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…

Surely this man was of that opinion that ^hPolybius saith some are, who think other men cannot see them, if they wink themselves. The Question is whether our Saviours words, This is my Body, may not be, or are not to be figuratively understood; not whether the bread and wine be bare Signs or no, which none say, but this shameless wretch contrary to mine express words affirmeth me to affirm. This being the Question I produce Tertullian, who precisely so expoundeth them, This is my Body, that is, a figure of my body. I produce Augustine, who not only doth the like; but rendereth a reason also why he so doth, to wit, because Signs and Sacraments are called ²usually by the names of those things that they signify and represent. I produce the Gloss on Gratian, that saith; It is called Christs body improperly, not in the truth of the thing itself, but in a significant mystery: and that when it is said that it is called Christs body, the meaning of the words are, that it signifieth Christs body. All which produced to prove that our Saviours words are to be understood figuratively, (which how pregnantly they do prove, he cannot but see, that will not wilfully wink) he can give no answer unto; but saith only they may be so•d with that which Calvin saith that they are not bare signs; which neither is denied, nor is any part of the Argument here in hand.

Surely this man was of that opinion that ^hPolybius saith some are, who thinke other men cannot see them, if they winke themselues. The Question is whether our Sauiours words, This is my Bodie, may not be, or are not to be figuratiuely vnderstood; not whether the bread and wine be bare Signes or no, which none say, but this shamelesse wretch contrary to mine expresse words affirmeth me to affirme. This being the Question I produce Tertullian, who precisely so expoundeth them, This is my Body, that is, a figure of my body. I produce Augustine, who not onely doth the like; but rendreth a reason also why he so doth, to wit, because Signes and Sacraments are called ²vsuaelly by the names of those things that they signifie and represent. I produce the Glosse on Gratian, that saith; It is called Christs body improperly, not in the truth of the thing itselfe, but in a significant mysterie: and that when it is said that it is called Christs bodie, the meaning of the words are, that it signifieth Christs bodie. All which produced to prooue that our Sauiours words are to be vnderstood figuratiuely, (which how pregnantly they doe prooue, he cannot but see, that will not wilfully winke) he can giue no answer vnto; but saith onely they may be sod with that which Caluine saith that they are not bare signes; which neither is denied, nor is any part of the Argument here in hand.