That the outward form of Bread, (255)1 which is properly the Sacrament, is the Sign of the Body of Christ, we confess, yea of that Body, which is covertly in, or under the same, which S. Augustine calleth, Carnem Domini forma Panis opertam: 2The Flesh of our Lord covered with the form of Bread. But what is meant by this term (Lieth) we know not. As through Faith grounded upon Gods word, we know that Christs Body is in the Sacrament, so that it lieth there, or underneath it, by which term it may seem a scoff to be uttered, to bring the Catholic teaching in contempt, or that it sitteth, or standeth, we deny it. For lying, sitting, and standing, noteth situation of a Body in a place, according to distinction of members, and circumscription of place, so as it have his parts in a certain order correspondent to the parts of the place. But after such manner the Body of Christ is not in the Sacrament, but without circumscription, order, and habitude of his parts to the parts of the Body, or place environing. Which manner of Being in, is above all reach of human understanding wondrous, strange, and singular, not defined▪ and limited by the laws, or bonds of nature, but by the almighty power of God. To conclude, the Being of Christs Body in the Sacrament is to us certain, the manner of his Being there to us uncertain, and to God only certain.
That the outward forme of Bread, (255)1 whiche is properly the Sacrament, is the Signe of the Bodie of Christe, we confesse, yea of that Bodie, which is couertly in, or vnder the same, whiche S. Augustine calleth, Carnem Domini forma Panis opertam: 2The Fleashe of our Lord coouered with the forme of Breade. But what is meant by this terme (Lyeth) we knowe not. As through Faithe grounded vpon Gods woorde, we knowe that Christes Bodie is in the Sacrament, so that it lyeth there, or vnderneathe it, by which terme it may seme a scoffe to be vttered, to bringe the Catholike teaching in contempte, or that it sitteth, or standeth, we denie it. For lieinge, sittinge, and standing, noteth situation of a Bodie in a place, accordinge to distinction of membres, and circunscription of place, so as it haue his partes in a certaine order correspondent to the partes of the place. But after such manner the Bodie of Christe is not in the Sacrament, but without circumscription, order, and habitude of his partes to the partes of the Bodie, or place enuironninge. VVhiche manner of Being in, is abooue all reache of humaine vnderstandinge wonderouse, straunge, and singular, not defined▪ and limited by the lawes, or bondes of nature, but by the almighty power of God. To conclude, the Beinge of Christes Bodie in the Sacrament is to vs certaine, the manner of his Beinge there to vs vncertaine, and to God onely certaine.
- 1The .255. Untruth. For the Outward Form was never by any Old Father called the Sacrament.The .255. Vntrueth. For the Outvvard Fourme vvas neuer by any Old Father called the Sacrament.
- 2In libro Sen•en. Prosperi.
