woman beleeueth the Angell once assuring the promise which he a man was often told and that by the Lord himselfe It is said of Abraham Rom 4.18 That against hope he beleeued in hope that he might become the father of many nations according to that was spoken So shall thy seede be and being not weake in faith he considered not his body now dead when hee was about an hundred yeares old neither yet the deadnesse of Saraes wombe he staggered not at the promise of God through vnbeleefe but was strong in faith giuing glorie to God being fully perswaded that what he had promised he was able to performe and therefore was it imputed to him for righteousnesse So holy Marie knowing her selfe to be a Virgine and by that ordinarie course of nature she could not bring forth a child yet minding there was a sure promise made by the God of truth recorded by a holy Prophet beleeued by all the Israel of God Behold a Virgine shall conceiue and beare a Isa 7.14 sonne and shall call his name Immanuel And seeing now the God of her fathers had spoken to her by his holy Angell Gabriel Luk. 1.30 Thou hast found fauour with God and behold thou shalt conceiue in thy wombe and bring forth a sonne and shalt call his name Iesus She firmly beleeuing that with God nothing is impossible that all the promises of God are most sure she strong and stedfast in her most holy faith gaue glory to God being fully perswaded that what he had promised he was able to performe made this sweete answer Luk. 1.38 Behold the handmaide of the Lord be it vnto me according to thy word It followeth then that as Abraham the Father of the faithfull was accounted righteous by beleeuing so likewise the faith of holy Marie was imputed to her for righteousnesse and so consequently for blessednesse as it is said Blessed is she that beleeued If any hard of beleefe take exception and say Maries blessednesse is auouched onely by a woman let such remember that Elizabeth that said it was both an holy woman a Prophetisse and the word of God speaketh euidently of her Luke 1.41 Elizabeth was filled with the holy Ghost Moreouer if any say we hold it for good that sound true and particular beleeuing the promises of saluation giueth assurance of full blessednesse but is Maries faith such in beleeuing she should beare a sonne yet remaine a Virgine still We desire such not to seuer things so nearely ioyned together her faith of hauing a sonne and her faith in her sonne who also is the Sonne of God blessed for euer For it is euident by the word that she both beleeued her own saluation by him the Messiah as Abraham did as also with a fuller light of knowledge that the hope of Israel should be her sonne By the one she hath a prerogatiue to be blessed aboue all women by the other a preeminencie amongst all the Lords holy ones By comparing Scriptures together we shall see very clearly that we ought not so to restraine the meaning of those words Blessed is she that beleeued We reade in Genesis Gen. 15.5 The word of the Lord came to Abraham againe One shall come out of thine owne bowels he shall be thy heire looke now vp to heauen and tell the starres if thou be able to number them and he said So shall thy seede be and Abraham beleeued the Lord and he accounted that to him for righteousnesse It is not to be gathered hence that Abraham was accounted righteous in beleeuing he should haue a wonderfull great posteritie like the number of the starres for multitude but he formerly beleeued this promise of the Almightie Gen. 12.3 In thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed Now the latter promise Gen. 15. containeth in it the former Genes 12. and hath ouer and aboue it a promise of the boundlesse enlargement of the Church which should be blessed with him by the promised seed euen by him who is called Shilo Gen. 49.10 Isa 7.14 Dan. 9.26 Immanuel and Messiah So the holy Virgine Marie euen before the Angell came to her soundly beleeued in the promised Messiah and that he should be the sonne of a Virgine as the Prophet Isaias had foretold but after that Gabriel the Lords messenger had reuealed more to her she beleeued that she was that Virgine to whom this dignitie and prerogatiue was freely giuen to be the mother of the most holy Immanuel So hauing the common faith of blessednesse with Abraham this peculiar faith aboue Abraham for he saw Christ afarre off but she felt him in her wombe first saw him manifested in the flesh heard his gracious words enioyed him as her sonne and Sauiour we may hold it as a manifest truth that she was before all in true and holy faith in the Sonne of the euerliuing God hauing testimonie of her faith and blessednesse from the whole Church of God as is prophecied All generations shall call her blessed Luk. 1.48 and from the sound and worthie fruits of sauing faith which are mentioned in the word It is among the praises of Abrahams faith by Christs owne mouth Ioh 8.56 Your father Abraham reioyced to see my day and he saw it and was glad Marie did not onely reioyce in God her Sauiour Luk. 1.47 but also magnified the Lord that is with heart and voice praised and extolled the greatnesse and goodnesse of God to her and the whole Church From her faith flowed the glorifying of God ioy and gladnesse to her owne soule and a comfortable reuiuing of the hearts of all the godly by witnessing in her sweete song the fulfilling of Gods promises for helping vp his seruant Israel Luke 1.54 We conclude then that the Virgine Marie was a gracious woman freely and fully beloued of God a Maide and a Mother a faithfull Israelite a primarie Christian an holy prophetisse a daughter of God by adoption a Mother of the Sonne of God by speciall fauor blessed in bearing Christ blessed in beleeuing in Christ blessed by him on earth blessed with him in heauen for euermore The first vse and fruite Which wee must reape by knowing and beleeuing that Marie was blessed in beleeuing is that we be taught and strengthened by her example to seeke all our blessednesse out of our selues in Iesus Christ as he is the Head of his body the Church Eph. 5.23 and by him as he is our holy Redeemer and Reconciler Rom. 3.24 And that this gift is giuen of God and receiued of vs by faith onely For that faith and no other grace giueth vs right vnto Eph. 2.8 and maketh vs owners of this blessednesse which is in Christ the proper act of this faith being to receiue Christ and apply him to vs in particular So that we must be soundly instructed and vnmoueably setled in this high holy doctrine of the excellency of faith and
