him strengthen him in repentance hatred of sinne bringing forth the contrarie fruites c. Neyther this assurance the roote of all courage in temptations and will to fight manfullie against sinne doth pull away from vs care to please God and bring vs to securitie but doeth strengthen vs and will make vs nourish good workes as the fruites whereby we feele and are assured that Gods seede is in vs Neyther can anie haue a feeling of Gods grace when he shalbe by this meanes encouraged vnto euill Thus we see the first pointe of being sett into Christ Nowe the fruites followe First that to the glorie of one God in three persons we seeke to haue fellowship with one God in three persons and that is the point which is giuen vs to vnderstande plainely in these wordes We are baptised into the Name of the Father c. For as we haue expounded afore this doeth teach vs that we are consecrated dedicated and ioyned to God that we may carie his name as his wife that we may haue fellowship as Saint Iohn sayeth with the Father and the Sonne 1. Iohn 1.2.3 that this one God in three persons may holde as his own to be glorified in vs for euer which offreth such strong consolation such great excellencie to a Christian man as can not be expressed hereby our profession is sanctified to God that it may be acceptable The next ende is that we may from this fellowship with God haue fellowship with the Church in the benefites which God doth bestowe vpon the Sonne and are sealed vp in baptisme First therefore let vs beholde this fellowship and then the benefites This fellowship is fitlie expressed of the Apostle when he sayeth We are built vppon the foundation of the Prophetes and Apoststles JESVS CHRIST beeing the corner stone in whom all the building is coupled togither and groweth to an holy Temple in the Lorde in whom also wee are buylt togither to bee the inhabitation of God by the spirit so that as wee come by Christ vnto God so to his Church that wee may haue fellowship with it and in it in whiche alone all wee haue saluation for none is saued out of the Churche but in Sion the Citie of the liuing GOD we are partakers of all blessednes Therefore this is a pleadge of our beeing one body though many members 1 Cor. 12.13 and this is the signe that wee are begotten of one God and Father haue one clothinge by faith of Christ his righteousnes one life euen his life in vs all Ephe. 4.1.2.3.4.5.6 and therefore this is a firste entring into publike societie and as it were our solemne inuecting into the Church house of God The benefites and priuiledges that are here is the washinge of our newe birth which is so called of the Apostle in that place of Tit. whiche doeth spread it selfe into two especiall branches iustification and sanctification according to that sayinge but you are washed you are sanctified in the Name of JESVS CHRIST and the Spirite of our God 1. Cor. 6. Which washing in generall hath the liuelie proportion with the outwarde worke but in speciall wee must see these benefites and their speciall proportion whiche is to bee seene in this that as in washing the water doeth couer the filthe doeth soke it vp leaue all cleane pure and vnspotted so the merite of the death of Christ who satisfyed the wrath of God for our sinnes by giuing him selfe a sacrifice for sinne doth not onely couer as the Prophete sayeth our sinnes and hyde them from God but so drinke vp the guiltines of the same that God imputeth no sinne according to the saying of the Psalme Blessed is the man whose wickednes is forgiuen and to whom God imputeth no sinne Neyther onely is hee made sinne for vs that is by imputation of sinne vnto him but also an offeringe on the crosse for sinne and this is that wee might haue the righteousnes of GOD in him That when as no fleshe can bee iustified in the sight of God wee might obteyne the righteousnes of faith which is free without all respect of workes euen the righteousnes of GOD whiche he doeth giue vs inherent not in vs but in Christe that in him we may be holy and without blame here therefore by faith commeth iustification from whence peace of cōscience standing in the grace of God deliuerance from the wrath to come and full certaintie of eternall life proceedeth And this as it carieth full proportion with the washing and order of it so it is saide to seale vp the full remission of our sinnes Be baptised sayth Peter into the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sinnes Act. 2.38 Act. 10.43.48 so sayeth Ananias Be baptised and washe away thy sinnes in calling on the Name of the Lorde Iesus Act. 22.16 Which also is conteyned vnder the other poynt seeing the forgiuenes of sinnes was to iustificatiō for it sealeth vnto vs the forgiuenes of all trespasses originall other and hath put away the hand-writing against vs. The other also concerning sanctification is vrged in many places of Paul but prosecuted especiallie in Rom. 6.2 where we are saide to bee baptised to the similitude of Christes death being drowned as it were