An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

2. They differ in the efficacy also. For Paul's sufferings, and so all the sufferings ¹of the godly do only objectively, or by way of example turn to the good of others: They comfort, convert, or save others only ministerially; but Christs sufferings did meritoriously and efficiently also procure all the benefits which the Church standeth in need of. Hence remission of sin, justification, renovation, and glorification are attributed unto his blood, which cannot be to the blood of the Martyrs. So that Christs death did by way of merit and causality procure all the privileges the Church enjoyeth.

2. They differ in the efficacy also. For Paul's sufferings, and so all the sufferings ¹of the godly do only objectively, or by way of example turn to the good of others: They comfort, convert, or save others only ministerially; but Christs sufferings did meritoriously and efficiently also procure all the benefits which the Church standeth in need of. Hence remission of sinne, justification, renovation, and glorification are attributed unto his blood, which cannot be to the blood of the Martyrs. So that Christs death did by way of merit and causality procure all the priviledges the Church enjoyeth.

1. 12. In the efficacy.

Hence in the second place, All the sufferings which any undergo for the Churches ¹good, they are not meritorious or satisfactory, either for our selves or others. As the Papists do most derogatively to the honour of Christ maintain; for their Doctrine about the sufferings of Martyrs for Christs cause, is very proud and pharisaical. They dogmatize that by these he may merit and satisfy God (yet through the merits of Christ, Tincta sanguine Christi) yea not only thus satisfy for his own sins, but may supererogate. So that they exceed the wise Virgins, they will part with some of their oil, because they have more than enough. So that from the overplus of all their sufferings the Church hath a great stock and treasure to relieve those that have no merits of their own. Now this is a mere political engine in Popery, to make the Pope have indeed a great treasury, for he communicateth and dispenseth out of this stock for money. Insomuch that Albertus Magnus saith plainly, That a rich man is in a far better condition to be saved than a poor man, because he hath money to buy his pardon, and to redeem himself, which the poor hath not. Thus these like Judas, make a sale and bargain of Christ; but though the godly suffer, yet their sufferings are not for that end as Christs was; even as when they obey the Law of God they do it not for that end which Christ did. For both in suffering and doing Christ was only meritorious, because he was without sin, and did more than he was bound to, which cannot be said of any Martyr.