the chastisement of his peace shall light vpon me Dan 9.24 To finish transgressions and to make an end of sinnes I will make my soule an offering and be cut off from the land of the liuing I will make my graue with the wicked Isa 53.10 and yet see my seede and prolong my daies and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in my hands I will make intercession for transgressors Dan. 9.24 and bring in euerlasting righteousnesse This will I do Psal 40.8 for the Law of God is in my heart The eternall Father being euer well pleased in his Sonne agreed yea before determined that this soueraigne Remedie should be propounded before he pronounced the sentence of iudgment Yea he plighted the Couenant of grace betweene him and man in few words but containing in them the fulnesse of true comfort and blessednesse The womans seede shall bruise the serpents head Gen. 3.15 Thus was the great controuersie decided and the disceptation ended Mercy and truth met together Psal 85.10 righteousnesse and peace kissed each other Iustice was satisfied Peace and Truth well pleased Mercie triumphed Sin was abolished Death destroyed Hel vanquished Satan troden vnder foote Man eternally saued Heauen opened Angels ioyfully sung Glorie be to God in the highest Luk. 2.14 and on earth peace goodwill towards men O that mans heart were rightly affected to reioyce vnspeakably praise God vncessantly for this glorious harmonie where the wisdome power mercie iustice and truth of God meete in one to worke mans reconciliation to God and his eternall blessednesse Psal 107.8 O that the redeemed of the Lord would praise the Lord for his goodnesse and for his wonderfull workes to the children of men O what an incomprehensible loue is it that the Sonne of God Phil. 2.6 who being in the forme of God thought it no robberie to be equall with God yet made himselfe of no reputation and tooke vpon him the forme of a seruant and was made in the likenesse of man being found in fashion as a man he humbled himselfe and became obedient vnto death euen the death of the crosse Thus the blessed Immanuel that as Iacobs ladder Gen. 28.12 ioyned heauen and earth together must be equall to God to satisfie Gods iustice and procure his loue to vs he must be in the forme of a seruant a man a brother a kinsman Touched with the feeling of our infirmities yet without sinne In which holy mysterie Iob was well instructed when so confidently he reposed all his comfort in his kinsman Iob 19.25 in his Redeemer I know that my Redeemer the word is Goali my kinsman liueth and he shall stand at the latter day vpon the earth though after my skin wormes destroy this bodie yet in my flesh shall I see God Without this kinsman of our flesh and mighty holy Redeemer there is no coming to God but as Ioseph said Except your brother be with you Gen. 43.5 ye shall not see my face So high is Gods maiestie and so low is mans wretched estate that to make an vnion and attonement betweene vs we stood in neede of such a Mediator as must be both the Sonne of God and of the seed of Abraham The Physitions tell vs how the soule of man from heauen and the body from earth Bright in Melanch 9 are by the spirit of life brought to liue together in a maruellous concord and vnitie The soule is meerely diuine the body meerely a lumpe of earth but that which maketh either to affect other be as handfasted and comfortably to dwell together is the spirit though not so excellent as the soule yet cometh it from the diuine influence of life and not of it selfe earthy So the golden clasp whereby God will be ioyned to man dwell with him Ioh. 1.14 and in him is the Word incarnate equall to the Father and the holy Ghost touching his Godhead but inferior to them touching his manhood By him we haue accesse vnto God with boldnesse by him we haue right to the eternall inheritance by him we haue comfort in our strangest and strongest temptations It is written for our comfort that He is not ashamed to call vs brethren Heb. 2.11 saying I will declare thy Name among my brethren Ioseph highly aduanced in Egypt Gen. 47.11 did not onely preserue all his brethren from perishing in that great famine but procured also for thē and that with the Kings good liking that although as shepheards they were abhorred of the Egyptians yet they possessed Rameses in Gosen euen the best of the kingdome So our tender hearted Ioseph Christ Iesus our most louing brother flesh of our flesh hath reconciled vs to God and so preuailed for vs Luk. 12.32 That it is our Fathers good pleasure to giue vs the kingdome Let euery true Christian then be comforted with this free full and lasting loue of God towards vs in Christ and returne the sacrifice of daily true and heartie thanksgiuing and say Blesse the Lord O my soule Psal 103.2 and forget not all his benefits who forgiueth all thine iniquities and healeth all thy diseases who redeemeth thy life from destruction and crowneth thee with louing kindnesse and tender mercies Blessed is she that beleeued THE SECOND DEGREE of the blessednesse of the blessed Virgine Marie is set downe in these words Blessed is she that beleeued Luk. 1.45 for those things shall be performed which were told her of the Lord. Blessed Marie beleeued in the Messiah and Sauiour promised as all the holy ones of that age did and in greater measure and daily shewed forth the fruits thereof Christ dwelt in her heart by faith before he was conceiued in her wombe She beleeued moreouer that He should be the blessed fruit of her wombe that the holy promised seede should be her seede that the Sauiour of all the elect should be both her Sonne and her Sauiour Her faith was holy sound and strong when passing ouer all earthly thoughts that might haue moued to doubtfulnesse she rested firmly and faithfully on the Lords word and promise with sure assent and much certainty saying Be it vnto me according to thy word Luke 1.38 Whereas Zacharias a man that walked in the ordinances of God without reproofe hearing the promise from an Angell that his aged wife should beare a sonne doubted through some vnbeleefe Luke 1.20 and therefore was made dumbe for a time till Gods promise was fulfilled Is it not a rare excellent and glorious faith to beleeue that which neuer any before did beleeue to haue sure confidence setled perswasion without wauering and to seale that God is true when the promise made seemeth contrary to all sense reason and experience Looke we on the faith of Abraham so often extolled in the Scriptures and consider if her faith was not as great stedfast holy and excellent as his if not more admirable in that a
euery one whereof deserueth Gods curse and damnation yet if we be truly humbled for them seeke vnto Christ and beleeue Heb. 10.19 We haue boldnesse to enter into the Holiest by the bloud of Iesus and are commanded that we draw not backe vnto perdition Heb. 10.39 but be of them that beleeue to the sauing of the soule For albeit our sinnes are as bonds death as a tormentor hell an eternall prison the diuell as a sergeant to arrest and as a iaylor there to keepe vs because we are indebted ten thousand talents to the great King who will haue the debt payd and we are vtterly vnable yet one comfort Ioh. 8.36 and but one is left vs. If the Sonne make you free ye shall be free indeed Now he hath freed the beleeuing as our High-priest Heb. 7.22 and as our suretie paying our debts to God for vs. Christ hath once suffered for sinnes 1. Pet. 3.18 the iust for the vniust that he might bring vs to God Colos 2.14 Yea hath blotted out the handwriting that was against vs and is a iustifier of him which beleeueth in Iesus Rom. 3.26 And like as Abraham with a strong hand rescued Lot his kinsman Gen. 14.16 when he was vnder the captiuitie of his enemies after the like manner Iesus our King and kinsman Colos 2.15 conquered Satan spoyled principalities and powers and deliuered vs out of his clawes For when the Iudge and the Law are satisfied what hath the Iaylor any more to molest the prisoner