Christ the universal peace-makerChrist the universall peace-maker

1. When he says v. 15. That he hath abolished the enmity in his flesh, he doth undeniably intend that enmity which ⟨p. 28⟩was between these twain, the Jew and Gentile (this hath been proved afore:) and therefore he is found particularly to instance in the rites of the ceremonial Law, (which by a metonymy he calls the enmity,) as the outward occasion of that bitter enmity in each others hearts.

1. When he sayes v. 15. That he hath abolisht the enmity in his flesh, he doth undeniably intend that enmity which ⟨p. 28⟩was betweene these twaine, the Jew and Gentile (this hath beene proved afore:) and therefore he is found particularly to instance in the rites of the ceremoniall Law, (which by a metonymie he calls the enmity,) as the outward occasion of that bitter enmity in each others hearts.

Now then 2. That this enmity was taken away by his flesh as a sacrifice;

First, The laying together the phrases of the Text, evinceth it; as when he says, He hath abolished this enmity in his flesh. 1. In saying the enmity in his flesh, it necessarily imports his having taken that enmity in or upon his own flesh, to answer for it in their stead. Even as well, as when in the 16. verse, he is said to have slain the enmity (namely, against God) in himself; thereby is intended, that he took that enmity on himself; undertaking to pacify and allay, and by being himself slain, to slay it. 2. In saying in the time past, that he hath abolished it, in his flesh, this notes out a virtual act perfectly done and past, (as in him:) by virtue of which it is to be destroyed actually in us after. Unto which 3. add that in the 16. v. there is an additional word [By the Cross] put in, which [Greek or Hebrew], or in common, is to be referred to the abolishing of this enmity in his flesh, v. 15. and reconciling us mutually; as well as to the slaying of the enmity against God mentioned, v. 16. as that which equally and alike shows the way, how, we are to understand that in his flesh, he hath perfectly abolished both these enmities; namely, by taking on his flesh that enmity, and offering it up upon the Cross as a sacrifice for it. For to say, by the Cross, or by the sacrifice of himself on the Cross, is all one: so as what the one verse wants, the other supplies: In his flesh, says the 15. v. By the Cross, says the 16. and (which will warrant this) we have elsewhere both put together, 1 Coloss. 20, 22. By the blood of his Cross, in the body of his flesh, through death.