Question 32

In the 32. Question wee are instructed, concerning the inunction or annointing of the faithfull, namely, when they are called Christians or annointed: and, what is the dutie of Christians, and what their comfort; whereof this name doth aduertise thē. Heere then is discoursed the common place, concerning the communion of Christ the head with the faithfull, his members: and of the functions of these his members. Hereof fowre things come to be considered.

1 What is the annointing of Christians, or whence beleeuers haue the name of Christians or Annointed.
2 What is the Propheticall function of Christians.
3 What their Priesthood.
4 What their kingdome.

1 WHAT IS THE ANNOINTING OF CHRISTIANS

Lvke Act. 11.26. testifieth, that the name of Christians first began to bee vsed in Antioche, in the Apostles time, whenas before time they had bin termed by the names of breethren & Disciples.¹ The name Christian is deriued from Christ: & in general he is called a Christian, who is a Disciple of Christ, & followeth his doctrine or life: &, who being inserted into Christ, hath communion and fellowshippe with him, whether he be such indeed, or onelie carrieth a face or shewe before him of beeing such. For there are two sortes of Christians: some seeming or counterfeit,² and outward, but not true, that is, hypocrits: others seeming and true. For not euery seeming christian, that is, who is in outward conuersation, a Christian, is an hypocrit: though euery hypocrit is a seeming Christian. They are called seeming, but not true Christians, who beeing baptized professe in woord & life or outward conuersation the Doctrin and faith of christ, and are in the company of those which are called, but are not partakers of Christes benefites, beeing destitute of true faith and conuersion. Therefore they are not the true & liuely members of the Church. Mat. 20.16. Many are called, but few chosen.³ They are both seeming and true christians, who being receiued by baptisme into the Church, acknoweledge and professe Christs doctrine; and being engraffed into Christ by a true faith, are made partakers of all his benefites; and beeing regenerated by the holie ghost, led a life woorthie of true Christians.

Furthermore, of hypocrites we are not here to speake, but of those, who are both without and within, that is, are truelie Christians, and annointed of Christ by the holie ghost. The annointing of these therefore,⁴ whereof they take the appellation of Christians and Annointed, is, that being through a true faith engraffed by Baptisme into christ as members into their head, they are made true partakers of his annointing. For first he communicateth with them his Prophetical, Priestly, & roial function; that is, he ordaineth & maketh them Prophetes, Priestes, and Kinges. Secondly he annointeth them with the true oile, that is, hee powreth into them the giftes of the holie ghost, wherewith they beeing furnished maie easilie and rightlie discharge that their function. For the holie Ghost is not idle in vs, but woorketh the same in vs, which hee doth in Christ: albeit those graces and giftes in Christ are farre more excellent both in number and degree. These thinges are expresselie shewed by these places of Scripture. 1. Corin. 6 15. Knowe yee not, that your bodies are the members of christ? 1. Iohn 2.20. Yee haue an ointment from him that is Holie, and yee haue knowen all thinges. Actes 2.33. This Jesus by the right hande of God hath beene exalted, and hath receiued of his Father the promise of the holie ghost, and hath shed foorth this which yee nowe see and heare. 1 Pet 2.9. Ye are a chosen generation, a roiall Priesthoode. Reuel. 1.6. and 5.9. Thou wast killed, and hast redeemed vs to God by thy blood out of euerie kinred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made vs vnto our God Kings, and Priestes, and we shal raign on the earth. By these places are these two thinges manifest:⁵ one is, that our annointing is bestowed of Christ: the other, that it is bestowed onlie vpon those, who are the members of Christ. And to be the member of Christ is nothing else, than to bee conioyned and vnited to Christ by the same spirite dwelling both in him and vs: and by this spirite to be enriched with such righteousnesse and life, as is in CHRIST; to bee conformed vnto CHRIST: and seeing this righteousnesse, so long as wee remaine in this mortall bodie, is vnperfect, to bee acceptable vnto GOD for the righteousnesse of Christ which is imputed vnto vs. Rom. 8 11. 1. Corinth. 6.7 Eph. 4.15.16. 1. Corint. 12.13. Rom 8.1. &c.

