spirituall meate and all did drinke of that spirituall Rocke whiche was Christe 1. Corint 10.23 c. Because all did eate that spirituall meate which did offer vnto them the spirituall Manna all did drinke of that Rocke whiche did followe them and was in shewe and representation a true and verie offering in deede of Christ But some of them receiuing only the outward signes did neglect or refuse the spirituall grace so liuelie represented truelie offered them The seconde effect and working whiche is onely in the children of GOD and those which are of discretion by faith alone doeth seale vppe that is more surelie firmelie certainlie and comfortablie applie Christ vnto vs and all his giftes necessarie for vs accordinge to the couenant and promise of God in him So that this vse of the Sacramentes is playne that although Christ be bodily absent yet hee is truly in deed by faith present with all his benefits trulie receyued so his cōmuniō fellowship applied vnto the true receyuers Only this is the difference that in the worde and by the worde alone our faith is wrought wee truely receyue Christe by faith but in these Sacraments our faith is quickened confirmed and increased so doeth more fullie liuelie and comfortablie applie Christ and his benefites Both these are very manifest in the Scriptures The first that in deede Christ with his benefites is in and by these signes as by instrumentes receyued For wee are saide to bee baptised here into one body that is by baptisme to be engrafted into one body and haue bin made to drinke into one spirite that is one spirituall drinke of the blood of Christ so truelie and in deed Christ is put on we are truely planted into him his death resurrection c. Gal. 3.27 Rom. 6 3. We are washed we are saued not by the outwarde worke done as the papistes imagine not by the putting away of the filthines of the fleshe but by the aunswere of a good conscience through the resurrection of Christ 1. Pet. 3.21 So in the Supper it is most apparent the bread which we breake is the communion of the body of Christe so that we which receyue cōmunicate Christ in and by these signes as the whole order and institution shall make this more manifest afterwarde Nowe the other pointes that these are seales not first to giue but more firmelie surelie comfortablie to giue and to applie is playne because in those of discretion in Baptisme faith to apprehende Christ and all his benefites is first required as appeareth by the Eunuche onely in children remayneth some shewe of doubt but seeing the Apostle sayeth they are holy that is within the couenant of God J am thy God and the God of thy seede Christ and his benefites in this couenant of grace doeth belong vnto them that liuing by faith it may be applyed or dying the spirit of the grace of GOD may worke in them as hee knoweth howe and hath not reuealed And this they haue before baptisme euen being aliue but not by any vertue of birth which bringeth death and that onely in respect of originall corruption but by the grace of Gods couenant that if the tree be holy so should the branches also So then this is the proper worke of the Sacraments more surelie and stronglie and comfortablie to applie and seale vp Christ crucified and the couenaunt of God ratified in him to saluation And thus much generallie of a Sacrament nowe followeth that whiche is gathered out of this generall which euerie one must doe concerninge the Sacramentes First before this worke is required examination after the feeling of sinne Then our acceptable knowledge of GOD in three persons as of Christe his person perfect God and perfect man his office to saue his people to be their Priest by his sacrifice perfectlie to reconcile and iustifie to make also continuall intercession that our obedience prayers c. may be accepted to be their King by the gouernement of his Church to kill sinne in them to sanctifie them and to applie the whole matter of saluation wrought in his Priesthoode After of a true faith repentance that being in one body with him he come aright to the Sacraments and the imperfections weaknesses c. may be supplied In the worke it selfe by a right knowledge of the doctrine of the Sacramentes faith muste worke in euery point as hath bin declared aboue The vse and ende must finallie be applied that all the doctrine of Gods good-will here in Christ sealed vp may bee in our hartes and so in our mouthes to confirme and strengthen our selues and others in all temptations both against iustification and sanctification Exod. 13. Psal 50.7 Of the diuision of Sacraments of the couenant gathered out of this place The Sacramentes are two Baptisme The Lords Supper THAT these two onely are the Sacraments of the couenant of God appeareth by the declaration of a Sacrament gathered out of this place with which none of the other fiue imagined of the papistes can stande for they can not shewe vs that Matrimonie is an instrument wherby God doeth applie Christ and his benefites and this is not a cōmon instrument of the common saluation and benefits which all haue in Christ Orders onely are proper to Ministers and is not an instrument to applye anie common grace of the Church but to signifie that whiche is proper to the Minister And Penaunce hath not anie visible signe ordeyned of GOD but is onelie one fruite and benefite of Christ whiche is sealed vppe in both these Sacramentes as shall more fullie appeare afterwarde Confirmation is an inuention of their own brayne taken from an apishe imitation of the laying on of handes in the Apostles time or those who receyued the gifte of miracles therefore was proper to them For Philip the Euangelist was aboue all Bishoppes and yet could not administer it but the Apostles Saint Peter and Iohn Act. 8. and this wholy to derogate from Baptisme as shall appeare after Neither doth there any Oyling agree to this definition which was not a publike worke but a priuate whiche was not for euer but for a time whilest the gift of healinge lasted in the Church whiche was not of the couenant of God to saluation but a temporall blessing or at the farthest if the partie had committed anie speciall sinne whiche was the cause of that correction by beinge restored to health hee should receyue assurance of the forgiuenes of that sinne all which last of all doeth not applie to the worthie receyuer the benefite of health there promised no not with them therfore by the former declaration can bee no sacrament Secondlie we gather this diuision out of this place because the Apostle playnlie maketh it for being about to shewe howe that many are in one body of Christe hee proueth it by a full diuision of those pledges both our being set into the body of
THE VVhole doctrine of the Sacramentes plainlie and fullie set dovvne and declared out of the word of GOD. ⧠Written by Maister DVDLEY FENNER and nowe published for the vse of the Church of GOD. Imprinted at Middelborg by Richard Schilders Printer to the States of Zealande 1588. Cum priuilegio ¶ The whole doctrine of the Sacramentes plainlie and fullie set downe and declared out of the worde of GOD. The place out of which wee will drawe the generall doctrine of both the Sacramentes is 1. Cor. 12.13 For by one spirit wee haue bin all baptized into one body whether Iewes Greekes or seruants or free and all haue bin made to drinke into one spirit The generall declaration of a Sacrament drawen hence A Sacrament of the eternall couenant is a publike and faithfull worke of the whole Church wherein by the Ministers putting apart by the worde and prayer to an holie vse a visible signe ordeyned of God in the order prescribed by his deliuerie their receyuing of the same the holy ghost doeth offer represent liuely vnto all but more surelie applie to the due receyuer thereof the offring and giuing of God in three persons the Churches receyuing of Christ cruâ—ified and the couenant concerning iustification and sanctification vnto eternall life fullie ratified and confirmed in him Notes which shewe howe euery part is gathered out of this place with more full confirmation by conference of Scripture whiche declareth the true vse of euery point A Sacrament of the eternall Couenant so called to put a difference betweene other signes as the Rayne-bowe laying on of haÌ„des in ordination and other such signes so called of olde Gene. 17.10 and doeth seale vp the same Rom. 4.11 1. Corint 11. is a publike that is to shewe the nature and true reuereÌ„ce of those workes because these are not at anie time for one by one or concerning the dignities of one as appeareth by this it is saide here all haue bin baptized into one body all made to drinke into one cuppe Whiche sheweth that it is a worke of a publike nature of publike fruit and priuiledges to all of publike profession of the same and therefore in regarde of the dignitie and reuerence of it to bee publikely ministred with the prayers of all for the profit of all so for this ende CircuÌ„cision was ministred publikelie and they came togither to it Luke 1.59 and in the supper they continued togither Act. 2.42 it should be in the Church not at home in the house 1. Cor. 11. therefore there were conuocations in the Passeouer Exod. 12.6.47 Act. 2.42.20 chap. And faithfull this is gathered because it is saide by one spirite wee are baptised into one body and made to drinke into one spirituall drinke all which is done by faith by whiche he doeth dwell in our hartes Ephe. 3.17 John 6.36 so in Baptisme Gal. 3. As manie as are baptised haue put on Christe by faith we are the sonnes of God This is playne in those who receyue being of discretioÌ„ that make profession of their faith Actes 8.36.37 and Marke 16.16 Nowe in the baptisme of infantes the Ministers ought to haue faith in this worke the parentes who offer the childeÌ„ in regarde of the couenant of God made to them and their seede Gene. 17.7 Act. 20.29 the