his effectuall dispensation throughout all ages, as it is, vers. 18, 19. of which we may see more, if we look back to chap. 2. ver. 21. to the end. All the other things almost are explained in the answer to Bellarmine, about Christs descending into hell.
The Doctrines arising here-hence:
Doct. 1. It was the Spirit of Christ, which preached heretofore from the beginning of the world by the Prophets and men of God, before that he appeared in the flesh.
This is gathered from verse 19.
Reason 1. Because the person of Christ was the same from everlasting in the unity of the Divine Essence, so that whatsoever the Spirit of God did, that also may the Spirit of Christ be truly said to have done. 2. Because Christ was the Mediator of mankinde from the beginning of the world, in vertue and force: therefore whatsoever the Spirit did, which belonged to the furtherance of the Churches safety, all that he did by vertue of Christs mediation, and that no lesse then since his comming in the flesh. Use 1. This may serve to instruct us in the truth of Christs divine nature. 2. To comfort us and strengthen our faith, in that we have the same Teacher, which instructed the Church from the beginning of the world, and brought it to salvation; and consequently we imbrace the same religion, as touching the substance of it, that all the faithfull imbraced from the beginning of the world. 3. To admonish us, never to reject or make light account of those things which are preached unto us out of Gods word, because it is the Spirit of Christ, which preacheth unto us those things, like as he preached unto others from the beginning of the world. Doct. 2. They which do not obey the preaching of Christs Spirit, wilfully bring upon themselves everlasting damnation.
This is gathered from verse 1920.
Reason 1. Because in neglecting the preaching of the Gospell, they neglect and refuse the only meanes that can keepe them from damnation, and bring them unto salvation.
2. Because they doe greatly dishonour Christ and his Spirit.
