A booke which sheweth the life and manners of all true Christians and howe vnlike they are vnto Turkes and Papistes, and heathen folke. Also the pointes and partes of all diuinitie, that is of the reuealed will and worde of God are declared by their seuerall definitions and diuisions in order as followeth. Also there goeth a treatise before of reformation without tarying for anie, and of the wickednesse of those preachers, which will not refourme them selues and their charge, because they will tarie till the magistrate commanude and compell them. By me, Robert Brovvne.

Now followeth what calling the Iewes had in the olde Testament, as by shadowes and ceremonies, which nowe are abolished.

It were to long to write of all the Iewishe Ceremonies, seeing wee would haue this Booke so small as we could.

For the order of handling them, there is no difficultie, for looke as the pointes and matter of our redemption be, so must the ceremonies be applied thereto.

64 What calling is there by ce∣remonies and shadowes?

By outwarde sensible signes, they teach vs spirituall graces: as the cere∣monies of the oulde law, which are abolished.

And in the new Testament, the two Sacraments before mentioned.

To apply this to the Iewes at this tyme. 64 How are the Iewes called a∣way, & misled by the ceremonies?

Their outward sensible signes, are a mockerie of the spirituall graces: yea Idols be they and superstitious trifles in stead of grace and truth, which is by Christ Iesus.

64

The olde Testament was a declaring & teaching by a due message from God, of the re∣demption by Christ, who was yet for to come: but yet in darker manner, by shadowes and ce∣remonies applied to the doctrine, to represent Christe Iesus. * 1.1

Ceremonies be outwarde sensible signes, san∣ctified and applied by the worde duelie prea∣ched, to be religious shewes of some spirituall graces, which are meant thereby. * 1.2

Ceremonies remaining (which rather are to be called Sacramentes) are Religious Signes and seales, confirming and sealing vnto vs by the worde duly preached, a spiritual Grace recea∣ued alredy. * 1.3

For they be rather seales of graces receyued, then shewes and shadowes of graces comming.

Ceremonies abolished are, which being fulfil∣led in Christ, whom and whose dooinges they did signifie, doo cease to be helde anie longer: because Christe Iesus hath made our saluation so cleare, that to vse the olde ceremonies, were to darken the light with shadowes▪ and to chaunge Christ Iesus him selfe, for the signes and shewes of him. * 1.4

65 Which be the ceremonies of the ould law?

Some were ceremonies of the whole church, and of our whole redemption: As the Garden of Eden after the fall of man. For the Tree of lyfe which be∣fore the fall of Adam was but a token of his obedience, of his welfare and happie life thereby, was nowe made a signe of life in Christ Iesus: Also his driuing from the tree & garden, was a signe that he should seeke life and re∣demption, by Christ in his Church.

For the Garden also did shadowe out the Church, as the Tree did shadowe Christ Iesus.

Also the Altar, and place togither where it stoode before the Tabernacle was commaunded. For the Church of God is as holie grounde, for the Al∣tare Christ Iesus: and we, are y^e place which he hath chosen to put his name there. Christ is the Altar, because that as by the Altare, the place and all that was done in it, was sanctified, so by Christ both we and all that we doo in our regeneration is cleansed and san∣ctified. And therefore is Christ the Al∣tare, because that as it was for burnt and sinne offerings, and for meate of∣feringes, and peace offerings, &c. So Christ was slaine to be our burnt and sinne offeringe, and he ouercame and tooke awaye sinne and miserie, and re∣stored our happines, to be our meate offering and peace offering.

The Arke of Noah, and the doare thereof, and the safetie of his familie therin, did signifie the spiritual house, and Church of God, whereof Christ is the doore: and also the spirituall safetie and happines therein, which shal be perfected after this life.

The land of Canaan and the increase, and blessinges therof, were figures of the Lords Church and people, and of the spirituall graces which the Lorde bestoweth thereon. For as the landes of the kingedome is the Kinges inhe∣ritaunce, so we are the Lordes spiritu∣all, inheritaunce, and his Canaan, ouer which he raigneth. The same also is to be sated of some places in the lande of Canaan.

