An harmony of the confessions of the faith of the Christian and Reformed Churches which purelie professe the holy doctrine of the Gospell in all the chiefe kingdomes, nations, and prouinces of Europe: the catologue and order whereof the pages following will declare. There are added in the ende verie shorte notes: in which both the obscure thinges are made plaine, & those thinges which maie in shew seeme to be contrarie each to other, are plainelie and verie modestlie reconciled, and if anie points doe as yet hang in doubt, they are sincerelie pointed at. All which things, in the name of the Churches of Fraunce and Belgia, are submitted to the free and discrete iudgement of all other Churches. Newlie translated out of Latine into English. Also in the end is added the confession of the Church of Scotland. Alowed by publique authoritie.

IN THE 14. SECTION

Vpon the latter Confession of Heluetia.

NOt as they be corporallie eaten. The aduerb (so far as) vnderstand to be vsed causallie, for because, as if he * 1.1had said, not that they be eaten corporallie, &c. But in this place and other places els where afterwarde so vnderstand these aduerbs corporallie, and spirituallie, that by them not the thing signified, which is receiued, but the manner of re∣ceiuing it is declared, namelie, to be not corporall, but spi∣rituall, that is, not of the externall mouth, but of the faith∣full minde.

Vpon the former Confession of Heluetia.

THese things be holy, and to be reuerenced, &c. by holie vn∣derstand those things, which are appointed to a most holie vse, not those wherein consisteth anie inherent holy∣nes. * 1.2In like manner by reuerent, vnderstand those things which are to be receiued with outward comelines, and in that order, which might testifie an internal reuerence: name∣lie, when our mindes are lifted vp vnto God, not that anie worship ought to be yealded to the signes themselues, or that those rites, which are either in their owne nature supersti∣tious, or els may easilie be turned into superstition, ought to be vsed in the holie seruice of the Lord.

Vpon the Confession of Bohemia.

THat which of themselues they do signifie, &c. that is, to saie, of the true bread and wine, and also of the very bodie, that was giuen for vs, and of the verie blood, that * 1.3was shed for vs. As for that attribution wherein the bread is said to be the bodie, and wine to be the blood, euen in this Confession it is euidentlie set downe, that it ought to be in∣terpteted by a sacramental metonymie.

Vpon the same.

* 1.4 And the trueth thereof. By the word trueth in this place vn∣derstand, not the fruite of the Sacramentes, which is recei∣ued of the faithfull onelie, neither yet the verie bodie and bloode of Christ (seeing that they also can not be receiued but by faith, to saluation) but the bread and the wine, the which (whether worthie, or vnworthie communicantes doe approch) are neuer, in respect of God, offered to be receiued, without the thing signified, because the trueth of God dependeth not vpon the worthines, or vnworthines of the communicants. Yet hereby it cannot be concluded, that both of them are receiued of euery one, because both of them are alwaies offered by God to al indifferentlie. Con∣cerning which matter looke before in the 12. Section and second obseruation vpon the confession of the Waldenses, or Bohemians, and also very fullie hereafter in the first obser∣uation vpon the confession of Auspurge.

Vpon the same.

* 1.5 Moreouer absolution from sinnes, is lawfullie administred, &c. looke the 8. Section vpon the Confession of Bohemia, Aus∣purge, and Saxonie.

* 1.6 Vpon the same.

Most commonlie falling downe on their knees, &c. In this rite also suppose that euerie Church ought to haue her libertie not that we doe vtterlie in it selfe condemne this manner (so that the caution be added, whereof we spake of late in the 4. obser.) but because that for the rooting of the supersti∣tious worshipping of the bread out of mens mindes, it were more expedient that that ceremonie in most places were abolished in the receiuing of the signes themselues: whereof looke before in the first obseruation vpon the former confes∣sion of Heluetia.

* 1.7 Vpon the French Confession.

THe substance of his bodie and bloode, &c. The French Churches haue witnessed in generall Synods, that they after the example of the auncient Fathers doe vse the word substance: not as if the very substance of Christ were conueied into the bread, or deriued into vs anie manner of way, either corporal, or vnspeakeable, or that it were applied

to our corporall substance (seeing that it verilie is now in heauen, and no where else, vnto the last daie, and we in earth and no where else) but to meete, with the slaunder of those men, which thinke that we in stead of the verie bodie and blood of Christ doe place onelie his merites, or his spi∣rituall force and operation, whereas notwithstanding we do teach, that we though spirituallie and mysticallie, yet not withstanding trulie) do participate Christ himselfe, not that either we should cleaue essentiallie vnto him, or he vnto vs, but that his life is deriued into vs. Looke also concerning this matter in the first obseruation vpon the confession of Auspurge, in this Section.

