Chapter 11: On the sacraments in general: definition
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CHAPTER ELEVEN.On the sacraments in general.
Thus far concerning the WORD, the first external means of salvation; there follows the second, namely the SACRAMENT, which is a sacred solemn action instituted by a peculiar word of God, by which a heavenly and invisible thing mystically united with a visible external element is dispensed, for offering, applying, and sealing the Gospel promise to humans.The same speech the Greeks call mystery.
Casaubon holds the name's origin may be Hebrew.They called sacraments and mysteries visible signs of invisible things that God Himself instituted in His church.
Latin
CAPUT UNDECIMUM, De sacramentis in genere. Atque haec de VERBO, primo medio externo salutis: sequitur alterum nimirum SACRAMENTUM, quod est actio sacra solennis peculiari Dei verbo instituta, qua cum visibili & externo elemento mystice unita res coelestis & invisibilis dispensatur, ad hominibus offerendam, applicandam & obsignandam Euangelii promissionem. Eademque sermo Graecis mysterion dicitur. Originem nominis posse Hebraicam ait Casaubonus. Sacramenta & mysteria nuncuparunt rerum invisibilium signa visibilia, quae Deus ipse in ecclesia sua instituit.