A10233:189
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…
Two very learned sermons of M. Beza, together with a short sum of the sacrament of the Lords Supper: Whereunto is added a treatise of the substance of the Lords Supper, wherein is briefly and soundly discussed the p[r]incipall points in controversy, concerning that question. By T.W.Two very lerned sermons of M. Beza, togither with a short sum of the sacrament of the Lordes Supper: Wherevnto is added a treatise of the substance of the Lords Supper, wherin is breflie and soundlie discussed the p[r]incipall points in controuersie, concerning that question. By T.W.
London: printed by Robert Walde-grave for T. Man, 1588London: printed by Robert Walde-graue for T. Man, 1588
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Now concerning the words, and the plainness of them, I say, that other words, both in the old and new Testament, are as plain as they, which yet notwithstanding must be otherwise interpreted, than the words themselves seem to import, or else, not only absurdities in reason, but errors in religion will ensue thereupon. For example in the book of Exodus, the paschal lamb, with the ceremonies belonging thereto, is called, The Lords passover: 1whereas now we know, and no man can choose but confess, that it was not ⟨p. 202⟩the Lords passover in deed, but signified and set out the same rather. For the Lords passover was his over-passing or passing by the Israelites houses, marked with the blood of the Lamb, to the Egyptians, there to destroy the first borne. So likewise in the new Testament,2 Christ saith of him self, I am the vine, than the which what can be more plain? And yet we acknowledge with our mouths, and believe in our hearts, that Christ was no natural vine, but rather that he calleth himself so, in a certain resemblance, because look what property the fruit of the vine hath in respect of our bodies, to wit, to comfort men, and to make them glad hearts, the same hath Christ and the fruits of his grace received by Faith, in respect of our souls, namely, to replenish our hearts with all Spiritual joy and gladness, both of this life, and of the life to come. And as the branches of the vine, have nothing of themselves, but all that they have, they have it from the vine it self, so none whosoever they be can bring forth fruit, but by abiding in him, and being made fruitful through ⟨p. 203⟩his grace. And even in like manner is the bread of the Lords Supper called his body, because (as we have said before) look what proper and peculiar office, the bread hath or yieldeth to our natural bodies, namely, to nourish and strengthen the same, the like doth Jesus Christs body broken, taken hold of by Faith, Spiritually communicate unto our souls, namely, it feedeth and strengtheneth them, to the assured hope and feeling of eternal life. And this manner of speech, attributing that to the sign which is proper and peculiar to the thing signified, is very usual in the Scripture, as a man meanly conversant in the same may plainly perceive: