are those Apostolical Traditions which Christians must obserue THere are sufficient store of examples extant amongest the Fathers and such of the Fathers as aboue a thowsande yeares since deserued publike credit By Tradition ORIGEN (a) in c. 6. ep ad Rom. (b) l. 10. de gen ad lit c. 23. et con Don. lib. 4. c. 24. S. AVSTEN doe teach that Infants are to be baptised S. DENIS (c) de Eccle. hier c. 7. and (d) in exhor ad castit c. 11. et de cor mil. c. 3. et de monog c. 10. TERTVLLIAN do shew that praiers oblations ought to be made at the Altar for them that are departed Hereupon S. HIEROME (e) ad Marcell ep 54. cont erro Montani (f) haeresi 75. Acrii EPIPHANIVS doe plainly affirme that the set fasts of the church especially that of LENTE are to be obserued So in like maner doth Saint AMBROSE (g) in officio Mediolan (h) in Liturgia Saint CHRYSOSTOME auouche the dignitie of those things that are solemnely prosecuted in the holy office of the MASSE Than besides (i). l. 4. c. 17. in orat de Imag. DAMASCEN the Fathers that the second Nicen Councell doth (k) act 6. tom 4. act 7. cite doe witnes by the same reason that the Images of Christ and his Saintes are to be reuerenced Finally to omit all others that great and holy (l). l. de spir sanct c. 27. doctour Saint BASIL affirmeth that the sacred Chrisme other solemne ceremonies vsed in the most holy Sacramentes are holden vpon tradition And the same Sainte addeth (m) Ibidem further If we doe once attempt to refuse the ordinances and customes that are not written as thinges of small moment and importance we shall couertly and by little little fal to disproue the very ratified sentences of the Gospell or rather wee shall bring the preaching thereof to a bare name But I (n) c. 29. clus dem li. saith he doe thinke it Apostolicall to sticke to those Traditions also that are not written 6 How much at this day doe men erre goe astray about Apostolical Ecclesiastical Traditions VEry much no doubt whilest many do despise them others neglecte them or at the least make no more account of them than of the statutes of (a) Ro. 13 1. ciuil Magistrates and faine them to be decrees of meÌ„ which may bee obserued broken at a mans pleasure as being to verie little or no profite at all calling them thinges indifferent Some there are who wil haue all manner of Traditions of like moment and so they doe shamefullie confound certaine places of Scripture as though there were no difference between (b) Math. 15 9. Pharisaicall Traditions and Apostolicall between (c) Col. 2 8.20 Mar. 7 3. Iudaicall and (d) 2. Thes 2 15 Act. 15 42. 16 4 Ecclesiastical betweene priuate particular Traditions and (e) Aug. ep ad Ian. 118. c. 1. 2. epist 86. ad Casul those which being receiued by the coÌ„sent of the whole Church approued so many ages together by the common custome of deuout persons and as it were by hande deliuered ouer vnto vs are found in a maner al the world ouer 7 What is to be thought of such as reiect make no account of the Traditions of the Church THese doth the word of God reproue and condemne when it appointeth Traditions to be (a) 2. Thess 2 15. 1. Cor. 11 2 obserued commaundeth vs to (b) Mat. 18 17. heare the Church and to keepe the (c) Act. 15 42. 16.4 precepts of the Apostles Auncients It is the worde of God that maketh vs subiecte to Magistrates both (d) Ro. 13 1. Mat. 22 21. Ciuil (e) Mat. 23 2. Luc. 10 16. Ecclesiastical to the modest also to the (f) 1. Pet. 2 13. waiwarde for (g) Ro. 13 5. conscience-sake It will haue vs giue both great (h) Tit. 3 1. reuerence and obedience vnto their Lawes (i) He. 13 17 Obay saith it your prelates and be subiect vnto them (k) Mat. 23 2. Al things that they shall say to you obserue yee and doe yee but according to their workes do yee not Wherefore these fellowes doe not only despise men but God (l) 1. Thess 438. 1. Cor. 14 37. himselfe most gratious mighty whom they shoulde heare reuerence in the (m) Ioa. 20 21. 17 18 Luc. 10 16. Apostles their (n) Cyprian epist 69. ad Flor. Pas cap. 23. constitut mon. successours Therefore they do manifestly resist the worde of God whilest they resiste the power and ordinance of God and purchase damnation vnto themselues thereby if we beleeue (o) Ro. 13 2. S. PAVL Vndoudtedly this is the very ordinance of God himselfe which caÌ„not be abolished by any authoritie of man that by certaine Lawes those partly written and partly vnwritten which the Tradition of the (p) Bas de Spir. Sanct. cap. 27. Aug. lib. 4. cont Dona. c. 24. et l. 2. c. 7. et l. 5. c. 23. et 26. Epiph. haeresi 55. Euseb l. 3. histor c. 30. Apostles commendeth vnto vs the Church be gouerned true Doctrine preserued Religion defended Concorde nourished Discipline kept and obserued 8 What hath the iudgement of the Fathers beene about this matter ORIGEN a famous and verie auncient author hath written in these wordes Euerie such onâ— is of vs to bee accounted an (a) In cap. 3. ep ad Tit. teste Pamphilo in apol pro Origen Iten l. 4. c. 43 Hereticke that professeth himselfe to beleeue Christ beleeueth otherwaies of the trueth of Christian faith than hath the definition of the Churches Tradition And the same in an other place That (b). â—l 1. periar in Prooâ— mio only is to be thought the truth saith he which in no pointe disagreeth froÌ„ the Tradition of the Church And it is the speach of S. HIEROME I doe (c) ad Lucinium ep 28 thinke it good to admonishe thee that the customes of the Church espeacially those that are not against faith are so to be obserued as they were deliuered from our auncestors And S. AVGVSTINE (d) ep 118. cap. 5. teacheth in this manner If the authoritie of diuine Scripture doe prescribe any thing there is no doubt but that we ought so to doe as we haue read so in like maner if the Church doe vse any thing through out the worlde for to dispute that a man ought not so to doe were a part of most insolent madnesse And againe the same In (e) ad Casul ep 86. those matters wherin the worde of God hath set downe no certainty the custome of Gods people or the decrees of our Auncestours are to be holden as a lawe And as the transgressours (f) Distinct 11. c. in his of diuine lawes so also the contemners