The Passeouer and comminge out of Egypte did foreshew our redemption from Satan and Antichrist, and from all wickednes and miserie. For wee eate the Paschall Lambe Christe Ie∣sus, when we feede spirituallie on his death and tormentes, and so die with him by repentaunce vnto sinne, and when we receyue the graces of his re∣surrection, and happines with God, and so partake and growe togither in one bodie and church, in one Christian communion of graces, whereby wee goe out of Egypt, as did the Israe∣lites.

As the Rocke from whom doth flow the spiritual drincke. The Tabernacle framed and made for a dwelling to the Lord wherein he delighteth. The Ci∣tie Ierusalem. Mount Zion. The Temple. The Sanctuarie. The Slaugh∣ter of the Midianites: and such great Deliuerances. The Returne from the Captiuitie. &c. Also certaine Families houlding the ceremonies, and true Religion: As the familie of Noah: and those before him, which were raised vp in Abels roume. Abraham and his seed. Moses and the Kingdome of Is∣rael in the handes of good Kinges & Iudges. Aaron & his seed the Priestes and Leuites. Dauid & his seed in the seat of Iudgment, tyll the coming of Christ. And other such like.

65 How doe they make the ceremo∣nies Idols, & mockeries of the truth?

They haue some Ceremonies in place of the Church, and of the re∣demption by the Messiah, whiche are Idoles in steade of the Church and of the redemption.

As the Garden of Eden, and the Tree of life therein, they make an idol in stead of Christ & his church if stil thei holde thē as ceremonies, that the Messiah our tree of life, is not come, & that he daily doth not gather his church, which is our gar¦den of Eden. For therein we haue our spirituall beautie, & looke for an end of this outwarde basenes & miserie.

Likewise, their Altares at this day, and the places where they stande, they doo make Idolles in steade of Christ and his church, because thei hold them as ceremonies, that the Messiah our altare, is not come, & that the true Christians are not the place of the Altare and churche of God, which the Lord hath chosen to put his Name there, and there to dwell.

But they looke to come againe to their Ierusalem and mount Zion, and that their Messiah shall bring them thither, who as yet they say, is not come into the worlde.

But of this the Iewes haue their Idoles and mockes, because they looke for safetie otherwise then by Christ in his Church.

Of this the Iewes haue their Idoles and mockes, because they dreame of a wordlie Canaan, to the which they shall come, not knowing that it ceased to be a figure, when it was polluted with Idolatrie, and when Christ came, and raigned in his Church, as a King in his spirituall Canaan.

Of this the Iewes haue their Passe∣ouer as an Idole and mockerie: be∣cause they denie Christ Iesus the Paschall lambe to be offered alrea∣die, and because they do not feede on his death and tormentes, nor receiue the grace of his resurrecti∣on and glorifiyng.

The like may be saied of other such ceremonies and shadowes of the whole Church, and of our whole redemption.

66

Some were Ceremonies of some pointes of our Redemption: as of the Lordes secret Counsel and readines to helpe vs, which are handled in the 24. and 25. and 33. question. For his loue and mercie towardes his people, and his electing and predestinating of them vnto saluation, with care and mindefulnesse ouer them were shewed, and figured by the Tythe, the first borne, the firste fruites, The numbring of families, The choosing of the Leuites, The perfect numbring and measuring of thinges about the Tabernacle and Temple. The Paschall Lambe kept tyll the daye of the Passeouer, figured that Christ was appointed for the slaine Lambe before the worlde was. Lottes, and diuisions of the lande by lotte. The summes which Salomon raysed for the building of the Tabernacle. The casting of lottes mencioned in Nehemiah for to dwell in Ierusalem. The writings in Ezra made to shewe their kindred. And other such like.

67

Some were ceremonies of the sufferinges of Christe in his Man∣hoode: which are handled in the 26.27.28. and 29. question. For hee bare the burthen of our sinnes vppon him. Which was shadowed by the sinne offeringes, with confession of sinnes vppon the heade of the sacri∣fice. Also by the fatte and the kalle and the kidneis: by the woode whereon the fier did kindle. Also by the false accusations & slaunders of those which were figures of Christ. And diuerse such like.