Yea such is Christs louing kindnesse to all vnfeined repenting sinners that beleeue with the whole heart seeke to him Tit. 2.14 that He redeemeth them from all iniquitie withall doth purifie them to himselfe a peculiar people zealous of good works A second obiection and doubt Iam. 2.21 Was not Abraham our father iustified by workes when he had offered Isaac his sonne vpon the altar Out of these words of S. Iames some gather that to be freed from sin so to obtaine blessednesse for blessed is the man to whom God imputeth none iniquitie is for the merit and worthinesse of good workes To which we answer that not onely the words but the true meaning of them is diligently to be pondred lest we should thinke one Scripture to be contrary to another which cannot be Gather we then the true sense of them from the word it selfe for as no man can see the Sunne that shineth but by the light of the Sunne so neither attaine we to the right vnderstanding of the word but by the other Scriptures as this may clearely be vnfolded by the words of S. Iames going before For he well knowing that many who by their profession were Christians but in their conuersation Libertines and Epicures such as made shew of Religion but denied the power of it speakers of the word of God but not doers of his will euen such as turned the grace of God into wantonnesse laboureth to set before them the danger thereof and how they deceiued themselues either not vnderstanding or not regarding the nature of true faith he maketh it plaine to them that they had no true faith and by this argument that they had not such workes as necessarily proceed from a right faith Reasoning as our Lord Iesus Christ did Iohn 8.39 If ye were Abrahams children ye would do the workes of Abraham but ye go about to kill me that tell you the truth this did not Abraham Assuring them that faith if it haue no workes is dead in it self Iam. 2.20 Wilt thou know O vaine man that faith without workes is dead For as where there is no heate there is no fire so where there is no good fruit there is no true faith But where faith is there workes follow and flow from it as Abraham by a rare and readie obedience in a seruice so contrary to nature and in appearance also to the great promise made vnto him did make it manifest what true trust and stedfastnesse of faith he had in the Lords holy promises By faith Heb. 11.17 Abraham when he was tried offered vp Isaac and he that had receiued the promises offered vp his onely begotten sonne of whom it was said In Isaac shall thy seed be called God gaue testimonie of these fruites of faith when he said Gen. 22.12 Lay not thy hand on the child for now I know thou fearest God seeing thou hast not withheld thy sonne thy onely sonne from me On the other side an hypocriticall and dead faith Mat. 21.19 is like the fig tree with faire leaues but hath no fruite on it or if it haue a fruite all we reade of is compared to the faith of diuels the fruite feare and trembling Thou beleeuest there is one God Iam. 2.19 thou doest well the diuels also beleeue and tremble But true faith hath with it ioy and gladnesse 1. Pet. 1.8 Though ye see him not yet do you beleeue and reioyce with ioy vnspeakable and glorious The manner of speech which the holy Ghost vseth must be carefully obserued if we will not fall into heresies What a dangerous noueltie of speaking is it to say holy works done in faith are satisfactory and meritorious of eternall life whereas the word of God onely saith Heb. 11.4 That they obtaine witnesse of righteousnesse As we reade By faith Abel offered vnto God a more excellent sacrifice â—hen Cain by which he obtained witnesse that he was righteous As faith that is effectuall and fruitfull giueth glorie to God for his goodnesse and true performance of all his holy promises in their appointed time so the works that spring out of it beare witnesse to our selues and others that we are not fruitlesse trees which are neare the curse but planted by the waters side that bring forth fruit in due season whereby God is glorified our hearts comforted and the faithfull praise God for vs. But on the contrary such as haue a bare knowledge assent vnto the truth or presumptuous perswasion not rightly grounded such as beleeue there is a God but beleeue not in God hauing no assurance he is their God their gaines in the end is to be deceiued of their hope and to be put in feare horror and trembling Yea the fearefull and vnbeleeuing shall haue their part in the lake which Reu. 21.8 burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death If any will yet persist to presse the words of Iames we vrge his words for our assertion who saith Iam. 2.23 The Scripture was fulfilled which saith Abraham beleeued God and it was imputed vnto him for righteousnesse and he was called the friend of God But to reconcile Paul and Iames vnderstand that Iames speaketh how Abraham was iustified declaratiuely but Paul actiuely or effectually which distinction ariseth both from the words handling of the subiect in question If we would compare Genes 15.6 with Genes
sanctification Secondly it is Gods ordination We are his wormāship Eph. 2 10. created in Christ Iesus vnto good workes which God hath before ordained that we should walke in them Thirdly there is a necessity of the doing and presence of good workes for the manifestation of the righteous iudgments of God when he will come to be glorified in his Saints and crowne his owne works in them Mat. 25.35 Reu. 22.12 For he will iudge all men according to their deeds And giue to euery man as his worke shall be Fourthly a necessity is imposed vppon vs because we are debters as it is said Luk. 17.10 We haue done what was our dutie to do Rom. 8.12 And Paul saith Ye are debters but not to the flesh but to God our Creator Redeemer and Sanctifier Euer thinke we on it Tit. 2.14 that Iesus Christ gaue himselfe for vs that he might redeeme vs from all iniquitie and purifie vs to himselfe a peculiar people zealous of good workes The obligation and bond of our debt is our Baptisme We are buried with him by Baptisme into death Rom. 6.4 that like as Christ was raised vp from the dead by the glorie of the Father so we should walke in newnesse of life Fiftly because there is no other way to eternall blessednesse but by the practise of holinesse For though good workes cannot be the cause of saluation but onely Iesus Christ as it is said Isa 49.6 I will giue thee for a light of the Gentiles that thou maist be my saluation vnto the end of the world yet are they the way and path vnto life and blessednesse Pro. 12.28 In the way of righteousnesse is life and in the path thereof there is no death Ye haue your fruite in holinesse Rom. 6.22 and the end euerlasting life The vses of good works are many and great in regard of God our selues others and our holy profession First God is glorified by our good workes which are being rightly performed a speciall part of his holy worship and seruice Ioh. 15.8 Herein is my Father glorified that ye bring forth much fruite His grace is manifested by enabling vs vnto a measure of obedience Eze. 36.27 I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walke in my statutes and ye shall keepe my iudgements and do them God is honoured and praised