yet he which professeth himselfe a Catholicke by sending his child or permitting his childe to be sent to such thinges as are indispensably forbidden by God himselfe doth vnnaturally depriue his innocent sonne of that which he coulde not giue him But true it is which our Sauiour saide Luc 16 8. that wiser are the children of this worlde in their generation than the children of lighte But thou deare Brother when thou fallest into any such preuarication thinke assuredly that thy light is beecome darkenes And that in darkenes thou shalte so long remaine vntill thou take away the bushell with thou hast sette before others eies and permit the light to shine to all those of whom thou hast charge But to the intent that thou maiest not onely performe this duety which is necessarily vpon paine of vtter darkenes required of thee but also like vnto a childe of lighte seeke that which is perfect and according to the nature of light liberally endeuour to communicate vnto al meÌ„ that which thou hast thy selfe of God receiued I haue set downe in the margen of this booke all those places of holy Fathers and Scriptures which are in the Lattin to the intent that thou either being assaulted by any aduersary or thy selfe seeking to reschew out of miserable captiuitie any soule maiest haue authorities to alleage for whatsoeuer thou shalt say Of the places of scripture for the most parte I haue quoted the very verse that sodainely thou maiest find that wherin consisteth the force of the proofe Finally I haue added certaine little Kindled sizes to lighten some secrete corners which might otherwise annoy thee All which God graunt that it may to his glory both maintaine and increase the light of thy hart and bring forth in many obscure mindes such brightnes of true beliefe that wee all may worthely walke by the same conforming our liues thereunto That so being made worthy vnto the parte of the loue of the Saints Col. 1 13. in the light we may by him which hath deliuered vs from the power of darkenes be translated at the length into the euerlasting Kingdome of the sonne of his loue where we shall not onely neede neither sunne nor moone but we shal receiue that perfecte light of the Lambe by whome onely as we haue bene redeemed so must we also be glorified The Printer to the Reader VVHereas there is promised thee about the latter end of the booke a Treatise of seruice and scripture in the vulgar tongue know thou that by reason of the continuall warres in this Countrey and the manifolde difficulties which all those that liue here-about doe feele I haue bene constrained to finish this worke without ful accomplishment of my promise and purpose But thou in the meane time enioy this my present which I make thee if I shall perceiue that this my labour is grateful vnto thee then shalt thou in the next edition receiue a perfect recompence for this my defaulte I haue also set down a Catalogue of the Fathers and Doctours which are in this Booke alleaged that thou maiest see how auncient defendours we haue of the Catholike truth which in deede neither could be Catholicke if it had not antiquitie with it neither can want antiquitie if it be Catholicke So that in my iudgement two principall thinges thou shalt finde in this Booke of themselues sufficient to confirme thy owne Faith and to confound the negatiue Religion of al aduersaries The first is the very naked sincere truth very plainly expresly set downe The second is the multitude of witnesses of her sinceritie For the innocency of truth is such that it presently coÌ„mendeth it selfe vnto the beholder and discouereth all malicious slaunders which when they growe vnto most intollerable impudency cannot yet abide the force and maiesty of so vnspotted testimonies against which there cannot be taken any exception This whereas I my selfe haue founde in the perusing of this worke I could not but imparte vnto thee my minde and iudgemente Fare-well A CATALOGVE OF FATHERS AND COVNcelles which are cited in this Booke according to the diuerse ages in which they liued THE Holy BIBLE * The first age beginning from the Birth of CHRIST The APOSTLES and their Canons Philo Iudaeus S. Martialis S. Dionysius Areopagit Episc Mart. S. Clemens Pont. Mart. S. Ignatius Episc Mart. S. Anacletus Pont. Mar. Iosephus Iudaeus * The Second Age Anno. Dom. 100. S. Euaristus Pont. Mart. S. Alexand. Pont. Mart. S. Sixtus 1. Pont. Mart. S. Telesph Pont. Mart. S. Higinus Pont. Mart. S. Iustinus Philosophus Mart. S. Soter Pont. Mart. S. Irenaeus Episc Mart. Clemens Alexandrinus * The Thirde Age Anno. Dom. 200. Tertullianus S. Calixtus Pont. Mart. Origenes S. Vrbanus Pont. Mart. S. Hippolit Episc Mart. S. Fabianus Pont. Mart. S Cornel Pont. Mart. S. Cyprian Episc Mart. S. Foelix 1. Pont. Mart. S. Caius Pont. Mart. * The Fourth Age Anno. Dom. 300. S. Marcell Pont. Mart. S. Euseb Pont. Mart. Concilium Ancyranum S. Melchia Pont. Mart. Concilium Neocaesatiense Reticius AugustoduneÌ„sis Lactantius Firmianus S. Siluester Pontifex The I. generall Councell of Nice Eusebius Caesatiensis Conc. RomanuÌ„ sub Siluest Concilium Elibertinum ConciliuÌ„ Arelatense 1. 2 Concilium Gangrense Concilium Carthaginense S. Marcus Pontifex S. Athanasius Episc S. Iulius 1. Pontifex Eusebius Emisenus Episc S. Hilarius Episc Concilium Antiochenum S. Liberius Pont. S. Felix 2. Mart. Ioannes Climachus Concilium Laodicenum Iouinianus Imperator S. Damasus Pont. The II. generall Councell of Constantinople Concilium Valentinum Optaâ—us Mileuitanus S. Pacianus Episc S. Cyrillus Hierosol Episc S. Ambrosius Episc Prudentius S. Didymus Alexandrinus S. Basilius Magnus Episc S Gregor Nazian Episc S Epiphanius Episc S. Siricius Pont. S. Essraem S Amphilochius Episc S. Gregor Nyssenus Episc S. Io. Chrysostomus Episc Ruffinus S. Hieronymus Theoph. AlexaÌ„drin Episc Chromat Aquiliens Episc Concilium Carthag 2. 3. 4. 5. Concilium Toletanum 1. Isychius * The Fifthe Age Anno. Dom. 400. S. Augustinus Episc S. Innocentius Pont. Concilum Mileuitanum S. Paulinus Episc Seuerus Sulpitius Honorius Theodosius Imperatores S. Sozimus Pont. Postidonius Episc Concilium Telense Maximus Episc Ioannes Cassianus Socrates Sozomenus Cyrillus Alexandr Episc Theodoretus Episc The III. general Councell of Ephesus Vincentius Lirinensis Concilium Agathense S. Leo Magnus Pont. Victor Africanus Episc Conc. Ara ca nuÌ„ 1. 2. Concilium Vasense 1. 2 Valentinianus Martianus Imperatores The IIII. general CouÌ„cell of Chalcedon S. Prosper Episc Concilium Turonense 1. S. Hilarius Pont. S. Petrus Chrysol Episc S. Gelasius 1. Pont. S. Fulgentius Episc Concilium Epaunense * The sixth Age Anno. Dom. 500. Concilium Aurelianense 1 Iustinianus Imperator Cassiodorus The V. generall Councell of Constantinople Concilium Aurelianense 3 Concilium Turonense 2. Andreas Hierosol Episc Cretensis Euagrius Epiphanensis S. Greg. magnus Pont. S. Greg. Turonensis Episc *
