A15857:361
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.
Confession › Chapter 14 › Aphorism 13: XIII. That grace is not tied to the Sacraments.
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.
XIII. That grace is not tied to the Sacraments.
By these foundations are we confirmed, in the opinion received among all godly men, that the grace of God is not tied to the sacraments, so that who so receiveth them, must needs receive also grace, that is, the thing signified and offered by the sacraments, although he want faith: as though a man could obtain the matter of the sacrament by the work wrought (as they call it.) 1For Christ said not simply whosoever shall be baptized, he shall be saved, but he first addeth, whosoever believeth. And Simon Magus he received the sacrament of Baptism, but he obtained not the matter of Baptism, when as yet (as Peter witnesseth) he was wrapped in the most bitter gall of sin and in the bond of iniquity, and devilish malice: and therefore he had no part in the kingdom of Christ. Many also (as saith Augustine) do eat the bread of the Lord, but not the bread the Lord. For as they that hear the gospel are not all made partakers of the forgiveness of sin ⟨p. 110⟩declared therein, unless they repent them of their former ill-life; and do believe in Christ: so neither do they obtain those things, which are represented and offered by the sacraments, because they receive the same sacraments, unless they have also true repentance and faith.
By these foundations are we confirmed, in the opinion receiued among all godlye men, that the grace of God is not tied to the sacraments, so that who so receiueth them, must needs receiue also grace, that is, the thing signified and offred by the sacraments, although he want faith: as though a man could obtaine the matter of the sacrament by the vvorke wrought (as they call it.) 1