4 Transubstantiation is a monster standing on manifold contradictions. First, it maketh Christs body to be in many places: an evident contradiction. For it is of the nature and essence of a body to be in one place only: which I prove thus. A body is a magnitude, a magnitude is a continued quantity, a continued quantity cannot be but in one place: therefore a body cannot be but in one place. In this argument the doubt is only of the last part: which undoubted is most true. For it is called a continued quantity, because his parts are continued ⟨p. 229⟩and knit together the one with an other by a common term or bond, as a line by a point, a plane and his parts by a line, a solid by a superficies or plane. Now, these points can in no wise be continued, unless every one of them keep one only special place. For examples sake: suppose the plane a, b, c, d, to be divided into 3. parts, l, k, l, by two lines, e, g, f, h, which do both divide the three parts & continue them the one with the
[figure]
other. Now I say, that every one of the parts may be continued with his next fellow, it is necessary, that every one of them should have one special and distinct place. That the first place of the plane, I, may be continued with, k, it must be situated only there where it is, and no where else: for if it shall be situate elsewhere, as in the place m, then it cannot be continued with k. Now then, if the parts must of necessity have their own particular place only, then the whole figure a, b, c, d, must also be only in one place. And this is that which the prince ⟨p. 230⟩of Philosophers teacheth, that every magnitude hath his parts sited in some one place, one by an other, so that a man may1 say of them, here it is, & there it is not. To conclude, therefore this must need, agree to a body and to the parts of it to be in one only place alone. So that the Church of Rome when it saith that Christs body is in many places: in effect they say, that Christs body is no body: for if it be a body, it is only in one place: & if it be in many places, it is no body. They object that God is omnipotent. True indeed: but there be some things, the doing of which agreeth not with gods power, as to make contradicentia things contradictory to be both true: of which sort these are.
4 Transubstantiation is a monster standing on manifolde contradictions. First, it maketh Christes bodie to bee in manie places: an euident contradiction. For it is of the nature and essence of a bodie to be in one place only: which I proue thus. A bodie is a magnitude, a magnitude is a continued quantitie, a continued quantitie cannot be but in one place: therefore a bodie cannot be but in one place. In this argumēt the doubt is only of the last part: which vndoubted is most true. For it is called a continued quantitie, because his parts are continued ⟨p. 229⟩and knit together the one with an other by a common terme or bond, as a line by a point, a plane and his parts by a line, a solide by a superficies or plane. Now, these points cā in no wise be cōtinued, vnles euery one of thē keepe one only special place. For examples sake: supose the plane a, b, c, d, to be deuided into 3. partes, l, k, l, by two lines, e, g, f, h, which doe both deuide the three partes & continue thē the one with the
[figure]
other. Now I saie, that euerie one of the parts maie be continued with his next fellow, it is necessarie, that euerie one of them should haue one special and distinct place. That the first place of the plane, I, maie be continued with, k, it must be situated only there where it is, and no where els: for if it shall be situate elswhere, as in the place m, then it cannot be continued with k. Nowe then, if the partes must of necessitie haue their owne particular place onely, then the whole figure a, b, c, d, must also be onely in one place. And this is that which the prince ⟨p. 230⟩of Philosophers teacheth, that euerie magnitude hath his partes sited in some one place, one by an other, so that a man maie1 saie of them, here it is, & there it is not. To conclude, therefore this must need, agree to a bodie and to the parts of it to be in one onely place alone. So that the Church of Rome when it saith that Christs bodie is in many places: in effect they say, that Christs bodie is no bodie: for if it be a body, it is only in one place: & if it be in many places, it is no bodie. They obiect that God is omnipotent. True indeede: but there bee some things, the doing of which agreth not with gods power, as to make contradicentia things contradictorie to bee both true: of which sort these are.
- 1Arist. Categ. cap. de quant.
