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[ 1544] How Christ is said to be the end of the Ceremonial Law.
THe Earth bringeth forth fruit of it self, but first the blade, then the ear, af••er that the full corn on the ear.* 1.1 So did the blade or hearb spring out of the Law of Nature; the ear or culm, in the Law written; but we have in the Gospell, the pure grain or full corn, which is Christ Iesus. Therefore as the stalk or ear, are of necessary use till the corn be ripe; but the corn being ripe, we no longer use the chaffe with it; So till Christ was exhibited in the Flesh, which lay hidden in the blade and spike of the Law, the Ceremonies had their use; but since that by his death and passion, this pure wheat is threshed and wi••nowed, and by his Ascension laid up in the garner of Heaven, they are of no further use:* 1.2 The Jews were taught by those shadows that the body should come, and we know by the same shadows that the body is come; The Arrow moveth,* 1.3 whilst it flyes at the mark, but having hit the mark, resteth in it: So the Law which did level, and shoot at Christ with so many moveable signs and Sacraments, doth (as one may say) cease from her motion of practising them any more, having attained to her full end in Christ Je∣sus.