for them and by them They glorified God for me Gal. 1.23 1. Pet. 2.9 Ye are a peculiar people that ye should shew forth the praises of him which hath called you out of darknesse into his maruellous light 1. Pet. 4.11 Do it as of the abilitie which God giueth that God in all things may be glorified through Iesus Christ As a father delighteth in a dutifull sonne so God delighteth in all those that beare his image imitate his holy nature that take pleasure in well doing Ioh. 4.34 whose meate and drinke it is to do their fathers will Secondly by our blamelesse and good conuersation we become followers of the example of Christ of his Saints Ioh. 13.15 I haue giuen you an example that ye should do as I haue done to you As Christ forgaue you Colos 3.13 so also do ye Take the Prophets who haue spoken in the name of the Lord Iam. 5.10 for an example of suffering affliction and of patience Thirdly by our holy life and obedience to God we gaine assurance that God hath chosen vs to be heires of saluation 2. Pet. 1.10 Giue diligence that ye make your calling and election sure for if ye do these things ye shall neuer fall If we loue in deed and truth We know we are of the truth 1. Ioh. 3.19 and shall assure our hearts before him Thus the truth of faith is knowne for faith that hath no works is dead Gal. 5.6 being alone Neither Circumcision nor vncircumcision auaileth any thing but faith which worketh by loue Thus also is the soundnesse of repentance knowne Act. 26.20 I shewed to them that they should repent and turne to God and do works meete for repentance Fourthly by carefulnesse of well performing our dutie we are heartned to looke for the performance of Gods free promises made vnto vs. So Moses had respect vnto the recompence of the reward Heb. 11.26 Godlinesse hauing the promises of this life 1. Tim. 4.8 and that which is to come We may looke for obtaine if God see it expedient for vs long life a blessed posterity peace plentie ioy of heart preseruation in the euill day and whatsoeuer good is 1. Cor. 15.58 Be ye stedfast vnmoueable alwaies abounding in the worke of the Lord forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vaine in the Lord. Gal. 6.9 Let vs not be wearie of well-doing for in due time we shall reape if we faint not Know that whatsoeuer good thing any man doth the same he shal receiue of the Lord. Fiftly they that liue righteously escape curses and calamities when the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience 2. Pet. 2.5 For when God spared not the old world he saued Noah the eight person a preacher of righteousnesse God said he would spare Sodome and Gomorha Gen. 18.32 Isa 65.14 for ten sake that were righteous Behold my seruants shall sing for ioy of heart but ye shall crie for sorrow of heart and shall houle for vexation of spirit Sixtly they that are of vpright conuersation and are studious to abound in good workes shall auoid offences Giue none offence 1. Cor. 10.32 neither to the Iewes nor to the Gentiles nor to the Church of God Mat. 18.7 2. Cor. 6.3 For wo vnto the world because of offences Giuing none offence in any thing that the Ministerie be not blamed Seuenthly by our good deeds we win others to God or make way and prepare some to conuersion I am made all things to all men 1. Cor. 9.22 that I might by all meanes saue some Haue your conuersation honest among the Gentiles 1. Pet. 2.12 that whereas they speake against you as euill doers they may by your good workes which they shall behold glorifie God in the day of visitation Rom. 11.14 I magnifie mine office if by any meanes I may prouoke to emulation them which are my flesh and might saue some of them 1. Pet. 3.1 Ye wiues be in subiection to your husbands that if any obey not the word they also may without the word be wonne by the conuersation of the wiues Eightly righteous behauiour stoppeth the mouthes of the aduersaries that they cannot speake ill of vs. So the loyall and iust cariage of Dauid towards Saul ioyned with loue and meeknesse preuailed so far that he made this acknowledgment Thou art more iust then I. 1. Sam. 24.17 1. Pet. 2.15 So is the will of God that with well doing ye may put to silence the
1. Pet. 1.4 That the inheritance incorruptible is reserued in heauen for you Yea that we might haue strong consolation we haue the Lords oath Heb. 6.18 abundantly to shew to the heires of promise the immutabilitie of Gods counsell for blessing vs. And as the Lord is true in his promises so is he cōstant in his loue the word witnessing that Iohn 13.1 Hauing loued his owne which were in the world he loued them vnto the end Hence it is that we haue boldnesse Ephes 3.12 Heb. 4.16 Rom. 5.2 1. Thes 1.5 and accesse with confidence by faith of him Knowing the power of the word The Gospell comming vnto vs in power and in the holy Ghost and in much assurance and the power of faith that it is a ground or confidence Heb. 11.1 A substance of things hoped for the euidence of things not seene The phrase or speech of Scripture is not to doubt of Gods loue to weene trow or thinke well but to haue cōfidence assurance to beleeue and to know Iohn 6.69 We beleeue and know that thou art Christ the Sonne of the liuing God Rom. 4.21 Abraham was strong in faith fully perswaded that what God had promised he was able to performe Most comfortable are the words in Iohn Behold what manner of loue the Father hath bestowed vpon vs that we should be called the sonnes of God Now are we the sonnes of God 1. Ioh. 3.2 and it doth not yet appeare what we shall be but WE KNOW that when he shall appeare we shall be like vnto him for we shall see him as he is Paul vseth much vehemencie herein 2. Cor. 13.5 Proue your selues whether ye be in the faith examine your selues KNOW YE not your owne selues how that Christ Iesus is in you except ye be reprobates And in another place 1. Cor. 3.16 KNOW YE not that ye are the Temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you Martha speaking of her brother Lazarus that was dead saith Ioh. 11.24 I KNOW that he shall rise againe in the resurrection at the last day Can we know a certainty of the resurrection of the dead and may we not as well know the other parts of our faith which we confesse a particular and true assurance of the forgiuenesse of our sinnes and of our liuing euerlastingly in the kingdome of Christ Sure we are the Lord checketh doubting and reproueth staggering mistrust fearefulnesse vnbeleefe and wauering where we haue any promise to stay vpon Iam. 1.7 Let not him that wauereth thinke that he shall receiue any thing of the Lord. Mat. 21.21 Mat. 14.3 If ye haue faith and doubt not O thou of little faith wherefore didst thou doubt and Why are ye fearefull Mat. 8.26 O ye of little faith If it be obiected that very faithfull and holy men haue doubted bene deiected and bewrayed their lacke of this assurance of faith as Ionas Ionas 2.4 when he said I am cast out of thy sight Dauid when he brake out Is his mercie cleane gone for euer Psal 77.9 doth his promise faile for euermore Iob when he ran into extremitie of passion Iob 6.9 O that God would destroy me that he would let his hand go cut me off To these and the like we returne this answer that like as the beautifull Sunne is sometime eclipsed and the light of it to