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SEING THAT WE HAVE DONE ALREA∣die with the person of Christ, it followeth now that we deale with his office. For these two are to be considered in him.
1 MAnkinde by reason of sinne whereunto it wil∣fullie fell, was altogeather loste: in such sort as
it could in no wise by it owne strength escape aeternal dam∣nation.
2 But God, to the end that hee might affoorde a moste cleare testimonie of his mercie, did appoint in his aeternal counsell, to deliuer men from this miserie and calamitye. And to the end that this might bee done without anie im∣peachment of his justice, he appointed a Mediatour, who should performe all these things that were required.
3 Therfore, seeing to auoide the curse of the lawe, the lawe it selfe must bee fulfilled by men, and this can by no meanes be performed by them: it behooued the Mediator to effect this worke, and not to ouerpasse the very least ti∣tle of Gods Law.
The opinion of the PAPISTS therefore is very wicked, in attributing anie other merite vnto any man, saue onely the merite of Christs alone obedience.
4 Furthermore, seeing it behoued God which is moste just, to punishe the sinnes of men, that by this meanes his justice might be fulfilled: and men could not vndergo the weight of Gods anger, but they should bee euerlastinglie swallowed vp thereby: It was the office of the Mediatour, seeing he bare the person of all men, to pay all their debts, and to suffer punishment for them all.
They are againe most wicked, who bring in any other Mediatour of satisfaction in the presence of God, saue on∣lie this one.
5 And as Christ was vnder the law represented by Pro∣phets, Kings and Priests: so beeing exhibited in his time, hee was annointed to bee a King, Priest and Prophet. In which three callings, his whole office is contained.
6 The Propheticall office of Christ is, to teach men the will of God, and clearelie to lay open vnto them his de∣cree concerning the saluation of mankinde, and so to put an end vnto al prophesies: that is, to fulfill all those things that were fore-tolde of him.
It is execrable wickednes therefore, to burden the conscience of man, with new commandements added vn∣to the worde, or to impose anie lawe vpon the conscience:
and much more to adjoine vnto the Gospell, new supplies of saluation.
7 The Kingdome of Christ consisteth heerein, namely, that al his enemies beeing subdued vnder him, as Sathan, sinne and death; he onelie may beare rule ouer his church, defend the same, and bestowe all thinges needfull there∣vpon.
8 This Kingdome is not like vnto other Kingdomes that are earthlie, but it is spirituall.
And therefore the Iewes are worthelie condemned, with all others, that thinke this kingdome, to consist in a kinde of outward pompe, majestie and magnificence: And they are much more impudent then the Iewes themselues, who will haue the tyrannie of the Romane Praelate, to bee a visible representation of Christs kingdome.
9 The office of Christs Preist-hood was, by some accep∣table Sacrifice to pacifie God being offended with vs: And because no other Sacrifice, could bee found meet, and no other Priest worthie for this worke: hee who was without all spot, became both the Sacrifice and the Preist, now al∣so making intercession for vs in heauen.
Therefore the Papisticall Sacrifizing Preists, are most grosse seducers, who saye, that in the Sacrifice of their Masse, they offer Christ really, both for the quick and the dead.