The Pope confuted The holy and apostolic Church confuting the Pope. The first action.…The Pope confuted The holy and apostolique Church confuting the Pope. The first action.…

We do not therefore extenuate here the singular and incomprehensible power of Christ in working miracles: so also neither are miracles to be new coined where no miracles be now: Forasmuch as miracles are wrought not for the behoof of the believing persons properly, but in respect of the unbelievers, nor are at any time usually frequented, but for some great and urgent causes, or some notable necessity, too strike a ⟨image 111⟩terror into the hearts of the beholders, whom a man is willing to win to the faith: I would very fain learn then of these men, what cause or commodity may be alleged in this Action, why the Lord sitting with his Apostles should by the Omnipotency of his power transpose the substance of bread into the substance of his own flesh too be eaten. Namely, sithens neither the Apostles did need any such miracle, being already before established in faith: yea though they had needed it, yet did the Lord very gravely forewarn them, that his flesh should not profit them any whit at all? Moreover neither was any of them carried into any amazed admiration, or strange adoration of any thing done by the Lord in that Supper. Besides this also neither do any of the Evangelists make report of any miracle wrought here, but do describe the manner and story of the action simply, without all astonishment of the beholders. And by what faith I pray you may we conceive in our minds a miracle of hidden transubstantiation, where no thing appeareth too any mans sight that we may wonder at, where no degree of a miracle may either appear to the senses, or be comprehended by reason? But you will say, that the senses may not be credited here: be it so: so neither may no credit be given too every drowsy dream of every doting Dotterel: but our imaginations must be guided by the right line of Gods word. And in this same very word of God, if any thing occur either figuratively or doubtfully spoken, as the natural property of the very speeches them selves is always too be observed, so that construction of words is to be shunned of all others chiefly, which is prejudicial too the sincerity of the whole Scriptures, and which throweth men down headlong into open & horrible impiety.

We doe not therfore extenuate heere the singuler and incomprehensible power of Christ in working myracles: so also neither are myracles to be newe coyned where no myracles bee nowe: Forasmuche as myracles are wrought not for the behoofe of the beleeuing persons properly, but in respecte of the vnbeleeuers, nor are at any time vsually frequented, but for some great and vrgent causes, or some notable necessitie, too strike a