people And if by salte sprinckled by Heliseus the Prophet the barrennes of the water was healed how much more the same salte being cōsecrated with diuine praiers taketh away the barrennes of humane things sanctifieth those which are defiled and clenseth and purgeth and multiplieth other good thinges and turneth away the deceites of the Deuill and defendeth men from the craftines of the euill ghost For if by the touching of the Mat. 9 11. hemme of the garment of our Sauiour wee doe not doubte but that the diseased were cured how much more by the vertue of his holy wordes are his elementes consecrated by which humane frailty doth receiue healthe both of bodie and soule Thus farre S. Alexander in his Epistle The like is to be saied Vide Clem. Dion Bas vbi supr Aug. tra 118. in Io. Hier. in vita Hylar of holy Oile Aug. l. 2. de pec mer. cap. 26. Paulin. ep ad Alip Roman holy Bread Strab. cap. 30. Conc. 4. Tolet. cap. 8 Zozim in Pont. holy Cādells Vide Maxim in hom de die Ciner Palm holy Ashes holy Palmes such other in euery one of which is some holy signification either of spirituall medicine or of celestiall food or heauenly glory or penance or victorie and triumph ouer the Deuill Which sanctification and deputatiō of Gods creatures to certaine vses for Gods owne glory and the spirituall and corporall good of Christians if it were superstitious then would not God haue prescribed in the olde Num. 5 14. Testamēt waters of ielosie Num. 19 17. Heb. 9 13. waters of expiation by sprinckling neither would Eliseus haue vsed salte 4. Reg. 2 21. to sweetē miraculouslye the infected waters neither would he haue sent Ibid. 5 10. Naaman to washe himselfe seauē times in Iordan neither should Christs Apostles haue vsed oile to Mar. 6 13. cure the sicke Nor the Angell Raphael Tob. 6 8 with the liuer of the fish haue driuē away the Deuill nor Dauid 1. Reg. 16 23. with his Harpe haue kepte the euill spirit frō Saull Yea nor our Sauiour him selfe both in Sacraments and out of them occupied diuerse of his creatures for the manifold good of mākinde and his miraculous operations That we may omitte the purging of veniall quotidian sinnes Vide. S. Thom. 3. part qu. 87. artic 3. Dom. Soto 4 d 15. qu. 2. dist 3. de cons can Aquam See the Test of Rhemes page 575. which is by these Sacramentall thinges bestowed vpon vs not only by the increase of our faith feruour deuotion which is procured by the vsing of them but also by the high autority of the chiefe Ministers of the Church granting vs the same as Saint Gregory Lib. 7. ep 126. lib. 9. ep 60. vsed whē he sent any holy tokens nowe is vsed besides the things aboue remēbred in hallowed memories of our religion 4 But wherefore doe wee accounte one place more holy than another VVHo-soeuer deniethe that one place in holinesse exceedeth another knoweth not the Scriptures which in respect of the apparitions made by God in diuerse places attribute a certaine holinesse vnto them And oftentimes in confirmation thereof imposeth Gen. 22 14. 35 16 vpon such places names to signify the presence of Gods power therein Yea our Sauiour saieth Mat. 25 17. that the temple sanctifieth the golde the Aultar the gifte signifying thereby an extraordinarie holinesse in the temple 2. Pet. 1 18. Hier. ep 17. S. Peter calleth the mount Thabor because of the transfiguration of CHRIST therein the holy Hill That we need not Vide Hier. vbi supra epist 17. in Epita Paulae to doubt but the like holinesse is to bee attributed to the places of his Natiuitie Passion Buriall Resurrection and Ascension For this cause was Moises Exo. 3 5. Act. 7 33. cōmanded to loose his shooes from his feete because the place wherein he stoode was holy groūd And by the like apparition made by an Angell vnto Iosue Ios 5 15. the like holines was caused in the place For this cause in the olde Temple was euen priuate praiers 3. Reg. 8 30. 2. Par. 6 21. 3. Reg. 9 3. Esa 56 7. Mat. 21 13. vide 1. Reg. 1 11. 2. Reg. 7 18. 1. Par. 21. 30 Luc. 2 37. 18 10. Act. 8 27. made as in a place speaciallie dedicated vnto praier and therefore called a house of Praier And Daniel being Dan. 6 10. 3. Reg. 8 48. 2. Par. 6 37. in Babilon a captiue opening his window praied toward Hierusalem according to the commō custome of the Iewes and S. Peter and S. Ihon Act. 3 1. went vp into the Temple to pray For this cause are and alwaies haue beene amongst Christians certaine particuler 1. Cor. 11 18.22.34 et 14 34. Clem. l. 10. recogn Eus lib. 2. c. 17. ex Philo. Iust in apol 2. Tert. lib. cont Valētinianos Cypr. ser de eleemosyn Greg. Neoc apud Euseb lib. 7. hist ca. 25. vide ibi cap. 26. secundū editionē Ruffin places seuered frō the common and prophane vse to the religion and worship of God which therefore and for the solemne consecration dedication of the same by Gods chiefe ministers haue alwaies bene esteemed of a singuler kinde of holinesse And that very worthelie For vnlesse God were in a more speaciall manner in the Church than in other places the Apostle woulde not haue proued God to dwel in his faithfull people after a peculiar 1. Cor. 3 16 6 19. 2. Cor. 6.16 Vide Aug l. ◠ad Simplic q 4. manner by his dwelling in thē as in a temple How often in the Scripture do we reade of the holinesse of the Temple and of Sancta Sanctorum And God promised 3. Reg. 9 3. to heare easely the praiers of his people offered vp to him in his temple not that he doth 1. Tim. 2 8. not heare euery where if he be Io. 4 23. worshipped in spirit and truth that is with the spirituall and inwarde disposition of his holy faith and loue and with an humble harte not neglecting See before page 366. also in time and place the outwarde ceremonies gestures and words or that he may be cōprehended in a Church made with hands Act. 7 48 whereas he filleth both heauen and earth but because it pleaseth him for our profitte to worke his wonders and to be worshipped rather in holy places thā in prophane And what maruaile if these places being once consecrated Euseb l. 9 hist cap. 10. lib. 4. de vita Const Ath. in apol ad Const Bas in Psal 114. Naz. orat in nouam Dominicam Soz. lib. 4. c. 13. Amb. l. 1. ep 5. ser 92. Gaud tract 4. de Dedic Aug. ser de temp 251. seq Gelas ep 1. Foelix 4. in ep Prosp de promiss part 3. c. 38. and dedicated vnto God haue in them a certaine heauenly vertue when the thinges which are prophanely to be vsed be 1. Tim. 4
