. 4.19. Not because we loved him first, but that he hath prevented us first with his love. For if he being provoked with merits had redeemed us: the cause thereof would have been told. but now Paul ascribeth all unto love:
Paule aunswereth, that it (namelye his life) consisteth in fayth, whereby he auoucheth that it is a misterie hidden from the sence of man. The life than whiche wee obtayne by fayth, appeareth not to the eyes, but it is perceyued within in the conscience, by the efficacie of the spirite, and therfore the bodily life letteth not, but that we maye by fayth possesse the heauenly life. Ephe. 1.20. He hath placed vs in heauenly thinges, &c. Also, Now yee are the Citizens of the Saynts, and of the housholde of God. Ephe. 2.19. Also to the Philippians, 3.20 Our conuersation is in heauen. Also to the Colossians, We are dead, and our lyfe is hid with Christ in God▪ to be short, Paule is full of such testimonyes, whereby hee affirmeth that we doe so liue in the world, that neuerthelesse we liue also in heauen: not only because there is our head, but also that by the right or interest of vnitie, we haue a life common with him: as S. Iohn speaketh, cap. 14. ver. 1. In the meane while let vs note that here he bringeth his reason from the nature of fayth, that he may teache vs that it is no absurditie if that life bee hid which is graffed or placed in fayth: because that thing whiche we hope for doth not yet appeare, that fayth maye be named the knowledge of thinges inuisible. Which hath loued me. These wordes are added to expresse the force of Fayth, or else this thought would come into euery mans mynde, Whence cōmeth such vertue of fayth that it should shead out vppon vs the life of Christ? therefore the hypostasis whereon fayth leaneth,1 doth declare the loue and death of Christ: for thereof is the effecte of fayth to be estimated. Howe commeth it to passe than that wee ⟨p. 50⟩liue by the fayth of Christ? because he hath loued vs, and giuen himselfe for vs. the loue I saye wherwith Christ hath imbraced vs, did cause that he did make himselfe one with vs, that hath he done by his death: for in giuing himselfe for vs, he hath suffered no otherwise than in our person. and therfore whatsoeuer faith findeth in Christe, of the same it maketh vs partakers. Wheras he maketh mention of Loue, he meaneth that whiche is taught, 1. Ioh. 4.19. Not because we loued him firste, but that he hath preuented vs firste with his loue. For if he being prouoked with merites had redemed vs: the cause therof would haue bene tolde. but now Paule ascribeth all vnto loue:
- 1Substance or foundation.
