The whole body of Christian religion, by Hieron. Zanchius. Translated out of Latine by D. Ralph Winterton.

DOCTRINE I. What we understand by the name of Sacrament.

WE know that a Sacrament is pro∣perly an holy oath, or promise on both parts, that is, made between God and his people: not simply; but also established by certain holy rites and ceremonies: As it appeared ma∣nifestly in the Sacrament of circum∣cision, between God and Abraham; and in Baptisme, which succeeded in the place of circumcision, between Christ and us. So a Sacrament is by the Fathers taken often for the whole Sacramentall action, whether of Ba∣ptisme, or of the Lords Supper: in which there goes before a promise on both parts, confirmed after an holy manner by externall rites, signes, and seals, and also by the bloud of Christ. But in after time by the name of Sa∣crament, they understood by a figure called Synecdoche the rites onely, or

the visible signes added unto the word. And this is another significa∣tion which prevailed and had place in the Church. Now we, according to the signification and use of the word in the Church, call a Sacra∣ment, not the word onely, nor the outward element onely, but the ele∣ment, or the visible signes, joyned with the word of the Gospel, ac∣cording to Christ's institution. Whereunto agreeth that of S^t. Augu∣stine,a 1.1 The word is added unto the ele∣ment, and so it becomes a Sacrament.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Augu∣stine.