unto God, and received into the number of those whom God approves and by whom he delights to be worshipped.
2. Because Christ covers our infirmities.
3. Because by his intercession our duties are commended unto God.
Use 1. This may serve to comfort us, even when we looke upon our owne infirmities, and the unworthinesse of all our performances.
2. To exhort us, to go cheerefully about the duties of piety, because our worke shall not be in vaine in the Lord, 1 Cor. 15.58. Doct. 19. The same Christ was after the same manner a Saviour in the Old Testament, as he is in the New.
This is gathered from the sixth Verse.
Reason 1. Because he was a Lambe slaine from the foundation of the world; according to the decree, promise, and acceptance of God, and according to the faith and hope of the godly, Apoc. 13.8. 2. Because the Catholick Church is but one, consisting of all the faithfull from the beginning of the world, Heb. 12.23. Use 1. This may serve to refute those, that make the people of Israel either to have beene altogether carnall, or to have beene saved by the observation of the Law. 2. To exhort us to flye unto Christ, and to put our confidence in him, in whom all the faithfull from the creation of the world did put their trust, and by whom they were saved. Doct. 20. Christ is as it were the corner stone in the building of the Church.
That is, he doth conjoyne, uphold and direct all the parts of the building, or members of the Church.
Reason 1. Because he is the beginning or foundation of the Church.
2. Because he unites those people that were before farre divided, the Jewes and Gentiles.
3. Because he is the rule or line of direction in all the building that tends to salvation.
Vse 1. This may serve to refute the blasphemy of the Papists, whereby they make the Pope the head of the Church, and to that purpose wrest this very title and words thereunto.
