Synopsis papismi, that is, A generall viewe of papistry wherein the whole mysterie of iniquitie, and summe of antichristian doctrine is set downe, which is maintained this day by the Synagogue of Rome, against the Church of Christ, together with an antithesis of the true Christian faith, and an antidotum or counterpoyson out of the Scriptures, against the whore of Babylons filthy cuppe of abominations: deuided into three bookes or centuries, that is, so many hundreds of popish heresies and errors. Collected by Andrew Willet Bachelor of Diuinity.

The Papistes.

[error 92] THe Sacraments giue grace ex opere operato, by the worke wrought, that is, by force and vertue of the worke and word done and said in the sacrament, Rhemist. Act. 22. sect. 1. So that not faith onely iustifieth, but the Sacraments al∣so, and other workes of religion. Rhemist. Rom. 6. sect. 5. The Sacraments then are immediate instruments and efficient causes of our iustification, not medi∣ately, as they nourish and encrease our faith, but properly and in themselues: Faith in the receiuer giueth no efficacie to the Sacrament, but onely taketh a∣way the lets and impediments which might hinder the efficacie of the Sacra∣ment: as the drynes of the wood maketh it to burne the better, yet is it no effi∣cient cause of the burning, which is the fire onely, but onely a helpe. Thus they compare the Sacrament working of it selfe, to fire that burneth, and faith is as the drying of the wood, but a disposing and preparing of the hart. Bellarm. lib. 2. de sacram. cap. 1.

Argum. 1. Be baptized and wash away thy sinnes, Act. 22. ver. 16. The Sacrament of Baptisme doth of it selfe wash away sinnes, Rhemist. And we see in S. Iames, that remission of sinnes is annexed to the vnction with oyle, Rhe∣mist. 1. Timoth. 4.14. Ergo, the Sacraments giue and conferre grace.

Ans. 1. To the first we answer, that the text ioyneth with the Sacrament, the inuocation of the name of God, to the which saluation is promised, Rom. 10.13. to wash away sinnes: wherefore that place maketh nothing for your pur∣pose. Secondly, in the other place health of body is promised by the gift of mi∣racles▪ but remission of sinnes is said to be obtained by the praier of the Elders. The praier of faith shall saue the sick, Iam. 5.15.

Argum. 2. S. Paul. saith, He hath cleansed his Church, by the lauer of wa∣ter in the word, Ephes. 5.26. Ergo baptisme is an instrumental cause of our iusti∣fication. Bellarm.

Ans. 1. It is not vnusuall in the Scripture to call the signe or Sacrament by the thing signified: as, Exod. 12.11. the Paschall Lambe is called the

Passeouer, whereas it was but a signe and memoriall thereof. So Baptisme is cal∣led, The lauer of regeneration, Tit. 3.5. because it is a sure signe of our regene∣ration by the holy Ghost. Secondly, the Apostle in this place expoundeth him∣selfe: for he saith, that We are washed by water in the word: that is, the outward element doth send and referre vs to the word and promise of God, whereof it is a seale.