vs-ward is diminished for a time and as Iacob when he had preuailed with God and got a blessing Gen. 32.31 yet halted on the one thigh so the holiest vpon the earth fall faile in dutie and yet recouer thēselues through the seed of grace which God hath put in them 1. Ioh. 3.9 and so constantly to the end persist in grace and sanctimonie Yet to make it plaine by a fuller manifestation know First that at the first conuersion of a sinner he hath not full assurance of Gods loue to him but beleeuing his sinnes are pardonable afterward by spirituall growth he cometh to perswasion they are pardoned lastly to an infallible assurance and certainty thereof as we reade of Abraham Rom. 4.21 8.38 and Paul Faith is first like a bud then a blossome and after fruite of a full growth Eze. 47.3 As the waters that issued out from vnder the Temple first tooke the Prophet to the ancles thē to the knees after to the loynes lastly became a riuer that could not be passed ouer so are the graces of God in his children small at the first and haue their growth both by degrees and by attending to the word of his grace 2. Thes 1.3 So Paul thanked God that the faith of the Thessalonians grew daily 2. Secondly by some fall into a heinous sinne faith is much weakned euen as a mans body is by a sharpe and sore disease which moued Dauid to cry Psal 51.11 Cast me not away from thy presence take not thy holy spirit from me restore to me the ioy of thy saluation and stablish me with thy free spirit 3. Thirdly in time of grieuous tentations when Satans suggestions moue him to thinke hardly of God and to thinke of himselfe that he is but an hypocrite deceiuing both himselfe and others though God be good to his Saints yet hath he forsaken him that he is no true member of Christs Church but as a dead branch Notwithstanding this fall in the spirituall combate there is a recouerie Psal 37.24 God putting his hand vnder that though he fall yet he falleth not away In such fearefull skirmishes it is with Gods elect as it was with the Patriarch Iacob in his trials for he once thought that he had lost three of his children Ioseph is not Gen. 42.36 and Simeon is not and ye will take Beniamin yet through the kindnesse of his God he receiued them all three againe to the great ioy and gladnesse of his heart So when faith seemeth to be quite lost and extinguished or at the most like a sparkle of fire couered with embers yet where it once was in truth it is recouered fully as in Dauid and Peter and manifesteth it selfe Mat. 8.25 somewhile in 1. Prayer for though fainting faith said We perish yet strugling and recouering faith cryed Ionas 2.7 Lord saue vs. Ionas soule fainted in him Yet remembred the Lord and his prayer came to him in his holy Temple Otherwise by 2. Hope On thee O Lord do I waite Psal 38.15 thou wilt heare me my Lord my God Why art thou cast downe my soule why art thou disquieted within me Waite on God for I will yet giue him thankes he is my present helpe and my God In 3. Humiliation also 2. Sam. 15.26 If he say I haue no delight in thee behold here am I let him do to me as seemeth good in his eies The perplexitie of some in sundrie temptations is not vnlike Dauids and his men at Ziglag
highly fauoured the Lord is with thee Blessed art thou among women Thou hast found fauour with God and behold thou shalt conceiue in thy wombe and bring forth a sonne and call his name Iesus He shall be great and shall be called the Sonne of the Highest and the Lord God shall giue vnto him the throne of his father Dauid and he shall reigne ouer the house of Iacob for euer and of his kingdome there shall be no end Then said Marie to the Angell How shall this be seeing I know not a man And the Angell answered and said vnto her The holy Ghost shall come vpon thee and the power of the Highest shall ouershadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall be borne of thee shall be called the Sonne of God And behold thy cosin Elizabeth she also hath conceiued a sonne in her old age and this is the sixt moneth with her who was called barren For with God nothing shall be vnpossible And Mary said Behold the handmaide of the Lord be it vnto mee according to thy word This most ioyfull wonder that God will dwell with man be man be borne of a Virgine is the first sweete Prophesie and gracious couenant that God made to man in Paradise Gen. 3.15 The womans seede shall bruise the serpents head that is Iesus Christ the seede and sonne of the Virgine Marie shall destroy the diuell that spake by the serpent and his kingdome and worke mans full deliuerance and eternall blessednesse This worke of God so strange and glorious is the fulfilling of the prophesie of Isaiah Isa 7.14 A Virgine shall conceiue and beare a sonne and she shall call his name Emmanuel for in the fulnes of time appointed by the Lord The word was made flesh Ioh 1.14 and dwelt among vs full of grace and truth euen he who is holy harmelesse vndefiled Heb. 7.26 separate from sinners and made higher then the heauens The holy God that of old declared himselfe from aboue the Mercie-seate in the Tabernacle Exod. 25.22 Heb. 1.2 hath in these last dayes spoken vnto vs by his Sonne whom he hath appointed heire of all things by whom also he made the worlds This rare miracle so wonderfull in the eyes of men Angels which had that due acclamation Luk. 11.27 Blessed is the wombe that bare thee and the paps that gaue thee sucke will more clearly appeare in the excellencie of it if we compare it with the conceptions and birthes that the worthiest women euer had or with this of the blessed Virgine Marie And to begin with the ancientest EVA the mother of vs all when she had conceiued and borne a son thankfully acknowledged Gods loue therein Gen. 4.1 saying I haue obtained a man by the Lord. Yet had she no comfort of him 1. Ioh. 3.12 For he was of that wicked one and slue his brother but Maries ioy was sound full and lasting for she did not onely obtaine a man of the Lord Act. 4.27.5.31 but a man which is the Lord. The holy childe Iesus A Prince and Sauiour euen the Lord of glorie 1. Cor. 2.8 of whom not onely Elizabeth a good woman and Gabriel an holy Angell gaue so honorable a testimonie but euen God the Father from heauen thus witnessed This is my welbeloued Sonne Mat. 3.17.17.5 in whom I am well pleased heare him Peter also auoucheth 2. Pet. 1.17 that He receiued from God the Father honour and glorie when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glorie This is my beloued Sonne in whom I am well pleased SARA when she was ninetie yeares old was made ioyfull with this comfortable promise of the Almightie I will blesse her Gen. 21.6 and will also giue thee a sonne of her yea I will blesse her and she shall be the mother of nations Kings also of people shall come of her If Sara praise the Lord saying God hath made me to reioyce all that heare will reioyce with me I haue borne to Abraham a sonne in his old age much more may blessed Marie say God hath made me to reioyce and from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed Luk. 1.48 for he that is mightie hath done for me great things and holy is his Name For I haue borne a sonne Reu. 17.14 who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords The Prince of peace the increase