The Badges of Christianity, Book 1 · Chapter 9
CHAP. 9. Of the first inward part of a Sacrament.
THe outward parts of a Sacrament hauehave hitherto beene declared, by a diligent perfourmance whereof consecration is performed: now the inward parts follow to bee considered, and handled of vsus, in which the very soule and life of the Sacraments consisteth. For the outward partes profit nothing without these, as the word profiteth nothing, except the inward and true husbandman giuegive the increase according to the Apostles words, a1 Cor. 3. 7,He that planteth and he that watereth is nothing; but God that giueth the increase: so the force of the Sacramentes is to be looked for, from the creator that did institute them. Peter saith, b1. Pet. 3. 21.Baptisme doth saue vsus, but he addeth, not Whereby the filth of the flesh is washed away, but in that a good conscience maketh request to God. So the Apostle Paule teacheth, that c1 Tim. 4. 8.Bodily exercise profiteth little, but Godlinesse is profitable to all thinges: so the outward signes profiteth little, but the inward parts being applyed and receiued, are profitable to all things.
Behold the creatures which God vseth, as instruments of his mercy toward vsus, the Sunne, the Moone, the Starres, fire, water, herbes, and such like: wee ought not to put any confidence in them, nor admire them as first and chiefe causes of any benefits. So our trust ought not to be in the outward signes though ordained of God as holy helps vntounto vsus (which were to conucie his glory to them) but our faith must be lifted vp to God being the author of the Sacramentes, and the creator of all thinges. The inward parts of a Sacrament are such inuisible and heauenly thinges as are signified vnderunder the earthly and outward parts. We heard before, the outward partes of a Sacrament to be these, the minister, the word, the signe, and the receiuer: so the inward are dWhat are the inward & inuisible parts of a Sacrament.foure in number, answerable to the outward, to wit, 1. God the father second the spirit. 3. Christ. 4. the faithfull. Now there is a notable proportion and worthy agreement betweene the outward and the inwarrd partes, eThe proportion between the parts.these resembling each other, as one face answeareth another in the waters. For euen as the minister by the word, offereth and applyeth visibly the outward element and signe to the body of the receiuer: So GOD the father, by the spirit, offereth and applyeth IESVS CHRIST inuisibly to the faithfull receiuer. This is the resemblance and likenesse betweene the externall and internal parts: whereby we see, that God the father is represented by the Minister: the spirit, by the word: christ, by the outward element: and the faithful receiuer by the outward receiuing. The first inward part is god the fThe first inward part of a sacrament is god the father.father, osfering and applying Christ and his sauing graces to the faithfull. The minister offereth and deliuereth the outward signes to the receiuers, and can go no further: herein he representeth God the father, who offereth Christ to all, albeit the reprobate receiue him not. He doth not dally and deale falsly with vsus, but truely offereth in the sacramentes Christ with all his giftes and benefits, if we hauehave handes to receiue him, he is giuen to vsus.
The vse of this doctrin is, first of al to distinguish between Vse. 1.God and the minister: the outward signes are giuen by the hands of the Minister, whether he be good or euill, but the truth and substance of the sacraments is giuen by God the father. Whosoeuer confoundeth these partes and workes, robbeth God of his glory, depriueth himselfe of the grace of Christ offered, and maketh flesh his arme. Wherefore, as the workes of God and of the Minister are distinct, so must these parts remaine distinguished, howsoeuer to the faithfull they are not separated and sundred, as in the publishing and preaching of the gospel, the Minister speaketh vntounto the outward man, and the sound thereof entreth into the care, gact. 16. 14.but it is God that openeth the hart and speaketh to the conscience of the faithfull hearer.
Secondly, it serueth to strengthen our faith and help our weakenes when we come to the sacrament. So often as we Vse. 2.see the ministers of God appointed by him, deliuering the signes and setting them a part to their ends for which they were ordaind: we must behold with the eye of faith, god the father offering his sonne to those that can receiue him. For if wee come aright, we may assure our owne heartes, that what the Minister doth outwardly, the same the sather performeth inwardely, then which there cannot be a greater comfort. Let vsus therefore behold with our eyes, the Sacramentall rites: let vsus heare the promises that God maketh vntounto vsus: God the father wil verifie them, who hath hIohn. 6. 32.sealed vp his sonne vntounto vsus. My father giueth you that bread from …. He will as surely giuegive Christ, as the minister deliuereth the bread and wine. Albeit the sacraments should be ministred by some hypocrite and wicked man: yet they hauehave as much force and as a great efficacy, as if they were ministred by faithfull and godly men. The vertue of the sacramentes hangeth vponupon the minister no more, then the goodnesse of seed dependeth vppon the sower: which if it light in good ground, will bring forth plentifull fruit, … it be … of an vngodly and vnskilfull man.