Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Moreover, the same is to be considered more in all the Sacraments whereof the Scripture speaketh, than in all other signs that are to be had in the world. I have already alleged a similitude of the delivering of a feather or of a wand to him that purchaseth an inheritance: but there is yet much more in the Sacraments; we must go yet one step higher. Further our Lord worketh that by his power, which men cannot do. True it is that when such a ceremony is once done & performed, the law will maintain a man in possession of the thing that he hath purchased: howbeit, that is not all. For (as I said afore) God performeth by the secret power of his spirit, whatsoever he showeth and witnesseth to the eye. So then we must ever come to this point, that the sacraments are effectual, & that they be no trifling signs which vanish away in the air, but that the trueth is always matched with them, because that God who is faithful, showeth that he hath not ordained any thing in vain. And that is the cause why that in baptism we receive truly the forgiveness of our sins, we be washed and cleansed with the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, we be renewed by the operation of his holy spirit. And how so? Hath a little water such power when it is cast upon the head of a child? No: But because it is the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, that the water should be a visible sign of his blood & of the holy Ghost: therefore baptism hath that virtue & whatsoever is there set forth to the eye, is forth with accomplished in very deed. If we come to the Lords supper, it is certain that a little cantle of bread and a drop of wine cannot quicken our souls, for they be corruptible things: but thereby we have a record that we be fed with the body & blood of our Lord Jesus Christ: & by that record we know that our Lord Jesus Christ showeth that ⟨p. 1245⟩will not deceive us in his promises, nor hold us down with our nebs in the water as they say; but that he performeth all that ever is told us there: insomuch that when we come to that holy table, we must assure ourselves that our souls are nourished with the spiritual food which we see not, and that our faith must mount up unto heaven, there to be joined with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Moreouer, the same is to be considered more in all the Sacramentes whereof the Scripture speaketh, than in all other signes that are to be had in the world. I haue alreadie alleadged a similitude of ye deliuering of a fether or of a wand to him yt purchaseth an inheritance: but there is yet much more in the Sacraments; we must go yet one step higher. Forthere our Lord worketh that by his power, which men cannot doe. True it is that when such a ceremonie is once done & performed, the lawe will maintaine a man in possession of the thing that he hath purchased: howbeit, that is not all. For (as I saide afore) God performeth by the secret power of his spirite, whatsoeuer hee sheweth and witnesseth to the eye. So then wee must euer come to this point, that the sacraments are effectuall, & that they be no trifling signes which vanish away in the aire, but that the trueth is alwayes matched with them, because that God who is faithfull, sheweth that he hath not ordained any thing in vain. And yt is the cause why yt in baptisme we receiue truly the forgiuenes of our sins, we be washed and clensed wt the bloud of our Lord Iesus Christ, we be renewed by ye operation of his holy spirit. And how so? Hath a little water such power when it is cast vpon ye head of a child? No: But because it is ye will of our Lord Iesus Christ, yt the water should be a visible signe of his bloud & of ye holy Ghost: therfore baptisme hath yt vertue & whatsoeuer is there set forth to the eye, is forth with accomplished in verie deede. If wee come to the Lordes supper, it is certaine that a little cantle of bread and a drop of wine cannot quicken our soules, for they be corruptible thinges: but therby we haue a record yt we be fed with ye body & blud of our Lord Iesus Christ: & by yt record we know yt our Lord Iesus Christ sheweth yt