The true doctrine of justification asserted and vindicated, from the errors of Papists, Arminians,…The true doctrine of justification asserted and vindicated, from the errours of Papists, Arminians,…

¹For the better understanding of the text, let us briefly consider the history; and first the woman is described by her quality inherent, a sinner, not in a common sense as all are, but in a more notorious manner; and therefore those that mitigate her fault, out of some reverence or honour to her, do not so much increase her honour (as Maldonat upon the place well observeth) as detract from Christs honour: for the Physicians skill is most commended, where the disease is more desperate. That she was a known great sinner, appeareth, in that the Pharisee wondered at Christ, because he would have any commerce with her. Whether this woman was Mary, Lazarus his sister or no, is hotly disputed by Commentators, but impertinent to my scope. In the next place you have her great repentance expressed, wherein for the general you may see the Apostles duty accomplished, as she had given her members to be members of iniquity, so now of righteousness, insomuch that she is the true looking-glass of an humble convert. Her humiliation is described: 1. In bringing of a box of ointment to anoint his feet; not his head (say some) because she thought her self so ⟨p. 265⟩unworthy, she brought indeed an outward visible box of ointment, but she had another invisible and spiritual one, even a contrite and broken heart. 2. She stands behind Christ (as being loathsome in her own eyes) and washeth his feet with her tears; which must suppose that to be true in her, which Jeremiah desireth, viz. Her head to be a fountain of water, but as long as her heart was such a fervent limbeck, it was no wonder to see such precious distillations: Chrysologus upon this fact of hers, saith, The Heavens are wont to water the Earth with rain, but ecce nunc rigat terra Coelum, here the earth watereth Heaven. Lastly, The debasement of her self further appeareth, in making her Hair, heretofore the instrument of her pride and wantonness, now a Towel to wipe his feet. In the third place, Christs love towards her is remarkable, and in the general it is so great, that the Pharisee puffed up with his own pride, was offended at it, not considering, First, That though she had been a sinner, yet now she manifested Repentance. And secondly, That every commerce and communion with a sinner is not forbidden, but that which is of encouragement or consent unto his sin:

¹For the better understanding of the text, let us briefly consider the history; and first the woman is described by her quality inherent, a sinner, not in a common sense as all are, but in a more notorious manner; and therefore those that mitigate her fault, out of some reverence or honour to her, do not so much encrease her honour (as Maldonat upon the place well observeth) as detract from Christs honour: for the Physicians skill is most commended, where the disease is more desperate. That she was a known great sinner, appeareth, in that the Pharisee wondred at Christ, because he would have any commerce with her. Whether this woman was Mary, Lazarus his sister or no, is hotly disputed by Commentators, but impertinent to my scope. In the next place you have her great repentance expressed, wherein for the generall you may see the Apostles duty accomplished, as she had given her members to be members of iniquity, so now of righteousnesse, insomuch that she is the true looking-glasse of an humble convert. Her humiliation is described: 1. In bringing of a box of oyntment to anoint his feet; not his head (say some) because she thought her self so