vnder the water our sinne beeing made cleane by Christes death Also we are baptised to the similitude of his buriall as lying rotting in the water in the tarying of the water till it doeth soke vp the filth and carie it with it So that wee haue not onely the power of Christ his death to kill sinne but to burie it and more and more to rott it and not onely that but as he dyed for our sinne rose for our iustification declared by this that all sinne was answered for vs seeing he rose agayne so likewise we doe by his resurrection rise to righteousnes and holines of life which is also signified by the washing which doeth leaue vs cleane white And although it be true in deede that this holines can neuer be perfecte and in that full measure it ought to be in this life according to the lawe and that it be as the Prophet sayeth as a filthie clothe and the fleshe rebell against the spirit and that in nothing we can doe the good we would so that if God enter into iudgement with this holines of ours wee can neuer stande before him yet this worthines wanting in it selfe is accepted of God through Iesus Christ 1. Pet. 2.5 so that beeing washed in his blood we be Kings and Priestes vnto God and our workes are acceptable and this is also sealed vp in this Sacrament as is plain Rom. 6.5.7.8 and so wee see that in this Sacrament wee are sett into the body of Christ into the fellowship of God and his Church all the priuiledges of the same and that here is strong comfort against all temptations our sinnes be forgiuen for euer Gods wrath appeased and wee absolued before Gods
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
or as many as may ought to be present and in the Lordes supper to be partakers Wherin by In the whole Sacrament there are two partes the one the outward work set out by it selfe the other the inward and spirituall worke set out by it self and both these as they answere one to another so are they set down in this place in both there is the person authorised to put apart to that vse to offer to giue and to receyue In both there is the thing rightly put apart offred giuē receiued applied to his proper vse The persons without is first God his Minister authorised frō him by his Church his workes are to put apart consecrate or dedicate to that holy vse by opening the couenant of god by praying for his blessing promised to these creatures by giuing thankes for the blessed work of that action Also to offer deliuer aright the creatures the water to washe with it the breade to be eaten the wine to bee dronke Secondly the persons without are the whole church ioyning with the Minister in prayer in quickninge their faith by the couenant of God beholding the former workes of the Minister ratifying thē in their hartes and last of all by receyuing applying or hauing applyed aright the visible signes The persons which are inward is the giuer one God in three persons who by this visible worde in the Sacrament doe offer giue applie the inward matter set forth and also the saide Church being inwardly stronge by knowledge faith and repentance doe with ioye receyue that which is offred vnto them applying it to that fruit for which it was giuē The outward matters are the creatures ordeyned of GOD sanctified by the especiall worde and prayer and so ordered in outwarde manner as Water to washe breade to be broken wine to bee drunken as is prescribed their fruite is to represent to the eye eare feeling c. Secondlie to seale vp and be an instrument more certainely to applye for although it doeth applie no more thē the word preached doeth neither by other inwarde giftes then the working of the holy ghost by faith yet because the instruments are more and in the worke GOD hath sanctified more instrumentes in his creatures to our seeing feeling receyuing c. they do more prouoke faith kindle faith strengthen faith to the receyuing of Christe The inwarde matter is Iesus Christ crucified who was sealed vp and consecrated by the Father him self and the H. Ghost yea by his owne prayer to the worke of our mediatiō neyther is he here barelie offered but offred giuē receiued as the ratifier of the whole couenāt of God by his death especiallie to iustification and so full redemption for euer he must therefore be so seene here so receyued here by faith being receyued so applied as we may feele these fruites conueyghed to vs from him and this is the whole substanciall order of Sacramentes set forth at large and nowe followeth to be proued and applyed to vse First therefore that there are these two principall and substantiall thinges in the whole nature of the Sacramentes it is most playne when he sayeth You haue bene baptised into one body you haue bin made to drinke vnto one spirituall drinke Lo then not water but washinge you haue bin washed and then so as ye came to be one body in Christ to communicate in all his benefits and so you haue bin made to drinke outwardlie but therewithall and thereby as by an instrument the spirituall drinke is deliuered