OF FAITH AND OF THE CREED 1 Who is to be called a (a) Act. 11 26. 1. Pet. 4 16. Christian HEE which doeth professe the holesome doctrine of Iesus Christ true God and man in his (b) Athanas contr Arrianos orat 2. Cypr. lib. 4. ep 2. de simp praelat Ignat. ad Magnes Aug. tract 113. in Ioa. ser 181. de temp ca. 12. Ench. cap. 5. Tert. lib. de praescript Church He therefore which is a true Christian doth vtterly condemne and detest all other Religions and Sectes that are else-where to be found in any Nation or cuntrey out of the doctrine Church of Christ as the Iewishe Heathenishe Turkishe or hereticall Secte And doth firmely staie himselfe in the very Doctrine of Christ 2 In what briefe summe may Christian Doctrine be comprehended THat a Christian do know obserue those things which do belong both to (a) Ecli 1 3◠wisedom Iustice Wisedome as S. Austen (b) Lib. 2. Retract cap. 63. Ench. cap. 2. 3. sheweth consisteth in the vertues Theological (c) 1. Cor. 13 13. Faith Hope Charitie which are both infused by God (c) 1. Cor. 13 13. beeing purely most feruently practised in this life they doe make men blessed diuine Iustice standeth in (d) Pros sen 98. ex Aug. two parts in declining frō euil doing good For hereūto belongeth that which the kingly Prophet saith (e) Psal 33 15. 36 27 1. Pet. 3 10. Turne from euill doe good Now out of these fountains to wit Wisedome and Iustice other things are easily drawē deduced whatsoeuer do appertaine to Christian Instruction Ro. 10 14. Heb. 11 6. Aug. serm 38. de temp sermo 1. de verbis Apost cap. 4. Leo. ser 4. de nat Dom. and Discipline 3 What is first taught in Christian Doctrine FAith that very gate entrāce to our saluation without the which none in this life can find cal vpō serue please almighty god For he that cōmeth to god must beleue (a) He. 11 6. saith the Apostle And (b) Mar. 16 16. he that beleeueth not shal be condemned is (c) Io. 3 18. already Iudged by the sentence of Christ 4 What is vnderstoode by the name of Faith A (a) Eph. 2 8. Heb. 11 1. Basil ser de fidei conf Ber. ep 190. Aug. cont ep sund c. 5. gifte of God and a light wherewith man beeing illuminated doth firmely assent cleaue vnto those things which are reuealed by God proposed vnto vs by the Church to be beleeued As are these that followe That God is (b) 1. Io. 5 7. one in three persons that the world was (c) Gen. 1 1. Io. 1 14. Luc. 2 7. Rom. 3 8. created of nothing that god was made mā suffered death for our sakes that MARY (d) Conc. Eph. cap. 13. Luc. 1 35. 1. Cor. 15 51. Io. 3 5. is both a Virgine the mother of God that all the deade are to be raised againe to life that man is borne againe of Water and the holie Ghost that Christ is wholly in the (e) Conc. Constantie Flor. Trid. B. Sacrament and other such of like sorte that are the reuerend mysteries of our religion which being reuealed by God cannot be comprehended by mans (f) Eccli 3 22. 2. Cor. 10 5. capacity but maie be conceiued onlie by faith Whereupō the Prophet saith (g) Esa 7 9. secundū 70. Basil in Psa 115. in moral Reg. 80. cap. 21. Greg. ho. 26. in Euang. Chrys in 1. ad Cor. homil 4. Vnlesse ye will beleeue yee shall not vnderstand For faith respecteth not the order of nature neither doth shee trust to experience of senses or relie vpon the might or reason of man but vpon the power authority of God holding this as a most vndoubted verity that the most soueraigne eternal trueth which is God cā neither deceiue nor euer be deceiued Wherfore it is the very cōdition property of faith to bring all vnderstanding into (h) 2. Cor. 10 5. captiuitie vnto the obedience of Christ with whom there is no (i) Lu. 1 37. Hier. 32 27. worde that is hard to be done much lesse impossible This (k) Euseb Emis ho. 2. de symb Cyr. catech 5. Illum Chrys serm de fide spe charit Cyril lib. 4. in Ioa. ca. 9. faith is the light of the soule the dore or entrance to life the foundation of eternal saluation 5 Is there any brief cōprehēsion of Faith and summe of all those thinges that we must beleeue There is that which the twelue Apostles haue deliuered in their Creed and which they haue aptely distinguished into twelue Sections and Articles A worke doubtlesse worthy of such (a) Clem. ep 1. ad sr Do. Amb. ep 81. serm 38. Aug. serm 181. de tēp Ruf. in sym Iren. lib. 1. c. 2. l. 3. c. 4. Hieron ad Pammach aduers errores Ioā Hieros cap. 9. Leo. ser 11. de pass ep 13. ad Pulc ser cont Eutyc Maxim ser de traditione symb The Creede is expoūded by these Authors following Cyril in Catech illum Chrys ho. 1. 2. in sym Aug in Enc. ad Laurent in lib. 4. de symb ad Catech. lib. de sid symb ser 115. 119. 123. 125. 131. 181. 192. 193. 194. de tēp Euseb Emi. ho. 1. 2. in symb Chrysol ser 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. Max. ho. 1. de diuersis authors which next vnto Christ our Lord were the principall and most holy founders of the Christian faith And this Creed surely is as it were a plaine euident marke whereby christians are to be distinguished discerned from those wicked persons which doe professe either none at all or not the right faith of Christ 6 Which be the Articles of this Creede I Beleeue in God the Father Almighty maker of Heauen earth 2 And in IESVS CHRIST his onely Sonne our Lorde 3 Which was conceived by the holie Ghost borne of the VIRGINE MARY 4 Suffered vnder PONTIVS PILATE was crucified dead buried 5 He descended into hell the third day he rose againe from the dead 6 Hee ascended into Heauen and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almightie 7 From thence he shal come to iudge the quicke and the deade 8 I beleeue in the Holy Ghost 9 The holy Catholicke Church the communion of Saints 10 The forgiuenesse of sinnes 11 The resurrection of the fleshe 12 And the life euerlasting Amen 7 To what end specially are these wordes of the Creede TO this end surely Hier. 9 23. Io. 17 3. 1. Cor. 2 2. 1. Pet. 1 8. cap. 13 1. that we may haue comprehended in a briefe summe the true knowledge of god of heauenly things which knowledge truly is necessary to euery mā that he may liue wel happily And in this Creed the acknowledging confessing