68

Also some were ceremonies of the wrath of God vppon him for our cause. And of his death, tormentes, and bitter curse. As the fier of the Altare euer burning. The fier which came frō heauen sundrie times to consume the sacrifices. The grate of brasse like networke vppon the Al∣tare. The Rodde in the Angels hande that touched the sacrifice. The ro∣sting with fier of the Paschall lambe, and the burning of that which remai∣ned till the morning. The tables & stones of slaughter. The fleshhookes, the kniues for slaughter, the herth stones, the beasomes, the pānes, the slaying of the sacrifices, the pouring & sprinckling of the bloud, the burnt sacrifice. Also the fleaing, cutting in peeces, and cleeuing of the sacrifices, the seaso∣ning them with salte, the afflictions, tormentes, and troubles in consci∣ence of those men which were figures of Christ, as of Dauid, Ionas. &c.

69

Some were ceremonies of his ouercomming and taking awaye of our miseries. Looke the 30. question. As of the taking awaye of our sinnes. As washings and cleansings with water. The cleansing of the Al∣tare, the washing of the Sacrifices, the sending away of the scape goate, and of the liue Sparow, the offering of sacrifice with vnleauened breade, the taking away of the excommunicate thing: the high Priest bearing the iniquitie ••f the people, the taking away of the Ashes and excrementes. And such like.

70

Some were ceremonies of his victorie ouer death and hell, and the power of the wicked, and of our victorie with him. As y^e going out of Egypt by strong hande, the going thorowe the red Sea, the passing ouer Iorden. Great cōquestes by them which were figures of Christ: the swim∣ming of the Arke of Noah vpon the waters: the escaping frō the daungers of the captiuitie: Iaacobs preuayling when he wrestled with the Angell: the taking downe from the tree, the cursed that was hanged: the eating of the Passeouer, with their Ioynes girded, and shoes on their feete, and staues in their handes, and eating it in haste: the remoouing of Iosephs bones from Egypt. And such like.

72

Some were ceremonies of the happines, which he also obteined for vs. As of the causes of our happines which are in God: mentioned be∣fore: And of the meanes of our happines proceeding from God, as first of the communion of the graces and offices in the heade of the Church, which is Christ.

The ceremonies therefore of his mediation and Priesthoode were, Euerie lawefull high Priest and Sacrificer, till his comming. As Abel, Noah, Abraham, Melchizedecke, Iob, Moses, Aaron, &c. Also y^e Mercie∣seate vppon the Arke, the Altare of burnte offeringes, the altare of in∣cense and sweete perfume, the clensinges and perfumings of the high Priest. The high priest going into the holie place for attonemente once a yeare, the Bels on the skirts of his garmentes, when he wente in for attonemente. The familiar appearing of Moses and others in the pre∣sence of God, and their pleading and praying for the people. Incense of hallowed fier, and not of straunge fier, the fierie and brasen Serpente, the dore of Noahs Arke and the Tabernacle, the Porch of the Temple, cer∣taine Pillars and stones, and such like.

73

Some were ceremonies of our Iustification by his mediation and Priesthoode. As the grauing of the names of the Tribes of Israel vppon stones, and imbossing and setting them in golde, to be presented and borne on the breast of the high Priest, the table of the Shewbreade with the thinges therof: the stones of the Temple perfected before they were brought to be laied on: the purenes and perfection of all the stuffe of the tabernacle, and such like.

74

Some were ceremonies of our Sanctificatiō by his priesthoode. As the holy garmentes of the Priestes: the seeling, gilding, and hanging of the temple and tabernacle: the anoynting of all thinges with holy ointe∣ment: the sanctifying of the Priestes: the Sabbath a signe of holines, and such like.

Place this number 71. betwene 70. and 72.

71

Some were ceremonies of his restoring of happines, looke que∣stion 31. And first of his owne Iustification and happines. As the Sacri∣fices without spotte and blemishe: the stones of the Altar whole and vnhea∣wen: the writing of holines to the Lorde, to make the high Priest accepta∣ble: the making of the Arke and Altar of Shittun wood.

The ceremonies of his happines were, The precious ointment, wherwith mans flesh might not be anoynted: the taking vp into heauen of holy men, which were figures of him: the budding and fruite of Aarons Rodde: the riches and glorie of Salomon, and such like.

75

Some were ceremonies of the prophecie of Christe, and of his worde and promises, and our calling to happines. As the testimonie & Oracles from the Arke: the V••im & the Chummim vppon the breastplate of Aaron: the ringes and barres to carie the Tabernacle and the thinges thereof, that the people might follow it to the lande of Canaan: the pillar of a cloude, and the pillar of fire, to leade them both day and night, that is the Lordes Name of power and Maiestie: Manna from heauen: the gi∣uing of the Lawe in glorious manner: the raysing vp and sending of the Prophetes: the trumpettes and Lampes, and Lightes, and Candle∣stickes: the windowes of the temple: the place where God did putte his name by the Arke and Altare therein: the chiefe workemen about the ta∣bernacle and temple to make and builde them.

