Of the redemption of mankind three bookes wherein the controuersie of the vniuersalitie of redemption and grace by Christ, and of his death for all men, is largely handled. Hereunto is annexed a treatise of Gods predestination in one booke. Written in Latin by Iacob Kimedoncius D. and professor of Diuinitie at Heidelberge, and translated into English by Hugh Ince preacher of the word of God.

CHAP. X. Of the finall cause of redemption.

THere followeth that question, whereunto are we redee∣med? wherein the question now is concerning the end of our redemption. And the end is two-fold: to wit, the glorie of God, and our saluation. The former end the Apostle extol∣leth, Ephes. 1. where hee saith: that God hath chosen vs in Christ, before the foundations of the world were laid, & hath foreordained to adopt vs for his sonnes through the same Ie∣sus Christ in himselfe, according to the good pleasure of his owne will, to the praise of his glorious grace, whereby he hath made vs acceptable in that his beloued, in whom wee haue redemption through his blood, euen the forgiuenes of sins. In which words he not only teacheth, that y^e end of the eternall and free election of God, is the praise of his glorious and rich grace: but also sheweth, that the redemption of vs by Christ is subordinate vnto the same end. For God hath made all things for himselfe, euen the wicked against the euill day: that both the benefit of their healing who are deliuered, and also the iudgement of damnation in the deserued punishment of such as perish, should further his glorie.

Wherefore wee are here warned, that with Paul wee giue thankes without ceasing vnto the father, who hath made vs meete to be partakers of the portion of the Saints in light, and hath deliuered vs from the power of darknes, and hath trans∣lated vs into the kingdome of his beloued sonne, in whom wee haue redemption through his blood, &c. As Peter also admonisheth vs of our dutie in this point, that wee should preach the vertues of him, who hath called vs out of darknes into his marueilous light. It is well knowne what Moses, and the children of Israel did, when the sea yeelded a readie pas∣sage for all his people to goe through: how being protected by Gods hand, and beholding that wonderfull redemption, they leaped like lambes, and sung his praise: Thou O Lord art

our deliuerer, thou art our strength. But what speake I of the old people and of the old song? we haue a new song, the song of the Lambe, let vs, standing vpon the glassie sea of this world, and hauing the harps of God, sing it vncessantly with the vniuersall Church; to him that sitteth vpon the throne, and to the Lambe: because hee was slaine, and hath redee∣med vs vnto God by his blood, out of euery tribe and lan∣guage, people and nation, and hath made vs vnto our God kings and priests, and we shall raigne vpon the earth.

To thee O Sonne of God, the louer of mortal men, O good Lord, O pacifier, O rich Sauiour, and a king in deed, the crea∣tor and maker of all things, the word and wisedome of the father, the light and brightnes of the father, the power, arme, and right hand of the father, to thee be blessing, and honour and glorie, and strength for euer and euer. Thou hast redee∣med vs, being captiues; and seruing sinne, thou hast deliue∣red vs by thine owne death. Thou hast giuen vs the adoption of sonnes. Thou becamest poore, that by thy pouertie thou mightest enrich vs. Thou hast freely giuen vs the kingdome of heauen. Thou hast fashioned vs a new, in darknes hast in∣lightened vs, and being dead men thou hast quickened vs: thou vnloosedst the sorrowes of death, and brakest the gates of brasse, and doores of iron, and hast broken in peeces the yoke of sinners.

And because praise is vncomely in the mouth of fooles, and this wonderfull and altogether diuine redemption is to be published of vs, not so much in words as in deedes them∣selues, goe to, let vs so be affected, let vs so frame our life, ma∣ners, actions, counsels, and all our affaires, that wee bee not found foullie vnthankfull to our common Redeemer, (to whose glorie wee ought wholly to bee consecrated) and no∣thing better, yea euery way worse then those obstinate Iewes, through whom the name of God was euil spoken of among the Gentiles, as it is written. But let that sharpe reproofe of Moses neuer goe out of our mindes in the song in Deutero∣nomie: Will ye giue this recompence vnto the Lord, O yee foolish and vnwise people? Is not he thy father who oweth and

possesseth thee? hath not hee made and prepared thee?

