A15857:30
H. Zanchius his confession of Christian religion Which now at length being 70. years…H. Zanchius his confession of Christian religion Which novve at length being 70. yeares…
H. Zanchius his confession of Christian religion Which now at length being 70. years of age, he caused to be published in the name of himself & his family. Englished in sense agreeable, and in words as answerable to his own latin copy, as in so grave a mans work is requisite: for the profit of all the unlearneder sort, of English christians, that desire to know his judgement in matters of faith.H. Zanchius his confession of Christian religion Which novve at length being 70. yeares of age, he caused to bee published in the name of himselfe & his family. Englished in sense agreeable, and in words as answerable to his ovvne latine copie, as in so graue a mans worke is requisite: for the profite of all the vnlearneder sort, of English christians, that desire to know his iudgement in matters of faith.
Cambridge: printed by John Legat, 1599Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legat, 1599
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.
5 Further more how necessary the care of health is to all the citizens living in such a city, to defend them and theirs, and so the whole city against the enemies: was said a little before. By this spiritual health, I mean a good conscience: which as it springeth from faith, so also it preserveth faith, that it cannot quite decay: even as the life of the body bringeth forth health: and health preserveth the body in life. Every one therefore must be careful, that he keep a good conscience. But by what means is it kept? 1. after a due sorrow, by a sure trust, of the free forgiveness of our sins which we have committed, ⟨p. 23⟩through Christ: Next, by a true amendment of life: that is, an earnest study of avoiding sins afterward, and keeping the commandments of god lastly by a firm purpose, if by infirmity we do fall, to rise again, and to fly unto Christ for pardon. By this means shall we always hold fast a good conscience. He that in this sort constantly looketh unto his health: let him assuredly know, that the Lord will never suffer him, that he shall die at all: that is, that he shall ever err and go astray unto his last end, in that doctrine which is necessary to his salvation. For the Apostle saith to Timothy: keep faith and a good conscience, which while some have cast aside, they have made shipwreck concerning faith, that is, the doctrine of faith. They therefore which keep fast a good conscience, shall never make a deadly shipwreck of the doctrine necessary to salvation: Seeing God by his grace, endues them, as with the treasure of a good conscience, so also with a perseverance in the faith and with a heavenly gift of doctrine. The safest thing therefore, both at all times, and especially in this diversity of religions, is, by continuing in the churches, where the pure word of God is preached, and the assured foundations of the faith according to the expositions of the fathers, are retained, to employ our selves in ⟨p. 24⟩hearing the word of God, and receiving the sacraments: to call upon God: to have friendship with our brethren, and to keep a good conscience to our selves.
5 Further more how necessary the care of health is to all the cittizens liuing in such a citty, to defend them and theirs, and so the whole cittie against the enemies: was said a little before. By this spirituall health, I meane a good conscience: which as it springeth from faith, so also it preserueth faith, that it cannot quite decay: euē as the life of the body bringeth forth health: and health preserueth the body in life. Euerie one therefore must be carefull, that he keepe a good cōscience. But by what meanes is it kept? 1. after a due sorrow, by a sure trust, of the free forgiuenes of our sinnes which we haue committed,