* 1.1OF Circumcision there are two opinions: One of Alexander, and Bonauenture, Scotus, and Gabriel, that Circumcision did confer iustification, ex opere operato, vpon the very act done: which opinion is disproued by many ar∣guments. Where it is yet to be noted, that this opini∣on of theirs doth not fauour the heretickes of our time, for the heretickes when they make the olde Sa∣craments equall to ours, doe not extoll the olde, but debase ours: But this opinion doth not abase ours, but extoll the ancient.
The other opinion, is of Saint Thomas and Capre∣olus, Scotus, Ledesmius, and others; that Circumcision did by it owne power iustifie, but yet iustified onely as it was a protestation of our faith, and as it applyed faith to vs. This opinion is doubtlesse the more pro∣bable of the two. Bellarm. ibid. c. 13. p. 236.