Faelix 4. ep 1. S. Bened. in Reg. cap. 17. Damas in Alex. Sixto 1. Telesph Foelice 1. Item ep 4. Carth. 2. cap. 3. Agath cap. 21. 47. Amb. lib. 5. ep 33. Aug. ser 91. 237. cap. 8. 251. de temp Conc. Milcu cap. 12. 4. Carth. cap. 84. Leo. ep 81. ad Diosc 88. ad Episc Gall. Germ. Victor Vtic. lib. 2. Cassia lib. 3. de ordine Psal Greg. lib. 1. ep 12. lib. 4. ep 10. Conc. Rom. sub Sylu. Ilerd cap. 4. Valent. cap. 1. Aurel. 1. cap. 18. of the Masse if we weigh the whole matter vprightly is in trueth a certaine holy and liuely representation and also an vnbloody and effectuall oblation of our Lords Passion of that bloody Sacrifice which was offered for vs vpon the Crosse Wherby first it cōmeth to passe that a liuely memory faith gratitude from vs towardes our Redemer is daily stirred vp and confirmed according to that Doe this (v) Luc. 22 19. 1. Cor. 11 24. for a commemoration of me Of which words the Church hath bene such a diligent interpretor that she hath in such sort ordained all externall furniture belonging vnto this vnbloody Sacrifice holy (x) De Caeremon Missae Dion eccles hier cap. 3. Isid Alcuin Remig. Raban Amal. Rupert Innoc. 3. Con. Trid. ses 22. c. 5. can 7. Chry. hom 3. 14 Eph. Prud. in perist hym 2. Opt li. 6. Hier. ad Theoph. ante libros eius pascha Cyr. catech 5. myst Clem. ep 2. ad frat Dom. Beda l. 1. hist Angl. cap. 29. Vestiments Vessels Ceremonies and al manner of actions that the standers by may haue nothing else to behold but that holy commemoration and the maiestie of so greate a Sacrifice may be the more set forth and the mindes of the faithfull by meanes of these exteriour signes and helpes more easilye lifted vp and as it were leade with the hande to the meditation of Heauenlye thinges which do lye hidde in this Sacrifice Also hereby it cōmeth to passe that the fruite of the oblation of Christ made vpon the Crosse and of our Redemption may be applied vnto vs and to all the faithfull as well aliue as (y) Cypr. ep 66. Chrys ho. 41. in 1. Cor. 21. in Act. Damasc or de defunct Aug. de cura cap. 1. serm 32. de verb. Apost cap. 1. 2. lib. 9. Conf. cap. 11. 12. 13. Epiph cont Acr. haeres 75. deade For which cause * Serm. de caena Dom. vide Iac. in Liturg. Basil Chrysost S. CYPRIAN giueth testimonie that this Sacrament is both a medicine and a holocaust to heale infirmities and to purge iniquities And MARTIAL the disciple of the (z) Ad Burdegal cap. 3. vide Hier. in Tit. 1. Amb. 1. offic cap. 48. in Ps 38. Alex. ep 1. 2. Naz. orat 3. Aug. ser 4. de Innoc. 3. Braccar cap. 1. Greg. ho. 37. in Euang Trid. sess 22. c. 2. Apostle S. PETER writeth thus That which the Iewes vpon enuie did sacrifice thinking therby to blot out his name vpon earth that same doe we for our saluation offer vpon a sanctified Aultar knowing well that by this only remedy life is giuen vnto vs and death put to flight Wee omit other Fathers witnesses of the same faith and doctrine that we may keepe that breuitie that we purposed in the beginning By all which thinges it is apparantly euident that Christ two sundry waies is called and is in deede for vs a Sacrifice to wit after a bloody (a) Conc. Ephes in ep ad Nest 2. Synod Nic. act 6. tom 3 Aug. contr Faust l. 20. cap. 21. an vnbloody maner For he offered (b) Eph. 5.2 Heb. 10 14. himselfe a bloody sacrifice for vs vpon the Crosse that vnto the tipe of the Pascall Lambe which was offered (c) Ex. 12 3. Mar. 14 12. among the Iewes he the true Lambe without spot the very truth vnto the figure might answere But at the last supper (d) Euseb l. idem ca. 10. Naz. orat 4. in carm ad Episc ad Constātinop Nyss orat 1. in resur Christ as also vpon the Aultar his pleasure was that the same shoulde be offered after a manner and ceremonie vnbloody euen as S. CYRIL (e) Ep. 10. ad Nest interp Anat. 11 calleth it to the intent that the oblation of (f) Gen. 14 18. Heb. 7 1 Psal 109 4. Hier. in Mat 26. Oecum in Heb. 5. Sedul lib. 3. oper Pasch Cla. Marius lib. 3. in Gen Melchizedech who offered bread wine might be made perfite he remaine true Preist according to the order of Melchizedech and his Preisthood continue foreuer without any other to succeede in his roome There once (g) Heb. 9 25 10.14 and at one onlie place of Iudea he offered his Sacrifice whereof S. PAVL writing vnto the Hebrues doth discourse but here he is sacrificed (h) Chry. ho 17. ad Heb. Aug. ep 23. Theo. in ca. 5 7. 10. ad Heb. item Oecum Photius more often and in euery place to wit all ouer the Church as it is confirmed by the (i) Mal. 1 11 Prophet MALACHIE There he was offered vnto death and here for a perpetuall and liuely remembrance of his death (k) Pet. Clū lib. 1. ep 2. an holsome participatiō therof which floweth from thence as it were frō the head vnto the mēbers to the intent that the fruit effect of that sacrifice offered vpon the crosse might be dailie exhibited and applied vnto vs by this sacrifice of the Masse 8 Is the Eucharist to be receiued vnder one kinde only as of bread or vnder both kindes of bread and wine FOR asmuch as belongethe to Priests or those that sacrifice it is manifest that they must receiue the Sacramēt vnder both kinds whereas otherwise they cannot orderly either consecrate or offer the Eucharist The reason wherof depending of the nature of the sacrifice it selfe there is no neede to alleadge in this place But concerning the rest of the faithfull which doe not themselues sacrifice we must thus much confesse that they are not bounde by any diuine commandement to receiue the Blessed Sacrament vnder both kindes but that it is sufficient for their saluation to communicate vnder one kinde For if we looke into the state of the primitiue Church we shall finde that it was ministred vnto the faithfull sometime vnder one (a) Tert. lib. 2. ad vxor c. 5. Cyp. ser 5. de lapsis Orig. ho. 13 in Exo. Bas in ep ad Caesariā Hier. apol contr Iouin cap. 6. Petr. Clun l. 1. mirac c. 1. and sometime vnder both kindes And if we goe vnto the holy Scripture it doth in such (b) 1. Cor. 10 16. 11 26. Act. 2 42. maner speake of this Sacrament that it vseth to make mention sometime of the bread and the cuppe sometime of the bread only For where we reade
