But it followeth in the same Decree, Let us by Faith understand, on that Holy Table to be laid the Lamb of God, that taketh away the Sins of the World. If y• Ancient Fathers, to the end to stir up, and to inflame the Hearts of the people, had not sometimes used vehement phrases, and extraordinary kinds of Speech, M. Harding might many times spare his pen, and keep silence. But he doth the Fathers great wrong, that presseth only their •are words, & dissembleth their meaning. Gregory Nyssene S. Basiles Brother discreetly, and learnedly openeth this whole matter. Thus he writeth:1 Cùm in habitudine loci alicuius, vel negorij in loco existentis, intelligibiliū aliquod extiterit, Abusivè id ibi esse dicimus, propter operationē eius, quae ibi est, locum pro habitudine, & operation accipientes. Cùm enim dicere deberemus, Ibi Operatur, dicimus, Ibi est: When any Spiritual thing is in the consideration of some place, or else in consideration of some matter being in a place, We say, the same Spiritual thing is there, by an Abuse, or by an Extraordinary use of speech: because of the effect of that Spiritual thing, that there is wrought: taking the place in stead of Consideration, of Working in the Place. For, where we should say, There it Worketh, thus we say, There it is. Even so, where as these Fathers should have said, The Effects, or Graces, y• we have by Christs Body, are laid before us upon y• Table, by Abuse of Speech they say, the Body of Christ is laid upon y• Table.2 Likewise saith Gratian. Quidā non improbabiliter exponunt, Carnis, & Sanguinis Veritatem, Ipsam •orundem efficientiam, hoc est, Remissionem Peccatorum: Somme men not without good reason, by the Truth of Christs Flesh, and Blood, understand the Effect, or working of the same, that is to say, the Remission of Sins.
But it foloweth in the same Decrée, Let vs by Faithe vnderstande, on that Holy Table to be laide the Lambe of God, that taketh awaie the Sinnes of the World. If y• Auncient Fathers, to the end to sturre vp, and to enflame the Hartes of the people, had not sommetimes vsed vehemente phrases, and extraordinarie kindes of Speache, M. Hardinge might many times spare his penne, and keepe silence. But he dooth the Fathers greate wronge, that presseth onely theire •are woordes, & dissembleth their meaninge. Gregorie Nyssene S. Basiles Brother discréetely, and learnedly openeth this whole mater. Thus he writeth:1 Cùm in habitudine loci alicuius, vel negorij in loco existentis, intelligibiliū aliquod extiterit, Abusiuè id ibi esse dicimus, propter operationē eius, quae ibi est, locum pro habitudine, & operatione accipientes. Cùm enim dicere deberemus, Ibi Operatur, dicimus, Ibi est: When any Spiritual thing is in ye consideratiō of somme place, or els in consideratiō of somme mater being in a place, Wee saie, the same Spiritual thing is there, by an Abuse, or by an Extraordinarie vse of speache: bicause of the effecte of that Spiritual thinge, that there is vvrought: taking the place in steede of Consideration, of Workinge in ye Place. For, where wee should saie, There it VVoorketh, thus wee saie, There it is. Euen so, where as these Fathers should haue saide, The Effectes, or Graces, y• wée haue by Christes Body, are laid before vs vpon y• Table, by Abuse of Speache they saie, the Body of Christe is laid vpō y• Table.2 Likewise saith Gratiā. Quidā nō improbabiliter exponūt, Carnis, & Sanguinis Veritatem, Ipsam •orundem efficientiam, hoc est, Remissionem Peccatorum: Somme menne not without good reason, by the Truthe of Christes Fleashe, and Bloude, vnderstande the Effecte, or vvoorkinge of the same, that is to saie, the Remission of Sinnes.
- 1Gregor. Nyssen. De Anima, Ca. 11
- 2De Conse. Dist. 2. Species.
