Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 1] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.

* Of Sacramentes, Baptisme and the Lordes Supper.

AS touching Sacramentes, their doctrine likewise is corrupt and erroneus.* 1.1

1. First they erre falsely in the number. For where the in∣stitution of Christ ordeineth but two, they (contrary to the fourth principle aboue prefixed) haue added to the pre∣scription of the Lords worde, fine other Sacraments.

2. Secondly, in the cause finall they erre. For where the word hath ordeined those Sacraments to excite our faith, and to giue vs admonitions of spiritual things: they con∣trariwise doe teach that the Sacramentes doe not onely stirre vp faith, but also that they auayle and are effectuall without faith, Ex opere operato, sine bono motu vtentis &c. as is to be founde in Thom. Aquine, Scotus, Catharinus, and other moe.

3. Thirdly,* 1.2 in the operation & effect of the Sacramentes they faile: where the contrary to the minde of the Scrip∣tures, doe say, that they giue grace & not onely do signifie, but also conteine and exhibite that which they signifie, to wytte grace and saluation.

4. Fourthly, they erre also in Application, applying their Sacramentes both to the quicke and the dead, to thē also that be absent, to remission of sinnes, and releasing of payne. &c.

In the Sacrament of Baptisme they are to be reproo∣ued,* 1.3 not onely for adding to the simple wordes of Christs institution, diuers other newfound rites & phantasies of men: but also where the vse of the olde Church of Rome was onely to baptise men,* 1.4 they Baptise also Belles, and applye the wordes of Baptisme to water, fire, candels, stockes, and stones. &c.

But especially in the Supper of the Lord their doctrine most filthely swarueth from the right minde of the Scrip∣ture,* 1.5 all order, reason, and fashion, most worthy to be ex∣ployded out of all Christen Churches. Touching y^e which Sacrament, the first errour is their Idolatrous abuse by worshipping, adoring, sensing, knocking and kneelyng vnto it, in reseruing also and carying the same about in pompe and procession in townes and fieldes. Secondlye also in the substance thereof their teaching is monstruous,* 1.6 leauing there no substance of bread and wine to remayne, but onely the reall body and bloud of Christ, putting no difference betweene calling, and making. Because Christ called bread, his body therfore, say they, he made it his bo∣dy, and so of a wholesome Sacramēt, make a perilous I∣dole, & that which the old Church of Rome did euer take to be a mistery,* 1.7 they turne into a blind miste of meere acci∣dences to bleare the peoples eies, making them beleeue they see that they see not:* 1.8 & not to see y^t which they see: & to worship a thing made, for their maker, a creature for their creator: and that was threshed out of a wheaten sheffe they set vp in the Church, & worship for a Sauiour: and when they haue worshipped him, then they offer him to his fa∣ther: and when they haue offered him, then they eate him vp, or els close him fast in a pixe. Where if he corrupt & pu∣trifie before he be eaten, then they burne him to pouder & ashes. And notwithstanding they know wel by the scrip∣tures, that the body of christ can neuer corrupt and putri∣fie, yet for all this corruption, will they needes make it the body of Christ, and burne all them which beleeue not that, which is against true Christian beleefe.

Notes

• * 1.1

  False do∣ctrine tou∣ching Sa∣cramentes.
• * 1.2

  The num∣ber, Ca••••e finall, The operation. The appli∣cation of Sacrament••
• * 1.3

  Errours and abuses in Baptisme.
• * 1.4

  Baptising of Belles.
• * 1.5

  False do∣ctrine of the Popes Churche concerning the Lordes Supper.
• * 1.6

  Idolatry cō∣mitted to the Sacra∣ment.
• * 1.7

  The Sacra∣ment turned to an Idole.
• * 1.8

  Chaūging. Worship∣ing.

  Offering, Eating, Burning the body of Christ in the Sacra∣ment, of the Altar.