76

Some were ceremonies of Christe our King, and of his Kinglie office. As the lawfull Kings and Iudges of Israel: as Moses, Ioshua, Gideon, Sampson, Dauid, Salomon, &c. The Crownes of golde: the Rodde of Moses: the Thrones for iudgement, and such like.

77

Some were ceremonies of the communion of those graces and offices, which eyther the guides and teachers, or all the brethren and people haue to doo good withall. As the wisedome and towardnesse of those which made the tabernacle and temple: the summe that Salomon raised to bring and prepare for the building of the temple: the foure score thousande Masons, and the seuentie thousande that bare burdens. Also the Priestes and Leuites, were figures of euerie Christian, a priest and Leuite, and such like.

78

Some were ceremonies to vs of the vsing of our redemption. And therefore our mortifying and miseries were shadowed by circumcisi∣on, by fastinges and sackecloth and rentinge of garmentes. The eating of the Passeouer with sower hearbes, the going through the wildernes, and through the sea, dwelling in boothes, the crie for the bondage of Egipte, buying & selling of bondmen, the bloude of the couenaunte sprinckled on the people, the bloude sprinckled vppon the dore postes, the goings and iourneyings of Abraham, abstaining from wine & strong drinke, the law of the captiue maide. The clothes rent, and the heade bare, and a couering on the lippes of the Leper, the humbling of the people on certaine dayes. Sundrie trialles of the Iewes in the wildernes, the Vaile of separation in the Tabernacle and Temple. The markes and threates that none should touch the mount, the fleeing of the people from the presence of God, the oxen stoned and not eaten, which goared and killed anie man, ta∣king vsurie on straungers, the courte of the Tabernacle and Temple, the going out of all, while the high Priest made attonemente by incense, sepa∣ration from all vncleannes. The redeeming of the vncleane, by that which was cleane, the vaile on Moses face, because the people could not looke on him. The bloud of the sacrifice of consecration put vppon the right eares, and thumbes and toes of the Priest, the sacrifice for sinnes of ignoraunce and such like.

79

Some were ceremonies of the iudging and condemning of our selues. As the geuing of a redemption, when the people was num∣bred: the cursinges vppon mounte Ebal, the touching of vncleane things, the crie of the leper, I am vncleane, I am vncleane. The lawe of purifying weomen, and of clensing garmentes and other thinges polluted, and of re∣ceyuing a leper, or other polluted, being healed and cleane: the bitter and cursed water, and the curse therewithall. And such like.

80

Some were ceremonies of our regeneration and newnes of life. As the Nazarites the refraining from fatte and from bloud, the abstai∣ning frō vncleane meates, the eating of vnleauened bread: the shewbread, the offeringes to the building of the Temple, or Tabernacle: the making and paying of vowes. And such like.

81

Some were ceremonies of the happines wherevnto we are cal∣led, and which in Christ we enioye. As the comming into the lande of Canaan, which shadowed the Church, and our happines in the heauens with Christ. The meate offeringes and peace offeringes with ioye and gladnes. The feast of Tabernacles and of especiall deliueraunces. The Sabbaths & Iubiles. The blessing pronounced of the high Priest, as of Melchizedeck, Aaron. &c. The beautifying and adorning of the Temple and tabernacle. The outwarde blessinges of the lande of Canaan, a figure of the spirituall blessings. Long lyfe in that lande, of the euerlasting lyfe in the heauens: Also certaine Welles and Springes in that lande. The best remnaunt of the meate offeringes belonging to the Priestes. The re∣deeming of the freedome of bondmen. The redemption of the saile of landes and houses, and their returne to the owner. The lawe that the Priestes should not mourne for the dead, and such like.

Hitherto of our calling both in the olde and newe Testament.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The olde Testament.
• * 1.2

  Ceremonies

  • ...Remayning as the two Sacramentes.
  • ...Abolished.
• * 1.3

  Sacramentes.
• * 1.4

  Ceremonies abolished.