⁶Now the similitude of the head and members of the same bodie, is most fitte and appliable to declare that most streit and indissoluble coniunction of vs with Christ. For first, As all the members of the bodie are knit to one and the same head, and consequentlie to one another, by sinews and fleshlie ligamentes, and drawe their life, sense, and all their motion, by the ministerie of the spirites from that one heade, so long as they remaine vnited to their head, and among themselues: so Christ is that one and quickening head, to whome al the elect who are the liuing members the church, beeing vnited by the holie Ghost, receiued thorough faith, are quickened and are knit also among themselues by the meanes of mutuall charitie. Which charitie and dilection must needs be there; if we be ioined vnto the head. For the connexion of the members with the heade is the originall and cause of the coniunction of the members among themselues. For the quickning spirit of christ doth not flowe out of one member into another, but out of one Christ as the head into all the members of the Church. Joh. 15.26. J wil send vnto you, from the father, the comforter, the spirit of truth.

Secondly, As in mans bodie are diuerse giftes and functions of the members, and yet but one life and soule quickening and mouing all the members: So in the bodie of the church are diuerse giftes and functions, and yet but one spirite, by the benefit whereof each member maie doe this function. Thirdly, as the head is placed in the highest place, and therefore is of more worthinesse, and the fountaine of all life: So Christ hath the highest roome and degree in the church, as in whome the spirite is without measure, and of whose fulnesse all receiue: but in the members, that is, in christians are certaine measures of giftes, which are deriued into them from the onelie head and fountaine christ.

Christ is our heade in three respectes. First,⁷ In respect of his perfection: because hee is both God and man; and in gifts, as touching his humane nature, excelleth all creatures. Coloss. 2.9. In him dwelleth all the fulnesse of the God-head bodilie, &c. Hee alone giueth the holie Ghost. Matth. 3. This is he who baptizeth with the holie Ghost. Secondly. In dignitie, or order, glorie, maiestie, power, authoritie, which in his humane nature glorified, he nowe openlie sheweth foorth and declareth. For as GOD created all thinges by him, so hath hee made him heire of all thinges. Hebr. 1.2. and the ruler of his house, Heb. 3.6. Thirdly, In respect of his office. For hee is ouer euerie member of the Church, hee ruleth, gouerneth, quickeneth, nourisheth, and confirmeth them, so as they continue ioined in him with the rest of the members.

We are also in three respectes the members of christ. First,⁸ because by faith and the holie Ghost wee are ioined vnto him, and also are knit together amongest our selues, as the members to the head, and one with another. And this coiunction of the members of this bodie, amongest themselues, is no lesse requisite and behoouefull for the safetie of the Church, than the coniunction of the whole bodie with Christ the head. For if thou separate the arme from the hand, thou shalt separate it also from the head, and so it shall no more haue life. Secondly, Because wee are quickened & guided of him, & from him as the fountaine wee drawe all good thinges: so that, except we continue in him, we haue not eternall life in vs: as neither the members sundered from the bodie retaine life anie longer. Thirdlie, Because as in mans bodie are diuerse faculties and functions of the members: so are the giftes and functions diuerse of the members of CHRIST in the church: And as all the actions of the partes of the bodie are emploied and referred to the preseruation thereof; so all the members of Christ, whatsoeuer they purpose or doe, that ought they to imploy and refer to the profit and vtilitie of the Church.

2 WHAT IS THE PROPHETICALL FVNCTION OF CHRISTIANS, that is, in what sense they are, and are called Prophetes

⁹CHRIST maketh vs partakers of his Prophetical honour or office, not only in this, that himselfe Prophecieth vnto vs, that is, effectually instructeth vs by his word and spirit, but also, because hee will and bringeth to passe, that we may also prophecy, by professing and celebrating God: According as it is said, Act. 2.17. I will poure out of my spirite vpon all flesh, and your Sonnes and your Daughters shall prophecie. Mat. 10.32. whosoeuer shal confesse me before men, him will I confesse also before my father, which is in heauen. Our Prophetical office therefore is, 1. rightlie to vnderstand and embrace the doctrine, perfect and necessarie to saluation, concerning god and his wil. 2. That euery one in his place and degree professe the same being vnderstoode faithfullie, boldlie, constantlie, in woorde and life, thereby both to celebrate god, and to bring manie scholers and disciples vnto Christ.

The difference between Christs Propheticall function and our is, 1. That Christ hath the spirite without measure, wee by measure. For it is the proper spirite of Christ, which floweth from him, and is powred into the heartes of men; wee haue him by gift. He being but one hath all the giftes of the holy Ghost, and those in the most excellent degree: all wee haue but onely some, and those farre inferiour. 2. That Christ effectuallie teacheth, by moouing the heartes of men to accord and assent: the sound and voice of others without the inward sound and voice of the holie ghost, doth only strike the ears, neither pearceth it vnto the hart.

