Vindiciae legis, or, A vindication of the moral law and the covenants, from the…Vindiciae legis, or, A vindication of the morall law and the covenants, from the…

But this may be answered, that although they were spiritual in signification, yet they being many, and requiring much bodily labour, they could not be observed without much difficulty: and therefore no priest, or Levite, that was spiritually minded, in those days, but would rather choose to exercise the ministry under the Gospel, then to busy himself in the killing of beasts, and flaying of them, which was their duty to do. Therefore well did Augustine observe the love of God in appointing for us Sacraments, fewer in number, easier in observation, and more clear in signification. Again, those bodily exercises did rather fit those that were children, and were more convenient to that low condition, then unto the full age of the Church: and Sacraments, though they be an help, yet they suppose some imbecility in the subject: therefore in heaven there shall be none at all. Only take notice, that Popery, having introduced so many ceremonious observations, and such a multitude of Church precepts, hath made the times of the Gospel to be the times of none-age again. This also discovereth that such are not spiritual, ⟨p. 256⟩that delight in ceremonial ways: and the more men fix their heart upon sensible observations, the less they partake of spiritual.

But this may be answered, that although they were spirituall in signification, yet they being many, and requiring much bodily labour, they could not be observed without much difficulty: and therefore no priest, or Levite, that was spiritually minded, in those dayes, but would rather choose to exercise the ministery under the Gospel, then to busie himself in the killing of beasts, and fleaing of them, which was their duty to do. Therefore well did Austine observe the love of God in appointing for us Sacraments, fewer in number, easier in observation, and more cleare in signification. Again, those bodily exercises did rather fit those that were children, and were more convenient to that low condition, then unto the full age of the Church: and Sacraments, though they be an help, yet they suppose some imbecillity in the subject: therefore in heaven there shall be none at all. Only take notice, that Popery, having introduced so many ceremonious observations, and such a multitude of Churchprecepts, hath made the times of the Gospel to be the times of none-age again. This also discovereth that such are not spirituall, ⟨p. 256⟩that delight in ceremoniall wayes: and the more men fix their heart upon sensible observations, the less they partake of spirituall.