But most notably doth Paul unto the Romans enlarge this circumstance: xFor Christ, when yet we were of no strength, in his time dyed for the ungodly. Verily for a righteous man one would scarce dye: peradventure for a man that hath been beneficial and good unto him, some man would endure to dye. But God commendeth his love to us that when we were yet Sinners, Christ dyed for us: for if being enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more being reconciled, shall we be saved? Wherefore2 he thrust not himself into this Office of Mediation, but had the warrant of a lawful calling for it: for yhim (as he speaketh of himself) hath God the Father sealed. And the Apostle to the Hebrews, zNo man taketh this honour to himself, but he that is called of God, as was ⟨p. 280⟩AARON. So also Christ did not take this Honour to himself, to become a High Priest, but he that spake unto him, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee, gave it him; as also in another place he saith, Thou art a Priest for ever, after the order of MELCHIZEDEK, for this cause he is called an Apostle, Heb. 3. 1. and the Angel of the Covenant, Malach. 3. 1. And Nicodemus, though he knew him not aright, acknowledgeth that he was a Teacher come from God, John 3. for how else might any man presume to set his hand unto so great a work? Therefore the Prophet saith, aHis Noble one shall be of him: And I will make him to approach, that he may come near unto me: for who is he that can promise in his heart to draw near unto me, saith JEHOVAH? that is, (as the Apostle speaketh to the Hebrews) bWho can take this honour to himself, but Christ, who is called of God, and made our King and Priest?
But most notably doth Paul vnto the Romanes inlarge this circūstance: xFor Christ, when yet we were of no strength, in his time dyed for the vngodly. Verily for a righteous man one would scarce dye: peraduenture for a man that hath beene beneficiall and good vnto him, some man would indure to dye. But God commmendeth his loue to vs that when we were yet Sinners, Christ dyed for vs: for if being enemies wee were reconciled to God through the death of his Sonne, how much more being reconciled, shall we be saued? Wherefore2 he thrust not himselfe into this Office of Mediation, but had the warrant of a lawfull calling for it: for yhim (as hee speaketh of himselfe) hath God the Father sealed. And the Apostle to the Hebrewes, zNo man taketh this honour to himselfe, but hee that is called of God, as was ⟨p. 280⟩AARON. So also Christ did not take this Honour to himselfe, to become a High Priest, but he that spake vnto him, Thou art my Sonne, this day haue I begotten thee, gaue it him; as also in another place he saith, Thou art a Priest for euer, after the order of MELCHISEDECH, for this cause he is called an Apostle, Heb. 3. 1. and the Angell of the Couenant, Malach. 3. 1. And Nicodemus, though hee knew him not aright, acknowledgeth that he was a Teacher come from God, Iohn 3. for how else might any man presume to set his hand vnto so great a worke? Therefore the Prophet saith, aHis Noble one shall be of him: And I will make him to approch, that he may come neere vnto me: for who is hee that can promise in his heart to draw neere vnto me, saith IEHOVA? that is, (as the Apostle speaketh to the Hebrewes) bWho can take this honor to himselfe, but Christ, who is called of God, and made our King and Priest?
- xRom. 5. 6, 7. 8, 9, 10.
- 2Called of his Father,
- yJohn. 6. 27.Iohn. 6. 27.
- zHeb. 5. 4, 5, 6,
- aJer. 30. 31.Ier. 30. 31.
- bHeb. 5. 4.
