because it is commemorative of Christs Passion, then those of the old Testament were the lesse true, because they were prefigurative. For that is the condition annexed to al Sacrifice of every Law, to represent Christs Passion.
20. The new Testament in my bloud.) Moyses tooke the bloud of the first sacrifice that was made after the giving of the Law Exod. 24. and with bloud confirmed the covenant and compact betwixt God and his people, and so dedicated the old Testament, which without bloud Hebr. 9.(saith S. Paul) was not dedicated. Moyses put that bloud also into a standing peece, and sprinkled al the people &c. with the same, and said these formal wordes: Both Testaments dedicated in bloud.This is the bloud of the covenant &c. or (as it is read in S. Paul) of the Testament which God hath delivered unto you. Unto al which, Christ in this action about the second part of this his Sacrifice, in every of the Evangelists most cleerely alludeth: expressing that the new Testament is begun and dedicated in his bloud in the Chalice, no lesse then the old was dedicated, begun, and ratified in that bloud of calves conteined in the goblet of Moyses. With which his owne bloud he sprinkled inwardly his Apostles as the first fruits of the new Testament, imitating the wordes of Moyses, and saying: This is the Chalice the new Testament &c: Which the other Evangelists spake more plainly: This is my bloud of the new Testament. The external religion of the new Testament principally in the Sacrifice of the Altar.By al which it is most certaine, that Christs bloud in the Chalice, is the bloud of Sacrifice, and that in this Sacrifice of the Altar consisteth the external religion and proper service of the new Testament, no lesse then the soveraigne worship of God in the old Law did consist in the Sacrifices of the same. For though Christes Sacrifice on the Crosse and his bloud shed for us there, be the general price, redemption, and satisfaction for us al, and is the last and perfectest sealing or confirmation of the new law and Testament: yet the Service and Sacrifice which the people of the new Testament might resort unto could not be that violent action of the Crosse, but this on the Altar, which by Christs owne appointment is and shal be the eternal office of the new Testament, and the continual application of al the benefites of his Passion unto us.
The chalice shed for us, must needes signifie, the bloud therein, not wine, and the same Sacrificed.vers. 20. calix qui the chalice which
το ποτηριον το εκχυννομενον20. Which shal be shed.) It is much to be observed that the relative, which, in these wordes is not governed or ruled (as some would perhaps thinke) of the nowne bloud, but of the word chalice. Which is most plaine by the Greeke: Which taketh away al cavillations and shifts from the Protestants, both against the real presence and the true Sacrificing. For it sheweth evidently, that the bloud as the contents of the chalice, or as in the chalice, is shed for us (for so the Greeke readeth in the present tense) and not only as upon the crosse. And therfore as it followeth thereof invincibly, that it is no bare figure, but his bloud indeed, so it ensueth necessarily, that it is a Sacrifice and propitiatorie, because the chalice (that is the Bloud contained in the same) is shed for our sinnes. For al that know the manner of the Scriptures speaches, know also that, Bloud to be shed for sinne, is to be sacrificed for propitiation or for pardon of sinnes. And this text proveth al this so plainly, that Beza condemneth the Ghospel itself of falshood and impossibilitie.* Annot. no. Test. 1556* Beza turneth himself roundly upon the Holy Evangelist, charging him with Solœcisme or false Greeke, or els that the wordes (which yet he confesseth to be in al copies Greeke and Latin) are thrust into the text out of some other place: which he rather standeth upon then that S. Luke should speake incongruously in so plaine a matter. And therfore he saith plainely that it can not be truely said neither of the chalice itself nor of the contents thereof: which is indeed to give the lie to the Blessed Evangelist, or to deny this to be Scripture. So cleere is the Scripture for us, so miserable flights and shifts is falshood put unto, God be thanked.
Ambition.24. Contention.) The Apostles perceiving Christs departure from them and his Kingdom to be neere, as infirme men and not yet indowed with the Spirit of God, began to have emulation and cogitations of Superiority one over another which our Maister represseth in them by exhortation to humilitie and by his owne example, that being their Lord, yet so lately served them: not forbidding Majoritie or Superioritie in them, but pride, tyranny, and contempt of their inferiours.
Peters faith shal never faile.31. Simon Simon.) Lastly to put them out of doubt, he calleth Peter twise by name, and telling him the Divels desire to sifte and trie them al to the uttermost (as he did that night) saith that he hath specially prayed for him, to this end that his faith should never faile, and that he being once converted, should after that for ever confirme, establish or uphold the rest in their faith. Which is to say, that Peter is that man whom he would make Superiour over them and the whole Church. Whereby we may learne that it was thought fit in the providence of God, that he who should be the Head of the Church, should have a special priviledge by Christes prayer and promise never to faile in faith and
