A14212:26
A collection of certain learned discourses, written by that famous man of memory Zechariah…A collection of certaine learned discourses, written by that famous man of memory Zachary…
A collection of certain learned discourses, written by that famous man of memory Zachary Ursine; doctor and professor of divinity in the noble and flourishing schools of Neustad. For explication of divers difficult points, laid down by that author in his catechism. Lately put in print in Latin by the last labour of D. David Parry: and now newly translated into English, by I.H. for the benefit and behoof of our Christian country-manA collection of certaine learned discourses, written by that famous man of memory Zachary Ursine; doctor and professor of divinitie in the noble and flourishing schools of Neustad. For explication of divers difficult points, laide downe by that author in his catechisme. Lately put in print in Latin by the last labour of D. David Parry: and now newlie translated into English, by I.H. for the benefit and behoofe of our Christian country-man
Oxford: printed by Joseph Barnes, 1600Oxford: printed by Ioseph Barnes, 1600
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.
After this he scoffs at that comparison (as foolish) wherein our writers liken the word to Princes Charters o• Letters Patents, 1and the Sacrament to their seals: maintaining the contrary, that the word rather should be called the seal of the sacrament, than the Sacrament the seal of the word. And why so? Because (saith he) as the seal without the writing hath his force, and not the writing without the seal; so the word of God even without sacrament hath very great authority, the Sacrament without the word none at all. But twice ridiculous and foolish is the Jesuit: first in attributing ⟨p. 10⟩force to the seal without the writing, & none to the writing without the seal: secondly in making the word a seal, because of it self it hath authority. For (tell me Bellarmine) what force hath the Popes leaden bull? or what doth it seal unto you being plucked from his pardon? and if you deny that the writings & charters are acknowledged without their seals; I answer that this is neither generally, nor of it self true.2 Did you never see any bills, handwritings, acquittances, or rescripts of Princes ratified without their seals? The writings even of good men, much more of Princes, & most especially of God himself, have and deserve sufficient authority in themselves, as appeareth in times past how the writings of Emperors were wont to be confirmed rather by marks subscribed, then by waxen seals. But by accident, that is, by reason of the frail faith & life of man it is now come to pass, that writings though confirmed by many seals are scarcely sure enough. Now what folly is it in you, of the word to make a seal, because without any sacrament it is of sufficient authority? whatsoever is in it self authentic, will you presently take that for a seal? A seal is the visible sign of any writing, whose use is not so much to add authority, as to ascertain us of the truth. Such a sign is not the word of God. But it is more fitly compared unto writings, because therein God instructeth his Church in his will, & doth as it were bequeath ⟨p. 11⟩unto it certain goods, or good things. It hath in it self authority from God the author; the sacraments are thereunto added as seals, not (as you suppose) that from them it might receive authority, but that by them God might strengthen our feebleness & infirmity.