S. Martin was much more circumspect in this case, as may well appear by that, is written of him. For when the Devil came unto him, & took upon him to be Christ, and therefore required him, to bow down, and to give him honour:1 No said S. Martin, I cannot tell whether thou be Christ, or no. Onlesse I see Christ in the same shape, and form, that he was Crucified in upon the Cross, I will not Adore him in any wise. S. Augustine saith, Audistis quia Messias Christus est: audistis quia Christus unctus est. Non sic posuit Jacob Lapidem unctum, ut veniret, & Adoraret: alioqui Idololattia est, 2non Significatio Christi. Yee have heard, that Messias is Christ: ye have heard, that Christ is the Anointed. Jacob did not erect the Anointed stone, to the intent to come, and to Adore it. Otherwise, it is Idolatry, and not a Signification of Christ. Theophilus being sometime demanded,3 wherefore he would not Adore the Emperor, as the manner then was, with godly honour, made answer thus, Quia non ad hoc institutus est Imperator, ut Adoretur: Sed ut legitimo honor• honoretur: Because the Emperor is not appointed, to the end we should honour him, as God: but that we should give him that honour, that unto him appertaineth. So, if M. Harding will likewise demand, wherefore we Adore not the Sacrament with godly honour, the godly simple man may make him this answer: Because it was ordained reverently to be received, and not to be Adored: as a Sacrament, and not as God. For in all the Scriptures, and holy Fathers, we have neither Commandment to force us hereto, nor Example to lead us hereto. We Adore the Body of Christ, not only for the turning of an hand, while the Priest is able to hold up the Sacrament, & that with doubt of our selves, whether we do well, or no, which thing is utterly uncomfortable, and dangerous, & full of terror to the conscience: But we worship that Blessed, and Glorious Body, as that Blessed Martyr S. Stephen did, being in Heaven at the Right Hand of the Power of God, and therefore without doubt, and danger: and that at all times, and for ever: and we believe, and confess, that Jesus Christ, even in the Nature, and Substance of our Flesh, is the Lord in the Glory of God the Father.
S. Martine was muche more circumspecte in this case, as may wel appeare by that, is written of him. For when the Diuel came vnto him, & tooke vpon him to be Christe, and therefore required him, to boowe downe, and to geue him honour:1 No saide S. Martine, I cannot tel whether thou be Christe, or no. Onlesse I see Christ in the same shape, and forme, that he was Crucified in vpon the Crosse, I wil not Adoure him in any wise. S. Augustine saith, Audistis quia Messias Christus est: audistis quia Christus vnctus est. Non sic posuit Iacob Lapidem vnctum, vt veniret, & Adoraret: alioqui Idololattia est, 2non Significatio Christi. Yee haue hearde, that Messiasis Christe: ye haue hearde, that Christe is the Annointed. Iacob did not erecte the Annointed stoane, to the intente to come, and to Adoure it. Otherwise, it is Idolatrie, and not a Signification of Christe. Theophilus being sometime demaunded,3 wherefore he woulde not Adoure the Emperour, as the manner then was, with godly honour, made answeare thus, Quia non ad hoc institutus est Imperator, vt Adoretur: Sed vt legitimo honor• honoretur: Bicause the Emperour is not appointed, to thende wee should honour him, as God: but that wee should geue him that honour, that vnto him apperteineth. So, if M. Harding wil likewise demaunde, wherefore wée Adoure not the Sacrament with godly honour, the godly simple man may make him this answeare: Bicause it was ordeined reuerently to be receiued, and not to be Adoured: as a Sacrament, and not as God. For in al the Scriptures, and holy Fathers, wee haue neither Commaundement to force vs hereto, nor Example to leade vs hereto. Wée Adoure the Bodie of Christe, not onely for the turninge of an hande, while the Priest is hable to holde vp the Sacrament, & that with doubte of our selues, whether wée doo wel, or no, whiche thinge is vtterly vncomfortable, and dangerous, & ful of terrour to the conscience: But wée worship that Blessed, and Glorious Bodie, as that Blissed Martyr S. Stéeuin did, beinge in Heauen at the Right Hande of the Power of God, and therefore without doubte, and danger: and that at al times, and for euer: and wée beléeue, and confesse, that Iesus Christ, euen in the Nature, and Substance of our Fleashe, is the Lorde in the Glorie of God the Father.
- 1Sulpitius in Vita Martini.
- 2Augustin. in Johan. tracta. •Augustin. in Iohan. tracta. •
- 3Theophilus contra Autolycum. lib. 1.