Vpon the confession of Belgia.

* 1.8 AL the operations of the holie Ghost are hidden, &c. That is to saie, both when the proper force of the holie spirit, which is incomprehensible, is regarded, and seeing that his effectes doe exceed our senses. Both which doe come to passe in these mysteries.

Vpon the same.

* 1.9 That which is eaten, &c. Namelie by faith, as it is often ite∣rated in this confession, that is to saie, that which is recei∣ued spirituallie, by the minde, by beleeuing, as the signe is eaten and dronken corporallie. For the wordes eating and drinking can no otherwise be spoken of the minde and of faith (which are the onelie instrumentes of receiuing the verie bodie and bloode of Christ) then metaphoricallie or metonymicallie.

Vpon the same.

* 1.10 By the eating of his flesh, and drinking of his bloode, &c. That is (as hath beene said in the former obseruation) by a spiri∣tuall participation, the which sometimes by reason of the sacramentall receiuing, and (sometimes by reason of that spirituall life, which Christ ingendereth in vs is metapho∣ricallie signified, by the names of eating or drinking.

* 1.11 Vpon the same.

Although the sacramentes be ioyned to the thing, &c. Of the sacramentall vnion we haue spoken before, in the second obseruation vpon the Confession of Bohemia.

Vpon the confession of Auspurge.

* 1.12 THat the body and blood of Christ are there in deed, and are di∣stributed, &c. We also doe alowe of this, namely that the word of God is not deceitfull, and therefore as often as the holy signes are rightly giuen, that is, according to Christ his institution, that then also the thing signified by the signe (which is the verie bodie of Christ crucified for vs, and the very blood of Christ shedd for vs) is also giuen to be recei∣ued. But we affirme that the thing signified is no otherwise coupled with the signe, then sacramentallie. The trueth of which sacramental coniunction, doth not consist in this, that wheresoeuer the signe is, there the thing represented by the signe, should also be present, but in this, that that which God promiseth by the signe, he also doth offer to be recei∣ued. Therefore we hold that the bodie of Christ is not really present in, with, or vnder the bread, otherwise then after this sacramentall manner▪ both because it is a true body, be∣ing circumscribed in his local situation, and also hath truly ascended from the earth, aboue the heauens, that be subiect to our sight, and shall there remaine (from whence he exerci∣seth a gouernment ouer al these beneath, euen as he is man) vntill he come truely from thence to iudge both quicke and dead. Moreouer we doe also auouch that as the signes are of∣fered to the bodie, so the thinges signified are offered to the minde▪ and therefore that the signes are receiued of euery one with the hand and mouth, that come vnto the supper: the which vnto some, namely, to the worthie receiuets, do turne vnto saluation, but vnto others, that is, the vnworthy communicants▪ by reason of the profanation of the signes, and contempt of the thing signified, they doe turne to con∣demnation. As for the things signified those we affirme to be truely, and effectuallie apprehended, onely of those that be indued with a right minde and a true faith,, and that alwaies vnto saluation, whereunto the distance of place is no hin∣derance, by reason of the vnspeakeable operation of the holie Ghost. And yet not so as that the substances should be mingled betwixt themselues, or cleaue together in any place (for Christs flesh abideth in heauen, and ours vpon the earth) but that (these things being mysticallie vnited▪

which in true distance of situation are seperated) we might draw from the flesh of Christ all gifts necessary for our sal∣uation, and especiallie that liuely iuise wherby we are nouri∣shed to eternall life. Therefore whatsoeuer they pretend which are of the contrarie iudgement, the controuersie is not either of the signe, or of the thinges signified, or of the truth of the sacraments, or of the receiuing of them, or of the effectes; but of the onely definition of the sacramentall coniunction, & also of the manner of receiuing the thinges signified. Both which we contend to be so interpreted by some out of the word of God, that if their opinion be once graunted, both the truth of Christes bodie, his assention into heauen, and his second comming is consequentlie ouer∣throwne. Looke the exposition of this article expressed in the diuers editions of the Auspurge confession, though not after the same manner, & in the same words, and for the full declaration therof look in the admonition lately set forth by our bretheren the Neustadians in the 5. chapter, out of the which our agreement in this point of doctrine rightly decla∣red doth appeere.

vpon the same. Art. 1. Of the abuses.