Churche euen with their prayers to God and witnessinge doe worke with faith and last of all the childe when he commeth to discretion shal haue comfort by it onely if he dye the spirit of God doeth worke the effectuall knittinge of him to the body of Christe by a secret working as pleaseth him in steede of that faith which commeth by hearing Therefore he sayeth that by one spirit all the members of the Church are baptised into one body c. which is so general as it coÌ„prehendeth infants who haue not faith Of the Supper of the L. ther is no doubt This doth teach vs First that faith is not secure but carefull to nourishe vpholde it selfe by these meanes when infidelitie neglecteth it Act. 8.36 Rom. 4.11 Esai 7.13.14 Secondlie that it is not the outwarde worke that will helpe vnlesse faith and the holie Ghost worke inwardly not the washing away of the filthe of the fleshe but in that a good conscience maketh request vnto God through the resurrection of Christ 1. Pet. 3. so the Papistes are confuted that say that the worke wrought outwardlie in it selfe doeth giue grace for as the word profiteth nothing vnlesse it be mixt with faith Hebr. 4.2 so it is with the visible worde which speaketh to all the senses as it were Worke so it is called bicause it is not only a signe as a Rayne-bowe but a worke wherein the Minister hath his part in declaring or preaching praying c. and the people theirs in ioyning with him not water onely but washing not bread onely but giuing taking eating c. Which is because the Lorde would haue the inwarde man more effectuallie moued when not onely the eare but the eyes hande feeling and such like instrumentes of the outward man are effectuall instrumentes of the holy Ghost to worke withall The whole Church This is added to shew that this appertayneth not to all but to the Church onely none to bee baptised but those that are holy 1. Cor. 7.14 and which are in the couenant none meete for the Supper but which knowe and beleeue according to Christian doctrine 1. Cor. 5.11 and to such belongeth that saying onely which are Citizens and not straungers from God Ephe. 4.11.12 and therefore these holy things must not be giuen to papistes prophane and wicked persons 2. Chro. 35.6 Act. 8.36 nor to dogges Mat. 7.6 Secondlie it is added to shewe that not the Ministers alone must worke here but the Church with him in witnessing his work in approuing the same by one consent of the spirit of grace by consenting in prayer and thankes-giuinge for whiche they are saide to doe the workes of the Sacraments Luke 1.59 1. Cor. 11.5 In Baptisme they receyue not only comfort by remembring of the same worke in them selues but also as no member is cut off by excommunication but in the presence of all with prayers and consent of Christes spirit in all 1. Corint 5.4.5 so it behoueth that by the proper consent of the Spirit of God in all the partie to be baptised bee solemnely receyued and the whole Church to be assured by that worke that he is a fellow heyre to be partaker with them in the communion of Saints and to whom they ought to render the same so that this is also one good sure ground for which they ought to be present In the Supper likewise when God calleth all to a banquet why shoulde any be absent which haue faith and repentance Act. 2.38 Why should they not shewe that they are one body because they eate all of one bread 1 Cor. 10.17 Wherfore the generall body of the Congregation if they may
the Church till it come to vs. And thus we haue seene the outwarde persons with the inwarde answering to them as hath bin touched in the particulars God to his Minister and the inwarde matter to the outwarde in the Church their workes also haue bin considered in parte Now the matter followeth which are the creatures of God put apart for that worke which hee hath ordeyned as water put a part to wash bread and wine put a part to nourishe refreshe and make gladde the hart of man These hauing fitnes in them to that work can euen prouoke vs to the right vse of them as in the Eunuch to desire to be bapt as soone as he came to the water in those to whō Salomō speaketh Pro. 7. who ought to be prouoked whē wisdome hath made readie her wine and furnished her table Nowe these instrumēts are outward signes being so put apart by the Minister as is afore declared being prepared offred deliuered receiued doe liuely represent offer to all and seale vp the true beleeuer by faith God offring giuing the church receyuing of Christ crucified the couenant of God al the promises of the same ratified in him vnto eternal life Here first we must cōsider the proportiō relatiō of the outward matter the applicatiō of the same The signes or outward things haue relatiō vnto Christ crucified the couenaunt of God ratified in him so the water which is a matter apt to wash vs doth hold proportiō with Christ who is apt to wash and cleanse vs 1 Cor. 6.11 so the bread wine being matter fit to nourish vs