A15857:39
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.
10 That which in the end we said concerning the last duty of each citizen: the same is also in this business which we have in hand, very easy to be known; I would it were as ⟨p. 33⟩easy to be performed. Our faith therefore which we give and promise in Baptism must constantly be kept unto our prince Christ Jesus, to our last end; yea if need be, even to the spilling of our blood and our lives. And therefore that doctrine, which by the writings of the Prophets and Apostles, by the manifest principles of faith, and also by common consent of the whole ancient church, we know assuredly to be the doctrine of Jesus Christ: the same we must hold and keep with a most constant faith, against all new opinions: neither must we only keep them in our minds, but also freely confess the same with our mouths, and openly profess that we will never be willing to decline from the same: and so we must profess it, that unless we do it, we can hope for no salvation. For with the heart, it is believed unto righteousness: but with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. With God indeed, who seeth the hearts of men, only faith shall be sufficient: but with men, and for mens sake, the free confession and profession thereof is also necessary. He which is ashamed of me before men: I vvill also be ashamed of him before my father: said the Lord Jesus Christ. For we while we are in this world, ⟨p. 34⟩must set forward the glory of God, the name of Christ, and salvation of our neighbour: and it is meet that we should make known to the whole church, what manner of religion we follow, and with what faith we are by Gods grace endued: that it may be evidently known who be the members thereof. Whereupon the same Lord, stirring us up to this confession, added: He which confesseth me before men, him will I also confess before my father. And therefore we must neither be allured by commodities to betray Christ, neither must we be scared, by threatenings and punishments, from free confessing of him: but rather fixing our eyes upon the same Lord, the captain and perfecter of our faith, who with a willing gladness suffered the torment on the cross, not caring for the reproach, & sitteth at the right hand of the throne of God, we must constantly run out our purposed race. For he which endureth unto the end shall be saved.
10 That which in the ende wee said concerning the last duetie of each cittizen: the same is also in this businesse which wee haue in hand, verie easie to bee knowne; I would it were as