* 1.13 For the Masse is retained still amongst vs, &c. The Princes, and Diuines in the assemblie at Newburdge testified in the yeare 1561. as is manifest by the decrees of that assemblie, that they by the word Masse, doe vnderstand the administra∣tion of the Supper, and do from the bottome of their hearts detest the Romish Masse. And although we doe abhorre all contentions about words, and doe acknowledge that the worde Masse is not newlie sprong vp in the latine Church: yet seeing that the originall of this tearme (namely because almes were sent from the faithfull in their vsuall meetings at their loue feasts) is long since abolished, and seeing that this worde hath these many yeares broken out into great abhomination, and so great, that none so grosse or execra∣ble was euer heard of, wee doe not with out cause together with the thing abolish the name it selfe out of our Churches. As for the holie liturgy there, we think that it is most rightly celebrated, where it is most simply & most nearelie vnto the first institution obserued. And seing it is manifest that the ceremonies in the Romane Liturgie are partlie in them

selues vnprofitable, partlie tending rather to an ambitious shew and pompe, then to edification, partlie ridiculous, and partlie either in themselues superstitious, or else readie to be turned into superstition. Therfore the moste of them, or in a manner all, we haue in euery place vtterlie swept a∣waie. Yet so as that the Church hath her liberty leftin things indifferent, as it is meet, and shall be declared in the 17. Se∣ction. As for the speaking or singing of any thing in the pub∣lique Liturgie, in such a tongue, as is vnknowne to the com∣mon people, vnlesse there be an interpreter, the Apostle doth plainlie forbid it, 1. Cor. 14.

Vpon the same.

* 1.14 A Ceremonie, in the new couenant, without faith doth merit no∣thing, &c. No, nor yet in the olde Testament: yea neither any ceremonie, nor faith it selfe doth merit anie thing, but whereas the externall worke being performed with faith, ac∣cording to Gods commaundement, is acceptable vnto him, all that we teach out of Gods word to be of grace and not of debt. Whereof looke the 8. Section, and the 7. obseruation, the 9. Section and the second obseruation vnto the same Confession of Auspurge.

* 1.15 Vpon the same.

The Pastours of the Churches doe consecrate, &c. By the name of consecration we vnderstand no other thing, then the vse of Christs ordination by whose blessing and power the ele∣ments are sanctified vnto vs, whereof dependeth the wholl force and dignitie of the sacraments.

Vpon the same.

* 1.16 Euerie holie daie, and other daies also, if any be desirous to vse the sacrament, &c. Of holie daies is spoken afterwards in the 16. Section. But in our Churches certaine daies by publick warning are appointed, wherein if any refuse to receiue the Supper, they answere for it in the Consistorie.

Vpon the same, about the ende of the 2. Article of abuses. * 1.17

And because that the parting, &c. This verilie is one cause why the carying about of the Sacrament is condemned: yet neither the onlie cause, nor the chiefest.

Vpon the Confession of Saxony.

ANd that he is in thee, &c. This we admit, touching the * 1.18spirituall efficacie, not concerning the verie essence of the flesh: the which is now in heauen and no where else, as hath beene before shewed in the 1. obseruation vpon the Confession of Auspurge.

Vpon the same.

* 1.19 Neither are any admitted to the Communion, &c. This we alow, as being vnderstood of Catechizing or instruction. As for priuate absolution, how farre we thinke it to be required, it hath bin shewed of vs heretofore, namelie in the 8. Section, and 1. obseruation, both vpon this, and also vpon the Con∣fession of Bohemia.

Vpon the same.

* 1.20 That Christ is trulie and substantiallie present, &c. Looke the 1. and 2. obseruation vpon the Confession of Auspurge.

Vpon the same.

* 1.21 That Christ witnesseth, that he is in them, and doth make them his members, &c. Both these also we doe imbrace, as is con∣tained in the worde of God, namely so, that this wholl dwel∣ling be by his power and efficacie, and that the flesh of Christ be communicated vnto vs, yet after a spirituall and mysticall manner, as hath bin declared of vs before, both in the Confession of Bohemia and of Auspurge.

Vpon the same.

* 1.22 And lessons appointed, &c. How farre we doe alow this di∣stribution of the holie scripture▪ looke the 1. obseruation vp∣on the Confession of Bohemia, the 1. Section.

