A14239:27
A sermon preached before the Commons-House [sic] of Parliament, in Saint Margarets Church at…A sermon preached before the Commos-House [sic] of Parliament, in Saint Margarets Church at…
A sermon preached before the Commons-House [sic] of Parliament, in Saint Margarets Church at Westminster, the 18. of February. 1620. By James Usher. Professor of Divinity in the University of Dublin, in IrelandA sermon preached before the Commos-House [sic] of Parliament, in Saint Margarets Church at Westminster, the 18. of February. 1620. By Iames Vssher. Professor of Diuinitie in the Vniuersitie of Dublin, in Ireland
London: printed by I.Dawson for John Bartlett, 1624London: printed by I.Dawson for Iohn Bartlett, 1624
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.
In this sort we acknowledge Sacraments to be signs; but bare signs we deny them to be: seals they are, as well as signs of the Covenant of grace. As it was therefore said of John the Baptist, that he was a Prophet, 1and more then a Prophet: so must we say of Sacraments, that they be signs, and more then signs; even pledges and assurances of the interest which we have in the heavenly things that are represented by them. He that hath in his chamber the picture of the French King, hath but a bare sign; which possibly may make him think of that King when he looketh on it, but showeth not that he hath any manner of interest in him. It is otherwise with him that hath the Kings great Seal for the confirmation of the title that he hath unto all the ⟨p. 16⟩lands and livelihood which he doth enjoy. And as here, the wax that is affixed to those letters Patents, howsoever for substance it be the very same with that which is to be found every where, yet being applied to this use, is of more worth to the Patentee, then all the wax in the country beside: so standeth it with the outward elements in the matter of the Sacrament. The bread and wine are not changed in substance from being the same with that which is served at ordinary tables: but in respect of the sacred use whereunto they are consecrated, such a change is made, that now they differ as much from common bread and wine, as heaven from earth. Neither are they to be accounted barely significative, but truly exhibitive also of those heavenly things whereto they have relation: as being appointed by God to be a means of conveying the same unto us, and putting us in actual possession thereof. So that in the use of this holy ordinance, as verily as a man with his bodily hand and mouth receiveth the earthly creatures; so verily doth he with his spiritual hand and mouth (if any such he have) receive the body and blood of Christ.
In this sort wee acknowledge Sacraments to be signes; but bare signes we denie them to bee: seales they are, as vvell as signes of the Couenant of grace. As it vvas therefore said of Iohn the Baptist, that he vvas a Prophet, 1and more then a Prophet: so must vve say of Sacraments, that they be signes, and more then signes; euen pledges and assurances of the interest vvhich vvee haue in the heauenly things that are represented by them. He that hath in his chamber ye picture of the French King, hath but a bare signe; vvhich possibly may make him thinke of that King vvhen hee looketh on it, but shevveth not that hee hath any manner of interest in him. It is othervvise vvith him that hath the Kings great Seale for the confirmation of the title that hee hath vnto all the