A15857:389
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.
VII. The virtue of Baptism is perpetual.
VII. The vertue of Baptisme is perpetuall.
Now although we come but once to the sacrament of baptism: yet we hold, that the matter of this sacrament and the virtue thereof is perpetual: which virtue is nothing else but the very planting into Christ, and so the participation of his benefits, the washing away of sins, and regeneration, which daily more and more is made perfect by the holy ghost. For the Apostle saith, 1that he cleanseth the ⟨p. 120⟩church by washing of water through the word, that he might make it unto himself a glorious church, without spot or wrinkle. 2And his blood cleanseth daily from all sin. And therefore we think & believe that the faithful being content with once receiving of the sacrament, ought daily to be occupied in remembrance of it, and to weigh in their minds, to what end they were baptized, or what they have obtained of God by baptism, & what also they promised to God therein: whereby they may the more be confirmed in faith, and grow up into the communion with Christ, and be made more careful of performing their duties. For baptism is not bestowed on us, for remission of original sin only, or our sins past: but of all the offences of our whole life: even as the pulling out of the waters is a sign of a new life, not for one day, but for all our time: as the Apostle saith, 3We are buried with him (ever) into his death by baptism: that as Christ rose from death by the glory of his father, so we should (always) walk in newness of life. We were once washed with outward water: but the blood of Christ is a continual stream, washing and cleansing us daily from our sins.