Two very learned sermons of M. Beza, together with a short sum of the…Two very lerned sermons of M. Beza, togither with a short sum of the…

1 First, I say, that this assertion of Transubstantiation, or real presence of Christs natural body, doth utterly overthrow and destroy the nature of a sacrament, which, as all men know and confess, must ever consist of two parts, to wit, of visible elements, and invisible graces: the trueth whereof appeareth not only by the general consent of all men, as before is alleged, but also by the particular view of all the Sacraments mentioned in the old or new testament. But this trueth is not only defaced, and laid even with the ground, but swallowed up also, and, as it were, brought to nothing, if so be it, that the nature and substance of the elements, be either changed, or vanish away, in this matter of the lords supper, as some affirm and hold, & the things represented by the same come in their place. The reason whereof is plain and evident, ⟨p. 176⟩to wit, that the one part of the Sacrament, namely, the visible sign, is then and there absent. And therefore it must of necessity follow, that not only the nature of a Sacrament is destroyed, but by consequent also the Sacrament it self, because the nature of a thing being taken away, the thing it self can not stand or continue, for the nature is it, whereof the thing it self consisteth. Yea this also falleth out upon it, that those men that in the pride and vanity of their own hearts enlarge the number of Sacraments, above them that christ hath left unto his church, publishing to the world, that there are seven, where indeed there are but two. In the true and natural use of the word Sacrament, are found, not only to be clippers of the Lords coin, but utter defacers of his holy ordinance, in taking from the Church (whatsoever they pretend to the contrary) one of those that Christ hath left to the same, for the comfort thereof: being found likewise by this means, not only presumptuous against Christ, but injurious also to the people, in spoiling them of so great consolation. So fruitful in ungodliness is ⟨p. 177⟩the evil weed of corrupt doctrine.

1 First, I saye, that this assertion of Transubstantiation, or reall presence of Christes naturall bodie, dooth vtterlie ouerthrowe and destroy the nature of a sacrament, which, as all men knowe and confesse, must euer consist of two partes, to wit, of visible elements, and inuisible graces: the trueth whereof appeareth not onely by the generall consent of all men, as before is alleadged, but also by the particular viewe of all the Sacramentes mentioned in the olde or newe testament. But this trueth is not onely defaced, and laid euen wyth the ground, but swalowed vp also, and, as it were, broght to nothing, if so be it, that the nature and substance of the elements, bee either chaunged, or vanish awaie, in this matter of the lords supper, as some affirme and hold, & the things represented by ye same come in their place. The reason wherof is plaine and euident,