The other part of Christian questions and answers which is concerning the sacraments, writ[n]…The other parte of Christian questions and answeares which is concerning the sacraments, writte[n]…

Question. Yea, but that same bodily Rock was not said to be Christ, but that same spiritual Rock.

Question. Yea, but that same bodily Rocke was not saide to bee Christe, but that same spirituall Rocke.

Answer. I know very well that same sophistical starting hole, as though forsooth this were spoken of the thing it self, and not of the sign. But what will these foolish Sophisters answer, if I should ask them, whether Paul yet meant not that same Rock, whereout that river of waters flowed? Surely they could answer nothing whereby their sophistry should not be easily convinced. For they must needs come to this point, that they must confess, that the name of spiritual Rock, was in respect of that very natural Rock attributed to Christ in respect of the bodily Rock, (that is as they them selves interpret ⟨image 70⟩it) considered spiritually and so far forth as it was a figure. Therefore they snarl them selves in their own snares, or else they must grant that Christ was called the Rock, because he was shadowed by a spiritual signification taken from the same Rock. But what will they do with these words of Saint Augustine, in his 45. Treatise upon John? Lo the signs changed, Faith remaining, there Christ is the Rock, to us Christ is that same that is set forth upon the Altar: and if thou look upon the visible form, it is another thing: but if upon the sensible signification, they drank the same spiritual drink. And in the 102. Epistle, some time the thing which signifieth, taketh the name of that thing which it signifieth. For so the rock was Christ, because it signifieth Christ. To conclude the same interpreteth the spiritual Rock mentioned in the 77. Psalm: not Christ him self (as they do) but such a Rock as should signify some spiritual thing.

Answeare. I knowe very well that same sophisticall startinghole, as though forsooth this were spoken of the thing it selfe, and not of the signe. But what will these foolishe Sophisters answeare, if I shoulde aske them, whether Paul yet ment not that same Rocke, whereout that ryuer of waters flowed? Surely they coulde answeare nothing whereby their sophistrie should not be easily conuinced. For they must needes come to this poynte, that they must confesse, that the name of spirituall Rocke, was in respecte of that very naturall Rocke attributed to Christ in respect of the bodily Rocke, (that is as they them selues interprete