haue respect to the flesh blood of christ crucified spiritually fullie to nourish vs as the wordes of the institution declare This is my body this is my blood and the bread which we breake is it not the cōmunion of the body of Christ Wee are made to be bapt into one body made to drinke into one spirituall drinke Then the offring and deliuering of these signes hath respect to the offring and deliuring of the things signified noted before by one god in three persons For as we are in bapt baptised vnto the name of the Father Sōne H. Ghost so to be as shall appeare in by Christ the spouse childrē houshold seruants of God so this one God in three persons must offer giue Iesus Christ God man vnto vs which is set forth by the Minister who beareth their authoritie doth performe this outward worke which hath relation to the inward So the Sōne is said Mat. 3. to baptise with the H. Ghost whē he by the H. ghost doeth applie him self as he is god man crucified to wash c. neither can the Father possibly be shutte out who by the Sōne through the H. ghost worketh as they are one as his work is especiallie noted Col. 2. all 3. iointly Tit. 3. are cōprehēded for that work in bapt the like is to be said of the supper of the Lorde for the Father hath sealed vppe the Sonne the true bread from heauen doeth teach vs drawe vs and giue vs it and power to receyue it both in the worde and Sacramentes And the Sonne also giueth his fleshe to be meate in deede and his blood to be drinke in deede both in the worde alone and also in the Sacramentes Iohn 6.27.32.37.40.45.46.57 Whiche place is not proper to that giuen of Christ in the worde alone or in the Sacramentes also but common and generall to both Nowe as the outwarde offring and giuinge hath relation to his inward so also the outward receyuing or hauing applyed hath relation vnto the inwarde So in being Baptised we are saide to put on Christ to be washed with him Gal. 3.27 So in taking and eating the breade we are to receyue turne vnto spirituall nourishment Iesus Christe and therefore it is here saide that we are all made to drinke into one spirite that is into spirituall nourishment out of Christ And this is the true relation betweene the inwarde and outwarde matter with the applying of the same Nowe we must consider the effectes or working of the holy Ghoste by outwarde signes in regarde of the inwarde matter to which they haue relation Where first it is to be noted we speake of the holy Ghost to declare that God hath not giuen the effectes and workings following to these instrumentes as faculties or properties whiche are naturally in them as that water should as well by force inherent in it washe our consciences from dead workes to serue the liuing God as it hath vertue to washe our bodily filthe away and to cleanse vs but onely that God hath chosen them as his instrumentes to worke by not by any propertie in them but by vertue whiche the holy Ghost doeth worke by them so that as Paule sayth of the ministerie of man generallie Paul is nothing in planting nor Apollo in watering but God which giueth the increase the same must likewise be vnderstoode especiallie of the Sacramentes And therefore it is saide Wee are baptised into one body by one spirit so that in deede the whole cause that in Baptisme we are set in the body of Christ is from the H. Ghost Therefore it is sayde Iohn doeth baptise as the Minister with water but Christ as the Lorde with the holy Ghost Mat. 3. therefore all this working of the inward graces is giuen to the holy Ghost 1. Cor. 6. Tit. 5.5.6 and so Paule sheweth he was exhorted to washe away his sinnes in baptisme with calling on the Name of God who only should worke that worke This being learned against the papistes we may knowe that the worke of the Sacramentes commeth not from the very work wrought but from God his spirit working in and by the same and that working is by the worke of faith in Gods children Nowe the effectes of working as they are seales both whiche are distinctlie noted of the Apostle as signes in that by their relatiō with the spiritual matter they do liuely set forth to the vndestanding by many senses as feeling seeing c. the inward spirituall matter to which they haue relation the doctrine of the word of God being anexed so the Passeouer was a signe vpō their hands a frōtlet betwene their eyes that the doctrine of GOD might be in their mouth Whereby we see it is become a schoolemaister by the word more excellent then the word alone that euen the doctrine of god may be more liuelie spoken of Now it is not a signe only to set forth and liuelie represent vnto vs these things by outward meanes but also to offer frō God in trueth all those benefits in Christe which are represented for God doeth not dallie but doeth truely offer in his Sacramentes to all that are admitted vnto them all that whiche is there signified And therefore it is sayde of Sainte Paule That all did eate of that