Theologicall questions, dogmaticall observations, and evangelicall essays, vpon the Gospel of Jesus Christ, according to St. Matthew Wherein, about two thousand six hundred and fifty necessary, and profitable questions are discussed; and five hundred and eighty speciall points of doctrine noted; and five hundred and fifty errours confuted, or objections answered: together with divers arguments, whereby divers truths, and true tenents are confirmed. By Richard VVard, sometimes student in the famous vniversities of Cambridge in England: St. Andrews in Scotland: and Master of Arts of both the kingdoms; and now a preacher in the famous city of London.

[Vers. 13] VERS. 13. In those dayes came Iesus from Galilee to Iordan, unto Iohn to bee baptized of him.

[Sect. 1] §. 1. In those dayes.] In what dayes or times was this comming of Christ?

[Quest. 1] I answer, when Iohn was baptizing in Jordan, Mat. 1.9. when the people were baptized, [Answ.] Luk. 3.21. hee did not come before the Baptist, least he should have come in darkenesse and obscuri∣ty: neither long after him; but as the Sunne who rises when the day starre ascends, so when there were many gathered unto Johns preach∣ing, and were baptized by him, then comes Christ.

Why did Christ come at this time expressed in the former question, that is not, untill many [Quest. 2] were baptized by Iohn, and taught by his prea∣ching.

I answer, for two causes, the first Allegori∣call. The second Historicall. [Answ.]

The fift cause hereof was Allegoricall, to teach us that Christ will not come unto us, [Observ.] untill a way bee made for his receiving by preaching and repentance: for first there is great neede of preparation, because if we be carelesse to prepare the way for him, he will not care to come unto us. Secondly, this preparation is to bee made by repentance, that so our sinnes may bee blotted out; because hee will not come into a polluted soulel 1.1. Thirdly, the ordinary meanes of wor∣king repentance in the heart is the preaching of the word: as the Lord saith unto Ieremie, goe and preach these words unto the North, and say re∣pent, &c.m 1.2.

The second cause is Historicall, that Christ might bee made knowne and manifested to the whole people: that is, first, that all might see him. Secondly, that all might here the testimo∣nies concerning him, viz. ••. the testimony of Iohn (I have neede to be baptized of thee.) 2. of the opening of the heavens: 3. of the Dove lighting upon him: 4. and of the voyce of God from heaven, saying, This is my beloved sonne, in whom I am well pleased.

Thirdly, that all those who were not as yet baptized might the more readily embrace and receive it, seeing hee was baptized that had no evill in him at all.

§. 2. Came Iesus from Galilee.] Why was [Sect. 2] Christ and Iohn Baptist in two severall places? [Quest. 1]

I answer first, least they should seeme to have [Answ. 1] compacted together in what they did.

Secondly, because Jordan was a type of Bap∣tisme, [Answ. 2] as also the red sea was, 1 Cor. 10.4.

Thirdly, because the Prophets had thus fore∣told [Answ. 3] it, that Christ should be a Nazari•••• and a Galilean, but the Baptist should be brought up in Iud••••.

Why doth the Master come unto the ser∣vant? [Quest. 2] it had beene more fit th•••• John should have come unto Christ, then the Messias unto the Messenger.

I answer first, Christ doth this that he might [Answ. 1] teach us humility: as hee washed his Apostles feet afterwards for that end. Iohn 13.14.

Secondly, that hee might teach us, that the [Answ. 2] meanes of salvation are not to bee neglected by any, but sought for by the best.

Thirdly, this Christ did for the greater dig∣nitie [Answ. 3] of the Sacrament, that therein we may not respect man but God.

§. 3. To bee Baptized of him.] Why was [Sect. 3]

Christ Baptized, seeing he was that Lambe un∣spotted?

[Answ. 1] I answer first, that he might fulfill all righteous∣nesse, (as in the next verse) that as hee was borne for us, so he would also be baptized for us.

[Answ. 2] Secondly, to seale up his fellowship with us, that in nothing he might be unlike unto his bre∣thren, but onely in sinne.

[Answ. 3] Thirdly, Christ was baptized that hee might be fitted for that worke and function, which hee was now shortly to undertake, to wit, the preaching of his Gospel: [Observ.] teaching us, that none must intrude themselves into the worke of the Ministrie, untill they bee prepared by the Spirit, and called as Aaron was: for all things should be done according to our callings, which are ter∣med vocations, quia vocamur non quia intrudimus, because we are called thereunto, and not because we intrude our selves thereinto.

[Answ. 4] Fourthly, that he might confirme the Sacra∣ment of Baptisme (by receiving it himselfe) and that two manner of waies. First, externally, by approving of that of Iohns; and therefore al∣though the Papists doe extenuate it, yet wee dare affirme that either Christ and his Apostles were baptized by John or by nonea 1.3; And Se∣condly, Internally, by his flesh sanctifying of Jordan, and all other waters for this purpose ap∣pointed; confirming also the efficacy of the Sa∣crament by the presence of the blessed Spirit. Christ was baptized, ut nobis secundae nativitatis consecraret lavacrumb 1.4: that he might sanctifie for us the laver of regeneration or of the new birth. Lavatus est Christus flumine Iordani non mundari volens sed mundarec 1.5, Christ was bapti∣zed in Jordan, not that therewith he might bee cleansed, but that he might consecrate it for us, as an effectuall signe of admission into the Church: for wee are baptized into one bodyd 1.6, yea by baptisme we put on Christe 1.7.

[Quest. 2] It may hence bee demanded, What benefits have the members of Christ by baptisme?

[Answ. 1] I answer first, thereby they receive remission and pardon of their sinnes, Acts 2.38. and hence it is called the seale of the righteousnesse of faith. Rom. 4.11.

[Answ. 2] Secondly, they gaine hereby regeneration. John 3.5. whence it is called the laver of regenerati∣on. Tit. 3.5. In the new birth there are two things, both which are attributed unto Baptisme; First mortification and a dying to sinne: according to the Apostle Saint Paul, as many as were baptized into Christ, were baptized into his deathf 1.8, and therefore wee are buried with him by Baptisme into deathg 1.9.

Secondly, vivification or a living unto God: Be baptized (saith Saint Peter) and ye shall receive the gift of the holy Ghosth 1.10, and else where it is said, that by the washing of water he hath sanctified and clensed his Church.

[Answ. 3] Thirdly, they gaine hereby eternall salvation: for he that beleeves and is baptized, shall be savedi 1.11, Baptisme being typified by Noahs Arke, wherein he and his were saved. 1 Pet. 3.20.21.

Notes

• l 1.1

  Acts 2.38. and 3.19.
• m 1.2

  Ier. 3.12.13.
• a 1.3

  Joh. 4.1.
• b 1.4

  Bedas.
• c 1.5

  Ambros. in Luk. 3.
• d 1.6

  1 Cor. 12 13.
• e 1.7

  Gal. 3.27.
• f 1.8

  Rom. 6.3.4.
• g 1.9

  Coloss. 2.12.
• h 1.10

  Acts 2.38.
• i 1.11

  Mark. 16.16.