Sanctify as touching the conscience.] That is to say, which do not pierce unto the soul, to give true sanctification unto it. In stead of the word to sanctify, others translate to consummate or finish: which I reject not: notwithstanding me thinks to sanctify, seems more fitting to the scope of the text. Now to the end the readers may the better understand what the Apostles meaning is, we must note the Antithesis that is between the flesh and the conscience. He saith that those who offered sacrifices under the Law, could not be washed by them spiritually, or inwardly within the conscience. His reason is added, because all the ceremonies were carnal. What leaves he now more unto them? Vers. 10 Some indeed do commonly understand this, as if the Apostle should say, that this washing was a profitable schoolmaster among men, serving them for honesty: but those which are of this opinion, do not weigh the promises, which are added hereunto as they deserve. And therefore it is a fancy which ought utterly to be rejected. Also they do ill expound the Justifications of the flesh, saying, that they are so called, because ⟨p. 180⟩they only purge, or sanctify the body, seeing the Apostle thereby means, that these earthly figures reach not unto the soul. For although such figures were true testimonies of perfect holiness, yet had they not this holiness in them, neither could they give it unto men. For it was needful that the faithful should be brought to Christ by such helps, to the end they might seek that in him which was wanting in the figures. Question. If it be demanded wherefore the Apostle speaks so meanly, and as it were in contempt of the Sacraments ordained of God, in thus lessening of their virtue? Answer. I answer, he doth it because he separates them from Christ: for we know that when we esteem them by themselves, they are but weak elements of the world, as S. Paul calls them, Gal. 4.9. Whereas he saith, until the time of reformation, he alludes to the prophecy of Jerem. 31.37. for the new covenant succeeded the old, as a reformation of it. He doth purposely name, meats and drinks, and such other things which were of no great importance: because men might the more certainly judge by these small and light observations, how far off the Law was from the perfection of the Gospel.
Sanctifie as touching the conscience.] That is to say, which doe not pearce vnto the soule, to giue true sanctification vnto it. In stead of the word to sanctifie, others translate to consummate or finish: which I reiect not: notwithstanding me thinkes to sanctifie, seemes more fitting to the scope of the text. Now to the end the readers may the better vnderstand what the Apostles meaning is, we must note the Antithesis that is betweene the flesh and the conscience. He saith that those who offered sacrifices vnder the Law, could not be washed by them spiritually, or inwardly within the conscience. His reason is added, because al the ceremonies were carnall. What leaues he now more vnto them? Vers. 10 Some indeed doe commonly vnderstand this, as if the Apostle should say, that this washing was a profitable schoolmaster among men, seruing them for honestie: but those which are of this opinion, do not weigh the promises, which are added hereunto as they deserue. And therefore it is a fancie which ought vtterly to be reiected. Also they doe ill expound the Iustifications of the flesh, saying, that they are so called, because ⟨p. 180⟩they onely purge, or sanctifie the bodie, seeing the Apostle thereby meanes, that these earthly figures reach not vnto the soule. For although such figures were true testimonies of perfect holinesse, yet had they not this holinesse in them, neither could they giue it vnto men. For it was needfull that the faithfull should bee brought to Christ by such helpes, to the end they might seeke that in him which was wanting in the figures. Question. If it bee demaunded wherefore the Apostle speakes so meanly, and as it were in contempt of the Sacraments ordained of God, in thus lessening of their vertue? Answere. I answere, he doth it because he separates them from Christ: for we know that when we esteeme them by themselues, they are but weake elements of the world, as S. Paul calles them, Gal. 4.9. Whereas he saith, vntill the time of reformation, he alludes to the prophecie of Ierem. 31.37. for the new couenant succeeded the old, as a reformation of it. He doth purposely name, meates and drinkes, and such other things which were of no great importance: because men might the more certainly iudge by these small and light obseruations, how farre off the Law was from the perfection of the Gospell.