out of Christ Nowe to come to the particulars that the Ministers of God must be the first outward person here it is playne for when the very nature of washing or giuing drinke doth require a person to washe and to giue drinke a holy washing doeth require a holy person to put a difference betweene this washing all other washings and giuing drinke By holy we meane that whiche is in a peculiar maner authorised and blessed from GOD though the Minister peraduenture be of an euill life Secondlie when as the being of this worke dependeth vppon the deliuerie of the word frō God hauing his authoritie which is solemne as Paule saith Ephe. 5.6 by the washing of water through the word the Minister being onely called of God to be his Ambassador to be in steede of Christ to beseeche vs to be reconciled vnto God 2. Cor. 5.20 it remayneth that he of necessitie be required Thirdlie seeing they only are the disposers of God his misteries they onely can preach and minister the Sacramentes Fourthlie as the firmenesse of the seale stādeth not only in the print or forme it maketh but especiallie that it be set on by one that hath authoritie thervnto it is therfore much more in this case Lastlie as there is inwardlie cōsidered not onely the thinge giuen and receyued Christe but also faith that eateth it giuen and doeth receyue from him vnto whom this honor properly belōgeth euen one God in three persons especially in Iesus Christ God and man and to take this as offred from another is to denie God so in the outward worke which must fullie aunswere to this is required hee who beareth Gods person in this worke and therefore can only consecrate offer and deliuer with authoritie the outward thing which answereth to the inwarde matter So that to receyue it from another is to denie Gods ministerie and to giue the glorie of it there where he hath not giuen it and to depriue our selues of this comfort that our harte may say Gods solemne voyce speaketh his solemne hande offreth and giueth whiche is here the liuelie staye of our faith And this is that that Saint Iohn Baptist vrgeth Matth. 3.11 I Gods Minister baptise you with water but hee that commeth after mee shall baptise you with the holy Ghost Where we see hee playnelie layeth togyther and compareth sacramentallie him self as God his Minister representinge Christ with the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost who doe inwardlie washe baptise and his outwarde washing with Christ his inwarde washing Nowe that his workes are to put apart or sanctifie by declaring Gods ordinance by praying for his blessing by giuing thankes is playne not onely because that is required of euery one who giueth ordinarie foode to his but especially because these creatures hauing no naturall properties giuen of God in them to worke such an heauenlie worke of representing and offringe vnto all truely applying to the faythfull Iesus Christ it must needes haue this propertie from the worde of God it must bee receyued by prayer acknowledged with thankesgiuing otherwise howe shoulde it come if the worde gaue it not and howe giuen by the worde if by him not asked and conueighed and howe can the assurance of this bee witnessed to the glorie of GOD but with thankes-giuinge and who is here the common mouth of God and the Church but the Minister Therefore he sayth the washing of the
iudgement seate that we haue here grace to forsake our sinne to die vnto sinne and to burie it cōtinuallie whiche benefites when they are sealed vp here to be with vs for euer how wicked is that distinction of the papistes that baptisme is for remission of sinnes life sanctification but confirmation for corroboration and strength to fight against spirituall enimies as though there were any sanctification without strength to fight against spirituall enimies and as though when wee haue hence comfort against terrours and temptations 1. Pet. 4. we are not strenghtned against them when Paul sheweth that by the power of Christ sealed vp in bapti we are made able to kill sinne to burie sin yea in righteousnes to cleaue vnto God Is it not most intollerable boldnes to saye We haue strength in sanctification to fight against sinne we kill it yea burie it yea rise vp to all newnesse of life Doeth not Saint Peter make it a piece of sanctification whē he sayeth Sanctifie the Lord God in your hartes and be readie alwayes to giue an answere to euery man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you 1. Pet. 3.15 And if this be a piece of sanctification howe can they separate this from spiritual corroboration and strengthening and can they denie this to be sealed vp in baptisme where wee are consecrated to confesse one God in three persons the religion seruice of the same God and to haue fellowship for euer with him Let vs cast away therefore these fantasies and let vs knowe that we are by faith in Christ for euer put into possession of all his merites and benefites whiche is sealed vp in baptisme and also we shall euer hereafter be