32 The fifth member is, that he concludeth all the promises in Christ: which he proveth by this means: There is no promise which cometh not of love, but there is no love but in Christ, therefore there is no promise ⟨image 114⟩but in him:1 his major he fortifieth against two objections, the first neither maketh it any matter, &c. the last neither doeth it any more, &c. The minor, first, he confirmeth by testimonies of scriptures: moreover also he maketh defence against certain examples that may be objected. First Naamā the Syrian, when he required of the Prophet the manner how to worship God aright, it is not like that he was instructed concerning the Mediator: yet his godliness is praised. But it may be answered, that it had been an absurdity for Elisha when he taught him of small things to have said nothing of the principal point: therefore although they had a dark knowledge, yet it is like that they had some knowledge, because they did use them selves in the sacrifices of the law, which must have bin deserved by the end of them, that is Christ, from the false sacrifices of the Gentiles: & whereas Namans sacrifices were allowed by the Prophet,2 it could not have ben done but by Faith. And so the Eunuch to whom Philip was carried, if he had had no faith, ⟨p. 107⟩he would not have taken the travel and expenses of so long a journey, to worship an unknown God, and although when Philip examined him, he bewrayed his ignorance of a Mediator, and his Faith was partly unexpressed, not only concerning Christs person, but also concerning his power, and the office committed to him of the father, yet it is certain that they were instructed of such principles as gave them some taste of Christ, although but small.3 Neither did Cornelius when he had once embraced the Jewish religion, spend so much time without being acquainted with the first grounds of true doctrine.
32 The fifte member is, that hée concludeth all the promises in Christ: which he proueth by this means: Ther is no promise which commeth not of loue, but there is no loue but in Christe, therefore there is no promise ⟨image 114⟩but in him:1 his maior hee fortifieth against two obiections, the first neither maketh it any matter, &c. the last neyther doeth it any more, &c. The minor, first, hée confirmeth by testimonyes of scriptures: moreouer also hée maketh defence against certaine examples that may be obiected. First Naamā the Sirian, when he required of the Prophete the māner how to worship God aright, it is not like yt he was instructed concerning the Mediator: yet his godlines is praysed. But it may be answered, that it had béene an absurditie for Elizeus when he taught him of small things to haue sayd nothing of ye principall point: therefore although they had a darke knowledge, yet it is lyke that they had some knowledge, because they did vse them selues in the sacrifices of the lawe, which must haue bin deserued by the end of them, that is Christ, from the false sacrifices of the Gentiles: & whereas Namans sacrifices were allowed by the Prophet,2 it could not haue ben done but by Faith. And so ye Eunuke to whō Philip was caried, if he had had no faith, ⟨p. 107⟩he would not haue takē the trauell and expenses of so long a iourney, to worship an vnknowne God, and although when Philip examined him, he bewrayed his ignorance of a Mediator, and his Faith was partly vnexpressed, not only concerning Christs person, but also cō cerning his power, and the office committed to him of the father, yet it is certaine that they were instructed of such principles as gaue them some taste of Christ, although but small.3 Neither did Cornelius when he had once embraced the Iewish religion, spend so much time without being acquainted with the first groundes of true doctrine.
- 1Mat. 3.17. Ephe. 1.6 Ephe. 2.14 2. Kin. 5.17
- 2Act. 8.13
- 3Act. 10.4
