Question 74

The latter two questions of Baptisme before expounded, are also common vnto the doctrine of circumcision: & those thinges, which may bee spoken of circumcision, are not vnfitly annexed vnto the doctrine of baptisme. It remaineth therefore, that we briefly discusse those questions which are especiallie to be obserued concerning circumcision. These are in number fower.

1 What circumcision is.
2 What are the ends of circumcision.
3 Why it is abolished.
4 Why christ was circumcised.

1 WHAT CIRCVMCISION IS

Circumcision is that rite, whereby all the males of the Israelits were circumcised according to the commaundement of God, that this right might bee a seale of the couenant made with Abrahams posteritie. Vnto other Nations, but not vnto the Iewes, it was free to be circumcised, or not to be circumcised.

Wee must here obserue, that they of the olde testament were of three sorts. 1. Jsraelites, which were of Abrahams posteritie, and were necessarily bound by the Lawe to obserue circumcision & the ceremonies. 2. Proselytes, who of the Gentiles were conuerted vnto the Iewes, & did more & more for cōfirming of their faith submit thē selues vnto circumcision, and the whole ceremonial lawe; 3. Those of the gentiles who were conuerted vnto the Jewes, but did not obserue the ceremonies. For vnto the gentiles and Prosylites it was free to keepe, or not to keepe circumcision and the ceremonies. These latter were called also Religious men, who embraced onely the doctrine and promises of god. Obiect. The males onelie were circumcised: therefore the women were shut out from the couenant of grace. Aunswere. The women were comprehended in the circumcision of the males: And God spared the weaker sex. And it sufficed for them, to come of godly progenitors.

2 What are the ends of circumcision

Circumcision was instituted, 1. That it might bee a signe of the grace of God towardes Abrahams posteritie, and that doubly. First, that God woulde receiue the beleeuers by the Messias who was to come: Secondly, that he would giue them the land of Canaan, and graunt his church a certaine place there, vntill the comming of the Messias. 2. That it might be a bond to bind Abraham and his seede vnto thankefulnes, or to faith and repentance, and so to keepe the whole law. 3. That it might bee a marke to distinguish the Iewes from other Nations and Sects. 4. That it might bee a sacrament of initiating and receiuing them into the church. 5. That it might bee an accusation and a signification of vncleannes. For that rite did shewe, that all men were subiect to sinnes, and vnclean. 6. That it might bee a signe, which shoulde shewe and signifie that the meanes of their deliuerance through Christ which was to come, shoulde not come elsewhence than from the bloud of Abraham.

3 Why circumcision is abolished

Circumcision is abolished, 1. Because the thing signified is exhibited. For among other things it signified, that the Messias promised vnto the Fathers should come at length in his appointed time, and should in our behalfe take our nature. 2. Because circumcision was instituted for the seuering of the Jewes from all other Nations: but now the church, that difference being abolished, is collected and gathered out of al Nations. And now the sacrament of baptisme performerth the same vnto vs, which circumcision did vnto them. Moreouer, as circumcision was a signe vnto them of their receiuing into the people of God. So is baptisme vnto vs the first mark which seuereth the church from the wicked.

4 Why Christ was circumcised

Christ was circumcised, 1. That hee might signifie that hee was also a member of that circumcised people. 2. That hee might shew, that he receiued and tooke our sinnes on himselfe, that he might satisfie for them. 3. That he might testifie that he did entirelie and fullie fulfill the law in our behalfe. 4. The circumcision of Christ was a part also of his humiliation and Ransome.