of whose gouernment and peace shall haue none end Isa 9.6 he shall sit vpon the throne of Dauid and vpon his kingdome to order it and to establish it with iudgement and with iustice from henceforth and for euer A King shall reigne and prosper Iere. 23.5 and shall execute iudgement and iustice in the earth in his dayes Iudah shall be saued and Israel shall dwell safely and this is the name whereby they shall call him the Lord our righteousnesse This King shall reigne ouer the Gentiles Rom. 15.12 Mat. 1.21 Reu. 1.5 and in him shall the Gentiles trust He shall saue his people from their sinnes and make all his redeemed Kings and Priests vnto God HANNA the godly wise of Elkana was barren a long time but when with earnest prayer and teares she had begged and obtained a sonne of God euen Samuel and giuen him to the Lord all the dayes of his life and had brought him when he was weaned to Silo that he might appeare before the Lord and there abide for euer she praised God chearfully and reioyced in his saluation 1. Sam. 2.5 and that the barren had borne Now if this holy Prophetisse gaue praises to God for such a worthy and gracious sonne 1. Sam. 3.20 euen faithfull Samuel the Lords Prophet much more had the blessed Virgine cause to magnifie the Lord that made her mother of such a sonne as is both the greatest Prophet and holiest Priest that euer was Of this Prophet thus Moses writeth and Peter reporteth Act. 3.23 A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise vp vnto you of your brethren like to me him shall ye heare in all things whatsoeuer he shall say vnto you and it shall come to passe that euery soule which will not heare that Prophet shall be destroyed from among the people He is the wisdome of God Ioh. 7.46 that spake as neuer man spake He that maketh knowne to vs all things that he heard of his Father Ioh. 15.15 He that taught with authoritie of a Lawgiuer Mat. 7.29 that with his gracious words giueth his Spirit Act. 10.44 opening powerfully bowing the heart making all his elect wise to saluation 2. Tim. 3.15 through faith which is in Christ Iesus This holiest PRIEST was after the order of Melchisedech Heb. 5.2 had compassion on the ignorant and them that are out of the way He in the daies of his flesh offered vp prayers and supplications with strong crying and teares and was heard and became author of
saluation to them that obey him This most holy Heb. 7.25 high PRIEST is perfectly able to SAVE them that come to God by him seeing he euer liueth He is our REDEEMER Ephes 1.7 In whom we haue redemption through his bloud He is our RIGHTEOVSNES Rom. 5.19 By the obedience of one many shall be made righteous He is our RECONCILER 10. When we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Sonne He is the MEDIATOR of the new Couenant Heb. 12.24 9.24 entred into heauen now to appeare in the presence of God for vs. He is our ADVOCATE with the Father 1. Ioh. 2.2 and the propitiation for our sinnes he is at the right hand of God Rom. 8.33 and maketh intercession for vs. BATHSHEBA the mother of King Salomon had great cause to blesse God that gaue her a sonne so great so good who gaue such honor vnto his mother as is remēbred in the holy word 1. Kin. 2.19 that The King rose vp to meete her and sate downe on his Throne and he caused a seate to be set for the Kings mother and she sate at his right hand But blessed Marie had a greater and better sonne euen him Rom. 14.11 to whom all knees bow euen him of whom it is said Let all the Angels of God worship him Heb. 1.6 This sonne did highly honour his mother First in his subiection to her for it is written that he was obedient to her Luk. 2.51 Secondly in his holy care for her and that in his extreme anguish on the crosse Ioh. 19.25 There stoode by the crosse of Iesus his mother and when he saw her and the Disciple standing by whom he loued he saith vnto his mother Woman behold thy Sonne then saith he to the Disciple Behold thy mother and from that houre that Disciple tooke her vnto his owne home And whereas conformitie to Gods image and sound holinesse is a great part of true blessednesse this most godly Virgine shewed forth singular and rare vertues for being at a Mariage with Christ at Cana in Galile her Loue and Compassion was made euident when she spake to her sonne They haue no wine Ioh. 2.3 her meeknesse that kept silence when Christ rebuked her also her godlinesse in directing perswading to that which is the summe of our duty most agreeable to that voice of God from heauen Heare him Mat. 17.5 when she exhorted saying Iohn 2.5 Whatsoeuor he saith vnto you do it She suffered much affliction for Christ and so was partaker of that dignity of the Saints Phil. 1.29 that both beleeue in Christ and suffer for his sake both when she liued as an exile with him in Egypt Mat. 2.14 as also whē Simeons prophecie was fulfilled in his bitter passion Luk. 2.35 A sword shall passe through thy soule She persisted constantly in the profession of Religion and continued in and with the holy Church and assembly of the Saints in all true holinesse as it is said They all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication Act. 1.14 with the women and Marie the mother of Iesus and with his brethren Thus it appeareth euidently that she was a blessed mother of a most blessed Sonne euen blessed among and aboue all women The first vse and fruite for Confutation We knowing and beleeuing the wonderfull conception and birth of our Lord Iesus Christ do controll the madnesse and confute the damnable heresies of all that impugne the two distinct natures of that one person Immanuel Isa 7.14 who is the Sonne of God eternally and the sonne of Marie borne of her wombe in the fulnesse of time decreed before the world was made or that any way derogate from his Propheticall Priestly or kingly offices by which he wrought the saluation of his Church This doctrine soundly grounded on the word of God refuteth the Iewes of this age that yet waite for MESSIAH who is already come in humilitie to redeeme his Saints and will the second time come in glorie Heb. 9.28 to crowne them and confound his foes 2. Thes 1.8 and will then repay vengeance to all them that know not God and obey not the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ. Yea moreouer As euery spirit that confesseth that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God so euerie spirit that confesseth not 1. Ioh. 4.2 that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God and this is that spirit of Antichrist whereof ye haue heard that it should come and euen now already is in the world There is no other true Messiah but Iesus Christ the Sonne of the virgine Marie whose blessed mouth hath said Iohn 8.24 Except ye beleeue that I am he ye shall die in your sinnes The second vse and fruite for confirmation Our holy faith and soundest comfort are confirmed strongly in the ancient gracious Couenant of God made in Paradise often renewed to the Patriarches and Church of the Iewes accomplished when God was manifested in the flesh dwelt among vs when Christ was borne of the Virgine Marie as it is written In the fulnesse of time Gal. 4.4 God sent forth his Sonne made of a woman made vnder the Law to redeeme them that were vnder the Law that