3 WHAT IS THE PRIESTHOODE OF CHRISTIANS

¹⁰CHRIST maketh vs partakers of his Priesthood, not onely, because hee sanctifieth himselfe for vs. Iohn 17.19. & imputeth, & giueth his sacrifice vnto vs,¹¹ that for it we may be receiued of him, & God the Father into fauour, and maie be endowed with the holie Ghost and eternall life, euen as if in our selues that Sacrifice were accomplished: and satisfaction made for our sinnes: but furthermore, because hee maketh vs also Priestes vnto GOD. Which hee dooth after a double manner. 1. When by the efficacie of his spirit he worketh in vs those things, which we maie offer vnto god for a Sacrifice. 2.¹² When by his merite and intercession vnto his father, hee causeth our Sacrifices, albeit vnperfect & stained with our sins, to be notwithstanding pleasing and acceptable vnto him.

Wherefore the Priesthoode of Christians is to inuocate on GOD knowen aright, to offer vnto GOD all our life certaine Sacrifices, namelie Eucharisticall, euen Sacrifices of thankesgiuing, sanctified by the Sacrifice of CHRIST. These Sacrifices of praise, or thankesgiuing are, 1. That wee offer vp our selues wholie vnto GOD to obeie him, that is, that wee mortifie the oulde man in vs, and beginne newe obedience, both inwarde and outwarde, according to all the commaundementes of the Lawe. 2. Euerie one to doe the duties of his owne vocation. 3. To instruct others. 4. To praie for themselues and others. 5. To giue almes to others. 6. To vndergoe and suffer cheerefullie, manfullie, and constantlie the crosse, that is, calamities, persequution, contempt, banishmentes, and euen death it selfe, for the confession of the truth, and the glorie of god. In summe: The Priesthoode and Sacrifices of Christians are, the worshippe of God, commaunded in his Lawe, or all good workes, doone of those who are reconciled to God, to this end, as thereby to obey God, and doe him honor.

Wherefore the Priestes of the newe Testament are all Christians, both teachers and hearers, as they beginne newe obedience in the knowledge, and faith of the sonne of GOD. Roman. 6.13. Giue your members as instruments of righteousnesse vnto god. Againe, 12.1. I beseech you, that yee giue vp your bodies a liuing Sacrifice, holie, acceptable vnto god, which is your reasonable seruing of GOD. Againe, 15.16. Grace is giuen me of god, that I shoulde bee the Minister of Jesus christ towardes the Gentiles, ministering the gospell of god, that the offering vp of the Gentiles might bee acceptable. Luke. 22.32. When thou art conuerted strengthen thy bretheren. Phil. 2.17. Though I bee offered vp vpon the Sacrifice and seruice of your faith, I am glad. 2. Timot. 4.6. I am nowe readie to bee offered Coloss. 1.24. Now reioice I in my sufferinges for you, and fulfil the rest of the afflictions of christ in my flesh, for his bodies sake, which is the church.

¹³Nowe our Sacrifices differ, as well as the Sacrifices of the olde Priestes from Christes Sacrifice. First, Christ offered vp together a Sacrifice both of thankes-giuing and propitiatorie: Wee offer vppe onelie Sacrifices of thankes-giuing. The oulde Priestes also offered vp Sacrifices of thankesgiuing: because these belong to the whole Church, euen from the beginning to the ende of the woorlde. But those Sacrifices which they offered besides, were onelie typicall. But no Sacrifices of the newe Testament are typicall, but either eucharisticall and of thankfulnesse, as are ours; or propitiatotie, as if the obedience of CHRIST onelie, perfourmed for vs in suffering our punishment. For hee offered not a typicall or figuratiue, but the reall or figured and signified Sacrifice; as beeing not a typicall, but the signified Priest. Secondlie, The Sacrifices of Christ are both perfect: ours vnperfect and defiled with many sinnes. Thirdly, The Sacrifice of christ pleaseth God for it selfe, and for the worthinesse that is proper in it selfe, and meriteth remission of sinnes and eternall life of God for vs: because it is the death of the very sonne of GOD. Our Sacrifices merite nothing of GOD, and please him, not for themselues, but for Christs Sacrifice, wherewith they are sanctified.