nourished and kept by the same faith and that which is sealed vp in the next Sacramēt Thus much of Baptisme Now of the right vse of the same according as it is proper to it in which as there is diuersitie in those who must vse it so there is diuersitie of rules prescribed vnto them in the word of God The persons therfore are of 2. sortes the baptised infantes men of discretion others the parents of the infantes the whole body of the Cōgregation OF infantes in their infancie nothinge is required but that they be borne vnder the couenant of God as hath bin shewed before after when they come to discretiō they are to make that especiall vse which others doe For those of discretion it is prescribed that they besides their preparation in generall ought to haue this especially that they feele Christ to be there for euer and in him to be begotten to an euerlasting fellowshippe with God and his Church a communion of all benefites with them and this preparation S. Peter being asked teacheth Act. 2.38 39.40 and so the nature of this Sacrament requireth In the worke it selfe they are by faith liuely to behold and applie in the outwarde and inward relation of washing Christ giuen to washe them in their newe birth for euer vnto iustification and sanctification as is cōmaunded to Paul Act. 22.16 In the vse they are alwayes afterward to be strengthened that they are one with God for euer that in their temptations they shall not fall away that they shall stand that their seruice to God is acceptable c. and this Paul vrgeth to the baptised Rom. 6.2.3 c. and 2.2.11.12.13.14 this therfore must alwayes be before vs to comfort vs. The parentes of the infantes before they bring their children to be baptised must call to minde the merciful couenant of God toward them and their seede and by their experience they must assure thē selues of their childe and they must also remember the ordinance of God who they hauing brought their children in his couenant and holy seed by grace will haue it also sealed vp in their fleshe for which cause they must earnestlie desire it and with all speede that may stande with order publike assemblie of the churche to hasten it Gene. 17.10.11.12 and the wrath of God against Moses for deferring it doeth shewe this duetie Exod. 4.24.25.26 In the worke it selfe they are reuerentlie to offer it to God his Church and by his Minister with the publike prayers of God his Church receyue that seale in the fleshe of their childe as is prescribed and in the mother tongue giue such a name as may stande with the reuerent worke of baptisme the solemne inuecting of the childe into the fellowship of the church Luk. 1.59.60.61 c. after they are to applye this work vnto them selues to make them diligent in catechising nourishing vp their children in discipline fit for children and admonitiō of the Lorde because they haue once receyued that seale which doeth seale vp that God will circumcise the hart of their childrē as well as theirs Gen. 17.13 Deu. 30. The whole body of the Church ought with knowledge of Gods couenant and ioy of a member to be added to the church adresse them selues to this work Luk. 1.59 In the work it self they must with attentiō to the worke ioyning also earnestlie in prayer receyue assurance of a fellow-member so receyuing him with one cōsent and harte in which respect they were said to circumcise and may be now to baptise Lu. 1.59 Afterward it must stirre them vp to all loue vnitie fellowship and cōmunicating of giftes and priuiledges with the partie receyued Ephe. 4.1.2 3. c. ¶ Of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper 1. Cor. 11.23 c. For J haue receyued of the Lorde that which J also haue deliuered vnto you to wit that the Lorde Iesus in the night that he was betrayed tooke bread and when he had giuen thankes he brake it and said Take eate this is my body whiche is broken for you This doe you in remembrance of mee after the same maner he tooke the Cup whē he had thanked saying This Cup is the newe testament in my blood this doe as often as ye drinke it in remembrance of me c. In this text concerning the Sacrament we must consider howe Paul here setteth downe 2. thinges First he setteth downe generallie what he deliuered which is declared by relation of Christ Then the particular that hee receiued is repeated where the Sacramēt is set forth by the circūstance of time in the night by the partes of it in Christes work the bread 24. the cup 25. That which J receyued out of this is gathered that nothing in the matter and forme of administration and order of the Sacraments should be altered nothing added nothinge taken away but all done as Christ hath prescribed as hath bin declared further afore The circumstance of the time was in the night he was betrayed and this was vpon especiall cause because the supper of the Lord was to be administred after the Passeouer in steede whereof it came that being abolished then ceassing at the death of Christ now this being done vpon a particular occasion