we might receiue the adoption of Sonnes Rom. 10.10 With the heart we do beleeue and with the mouth we confesse that Iesus Christ conceiued by the holy Ghost borne of the Virgine Marie is the Immanuel God with-vs foretold by the Prophet Isaias made like vnto vs in all things Heb. 4.15 Ioh 1.29 yet without sinne Euen that Lambe of God which taketh away the sinne of the world Euen he by whom all effectually called Heb. 9.14 receiue the promise of eternall inheritance For be it that we all were conceiued in sinne and borne in iniquitie and corrupted in all the parts of our soules and bodies yet the Conception Birth whole nature of Christ our Sauiour was fully sanctified by being vnited to his Godhead and imputed to vs so that the holinesse of Iesus is a robe to couer all our sinfulnesse and whereby we shall stand most gloriously in Gods sight in the great day of the Lord. For as Ester Ester 5.3 aduanced from low estate to be a great Queene had not this dignity put vpon her for her selfe alone but also for the comfort of all her kinred euen all the Iewes so that the glorious Messiah was borne of the blessed Virgine Marie was not her blessednesse alone but redounded to the ioy honour and saluation of all that beleeue in him Rom. 10.11 be they Iewes or Gentiles This high holy and comfortable mysterie why God would become man to worke mans saluation though it be greater then can be well expressed yet let vs endeuour stammeringly to vtter what we haue learned therein Iudg. 9.8 And as Iotham in
the necessitie of it for receiuing Iesus our Sauiour to be our owne and in him to haue and enioy free full and eternall saluation Looke we carefully into the gracious dispensation of our blessednesse and we shall find it both plainly and plentifully taught in the word of grace Life is primarily in the Father from him in the Sonne and that for as many as receiue him The Father hath life in himselfe Ioh. 5.26 and he hath giuen to the Sonne to haue life in himselfe but not onely for himselfe but for all that beleeue on him This is the record 1. Ioh 5.11 that God hath giuen TO VS eternall life and this life is in his Sonne Now if it be giuen to vs we must receiue this life and blessednesse and Christ the giuer to dwel in our hearts by faith Eph. 3.17 By it we haue a neare vnion with his person as members of his body whereof he is Head giuing vs life as feeling and motion are from the head to all the naturall bodie And communion with all his graces to our full blessednesse And that it is the proper act of faith alone to RECEIVE is thus taught The true Light came vnto his owne and his owne receiued him not Ioh. 1.12 but as many as RECEIVED him to them gaue he power to become the sonnes of God euen to them that BELEEVE on his name Paul thus speaketh Gal. 3.14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Iesus that we might RECEIVE the promise of the Spirit THROVGH FAITH In the same sence the word of laying hold on is vsed expressing the nature and act of true faith in this exhortation Fight the good fight of FAITH 1. Tim. 6.12 lay hold of eternall life whereto thou art called Faith is not a disposition to holinesse or a beginning of other vertues which vnited together might be meritorious of life and glorie as some haue greatly mistaken it but it is a receiuing apprehension laying hold on and applying of Christ vnto vs for whom and by whom we are acceptable to God and heires of blessednesse Our iudgement and faith must be grounded on Gods holy word which is most plaine and cleare in this great mysterie It is no where said thy faith hath begun vertues in thee though indeed there is no true vertue but which floweth from faith but it is said by the Lord himselfe Luke 7.50 Thy faith hath saued thee as also 1. Ioh. 5.24 He that beleeueth hath passed from death to life And the holy Apostles in like manner set forth the sweete and comfortable fruites of faith Heb. 10.39 We follow faith to the conseruation of the soule In another place he saith Rom. 3.24 We are iustified freely by his grace through the Redemption that is in Iesus Christ whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his bloud to declare his righteousnes for the remission of sinnes that are past through the forbearance of God to declare at this time his righteousnesse that he might be iust and a iustifier of him which beleeueth in Iesus To this agreeth that in Peter 1. Pet. 1.9 Receiue the end of your faith euen the saluation of your soules Christ Iesus is the obiect of our faith which assureth vs of our adoption iustification and full blessednesse and hath his seate partly in the vnderstanding partly in the heart In the mind and vnderstanding faith is a sure knowledge and apprehension that Iesus Christ the sonne of the Virgine Marie is the eternall Sonne of God the long promised blessed seed the Sauiour of all his chosen And in the heart it is a true and sure perswasion wrought also in vs by Gods spirit a confident application that I haue right to him as giuen to me waiting for all my blessednesse through him relying and casting my selfe wholly vpon him So I put to my seale Ioh. 3.33 that God is true iust and gracious infinitely good that extendeth such mercie to me freely for his beloued Sonnes sake neither dare I do that wrong to God and my selfe as to mistrust and doubt of his gracious promises He that shall beleeue and be baptized Mar. 16.16 shall be saued Ye are of God in Christ Iesus who of God is made vnto vs 1. Cor. 1.30 wisedome and righteousnesse and sanctification and redemption Hauing Christ to be ours in whom the fulnesse of the Godhead dwelleth we haue by him free pardon of all our sinnes and vnrighteousnesse the imputation of Christs righteousnesse to be ours by his free gift redemption through his bloud freedome from the curse and rigor of the Law from guiltinesse bondage and punishment of sinne from condemnation and hell torments By him we haue Reconciliation and Attonement sure sweet and lasting peace with God boldnesse with confidence to come to the throne of grace the spirit of Adoption whereby as deare children of God we call him our Father ioying in his presence desiring to do his will we haue prosperitie and aduersitie sanctified vnto vs to further vs to grow vp to full holinesse we haue peace of conscience sense of Gods loue ioy in the holy Ghost the Spirit of Christ dwelling in vs teaching enlightning guiding vpholding and comforting vs repairing the image of God in vs setting beauty vpon our soules giuing grace to be fruitfull in holy desires and meditations in all good words and workes strength to perseuere in the knowledge loue of the truth and carefull practise of all pietie to fight the Lords battels valiantly prosperously to get Satan trampled vnder our feete to triumph in Christ and finally with him to bee partakers of glorie and eternall blessednesse An obiection and doubt From these words of the Apostle Now abideth faith 1. Cor. 13.13 hope charitie these three but the greatest of these is charitie If charitie be greatest say some how then doth faith iustifie and assure euery beleeuer of his blessednesse Let such be put in mind that although charitie in two respects be greater then faith yet is it not that grace which receiueth iustification and life but the excellencie and greatnesse of it is seene in other things First charitie is greater then faith in continuance of time neuer falling away neuer ceassing but lasting euer more as may appeare in the words going before from 8. verse Faith and hope bring vs to Christ possessing him and with him full blessednesse there will be no more vse for them twaine Like as a man got into his countrey arriued where he will euer abide needeth no more a ship to passe ouer the seas Faith hope end with time Charitie ouer liueth all time When faith and hope ceasse with the world charitie then commeth to a fuller perfection Secondly charitie is greater in fruitfulnesse to do good to Gods people the proper worke of faith being to fetch comfort from Christ and conuey it into our owne soule
