A01532:143
A discussion of the popish doctrine of transubstantiation wherein the same is declared, by…A discussion of the popish doctrine of transubstantiation vvherein the same is declared, by…
A discussion of the popish doctrine of transubstantiation wherein the same is declared, by the confession of their own writers, to have no necessary ground in Gods Word: as also it is further demonstrated to be against Scripture, nature, sense, reason, religion, and the judgement of t5xxauncients, and the faith of our ancestors: written by Thomas Gataker B. of D. and pastor of Rotherhith.A discussion of the popish doctrine of transubstantiation vvherein the same is declared, by the confession of their owne writers, to haue no necessary ground in Gods Word: as also it is further demonstrated to be against Scripture, nature, sense, reason, religion, and the iudgement of t5xxauncients, and the faith of our auncestours: written by Thomas Gataker B. of D. and pastor of Rotherhith.
London: printed by John for William Sheffard, 1624London: printed by Iohn for William Sheffard, 1624
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Part 2 › Division 2: Division 2.Part 2 › Division 2: Diuision 2.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
And doth not the very nature of signs and Sacraments show in what sense the words used of, or in them, are to be taken? to wit, figuratively and symbolically, not properly or essentially. For what are Signs and Sacraments but real parables? both therefore termed Mysteries, as cChrysostom noteth; because one thing is seen in the one, as heard in the other, and some other thing understood. Or what is more usual then (as dAugustine and eothers well observe) that Signs and Sacraments be called by the names of those things, which they are signs and sacraments of? What Sacrament also is there, wherein or whereof such speeches are not used? Circumcision is called fthe Covenant: the paschal Lamb, gthe Passover: the Rock, hChrist: Baptism, ithe Laver of Regeneration. And in like manner, saith kAugustine, is the bread Christ• ⟨p. 54⟩body; the name of the thing signified (saith lTheodoret) being given to the sign. So that whereas this worthy writer thus argueth out of Bellarmine; In visions and parables the very scope ever showeth that the things spoken are to be understood figuratively: But these places, the seven kine, and the ten horns, are visions and parables: And therefore the things therein spoken are to be taken figuratively. Why may not we as well reason on this wise? The very nature of signs and sacraments leadeth unto this, that when the names of the things whereof they are signs and sacraments are given unto them, it is to be understood not properly, but figuratively. But it is a Sacrament wherein and whereof these speeches are used, This is my body, and This is my blood: These words therefore, wherein the name of the thing signified is given to the Sacrament, are to be understood figuratively. And so he hath from his own grounds by due proportion somewhat more to conclude then was before required; to wit, not only, that there is nothing that may enforce us to expound them literally, but that there is somewhat of moment to induce us to expound them figuratively.