A68831:158
The whole works of W. Tyndall, John Frith, and Doct. Barnes, three worthy martyrs,…The vvhole workes of W. Tyndall, Iohn Frith, and Doct. Barnes, three worthy martyrs,…
The whole works of W. Tyndall, John Frith, and Doct. Barnes, three worthy martyrs, and principal teachers of this Church of England collected and compiled in one tome together, being before scattered, [and] now in print here exhibited to the Church. To the praise of God, and profit of all good Christian readers.The vvhole workes of W. Tyndall, Iohn Frith, and Doct. Barnes, three worthy martyrs, and principall teachers of this Churche of England collected and compiled in one tome togither, beyng before scattered, [and] now in print here exhibited to the Church. To the prayse of God, and profite of all good Christian readers.
London: printed by John Daye, 1573London: printed by Iohn Daye, 1573
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.
And beyond all this, their sacrifices, and ceremonies as far forth as the promises 1annexed unto them extend, so far forth they saved them, and justified them, and stood them in the same stead as our Sacraments do us: not by the power of the sacrifice or deed it self, but by the virtue of the faith in the promise, which the sacrifice or Ceremony preached, and whereof it was a token or sign. For the ceremonies and sacrifices were left with them, & commaū dead them to keep the promise in remembrance, and to wake up their faith. As it is not enough to send many on errands, and to tell them what they shall do: but they must have a remembrance with them, and it be but a ring of a rush about one of their ⟨p. 13⟩fingers. And as it is not enough to make a bargain with words only, but we must put thereto an oath, & give earnest to confirm the faith of the person with whom it is made. And in like 2manner if a man promise, whatsoever trifle it be, it is not believed except he hold up his finger also, such is the weakness of the world. And therefore Christ himself used ofttimes divers ceremonies in curing the sick to stir up their faith with all. As for example: it was not the blood of the Lamb that saved them in Egypt, when the angel smote the Egyptians: but the mercy of God and his truth, whereof that blood was a token and remembrance, to stir up their faiths withal. For though god 3make a promise, yet it saveth none finally but them, that long for it, & pray God with a strong faith to fulfil it, for his mercy and truth only, and knowledge their unworthiness. And even so our sacraments (if they be truly ministered) preach Christ unto us, & lead 4our faith unto Christ, by which faith our sins are done away, and not by the deed or work of the Sacrament. For as it was impossible that yt blood of calves should put away sin: even so is it impossible that the water of the river should wash our hearts. Nevertheless, 5the sacraments cleanse us and absolve us of our sins as the priests do, in preaching of repentance & faith, for which cause either other of them were ordained, but if they preach not, whether it be the priest, or the Sacrament, so profit they not.