Vpon the Confession of Wirtemberge.

* 1.23 That the true bodie of Christ, &c. Looke before in the first obseruation vpon the Confession of Auspurge.

Vpon the same.

Of the bodie of Christ being onelie absent, &c. We doe beleeue * 1.24out of the word of God, and by the perpetuall and euident agreement of the wholl auncient and true Church, that the bodie of Christ hath alwaies bin, is, and shall be circum∣scribed and locall▪ Wherefore, as when he liued vpon the earth, he was no where else, so now also beeing aboue in heauen, he is there, and no where else in his substance, as Vigilius plainlie affirmeth

against Eutiches. Yet for all that we doe not affirme, that the verie body of Christ is onelie or simplie absent, or that the bread and wine are onlie simple and naked signes, or bare Pictures, or nothing else, but certaine tokens of Chri∣stian profession. For in this sence is there one onlie action of the holie Supper, that yet notwithstanding it should be partlie corporall, and celebrated vpon the earth (in which respect we doubt not to say that Christs body is as farre di∣stant from vs, as heauen is from the earth) partlie heauen∣lie the minde and faith lifting vp the heart vnto God: in the which respect we acknowledge, that the body of the Lord is present in the Supper to our minde and faith. But that they be bare and naked signes, how can we possiblie affirme which so often and so euidently haue beaten vpon this, that the things signified are no lesse certainly giuen vnto the mind, then the signes themselues vnto the body.

Vpon the same.

* 1.25 Or else chaunge them into the bodie and blood, &c. We se not how God may be said to be able to doe that which is mani∣festly repugnant to his owne will, concerning the euerla∣sting truth of Christs body, as it hath bin opened vnto vs in the word of God.

Vpon the same.

* 1.26 But for the truth of the sacramentes &c. The truth of the Sa∣crament we affirme whollie to consist in this, that there be not any vaine signification of the signes: but that that which is signified vnto them by the bodie, is indeed giuen vnto the minde to be receiued by faith. As hath more fully beene spo∣ken heretofore in the first obseruation vpon the Confession of Auspurge.

Vpon the same.

* 1.27 But that whole Christ, &c. But we say by the institution of God, that the body▪ by the deliuering of the bread, is giuen vnto vs as true meate: and that his blood by the powring of the wine is giuen vnto vs as distinctlie as true drink▪ yet both of them to be receiued with the minde and with faith, & not with the mouth. Notwithstanding that by this dispensation (which in respect of the thing signified is distinctlie made, and in regard of the signes themselues seuerally distributed) that nothing is deuided in the humanitie of Christ.

Vpon the same.

* 1.28 Therfore to the right action of the Eucharist, &c. This we do so graunt to be true, that notwithstanding we doe also knowe that the supper of the Lord is not priuate vnto two, but that it appertaineth to the wholl Church, or at the least to some one part of the same.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Obs. 1. pag. 413.
• * 1.2

  Obs. 1. pag. 417.
• * 1.3

  Obs. 1. pag. 422.
• * 1.4

  Obser. 2. pag. 423.
• * 1.5

  Obser. 3. pag. 425.
• * 1.6

  Obser. 4. pag. 425.
• * 1.7

  Obser. 1. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 426.
• * 1.8

  Obs 1. pag. 431.
• * 1.9

  Obs. 2. pag. 431.
• * 1.10

  Obs. 3. pag. 432.
• * 1.11

  Obs. 4. pag. 432.
• * 1.12

  Obs. 1. pag. 432.
• * 1.13

  Obser. 2. pa. 433.
• * 1.14

  Obser. 3. pa. 436.
• * 1.15

  Obser. 4. pa. 438.
• * 1.16

  Obser. 5. pa. 438.
• * 1.17

  Obser. 6. pa. 446.
• * 1.18

  Obser. 1. pa. 447.
• * 1.19

  Obser. 2. pa. 448.
• * 1.20

  Obser. 3. pa. 448.
• * 1.21

  Obser. 4. pa. 448.
• * 1.22

  Obser. 5. pa. 448.
• * 1.23

  Obser. 1. pa. 454.
• * 1.24

  Obser. 2. pa. 454.
• * 1.25

  Obser. 3. pa. 454.
• * 1.26

  Obser. 4. pa. 454.
• * 1.27

  Obser. 5. pa▪ 455.
• * 1.28

  Obser. 6. pa. 456.