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…

Otherwise we must say, that Christ spake of one thing, and meant an other, which as it might be injurious to our selves, we not knowing which way to take Christs words, so should it accuse him for want of plain dealing, which dotage differeth not much from blasphemy against his person. Secondly, I would have this to be remembered, that seeing all, one and other, both we, and our adversaries, confess these words to be spoken of the Sacrament, we must not gather that the word body is otherwise attributed to the bread ⟨p. 206⟩than the nature and quality (as a man would say) of sacraments will bear: for them if we should grant that, we might easily destroy and overthrow all the sacraments, that either have been or are in the Church of God, because in this behalf or respect there is a like proportion to be observed in one, as in all, and if one be defaced in respect of a wrong sense, the rest can hardly or not at all stand upright. For sith the scripture speaking of Sacraments, useth one ordinary and common kind of speech to them all, what reason can there be showed, that the words in one sacrament being understood so, the self-same words should not have the self-same sense and meaning in other? Thirdly, that this is the nature of all sacraments, that the elements and rites used in the same, be true and effectual, not signs only, but testimonies and pledges also of those things, for the signifying and subjecting of which unto our senses, they were ordained, otherwise the nature of a sacrament should be overthrown, which consisteth of an outward and visible element, and of an inward and invisible grace, and we spoiled of our faith, which is not, ne ought ⟨p. 207⟩not to be occupied about those gross and earthly matters, but upon spiritual and heavenly things only.

Otherwise wee must saye, that Christ spake of one thing, and meant an other, which as it might be iniurious to our selues, wee not knowing which way to take Christes wordes, so shoulde it accuse him for want of plaine dealing, which dotage differeth not muche from blasphemie against his person. Secondlie, I would haue this to be remembred, that seeing all, one and other, both we, and our aduersaries, confes these woordes to be spoken of the Sacrament, wee must not gather that the word bodie is otherwise attributed to the bread ⟨p. 206⟩