1A The outward matter we count the signs themselves, to wit, water in baptism, bread and wine in the Lords supper, together with the ceremonies ordained by Christ, as his word testifieth, which also themselves do truly signify matters of great weight, and altogether heavenly. We have already often times said,2 that not that only is termed of us, the inward matter, or matter it self of the sacrament, whatsoever is derived to us from Christ, but principally Christ himself, with whom it is meet that we be made one, before we can draw or fetch any thing from him.3 And in deed in baptism there is set out unto us the true and very blood of the Lord, as a laver or fountain, with which blood being washed, ⟨p. 135⟩we are more and more ingrafted into Christ, and buried with him.4 And in the supper, the body and blood of the same Christ is given to us, and that in several signs, as our true meat, and true drink into life everlasting.5 There is then one inward matter of the word alone, or by it self, and the sacraments also, annected thereto, that is to say, Christ himself, with all his benefits, to the partaking whereof we are called. But notwithstanding some difference there is, to wit, according to more and less, as they usually say in schools. First,6 because that when the sacraments are joined to the simple word or word alone, then it necessarily followeth, that there is a more plentiful declaration of Gods good will towards us, and look by how much there are more objects in number, and they likewise more evident, by so much the more vehemently or earnestly they do move and stir us up, or at leastwise ought so to do. Secondly,7 because although the word alone propounded generally unto all, be afterwards by the power of faith, applied unto every particular faithful person: yet this is not there ⟨p. 136⟩so plainly and particularly expressed, as in the sacraments in which Christ is verily offered particularly and severally to every one: whereby it cometh to pass that every particular believer is after a certain manner put into the possession of Christ himself.
1A The outward matter we count the signes themselues, to wit, water in baptisme, bread and wine in the Lords supper, togither with the ceremonies ordeined by Christ, as his word testifieth, which also themselues doo truelie signifie matters of great weight, and altogither heauenlie. We haue alreadie often times said,2 that not that onelie is termed of vs, the inward matter, or matter it selfe of the sacrament, whatsoeuer is deriued to vs from Christ, but principallie Christ himselfe, with whom it is meet that we be made one, before we can draw or fetch anie thing from him.3 And in deed in baptisme there is set out vnto vs the true and verie bloud of the Lord, as a lauer or founteine, with which bloud being washed, ⟨p. 135⟩we are more and more ingrafted into Christ, and buried with him.4 And in the supper, the bodie and bloud of the same Christ is giuen to vs, and that in seuerall signes, as our true meat, and true drinke into life euerlasting.5 There is then one inward matter of the word alone, or by it selfe, and the sacraments also, annected thereto, that is to say, Christ himselfe, with all his benefits, to the partaking whereof we are called. But notwithstanding some difference there is, to wit, according to more and lesse, as they vsuallie say in schooles. First,6 because that when the sacraments are ioined to the simple word or word alone, then it necessarilie followeth, that there is a more plentifull declaration of Gods good will towards vs, and looke by how much there are more obiects in number, and they likewise more euident, by so much the more vehementlie or earnestlie they doo mooue and stirre vs vp, or at leastwise ought so to doo. Secondlie,7 because although the worde alone propounded generallie vnto all, bee afterwardes by the power of faith, applied vnto euerie particular faithfull person: yet this is not there ⟨p. 136⟩so plainelie and particularlie expressed, as in the sacraments in which Christ is verilie offered particularlie and seuerallie to euerie one: wherby it commeth to passe that euerie particular beleeuer is after a certeine maner put into the possession of Christ himselfe.
- 1The outward matter are the elements.
- 2Christ and his graces are the inward matter.
- 3Baptism what it signifieth.Baptisme what it signifieth.
- 4The supper what it signifieth.
- 5Christ offered in the word and in the sacraments, but yet in two respects more lively & plainly in the sacraments.Christ offered in the word and in the sacraments, but yet in two respects more liuelie & plainlie in the sacraments.
- 6The first difference.
- 7The second difference.
