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

DOCT. III. What the parts are whereof a Sa∣crament consisteth.

FRom hence also we come to un∣derstand what the parts are, where∣of a Sacrament is properly said to consist, to wit, the word and the signe, or outward visible element: but yet with a relation unto the thing by them signified, and repre∣sented, and whereof they are a Sa∣crament. For the thing, whereof any thing is a Sacrament, is not it self neither can it be a Sacrament, or a∣ny part of a Sacrament: Forasmuch as every Sacrament is a Sacrament of another thing which is different, and diverse from it. But yet we do not

simply and absolutely separate the thing it self from the Sacrament: neither do we deny, but that the Fa∣thers, and many other learned and godly men do in the name of Sacra∣ment comprehend the thing it self, whereof any thing is a Sacrament: As by the name of Baptisme is not onely the outward ablution or wash∣ing of water understood; but also therein is contained the inward purg∣ing of the conscience from sin, and likewise regeneration: Therefore we embrace that saying of Ireneus con∣cerning the Eucharist, or the Sacra∣ment of the Lords Supper, that it doth consist both of an earthly and heavenly matter: neither do we, when we speak of the Sacraments, abstain from such manner of speaking: yet in this sense, not that the thing signi∣fied is properly a part of the Sacra∣ment; for it is rather that, unto the participation whereof the Sacra∣ments do lead us: But, because the Sacrament hath a mysticall relation unto it; so that by the tye of this re∣lation the earthly matter is knit to∣gether with the heavenly. And thus

we reconcile the sayings of divers Fa∣thers, and many other learned men, which may seem to jarre one with another: whereas they were all of one and the same mind every where: some calling the Sacraments simply by these and the like names, Signes, Figures, Resemblances, or Representa∣tions, Types, Antitypes, Signets, Seals, Ceremonies, and the Visible Word; others saying: that they consist of an earthly and heavenly matter: which how it is to be understood we have declared already, all of them often∣times after the manner of holy writ, calling them by the names of those things, whereof they are Sacraments: whereas yet notwithstanding they un∣derstood & professed that there were three things to be considered in the Sacraments, that is to say, the Word, the signes added unto the Word, and the things whereof they are signes.