Our Lord Jesus Christ rejected not the Jews too whom the promises belonged (according also as it is said in the second of the Acts) but the ⟨image 70⟩Church of God abode among them still,1 and their Circumcision was not a thing devised by man. And although they were all grown out of kind, and many errors and wicked opinions were crept in among them, so as Gods service was turmoiled, and Religion corrupted: yet notwithstanding, that people was acknowledged for Gods household flock. The Synagogues therefore that had not yet bewrayed their unbelief by withdrawing themselves from Jesus Christ, are reckoned here by Saint Paul for Churches, howbeit, not for perfect Churches, for they were not yet regenerated in Jesus Christ. For then was the renewing of the whole world, when Jesus Christ was sent too bring home unto God, both those that were near hand,2 and those that were far off: near hand, as the Jews which had the law still: and a far off, as the heathen men who had no likelihood of the heavenly kingdom, because God had left them like poor wild beasts, and they were strayed away in their own superstitions and Idolatries. But Jesus Christ came to gather all together, and to knit all things together again that were scattered afore. And thereby we see how the law ought to have led the Jews to the Gospel, as it is said throughout all the holy Scripture. And it is very needful for us [to know the same,] least we surmise that none of all the things that are contained in the law, can stand us in any stead in these days. For it is certain, that although the Ceremonies be no more in use, yet the truth and substance of them remain always unto us, so as we cannot even at this day be faithful, but we must also be the children of Abraham, and the disciples of Moses. Not that we must be held still under the old shadows: but that we must match things together which cannot be put asunder: that is to wit, the Law and the Gospel. But yet further, let us understand, that we cannot at this day be counted for the Church before God, (that is to say, all the companies of men in the world cannot obtain that honourable title▪) except we be in Jesus Christ. For that head must knit us unto God his father, and by that means must we have entrance into the kingdom of heaven.
Our Lorde Iesus Christ reiected not the Iewes too whome the promises belonged (according also as it is sayde in the seconde of the Actes) but the ⟨image 70⟩Church of God abode among them still,1 and their Circumcision was not a thing deuised by man. And although they were al growen out of kinde, and many errours and wicked opinions were crept in among them, so as Gods seruice was turmoyled, and Religion corrupted: yet notwithstanding, that people was acknowledged for Gods householde flocke. The Sinagoges therefore that had not yet bewrayed their vnbeleefe by withdrawing themselues from Iesus Christ, are reckened heere by Saint Paule for Churches, howbeeit, not for perfect Churches, for they were not yet regenerated in Iesus Christ. For then was the renuing of the whole worlde, when Iesus Christ was sent too bring home vntoo God, both those that were neare hande,2 and those that were farre off: neare hande, as the Iewes which had the lawe still: and a farre off, as the heathen men who had no likelihood of the heauenly kingdome, bicause God had left them like poore wilde beastes, and they were strayed away in their owne superstitions and Idolatries. But Iesus Christ came to gather all togither, and to knit all things togither again that were scattered afore. And thereby we see how the law ought to haue led the Iewes to the Gospell, as it is sayde throughout all the holy Scripture. And it is very needfull for vs [to knowe the same,] least wee surmize that none of all the things that are conteyned in the law, can stand vs in any stead in these dayes. For it is certaine, that although the Ceremonies be no more in vse, yet the truth and substance of them remaine alwayes vntoo vs, so as wee cannot euen at this day be faythfull, but we must also be the children of Abraham, and the disciples of Moyses. Not that we must be hilde still vnder the olde shadowes: but that wee must match things togither which cannot be put asunder: that is to wit, the Law and the Gospell. But yet further, let vs vnderstande, that we cannot at this day be counted for the Church before God, (that is to say, all the companies of men in the worlde cannot obteyne that honourable tytle▪) except we bee in Iesus Christ. For that head must knitte vs vnto God his father, and by that meanes must we haue enterance into the kingdome of heauen.
- 1Act. 2. f. 39.
- 2Eph. 2. d. 17
