[The Pentateuch]

And beyond all this their sacrifices and ceremonies as far forth as the promises annexed unto them extend / so far forth they saved them and justified them and stood them in the same stead as our sacraments do us: not by the power of the sacrifice or dead it self, but by the virtue of the faith in the promise which the sacrifice or ceremony preached and whereof it was a token or sign. For the ceremonies ⟨image 178⟩and sacrifices were left with them and commanded them to keep the promise in remembrance and to wake up their faith. As it is not enough to send many on errands and to tell them what they shall do: but they must have a remembrance with them, and it be but a ring of a rush about one of their fingers. And as it is not enough to make a bargain with words only, but we must put thereto an oath and give earnest to confirm the faith off the person with whom it is made. And in like manner if a man promise, what soever trifle it be, it is not believed except he hold up his finger also, such is the weakness of the world. And therefore christ him self used ofttimes diverse ceremonies in curing the s•ke, to stir up their faith with all. As for an ensample it was not the blood of the lamb that saved them in Egypt, when the angel smote the Egyptians: but the mercy of God and his truth whereof that blood was a token and remembrance to stir up their faiths with all. For though God make a promise, yet it saveth none finally but them that long for it and pray God with a strong faith to fulfil it for his mercy and truth only and knowledge their unworthiness. And even so our sacraments ⟨image 178⟩(if they be truly ministered) preach Christ unto us and lead our faiths unto Christ, by which faith our since are done away and not by the dead or work of the sacrament. For as it was impossible that the blood off calves should put away sin: even so is it impossible that the water of the river should wash our hearts. Nevertheless the sacraments cleanse us and absolve us of our since as the priests do, in preaching of repentance and faith, for which cause ether other of them were ordained, but if they preach not, whether it be the priest or the sacrament, so profit they not.

And beyonde all this their sacrifices ād ceremonies as farforth as the promyses annexed vnto them extende / so farforth they saued thē and iustified them and stode them in the same steade as oure sacramentes doo vs: not by the power of the sacrifice or deade it selfe, but by the vertue of the faith in the promysse whiche the sacrifice or ceremonye preached and wherof it was a token or sygne. For the ceremonies