And we must mark also, that Jesus Christ is set down with the common weal of Israel, and with the Sacraments and promises, too show that it is he on whom all of us depend. For it is certain ⟨image 102⟩that God never cometh at men without the mediator. For sith he hateth unrighteousness, & all men are cursed in Adam: it was requisite that our Lord Jesus Christ should step in, that we might have some entrance and access unto God.1 And that is the cause why S. Paul sayeth also, that he is the yea and the Amen of all Gods promises. For there shall never be any certainty of Gods promises without Jesus Christ.2 And for the same cause also all things were dedicated in the Law with blood, yea and even the book of the Law it self. When the covenant was red openly,3 and published solemnly too the people, the book was besprinkled with the blood of the sacrifice, too show that all the doctrine contained in the Law, and all the promises whereby God adopteth those too be his children, whom he hath admitted into his Church, must be confirmed by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, will we have the promises too be sure and infallible? Will we be assured of them, that we may freely call upon God, and fight against all temptations? We must resort always too Jesus Christ. It is much when God telleth us with his own holy mouth, that he will reserve us for his own: but yet must we needs tremble continually at his majesty, till we have cast our eye upon our Lord Jesus Christ, and know that God liketh well of us for his sake, so as our sins be buried, and shall never come too account. Thus ye see how the promises, the Sacraments, and all that ever we have, must be ratified by Jesus Christ. Too be short, (if I may make an humane comparison, and speak gr•ssely) he is the true sauce too make all things savoury that belong too our salvation. For without him, we should continue evermore as men in a swoon, and (as I have said already) we could conceive no hope at all, nor have our minds so settled, as we might resort unto God for refuge. Not without cause therefore doth Saint Paul say, that such as have no Circumcision, nor other Sacraments whereby too be consecrated unto God, nor any pr•myses of salvation, are without Christ.
And wee must marke also, that Iesus Christ is set downe with the common weale of Israell, and with the Sacramentes and promises, too shewe that it is he on whom all of vs depend. For it is certeyne ⟨image 102⟩that God neuer commeth at men without the mediator. For sith he hateth vnrightuousnesse, & all men are cursed in Adam: it was requisite that our Lord Iesus Christ should step in, that wee myght haue some enterance and accesse vntoo God.1 And that is the cause why S. Paule sayeth also, that he is the yea and the Amen of all Gods promises. For there shall neuer be any certeintie of Gods promises without Iesus Christ.2 And for the same cause also all things were dedicated in the Lawe with blud, yea and euen the booke of the Lawe it selfe. When the couenant was red openly,3 and published solemly too the people, the booke was besprinckled with the blud of the sacrifize, too shewe that all the doctrine conteyned in the Lawe, and all the promyses wherby God adopteth those too bee his children, whom he hath admitted intoo his Church, must bee confirmed by the blud of our Lord Iesus Christ. So then, will wee haue the promyses too bee sure and infallible? Will wee bee assured of them, that wee may freely call vppon God, and fyght ageinst all temptations? Wee must resort alwayes too Iesus Christ. It is much when God telleth vs with his owne holy mouth, that he will reserue vs for his owne: but yit must we needes tremble continually at his maiestie, till wee haue cast our eye vppon our Lord Iesus Christ, and knowe that God lyketh well of vs for his sake, so as our sinnes bee buryed, and shall neuer come too account. Thus yee see how the promises, the Sacramentes, and all that euer wee haue, must bee ratifyed by Iesus Christ. Too bee short, (if I may make an humane comparison, and speake gr•ssely) he is the trew sauce too make all things sauerie that belong too our saluation. For without him, wee should continue euermore as men in a swound, and (as I haue sayd alredye) wee could conceyue no hope at all, nor haue our myndes so settled, as wee myght resort vntoo God for refuge. Not without cause therefore d•oth Saint Paule say, that such as haue no Circumcision, nor other Sacramentes whereby too bee consecrated vntoo God, nor any pr•myses of saluation, are without Christ.
- 12. Cor. 1. d. 20.
- 2Exod. 24. b. 8.
- 3Hebr. 9. •. 20.
