The Sum of Christian Religion 2, Part 2 · Subpart 36 – Subpart 37
OF CIRCVMCISION.
THE latter two queſtions of Baptiſme before expounded, are alſo common vntounto the doctrine of circumciſion: & thoſe thinges, which may bee ſpoken of circumciſion, are not vnfitly annexed vntounto 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. VntoUnto other Nations, but not vntounto 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 vntounto the Iewes, & did more & more for cōfirming of their faith ſubmit thē ſelues vntounto circumciſion, and the whole ceremonial lawe; 3. Thoſe of the gentiles who were conuerted vntounto the Iewes, but did not obſerue the ceremonies. For vntounto 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 onelyonly 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 giuegive 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 vntounto 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 vntounto 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 Iewes 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 vntounto vsus, which circumciſion did vntounto them. Moreouer, as circumciſion was a ſigne vntounto them of their receiuing into the people of God. So is baptiſme vntounto vsus 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.
OF THE LORDS SVPPER.
THE chiefe queſtions.
1 What the Supper of the Lord is.
2 What are the ends thereof, or, wherefore it was inſtituted.
3 What is differeth from Baptiſme.
4 What is the ſenſe and meaning of the words of the inſtitution.
5 What is the difference betweene the Lords Supper and the Papiſts Maſſe.
6 What is the right vſe of the Supper,
7 What the wicked receiue in the Supper.
8 Who are to come and to be admitted vntounto the Supper.