1A By a sacramental manner which seeing it is proper & peculiar to them alone, must be declared by a proper definition, & such a one as is fit for that purpose, we therefore define or determine, that the sacramental manner of joining the matter with the signs,2 is spiritual: by which epitheton or word, we conceive no imagined or feigned thing, but principally mean that it specially dependeth of the power of the Holy ghost, as we have already said in the declaration of the formal cause. Moreover, by that means we shut out all gross and natural manner of joining:3 for as we know that the signs are upon earth, & not else where, which thing also no man can or will deny: so also we hold and conclude, that the matter it self, that is to say, Christ himself, according to his ⟨p. 137⟩flesh, is contained in heaven, and not in any other place, as we gather out of the Scriptures,4 and all the Fathers of right faith and sound judgement. And yet we doubt not but that the signs are joined with the matter, that is to say, in that respect, or so far forth as God, doth not only, as it were a far off show, the signs of the body and blood of Christ: but beside the very signs, doth also truly give unto us Christ himself, to be enjoyed and possessed of us. Whereby also it cometh to pass, that in this respect above mentioned, these things may be truly said to be joined together, although by spaces of places they are separated far and wide asunder. Notwithstanding we hold, that this conjunction is true and certain,5 in so much as, that therefore the name of the thing it self, that is, I say, the body and blood is indeed figuratively, but yet very significantly and plainly given to the very signs, to wit, unto the bread and the wine. Secondly, to the end we may more fully declare this sacramental manner of joining the matter with the sign, we add, that it is significative, not as though God did only signify unto us in ⟨p. 138⟩the Sacraments,6 the body and blood of his Son, and also his Son himself (for no doubt but that also he doth truly give him unto us) but we do it to this end, least any man should think the matter to be so coupled with the signs, that Christs flesh also should now be present in earth, though it were after a certain invisible and incomprehensible manner.
1A By a sacramentall maner which seeing it is proper & peculiar to them alone, must be declared by a proper definition, & such a one as is fit for that purpose, we therefore define or determine, that the sacramentall maner of ioining the matter with the signes,2 is spirituall: by which epitheton or word, we conceiue no imagined or feined thing, but principally meane that it specially dependeth of the power of the Holie ghost, as we haue alreadie said in the declaration of the formall cause. Moreouer, by that meanes we shut out all grosse and naturall maner of ioining:3 for as we know that the signs are vpon earth, & not else where, which thing also no man can or will denie: so also we hold and conclude, that the matter it selfe, that is to say, Christ himselfe, according to his ⟨p. 137⟩flesh, is contained in heauen, and not in anye other place, as wee gather out of the Scriptures,4 and all the Fathers of right faith and sound iudgement. And yet wee doubt not but that the signes are ioyned with the matter, that is to say, in that respect, or so farre foorth as God, dooth not onlie, as it were a far off shew, the signs of the bodie and bloud of Christ: but beside the very signes, doth also truely giue vnto vs Christ himselfe, to be enioyed and possessed of vs. Whereby also it commeth to passe, that in this respect aboue mentioned, these things may be truely saide to be ioyned together, although by spaces of places they are separated far and wide asunder. Notwithstanding we holde, that this coniunction is true and certaine,5 in so much as, that therefore the name of the thing it selfe, that is, I saye, the body and bloud is indeede figuratiuely, but yet very significantly and plainely giuen to the very signes, to wit, vnto the bread and the wine. Secondly, to the ende wee maye more fully declare this sacramentall maner of ioyning the matter with the signe, wee adde, that it is significatiue, not as though God did onely signifie vnto vs in ⟨p. 138⟩the Sacramentes,6 the body and bloud of hys Sonne, and also his Sonne hymselfe (for no doubt but that also hee dooth truelie giue him vnto vs) but wee doo it to this ende, least anye man shoulde thinke the matter to bee so coupled with the signes, that Christs flesh also shoulde nowe be present in earth, though it were after a certaine inuisible and incomprehensible maner.
- 1The signs and the things signified are joined sacramentally.The signes and the things signified are ioined sacramentallie.
- 2Why it is called a spiritual conjunction.Why it is called a spirituall coniunction.
- 3A similitude.
- 4Luke 24.51. Acts 3.21. Roman. 8.34. Coloss. 3.1.Luke 24.51. Actes 3.21. Roman. 8.34. Coloss. 3.1.
- 5The sacramental conjunction is true and sure.The sacramentall coniunction is true and sure.
- 6What is called a significative conjunction.What is called a significatiue coniunction.
