The Institution of Christian Religion

Let us then set forth here the covenant which he hath stablished to be eternal, and never to perish. The accomplishment thereof, whereby it attaineth to be stablished and continuing in force, is Christ. While such establishment was in expectation, the Lord did by Moses appoint ceremonies, to be as it were solemn signs of the confirmation. Now this came there in question, whether the ceremonies that were ordained in the law, ought to give place to Christ or no. Although these ceremonies were in deed only accidents, or verily additions and things adjoined, or (as the people call them) accessory things to the covenant, yet because they were instruments or means of the administration thereof, they bear the name of the covenant it self, as the like is wont to be attributed to other Sacraments. Therefore in sum, the old Testament is in this place called the solemn form of confirming the covenant, contained in Ceremonies and Sacrifices. The Apostle saith, that because in it is nothing perfect, unless we pass further, therefore it behoved that they should be dysco• tinued ⟨image 157⟩and abrogate, that place might be given to Christ, the assurer and mediator of better testament, by whom eternal sanctification is ones purchased to the elect, and the transgressions blotted out that remained under the law. Or, if you like it better, thus: That the old testament of the Lord was that, which was delivered, wrapped up in the shadowish and effectual observation of ceremonies: and that therefore it was but for a time, because it did but (as it were) hang in suspense, until it might stay upon a more steadfast and substantial confirmation: and that then only it was made new & eternal, after that it was consecrate and stablished by the blood of Christ. Whereupon Christ calleth the cup that he gave at his supper to his Disciples, The cup of the new testament in his blood:¹ to signify, that then the testament of God attaineth his trueth: by which it be cometh new and eternal, when it is sealed with his blood.

Let vs then set forth heere the couenant whiche he hathe stablished to be eternall, and neuer to peryshe. The accomplyshment therof, whereby it atteineth to be stablished and continuing in force, is Christe. Whyle suche establyshment was in expectation, the Lorde did by Moses apointe ceremonies, to bee as it were solemne signes of the coufyrmation. Nowe this came there in question, whether the ceremonies that were ordeyned in the lawe, oughte to geue place to Christe or no. Althoughe these ceremonies were in deede onely accidentes, or verylye additions and thynges adioyned, or (as the people call them) accessarie thynges to the couenaunte, yet bycause they weare instrumentes or meanes of the admynistration thereof, they beare the name of the couenaunte yt selfe, as the lyke ys wonte to bee attributed to other Sacramentes. Therefore in summe, the olde Testamente is in thys place called the solemne fourme of confyrmynge the couenaunte, conteyned in Ceremonies and Sacrifices. The Apostle saythe, that bycause in yt ys nothynge perfecte, vnlesse wee passe further, therefore yt behoued that they shoulde bee dysco tinued