Faith casteth her eyes on God and all his gracious sweete promises Charitie looketh on men compassionatly to helpe and comfort thē and euen this good fruite springeth from faith as an apple from middest of blossome that grew before it Faith is the ancient and the true mother both of hope and charity and worketh by loue Gal. 5.6 All these three graces are excellent but faith is first hath preeminence first in giuing all glorie to God that in his loue he made a free Couenant of saluation and that in his truth he performed the same Secondly it is greatest by giuing to man hold and possession of the promised mercies so that by it as with a hand he taketh hold on receiueth and locketh fast into his heart the Couenant of saluation yea receiueth Christ to dwell in the heart Ier. 23.6 who is the Lord our righteousnes Faith is like to the root of a tree that frō the earth sucketh in nourishment to beget and continually to preserue and nourish the life and fruitfulnesse of it but charitie is like the branches of the tree which hauing receiued vitall sap do put forth their fruits in due season and according to their kind Faith may be cōpared to the Magnes or loadstone that draweth iron to it and keepeth it fast Charitie to Hematites that putteth out a vertue to stay bleeding Faith is a Receiuer Gal. 5.5 We through the spirit wait for the hope of righteousnesse by faith Charitie is a Giuer for hauing much giuen and forgiuen by Christ we loue much Luke 7.47 and giue back a reflexe of our loue euē true thankfulnesse to God and sundry fruits of hearty loue for his sake especially to them that excell in vertue As in the body the eye and eare haue their seuerall powers and offices the one to see the other to heare so in the soule haue faith and charitie Faith clingeth fast to Christ to haue in him iustification from sinne and his imputed righteousnesse to be ours Charitie sheweth forth the measure of our sanctificatiō to hallow Gods name to make sure our election and calling and willing and doing good to the Saints that are on earth And this may suffice for answer to the first doubt but fasten we yet our eyes more fully on the beautie of faith whose fairenesse and worth we cannot sufficiently admire That one place which is in the third of Iohn and may be called the summe of the Gospell openeth the treasure of grace to our view and the excellencie of sauing faith in these words God so loued the world Ioh. 3.16 that he hath giuen his onely begotten Sonne that whosoeuer beleeueth in him shall not perish but haue life euer lasting Consider we aright the true causes of our blessednesse and how great a gift it is and to whom it befalleth The first mouing cause is the free loue of God his rich grace mercy bountie The second cause is the Sonne of God giuen vnto vs who also gaue himselfe to be our ransome perfectly able to saue them that come to God by him The third is the meanes or instrumentall cause which is faith or beleefe the very hand and mouth of the soule to receiue Iesus Christ and all his riches to be ours The fourth cause is the end for which the Father gaue his Sonne hath two branches the one remouing of euill deserued That we should not perish the other the bringing in of our blessednesse purchased expressed in these words But haue euerlasting life When the Law accusing sheweth vs our sinnes and Gods angry countenance and iust wrath against vs euen eternall damnation when sinne and iniquities separate betweene God and vs then must we apply by faith to our fainting soules this glad tidings vttered by Christ the like to keepe vs from despaire True it is that the wounds of sinne are deadly but it is true also that the salue and remedies to heale and helpe are very soueraigne to euery one that is sound in the faith and layeth them to his soule Rom. 13.14 as a man putteth on his garment to keepe him from the cold As our sinnes are deformities that make the soule foule and vglie we haue Christ purging them by himselfe Heb. 1.3 As they keepe vs in bondage we haue Christ redeeming vs with his precious bloud 1. Pet 1.19 As they are euill deeds that cannot be vndone we haue Christ couering thē Psal 32.1 As they are debts greater then we can pay we haue Christ forgiuing them Rom. 4.7 As they are offēces against God making vs worthy of eternall death we haue Christ not imputing our sins vnto vs. Rom. 4 8. As they are disobedience against God and his law reuealed to vs from heauen we haue Christ fulfilling the law for vs. Rom. 10 4. Yea we haue from the same neuer failing fountaine of grace Rom. 4.11 Christs righteousnesse imputed to vs by which we are accounted and are righteous as if we had wrought all righteousnesse our selues euen as one friend setteth another free fully paying his debts for him As Caiphas ouerruled by Gods spirit well prophesied That Iesus should die for that nation Ioh. 11.50 saying Ye know nothing at all nor consider that it is expedient for vs that one man should die for the people and that the whole nation perish not And Paul very comfortably teacheth describing the faith of Abraham Rom. 4 23. And it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him but for vs also to whom it shall be imputed if we beleeue on him that raised vp Iesus our Lord from the dead How cleare is it in the word that as Adams disobedience made vs all sinners so the obedience of Christ maketh all true beleeuers righteous the words of the holy Ghost are these As by one mans disobedience Rom. 5.19 many were made sinners So by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous For like as our sinnes were imputed to Christ when he suffered for vs and bare our sinnes in his body on the 1. Pet. 2.25 tree so his righteousnesse is imputed and reckoned to be our righteousnesse through Gods gracious acceptance most iust and wise dispensation Which also to the Galathians Gal. 3.13 is thus set forth Christ hath redeemed vs from the curse of the Law being made a curse for vs. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Iesus Christ that we might receiue the promise of the Spirit through faith And yet more plainly to the Corinthians 2. Cor. 5.21 God hath made him to be sinne for vs who knew no sinne that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him Now for the bringing in of blessednesse mentioned in the second branch called euerlasting life it is so great so good and glorious a treasure as no heart yet can sufficiently conceiue of the worth excellency thereof where he