Reformed Covenanter
Cancelled Commissioner
But how great a nearness there is between both these kinds of Sacraments, Paul seemeth hereby to teach, in that he putteth the names of the one, for the names of the other, and maketh them common to both. For in the. 10. chapter of the first epistle to the Corinth. he affirmeth, that the Elders were baptised, and had one and the same spiritual meat, and one and the same spiritual drink, which we now have. And on the other side, to the Colossians, he calleth our Baptism, Circumcision.
For he saith: that we are circumcised in Christ, but yet with a circumcision not made with hands, by putting of the body of the sins of the flesh. In which place he ascribeth unto circumcision, the putting of sins. But they think that this maketh against us, which is red in the viii chapter to the Hebrews, where it is written: In that that he saith now, he hath abolished that which was before. But that which is abolished and waxen old, is even at hand to vanish away. Of these words they conclude, that the old testament is utterly abolished.
Which thing (say they) could not be possible, if the substance thereof were one, and the same with the substance of the new. But these men ought to have considered, that the substance of the old Testament is not abolished. Indeed ceremonies are abolished as touching the outward signs: howbeit the signification of then abideth the self same that it was. Judicial precepts also, although in our days they be not all had in use, yet the sum and principal scope of them, is still retained, namely, that sins should be punished, and justice preserved in commonwealths. But the sense and observation of moral precepts, remaineth still perfect & whole: although they no more either accuse, or condemn the conscience, to the destruction of the elect.
For the reference, see Peter Martyr Vermigli on baptism and circumcision agreeing in substance.
For he saith: that we are circumcised in Christ, but yet with a circumcision not made with hands, by putting of the body of the sins of the flesh. In which place he ascribeth unto circumcision, the putting of sins. But they think that this maketh against us, which is red in the viii chapter to the Hebrews, where it is written: In that that he saith now, he hath abolished that which was before. But that which is abolished and waxen old, is even at hand to vanish away. Of these words they conclude, that the old testament is utterly abolished.
Which thing (say they) could not be possible, if the substance thereof were one, and the same with the substance of the new. But these men ought to have considered, that the substance of the old Testament is not abolished. Indeed ceremonies are abolished as touching the outward signs: howbeit the signification of then abideth the self same that it was. Judicial precepts also, although in our days they be not all had in use, yet the sum and principal scope of them, is still retained, namely, that sins should be punished, and justice preserved in commonwealths. But the sense and observation of moral precepts, remaineth still perfect & whole: although they no more either accuse, or condemn the conscience, to the destruction of the elect.
For the reference, see Peter Martyr Vermigli on baptism and circumcision agreeing in substance.