Rome ruin'd by VVhite Hall, or, The papall crown demolisht

SECT. 2.

2. AS touching the validity of these Lawes; 1. The Ceremo∣nials* 1.1 are utterly abolished, so that there is now no plac•• for them under the Gospel, neither can they be revived without derogation to the Gospel of Christ, as the Apostle saith, If ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing, Gal. 5. 2. for when the body is come, the shadow must be abolished, but the Ceremonials were shadowes, the body is Christ, Col. 2. 17. their Temple signified the Church of God, their holy place, Hea∣ven, their Sacrifices, the Passion of Christ; their expiations, the

remission of sins; these things then being fully exhibited, and fulfilled in Christ, have now no more place in the Church.

Again, the Ceremonials served only for that carnall people,* 1.2 which were as children kept in bondage, under the rudiments of the world, Gal. 4. 3. but now we are no longer under tutors, and governours, (the time appointed by the Father being expired) but are set free, and redeemed by Christ.

Another reason for the abolishing of them is, in respect of that people to whom they were prescribed, as a marke, and cogni∣zance to discerne them from all other Nations, but now this di∣stinction being taken away, and the wall of partition being bro∣den downe, both Jewes and Gentiles being made all one in Christ, that also is abolished, which discerneth them from other people, for the causes being changed for the which the Law was made, there must needs also follow an alteration of the Law it self. As* 1.3 for the Judicials, they are neither abolished, nor yet with such necessity to be injoyned, the equity of them bindeth, but not the strict severity, they doe not hold affirmatively (that we are tyed to the same severity of punishment now, as was inflicted then) but negatively they doe hold (that now the punishment of death should not be adjudged where sentence of death is not given by Moses) Christian Magistrates living now under Christ, the prince of peace, Isa. 9. 6. that is, of clemency, and mercy, may abate of the severity of Moses Lawes, and mittigate the punish∣ment* 1.4 of death, but they cannot adde unto it, to make the bur∣then more heavie. To shew more rigor then Moses, becommeth not the Gospel, to extend more favour is not unbeseeming, of which two assertions, these are the reasons.

1. The first is urged from Lukes Gospel, where our Saviour* 1.5 reproveth his Disciples, because they would have had fire to have come downe from Heaven upon the Samaritans, by which we are shewed that vengeance is not alwaies to be taken on them that offend, because oftentimes clemency is more profitable, both for patience in the offended, and amendment in the offend••r, and that by the example of our Saviour, Luk. 9. 54. The Son of man is not come to destroy mens lives, but to save them.

2. In that example of Christ, who suffered the woman taken* 1.6 in Adultery to escape without punishment of death, Joh. 8. 11.

from which may be inferred, that the Adultresse now is not to be put to death, but to live rather to be reconciled to her Hus∣band, or to come to repentance; in which instance our Saviour doth not abrogate the Law against Adultery, but refuseth only to meddle with the Magistrates office. And albeit Christ did not exercise the Magistrates office in his owne person (giving unto Caesar the things that was Caesars, according to his owne dire∣ction) yet in this case it had not been impertinent to have given directions to have had her before the Civill Magistrate, as in another case (he did send the Leaper to the Priest, Mat. 8. 4.) if it had pleased him to impose still the severity of the Law; yea, our Saviour sheweth by this answer (Let him that is amongst you without sinne) cast the first stone at her, Joh, 8. 7. so that he would not have them such straight executors of the rigour of the Law of Moses upon others, but rather be severe Judges of them∣selves, and with charitable affections to support the frugality of others, to which they themselves were subject unto.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The validity of Moses Lawes.
• * 1.2

  To what end Ceremonies served.
• * 1.3

  Of the judi∣tiall Law.
• * 1.4

  The severity of the judicial Law to be abated.
• * 1.5

  Example.
• * 1.6

  Example.