Answer. And yet so Paul speaketh, when he sayeth that he which planteth, and he1 which watereth are nothing. But the case standeth thus. In very deed the ministry of men is somewhat, yea indeed it is that very thing, that whosoever despiseth, despiseth GOD himself. But as I have said before, so God2 useth the ministry of men, that the whole working power resteth in God himself, neither doth the same here fall out as in them whom God useth to the maintenance of this mortal life of men. For fathers in begetting of children are such instruments of GOD, that the engendering power of the body, and the receiving power of pouring in life, is engrafted in Fathers and Mothers, and the same GOD hath given his power both to meats for nourishment, and too medicines for curing of diseases. But in those which concern the Salvation of men lost in themselves, he so useth their work whom he appointeth too the word of salvation, and too the administration ⟨image 84⟩of the Sacraments, that besides the declaration of his will, from whom they are sent, they bring to pass nothing at all. Therefore the effect of the minister is this, that pouring forth water, he wetteth him that is to be baptised: but now the only effect of water poured forth, whether it be common water or sacramental, appointed to an holy use, if it be simply considered in it self, is, that his body who is sprinkled with it, be made wet and washed. But he which baptiseth inwardly by the spirit, (that is to say by his divine power) doth alone perform far other things: to wit, altogether divine and heavenly things (notwithstanding the ministry of men come between) to wit the forgiveness of sins, by free undeserved imputation and regeneration which is the effect of the holy Ghost dwelling in us, and by little and little abolishing sin in us.
Answeare. And yet so Paule speaketh, when he sayeth that hee which planteth, and hee1 which watereth are nothing. But the case standeth thus. In very deede the ministery of men is somewhat, yea indeede it is that very thing, that whosoeuer despiseth, despiseth GOD himselfe. But as I haue sayd before, so God2 vseth the ministerye of men, that the whole woorking power resteth in God himselfe, neyther doth the same here fal out as in them whom God vseth to the maintenance of this mortal life of men. For fathers in begetting of children are suche instrumentes of GOD, that the engendering power of the bodye, and the receauing power of powring in lyfe, is engraffed in Fathers and Mothers, and the same GOD hath geuen his power both to meates for nourishment, and too medicines for curing of diseases. But in those which concerne the Saluation of men lost in themselues, hee so vseth theyr woorke whom hee appoynteth too the woorde of saluation, and too the administration ⟨image 84⟩of the Sacramentes, that besides the declaration of his will, from whome they are sent, they bring to passe nothing at all. Therefore the effect of the minister is this, that pouring forth water, he wetteth him that is to be baptised: but now the only effect of water poured foorth, whether it bee common water or sacramentall, appointed to an holy vse, if it be simply considered in it selfe, is, that his bodie who is sprinkled with it, be made wet and washed. But he which baptiseth inwardly by the spirite, (that is to say by his diuine power) dooth alone perfourme farre other thinges: to witte, altogether diuine and heauenly thinges (notwithstanding the ministery of men come betweene) to witte the forgiuenesse of sinnes, by free vndeserued imputation and regeneration which is the effect of the holy Ghost dwelling in vs, and by little and little abolishing sinne in vs.
- 11. Cor. 3. 7.
- 2Luke. 10. 16.