exclameth the Ecclesiasticus Of (k) Eccli 5 4.5 Eccle. 9 1. vide Aug de perf lust cap 15. de corr gra c. 13. ho. 41. ex 50. ser 3. de Innoc Greg. li. 16. mor. c. 3. the remission of sinne be thou not without feare neither doe thou adde sinne vpon sinne And doe not say the mercie of our Lorde is great he will haue compassion vpon the multitude of my sinnes For mercie and anger doe soone approche frō him his anger doth looke vpon sinners rightly therfore saith the Prophet I will sing mercie (l) Ps 100 1. Bern. ser 52. ex paruis ser 6. in Cāt. Aug. de vtil poenit c. ult iudgement vnto thee o Lord. then in an other place The (m) Ps 98 4 honour of the King loueth iudgement 4 How doth a man sinne against the holy Ghost by desperation VVHen the contrarie vice vnto presumption Aug. ser 58. de temp in Psal 50. Greg. lib. 5. mor. c. 14. Isid lib. 2. de sum bo c. 14 Chry. ho. 2. in Psal 50. Ber. ser 5. de nat Dom. whereof we spake before doth so possesse the minde of a man that he casteth off all hope either of obtaining pardone before God or of attaining vnto life euerlasting After this sort sinned CAIN by despaire as himselfe testifieth by his speeche when he saith (a) Gen. 4 13 Bern. ser 11. in Cant. Greater is my iniquity than that I may deserue pardon Thus sinned also IVDAS that Traitour (b) Mat. 27 3. Act. 1 18. Ephes 4 19. 2. Reg. 2 26. vnto Christ at what time he being moued with despaire of saluatiō like an vnhappy wretch hanged himselfe But doubtlesse (c) Ezec. 18 21.27 33 11. 1. Io. 1 7.9 2 1. Hier. 3 1. Esa 1 18. Ps 144 8. Eccli 17 20.27 there is no penance too late as is manifest by the (d) Luc. 23 40. Aug. li. 1. retr c. 19. de cor gr ca. 15. ser 181. de tēp c. 16. Leo. ep 91. ad Theo. Conc. Trid. ses 14. cap. 7. example of that thiefe which vpon the Crosse euen in those last momentes of his life obtained great grace heauenly glory at the handes of Christ 5 When doth hee that oppugneth the trueth sin against the holy-Ghost VVHē * Leo. ep 10. ad Flau. c. 1. Aug. de Gē ad lit l. 7. c. 9 tra 18. in Euang. Ioa. de vtil cre ca. 1. l. 18. ciu ca. 51. lib. 21. c. 25. that trueth which cōcerneth the estate of Faith Religiō not of ignorance but of malice is purposely impugned that thereby the sinceritie of Catholike veritie may be blemished Of this sinne were the Pharisies (a) Mat. 12 24. 15 2. 21 45. 22 15. Io. 7 48. 12 10.19 guiltie whose chiefest care we see to haue bene as malitiously as falsly to blaspheme Christ to persecute the doctrine of the Gospell and to suppresse the testimonie (b) Act. 4 16. 5 18. of the Apostles and that euen against their own consciences Not vnlike vnto these are they that are said by the Prophet to sitte in the (c) Psal 1 1. chaire of pestilence and are called by S. PETER (d) 2. Pet. 2 1 lying maisters that doe bring in Sects of perdition Finally by S. (e) Tit. 3 10. PAVL Heretickes men corrupted (f) 2. Tim. 3 8. in mind reprobate concerning the faith attending (g) 1. Tim. 4 1. to spirites of errour subuerted condemned by their owne (h) Tit. 3 11 iudgement Among whom may be numbred that same seducer ELIMAS whom S. PAVL publikelie reprehending saide with great vehemencie O full (i) Act. 13 10. of all guile and all deceipte sonne of the deuill enemie of all iustice thou ceasest not to subuerte the right waies of our Lorde To this kind also is referred Blasphemie (k) Mat. 12 31 of the Spirite which sinne Christ doth greatly rebuke in the Iewes and maketh it worse then other sinnes And woulde to God that this sinne did not raigne in these our daies For against the holy Ghost doe they also blaspheme as writeth DAMASVS (l) Apud Gratianum 25. quaest 1. violatores who against the holy Canons of the Fathers endited by the instinct of the holy Ghost doe any thing willingly or malepertly or presume to speake or wilfully giue their consent to thē that haue a minde so to doe For it is manifest that such a presumption is one kinde of the blasphemies against the holy Ghost thus saith DAMASVS 6 How is Enuie of brotherly grace a sinne against the holy Ghost Aug. li. 1. de ser Dom. in monte cap. 22. 1. retr cap 19. VVHen we are striken with a greate greife and sorowe because of the splendor encrease of vertues Gods guiftes in which our brother doth excell Which sinne seemeth to be rather proper vnto the Deuill than vnto man whereas the Deuill doth most wrathfully take the encrease and continuance of (a) Sap. 2 24 the grace of God in man and for that cause he is not only an accuser (b) Apoc. 12 10. of our brethren but also an implacable aduersarie (c) 1. Pet. 5 8. of God of all good men who as a roring Lion goeth about seeking whom hee maye deuour There were among the Iewes such sonnes of Satan who did altogether enuie vnto the Gentiles the lately springing grace of the Gospell as we read in the Acts (d) Act. 11 2. 13 45. Gen. 4 5. of the Apostles 7 What kind of obstinacie is that which is a sinne against the holy Ghost Aug. in Enc. cap. 83. in Ps 58. conc 1. Greg. ho. 11. in Ezech. Bern. li. 1. de consid ca. 2. in ser de conuers ad Cler. cap. 4. THat certes which beareth an obstinate minde against him that giueth him good admonition so that he will not suffer him selfe by any meanes to be withdrawne from his damnable course With this sinne was King PHARAO (a) Exod. 7 seq Aug. quaest 18. 24. in Exod. ser 88. de temp Gerg 31. mor. c. 11 l. 11. ca. 5. notably attainted who although he were so often admonished by MOYSES and sometimes afflicted with very sore scourges frō God yet notwithstanding in his tirannicall purpose he (b) Exod. 14. obstinatly persisted and perished Famous also was that (c) Hier. 5 3. 8 5. Esa 48 4. Zach. 7 11. Gen. 49 7. incorrigible obstinacie of the Iewes whom S. STEVEN painting out as it were in their colours saith With a (d) Act. 7 51. hardnecke and with vncircumcised eares you haue all waies resisted the holy Ghost And not vnlike vnto them are those at this day that being addicted vnto new sectes may not abide so much as to heare or reade anye Catholike instructions but euen like to the serpent (e) Psal 57 5 called