The second end of redemption is our saluation, which comprehendeth many and sundrie benefits, albeit knit toge∣ther in one and the same band, as these especially: Iustifica∣tion, which consisteth in the free remission of sinnes: Sancti∣fication, and newnes of life: Consolation, yea reioycing in [ 1] aduersitie vnder the hope of the glorie of God: and lastly, [ 2] Entrance into the eternall kingdome of our God and Sauiour [ 3] Iesu Christ, and euerlasting ioyes in life eternall. [ 4]

These so many and so great benefits of God, are purcha∣sed for vs by the abundant grace of the death of Christ, as the sayings of the Scriptures doe shew: Rom. 3. We are iustified freely by the redemption made in Christ Iesu, whom God set forth to be a reconciliation thorow faith in his blood by the re∣mission of sinnes. And chap. 5. When wee were as yet sinners, Christ died for vs. Therefore being iustified by his blood, wee shall be saued now much more from wrath by him. For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his sonne, much more being reconciled, we shall be saued by his life. And a little after: Neither that alone, but also wee reioyce in God through our Lord Iesu Christ, by whom wee haue now ob∣tained reconciliation. Againe, If death raigned by one offence, much more those, who doe receiue that abundant grace & gift of righteousnes, shall raigne in life. To Titus chap. 2. He gaue himselfe for vs to redeeme vs from all sinne, and to purge vs a peculiar people for himselfe, zealous of good workes. Peter also ioyneth these things together, 1. Epist. chap. 2. when he saith: that our Lord bore our sinnes in his bodie vpon the tree, that we being dead to sinnes, might liue to righteousnes.

Of these things there ought to bee a daily consideration, [ 1] that we may vnderstand the greatnes of the gift of Christ, and giue him thanks without ceasing, weighing with ourselues, what is the breadth and length and depth (as Paul speaketh) of the grace of God, and what is the hope of his calling, and the riches of his glorie in his Saints. Further, the daily medi∣tation [ 2] hereof is profitable and necessarie, partly to nourish in vs faith and hope, and partly to stirre vp and strengthen in

vs more and more newnes of life. Hauing (saith the Apostle, Heb. 10.) libertie to enter into the holie place by the blood of Iesu, and hauing an high priest, who is ruler ouer the house of God, let vs come with a true heart, and a sure perswasion of faith, and let vs hold the confession of hope without wauering. And as touching the framing of our life, we are commanded to walke worthie of the Lord, who, when wee were the ser∣uants of sinne to death, hath deliuered vs from sinne, and made vs seruants of righteousnesse. Hereupon are those ex∣hortations of Paul: Let not sinne raigne in your mortall body: and giue not your members weapons of vnrighteousnes vnto sinne, but giue your selues vnto God, as such as are aliue from the dead, and your members weapōs of righteousnes vnto God. Againe, As you haue giuen your members seruants to vn∣cleannes, and iniquitie for iniquitie: so now giue your mem∣bers seruants of righteousnesse vnto holinesse. Certainly see∣ing we are the freemen of Christ, we ought to liue vnto him, who hath redeemed vs, and would haue vs his peculiar peo∣ple and followers of good workes: neither ought we as for∣getfull of our Redeemer, retyre vnto the campes of Satan and the world, our enemies, and submit againe our bodies and soules vnto the yoke of our old bōdage, frō whence we were redeemed with the blood of the Sonne of God. O mad men, O vile traytors, and the wickeddest of all mortall men, who so greatly reproch a Christian name, nay Christ the Redee∣mer, and doe little lesse then tread the blood of the couenant vnder their feete.

Notes

• Two ends of redemption.
• The first end is Gods glorie.
• Prou. 16.
• Coloss. 1.
• 1. Pet. 2.
• Exod. 15. Sap. 19.
• Apoc. 5. & 15.
• The song of the vniuersall Church in the honour of Christ.
• Eccle. 15.
• Chap. 32.6.
• The 2. end is our saluation, which contai∣neth many be∣nefits.
• The true vse of the former ends, if they be well weighed. Ephes. 1.
• Colos. 1.
• Rom. 6.
• Tit. 2.