The summe of Christian religion: deliuered by Zacharias Vrsinus in his lectures vpon the Catechism autorised by the noble Prince Frederick, throughout his dominions: wherein are debated and resolued the questions of whatsoeuer points of moment, which haue beene or are controuersed in diuinitie. Translated into English by Henrie Parrie, out of the last & best Latin editions, together with some supplie of wa[n]ts out of his discourses of diuinitie, and with correction of sundrie faults & imperfections, which ar [sic] as yet remaining in the best corrected Latine.

4 Jn what sacramentes agree with the Word, and in what they differ from it.

* 1.1THE Sacramēts agree with the Word in these things, 1. Both exhibite the same things vnto vs. For by both god doth testifie vnto vs his will, and by both he proposeth the same benefites, the same grace, and the same Christ vnto vs; neither doth God confirme or represent by his Sacra∣mēts any other thing, than he hath promised in his word; and they who seek for any other thing in the Sacraments than is prescribed in the word of god, frame & make Idols. 2. Both are from the holie Ghost, and so both also confirme and esta∣blish faith.* 1.2 3. God instituteth both, God offereth both. 4. God ac∣complisheth both by the Ministers of his Church. For hee spea∣keth with vs in his Woorde by the ministers, and by the Ministers hee offereth and giueth vs these signes in his Sacramentes. But the thinges them-selues which are sig∣nified by these signes, the sonne of God immediately offe∣reth vnto vs. Hee saith, Joh. 20.22. Receiue the Holie Ghost. And Iohn saith of him, Matth. 3.11. Indeede J baptize you with water to amendment of life; but hee that commeth after mee will baptize you with the holie Ghost and with fire.

The Sacraments differ frō the word in these things, 1. In substance & nature:* 1.3 For first, Words signifie according to the ap∣pointment of men, whō it pleased that things should so be expressed & signified. Signes signifie according to a similitude, which they haue with the thinges by them signified. Secondly, Words wee heare, and reade: Signes wee perceiue also by fee∣ling, seeing, and tasting. Thirdly, Words signifie onelie: Sym∣boles and signes confirme also. 2. The Woorde of the promise and commaundement is proposed without anie difference,* 1.4 to al. To the vnregenerate, that they may either begin to beleeue

and be regenerated, or may bee left without excuse: to the regenerate, that they may the more beleeue and bee con∣firmed. The Sacraments are giuen onelie to the members of the Church, whose faith is by them confirmed and preserued. The Word is preached to all at once: The Sacraments are gi∣uen to euerie member of the Church seuerallie: one is bap∣tized after another. and the supper is ministred to one af∣ter another. 3. The Woorde is the instrument of the holie Ghost by which he beginneth and confirmeth our faith:* 1.5 and therefore the Sacraments must follow the Word. The Sacraments are the instruments of the holie Ghost, by which he beginneth not, but onelie confirmeth our faith: and therefore the Word is to goe before them. The reason of this difference is, because the Sacraments, without they be vnderstoode, neuer mooue. There is no desire after a thing which is not knowen. But yet in Infants the case is diuers. For in them faith is begunne by the holy Ghost, neither is confirmed by the Word, but by an inward working and efficacie; and they who are borne in the Church, to those in their infancie appertaineth the couenaunt and the promise. 4. The Woorde is necessarie and sufficing vnto saluation in them who are of an vnderstanding age.* 1.6 For faith commeth by hearing. But the Sacraments are not pre∣ciselie and absolutelie necessarie vnto all. For that saying of S. Augustine is most true. Not the want,* 1.7 but the contempt of them condemneth. 5. The Sacraments by gesture, the Woorde by speech declareth vnto vs the will of God. 6. The Woorde may be without the Sacraments, as both in priuate and publique expounding of the scripture, and that effectually also, as was apparent in Cornelius, Act. 10. But the Sacraments cannot be so without the Word. 7. The Woorde is that which is confirmed by signes an∣nexed vnto it: the Sacraments are those signes whereby it is con∣firmed. 8. The Word is to bee preached vnto those onelie, who are of vnderstanding, the Sacraments are to be giuen vnto Infants as Circumcision and Baptisme. Austine saide, That a Sacrament is a visible Word: most brieflie and most aptly expressed he both the agreeing & differing of the Word & Sacraments. For when he saith, That a Sacrament is a Word, he sheweth in what the Worde & Sacraments agree, which is in that they teach the same. When he addeth Visible, he sheweth the difference, that is, that they differ in rite & ceremonie.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The sacraments a••d the word a∣g••••e.

  In exhibiting the same things vnto vs.
• * 1.2

  2 In proceeding 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Holy G••ost

  3 In being insti∣tu•••••• & offered by God.

  4 In being accō∣p••••••hed by God.
• * 1.3

  They disagree,

  1 In substance and nature.
• * 1.4

  2 In the persons, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they are offered.
• * 1.5

  3 in their vse.
• * 1.6

  4 In their neces∣sitie.
• * 1.7

  5 In their man∣ner of working.

  6 The word may be effectuall without the sa∣craments, but not the sacra∣ments without the Worde.

  7 The Worde is confirmed by the sacraments.

  8 The Word may not be preached vnto Infants: some sacramēts may bee giuen them.