4 WHAT IS THE KINGDOME OF CHRISTIANS

¹⁴ WEE are made partakers of Christes of kingdome, First, Because hee is our King and dooth communicate his victorie and glorie against his enemies and ours, with vs, and maketh vs by faith citizens of his kingdome, the Sonnes of God, his bretheren and coheirs. Secondly, Because by the vertue and operation of his spirit hee also maketh vs Kinges; that is, the Lordes ouer all creatures, conquerers of our enemies, and partakers of euerlasting bliffe and glorie. Iohn. 16 33. Be of good comfort, I haue ouercome the world. Reuel. 3.21. To him that ouercommeth will I graunt to sit with mee in my throne. Luc. 22.30. That yee may sit on seates and iudge the twelue tribes of Israell. 1. Corinthians, 3.21. All are yours. Our royall office therefore is, 1. That we are Lordes ouer all creatures: 2. That by the vertue of christs spirite (who hath restored vnto vs our lost royal and heauenly dignity, ouer all our enimies) we fight continuallie against sinne, the woorlde, the Diuel, and the fleshe, and ouercome. Which wee doe, when as by a true faith wee are resolued, that wee haue remission of all our sinnes: and when by the same faith wee receiue the holie Ghost to represse sinne euen in this life, as touching the beginning of our conquest. 3. That at length all our enimies beeing by the grace of CHRIST fullie brought vnder, wee enioy eternall blisse and glorie, that is, the heauenly kingdome, which by the woorking of the holy GHOST is begun in vs in this life, and which wee nowe possesse in hope, but then shall in full possession inherite. 1. Timothie, 1.18. Fight a good fight, hauing faith and a good conscience. 2. Timothie. 2.12. If wee suffer, wee shall also raigne with him. Mathew, 25.34. Inherite ye the kingdome prepared for you from the foundations of the world.

There is notwithstanding a difference beetweene the kingdome of CHRIST, and ours. For, 1.¹⁵ The kingdome is hereditarie vnto Christ. For hee is the naturall sonne, and therefore by nature King: but ours is by right of adoption. Christ as the naturall sonne, is ruler ouer his house. Hebrewes, 3.6. Wee are by and for him, the adopted sonnes of God. 2 He alone by full right is King ouer all the creatures simplie, but especiallie ouer the whole Church of the holie Angels and men. But wee neither are, nor euer shall bee the Kings and heade of this Church; but onelie ouer other creatures, which are compelled to serue vs, wee are LORDS. adorned with glorie, maiestie, and no common excellencie of giftes: and ouer all wicked men and Diuels, whom wee shall iudge, subscribing, and yeelding our consentes to the iudgement of CHRIST in condemning, and destroying them. Matthew, 19 28. Yee shall sitte vpon twelue scates, iudging the twelue tribes of Israell. Wherefore the Pope of Rome lieth, when hee auoucheth himselfe to be the head of the Church. 3. He conquereth his enimies by his owne power: we in him, and by him. Ioh. 16.33. Be of good comfort, I haue ouercome the world. 4. He alone ruleth the Church, with the scepter of his spirite and woorde, moouing our heartes, and restoring in vs the lost image of God: wee are ministers and administratours of the outward word and rites: wee cannot giue the holie Ghost, as it is said, Mat. 3.11. I baptize you with water, but he that commeth after mee, hee will baptize you with the holie Ghost and with fire.

The summe of all is: In the olde Testament were Prophets, Priests, and Kings, typicall: Christ is those three in signification, and in truth;¹⁶ wee by participation from him. Wherefore to beleeue in Christ, is not onelie to knowe, that Jesus is the annointed, that is the chiefe Prophet, Priest, and king; but to bee perswaded, that he is such also vnto me, and maketh me also partaker of his vnction or annointing, that by the woorking of the holie Ghost I may also be a Prophet, a Priest, and a King, that is, confesse and celebrate God knowen vnto me; offer vp vnto him all my life long the sacrifice of praise and thankefulnes; fight and warre manfully against sinne, the world, and the Diuel, and at length beare rule ouer all mine enimies and the creatures, beeing adorned with euerlasting blisse and glorie.

Footnotes

1. Who is called a christian. ↩

2. Seeming & false harted christiās. ↩

3. Seeming & true harted christiās. ↩

4. The anointing of christians 1 Is an ordaining of them to an office. 2 A bestowing of giftes on them. ↩

5. What is to bee Christs member. ↩

6. The similitude of mans bodie, to declare our vnion with Christ. ↩

7. Christ is our Head in three respectes. ↩

8. Wee are in three respects Christ members ↩

9. Christians are prophetes in knowledge. In confession. ↩

10. Christians are priestes. ↩

11. 1 By the imputation of Christs merit. ↩

12. 2 By offering the sacrifice of thankes giuing. ↩

13. Our sacrifices different from Christs sacrifice. ↩

14. Christians are Kings. 1 By partaking of his victorie and roialtie. 2 By hauing in themselues through him a power to ouercome and ouerrule both their enimies and all creatures. ↩

15. The difference betweene Christs kingdome and ours. ↩

16. To beleeue in Christ. ↩