A10233:186
Two very learned sermons of M. Beza, together with a short sum of the…Two very lerned sermons of M. Beza, togither with a short sum of the…
Two very learned sermons of M. Beza, together with a short sum of the sacrament of the Lords Supper: Whereunto is added a treatise of the substance of the Lords Supper, wherein is briefly and soundly discussed the p[r]incipall points in controversy, concerning that question. By T.W.Two very lerned sermons of M. Beza, togither with a short sum of the sacrament of the Lordes Supper: Wherevnto is added a treatise of the substance of the Lords Supper, wherin is breflie and soundlie discussed the p[r]incipall points in controuersie, concerning that question. By T.W.
London: printed by Robert Walde-grave for T. Man, 1588London: printed by Robert Walde-graue for T. Man, 1588
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Secondly in what a miserable case & condition should we put poor infants, specially of the believers, if they should be taken away by death before that coming to the years of discretion, they could communicate or partake in that holy sacrament. One of these two gross absurdities must needs follow thereupon, yea & be granted also, unless men will be stifnecked in error, to wit, either that infants must have the holy communion ministered unto them, ⟨p. 197⟩which thing in deed Augustine did once fantastically imagine, as appeareth by many places of his works, notwithstanding all that papists say to clear him thereof. But S. Paul is flatly against it, who will have none admitted thereto,1 but such as can examine & try themselves, whether they be in the faith or no, which infants cannot do, as all men may plainly perceive, not only because they want reason, as in the practise thereof, but specially because they be void of faith, which ordinarily & commonly is bestowed upon the faithful,2 by hearing the word preached, as the apostle saith: or else that with out it, they are all condemned already, which is very absurd & beastly, not only because it tieth grace, yea the grace of salvation to the sacrament, by the work wrought, than the which what can be more unreasonable? for so good and bad having the outward sign, shall also have the thing it self, to wit, eternal life, but also because it abolisheth, as Gods eternal election, whereby he hath chosen those that be his in Christ, to life everlasting, before the foundations of the world were laid, so his gracious and continual covenant made to us, that ⟨p. 198⟩he will be a loving God and merciful father to us and to our seed for ever, 3by which covenant also we are assured even of his good will and favour towards us in Christ.
Secondlie in what a miserable case & condition should we put poore infants, speciallie of the beleeuers, if they should be taken away by death before that cōming to the yeers of discretion, they could communicat or partake in that holie sacrament. One of these two grosse absurdities must needs follow therevpon, yea & be granted also, vnlesse men wilbe stifnecked in error, to wit, either that infants must haue the holie communion ministred vnto them,