(n) 2. Cor. 10 8. 13 10. hath God giuen this power to edification and not to destruction Moreouer to the intente that the stubbourne and rebellious persons may feele that (o) Mat. 18 17. et ibi Hieron power of chastising and excommunication which Christ hath ordained and Sainte * 1. Cor. 5 3. 1. Tim. 1 20. PAVL exercised and by the same may be corrected repressed Here vpon (p) l. de fid et op c. 5. 3. l. 3. con Parm. c. 2. Greg. ho. 26 in Euang. Chrysost l. 3. de Sacerd. S. AVGVSTINE they saith he that gouern in the Church maye exercise discipline so it bee without tumulte and in peaceable manner against the wicked outragious Wherfore in all these thinges to omit many others it is manifest that the Churches authoritie is not only profitable but also necessarie so that without the same doubtlesse the Christian common welth might be thought nothing els but a very Babylonical confusion And therefore as we doe beleeue the Scripture and relie vpon it and attribute vnto it speaciall authoritie for the testimony of the holy Ghost speaking (q) 2. Pet. 1 19. 2. Tim. 3.16 Mat. 18 17. Io. 14 16.26 16 12. within it so also doe we owe faith reuerence and obedience to the Church for that by Christ her heade and spouse she is informed endowed confirmed with the (r) Act. 2 4. Eph. 4 4. same spirite so that it is not possible but that she be as she is called the (Å¿) 1. Tim. 3 15. Piller and grounde of truth 17 What is the fruite and commoditie of the whole doctrine touching the preceptes Traditions of the Church IT is certes very greate and full of variety And surely the first is that we may knowe that we are not tied to letters only or to diuine Scriptures For to vse the words of Saint Ireneus (a) Lib. 3. c. 4 Epi. haer 61. What if the Apostles had lefte vs no Scriptures must we not haue haue followed the order of Tradition which they deliuered vnto them to whom they committed the Churches therfore hath S. BASILL (b) Lib. de spir sanct c. 27. saide very well The verities which are helde and taught in the Church some we haue out of the doctrine set forth in writing some wee haue receiued from the Tradition of the Apostles in mysterie that is in hidden and secrete manner Both which haue equall force and authoritie to the furtherance of pietie And these no man will gainesay that hath beene but euen meanly experienced what the lawes of the Church are And it caÌ„ not be doubted but that (c) Io. 20 30 21.25 Aug. ep 108 ad seleucianam Christ and his Apostles both did taught many thinges which although they are not written yet they doe very much appertaine vnto vs and all posteritie Of which S. PAVLL (d) Phil. 4 8. warning vs in generall saith For the rest brethren what thinges soeuer be true whatsoeuer honest whatsoeuer iust whatsoeuer holye whatsoeuer amiable whatsoeuer of good name if there be any vertue if any praise of discipline these thinges thinke vpon which you haue both learned and receiued and heard and seene in me these thinges doe you and the God of peace be with you The next commoditiy of them is that we may rightly vse Christian libertie which men giuen to idlenesse and riote if euer at any time now most of all doe make an occasion to the fleshe as the (e) Gal. 5 13 2. Pet. 2 19. Apostle speaketh vnder pretence thereof they serue their filthy pleasures whatsoeuer in a manner they haue a fancie vnto though it concerne euen the alteration of the decrees of Religion they thinke it lawfull for them to doe Aug. ep 118 cap. 1. 5. But froÌ„ this prophane noueltie and rashnesse the Apostolicall and Ecclesiasticall Doctrines decrees do call away defend terrifie vs bridling mans licentiousnesse teaching vs to vse Christian liberty in a coÌ„uenient sort to wit so that (f) 1. Pet. 1 18. Ro. 6 18.22 Gal. 3 13. 4 31. Ro. 8 2. being made free by Christ froÌ„ the yoke of sinne bondage of the olde lawe we may willingly of our (g) Psa 53 8. Col. 3 23. Luc. 1 71. 2. Cor. 3 17 Ro. 6 22. 1. Cor. 9 19. 1. Pet. 1 22. 2 20. Luc. 21 19. Mat. 4 1.7 16 14. owne accorde performe Christian dutie we may serue God in holinesse and iustice we may followe the holy Ghost as our guide in the lawe of Charitie being the seruauntes of iustice the sonnes of obedience the practisers of humilitie the keepers of patience and louers of penance and of the Crosse You saith the (h) Gaâ—l 5 1â— Apostle are called into libertie only make not this libertie an occasioÌ„ to the flesh but by charitie of spirite serue one another To the nourishing maintenaÌ„ce of which charitie of spirite in the dutifulnesse of an holy seruitude both all honest thinges are profitable and the deuoute obseruation of the Tradition of the Church is vndoubtedlye most auaileable The last vse and commoditye is that we may truly discerne betwene the lawfull and bastarde children of the Church or betwene Catholikes and Heretikes For (i) Vincen. Liren the first doe simply stay them selues in the doctrine of the Church whether the same be deliuered vnto them in writing as in the Bible or approued by the TraditioÌ„ of the Fathers For they doe followe the worde of God Doe (k) Pro. 22 28. Eccli 8 11. Deut. 32 7. Hier. c 16. not goe beyond the auncient boundes which thy Fathers haue set But the other which are Heretickes doe swarue from this simplicitie of faith from the approued sentence of our reuerende mother the Church of the holy Fathers and they trust to much either vnto them selues or to those that haue reuolted from the Church insomuch as euen being warned they doe not come backe amend their error And therfore of them hath Saint PAVL so seuerely decreed when he saith A man (l) Tit. 3 10. that is an Hereticke after the first and second admonition auoide knowing that he that is such a one is subuerted And to conclude with (m) ad Pompeium S. CYPRIAN whosoeuer hath reuolted from the vnitie of the Church he must needes be founde in the company of Heretickes 18 What finally is the summe of all the premises THose thinges that from the beginninge hetherto haue bene handled touchinge the summe of Christian doctrine doe tend to this end that the true wisdome of a Christian man might be described and set before vs which is comprehended in these three (a) Aug. l. 2. tetr c. 63. vertues (b) 1. Cor. 13 13. 2. Tim. 2 22 faith hope charitie By faith the soule doth (c) Heb. 11.1 firmlie consent vnto Gods truth and relie vpon the same By hope
she doth yet more (d) Gal 5 5. neerelye apprehend the goodnesse of Almightie God knowne now and conceiued by faith finally (e) Ro. 8 38. Io. 14 21.23 Ro. 13 8. Aug. in Enchir c. 7. by charitie she is ioined vnited vnto God and for God to her neighbour Now as concerning faith the Creed of the Apostles doth instruct vs in that it setteth before vs those thinges that are espeacially to be beleeued professed of euery Christian And of those things that are to be hoped praied for our Lords praier hath informed vs. Then vnto charitie doe those thinges belong which in the two Tables of the ten commandements are exhibited vnto vs. It is therfore a very notable saying of (f) in cap. 4. ep ad Rom. ORIGEN I doe thinke saith he that faith is the first beginning and the very foundation of saluation hope is the aduancement and encrease of the building but that charitie is the perfection toppe of the whole worke Happy then are they which (g) Luc. 11 28. Ro. 2 13. Luc. 6 46. Mat. 7 21.24 et 19 17. et 25 35. Io. 15 2. Mat. 10 22. et 24 13. heare and keepe the worde of God and they that knowe the will of the Father doe fulfill the same walking and perseuering in faith hope and charitie by the gouernment protection of Christ our Lorde And this truly for the scope of our intention is sufficient touching those chife and principall vertues which because they are infused by God and doe make mortall men become diuine are worthely called vertues Theologicall and are rightly referred to Christian wisedome 19 Is there any other thing that belongeth vnto Christian doctrine YEa verely for the doctrine of the Sacramentes doth expresly appertaine therunto that Christians may know what instrumentes as it were they haue neede of ordained by God for the obtaining exercising encreasing preseruing yea and also repairing of (a) Aug. in Io. Tract 120. faith and hope espeacially charitie Yea and moreouer very true it is that neither Christian wisdome nor Christian Iustice can be established or holden without Sacramēts as without the which all (b) Aug. l. 19 cont Faust c. 11. et de vera relig c. 17 et ep 118. cap. 1. Religion must needes be extinguished They therfore are of very great importance in Christian doctrine and very requisite it is that we handle them in particuler THE FOVRTHE CHAPTER OF THE SACRAMENTS 1 Why are Christians to be instructed about the Sacramentes BEcause the knowledge and vse of the Sacramentes doth bring to passe that Christians hauing by the merits of IESVS Christ receiued grace which is giuen by the (a) Tit. 3 5. Io. 3 5. et 6 51.55 et 20 23. Sacraments may be rightly exercised and preserued and set forward in diuine worshipe 2 What and of how many sortes is this diuine worshipe THat is called diuine worshipe which a Christian oweth and yeldeth as the highest (a) Aug. l. 10 de ciu c. 1. and chiefest seruice to God his creatour and Sauiour For there is no doubt but that for this cause (b) Pro. 16 4. Gen. 1 26. 2. Cor. 5 15. 1. Thess 5 9 1. Pet. 3 9. espeacially was man at the first made and afterwarde redeemed and vnto this wholly designed appointed that he might purely and perfitly serue and worship Almightie God Now diuine worshipe is of two sortes interiour exteriour The interiour by which we are in vnderstanding in will (c) Aug. in Ench. c. 2. 3. ioined vnto God is accōplished by faith hope and charitie as hath bene saide before The exteriour is a certaine profession of the interiour which we declare by certaine (d) Mat. 5 17. Ro. 12 17. 2. Cor 8 21.1 Cor. 14 40. outwatd visible signes ceremonies For God that hath no (e) Ps 15 2. 1. Tim. 6 15 Mat. 5 48. Gen. 2 7. neede of any good of ours as beeing of himselfe blessed wholly perfite yet as his pleasure was that the wholle man shoulde consist both of a body and a soule so doth he require the same againe (f) Pro. 16 14. Luc. 10 27. Mat. 22 37. Deut. 6 5. wholly to wit according to all and euery parte of him that he may by him be worshipped studiously sincerely first in soule according to the interiour worship as we haue declared and in (g) 1. Cor. 6 19. Ps 83 3. body according to the exteriour ioined with the interiour which is done many waies but principally and most profitablie by the vse of Sacramentes For so it hath seemed good to the wisdome of God to coapte it selfe to the imbecillitye of mortall men and to exercise his might and power by certaine externall things (h) Aug. in Ps 73. et l. 19 cont Faust c. 11. et l. 3. de doctri Christ c. 9. q. 84. in Leuit et 33. super Num. Tert. de resur carnis c. 8. Greg. in primum regum l. 6. c. 3. and signes that may be perceiued by the senses For our minde and soule immortall being inclosed in this obscure and brickle body as in a prison doth very much vse the seruice of the senses and without the (i) Chrysost ho. 60. ad Pop. Ant. et 83. in Mat. helpe of them she doth not commonly mount to the conceipt of heauenly thinges Therfore both in the olde and new lawe Sacramentes and many other things appertaining vnto exteriour worship haue bene by God ordained and alwaies by the people of God obserued 3 What is a Sacrament IT is an externall and visible signe of (a) Bern. ser de caen domini Aug. l. 10. ciu c. 5. l. 3. doct Chr. c. 9. Amb. l. 4. de Sacram. c. 4. Concil Flor. Trident. Sess 7. diuine and inuisible grace instituted by Christ that by it euery man may receiue the grace of God and sanctification And therfore they are not euery manner of signes that are called the Sacramentes of the Church but they are most certaine holy and effectual signes cōmended vnto Christians by Gods owne institution promise Signes (b) Aug. ep 23. et de catech rud c. 26. they are in that that by a certaine externall forme and similitude they doe represent declare vnto vs that which God by them worketh in vs inuisiblie and spiritually Certaine (c) Aug. in Psa 73. et 77 l. 19. cont Faust c. 11. 13. 16. they are most holy effectuall signes because that looke what grace they signifie they doe also infallibly containe cause the same to our sanctification For the Sacramēts for their owne partes as S. CYPRIAN (d) ser de caena dom speaketh can not be voide of that force and vertue that is proper vnto them nether doth the maiestie of God by any meanes absent it selfe from the mysteries though they (e) Aug. l. 3. cont Dona. c. 10. et l. 5. c.