A briefe institution of the common places of sacred divinitie. Wherein, the truth of every place is proved, and the sophismes of Bellarmine are reprooved. Written in Latine, by Lucas Trelcatius, and Englished by Iohn Gawen, minister of Gods word.

Distinctions, in Defence of the END. Bellarmine proveth by fiue Arguments, that the sealing of Grace, and Gods promises, is not the End of a Sacra∣ment. 2. Cap. 14. Lib. 1. De Sa∣cramento.

I.

THe end of the Sealing of the Sa∣crament, is not eyther, that wee may bee taught, what are Gods pro∣mises, which the word teacheth: or that wee should more belieue the Sa∣craments, then the promises: for the Sacraments are for the promises, and not the Promises for the Sacraments: but that the truth of Gods promises might bee confirmed, and sealed.

II.

THe Essence and nature of Sacra∣ments, ought to be gathered, part∣ly

from the words of the Institutor, & partly from the properties of a Sacra∣ment: that the wordes of the Institu∣tor do include a promise, it hath beene aboue sayde, that the property of a Sa∣crament is to signifie, and seale the thing promised; the Nature of every Relation, and the vse of all signes doe evidently proue.

III.

THe vse of divine Testimonies de∣pendeth vpon the will of the Insti∣tutor, whether they bee Signes, or workes, which being Subordinate, neyther ought, nor may bee opposed: both are effectuall, and haue their vse; neyther doth the abuse of the Signes in Hypocrites, take away the vse of them; but (such is the nature of things opposite,) doth more establish the same in the godly.

IIII.

THe sealing of Gods promises, hath respect, eyther vnto the Faith of

the covenant, or vnto the Faith of them that are in the Covenant: In Infants, the sealing of Gods promise is made pro∣perly, in respect of the Faith of the Co∣venant; but in them that are of ripe yeares, in respect of their faith in the Covenant.

V.

THe end of Sacraments hath respect eyther vnto the Institutor, or vnto him that vseth the same; the end of the Institutor is, that Sacramentes should seale; but of the vsers, eyther that they vse that sealing according to the will of the Institutor, to their owne Salvation; or that they abuse them to their owne condemnation. Which last end, being accidentall, taketh not away the pro∣per end, whether Principall, or Secon∣dary.