A14216:2208
The Sum of Christian Religion
The sum of Christian religion: delivered by Zacharias Ursinus in his lectures upon the Catechism authorised by the noble Prince Frederick, throughout his dominions: wherein are debated and resolved the questions of whatsoever points of moment, which have been or are controversed in divinity. Translated into English by Henry Parry, out of the last & best Latin editions, together with some supply of wa[n]ts out of his discourses of divinity, and with correction of sundry faults & imperfections, which are [sic] as yet remaining in the best corrected Latin.The summe of Christian religion: deliuered by Zacharias Vrsinus in his lectures vpon the Catechism autorised by the noble Prince Frederick, throughout his dominions: wherein are debated and resolued the questions of whatsoeuer points of moment, which haue beene or are controuersed in diuinitie. Translated into English by Henrie Parrie, out of the last & best Latin editions, together with some supplie of wa[n]ts out of his discourses of diuinitie, and with correction of sundrie faults & imperfections, which ar [sic] as yet remaining in the best corrected Latine.
Oxford: printed by Joseph Barnes, 1587Oxford: printed by Ioseph Barnes, 1587
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.
4 Objection. The eating of bread is done by the mouth: But the eating of the body is the eating of bread. Therefore the eating of the body is done by the mouth, and is corporal, when it is said, Take and eat. Answer. This eating, whereof mention is made here, is performed by the mouth, not simply, but as concerning the sign. But it is not done by the mouth, but is spiritual, as concerning the thing signified & spiritual. Reply. This is my body, that is the invisible body which J have in my hands. Answer. But the body is the thing signified and spiritual, other-wise there will be no proportion between the sign and the thing signified. It followeth therefore that he sayeth, The bread is my body: So that the bread is that whereof the body is affirmed. For in this speech the thing signified is affirmed of the sign.
4 Obiection. The eating of bread is done by the mouth: But the eating of the bodie is the eating of bread. Therefore the eating of the bodie is done by the mouth, and is corporall, when it is saide, Take and eate. Aunswere. This eating, whereof mention is made heere, is perfourmed by the mouth, not simplie, but as concerning the signe. But it is not doone by the mouth, but is spirituall, as concerning the thing signified & spirituall. Reply. This is my bodie, that is the inuisible bodie which J haue in my handes. Aunswere. But the bodie is the thing signified and spirituall, other-wise there will bee no proportion betweene the signe and the thing signified. It followeth therefore that hee saieth, The bread is my bodie: So that the bread is that whereof the bodie is affirmed. For in this speech the thing signified is affirmed of the signe.
5 Objection. The Words are not to be changed. Christ used the word, Is; Therefore there may not be put in place thereof the word, Signifieth. Answer. The words are not to be changed into another sense, than God will have. But otherwise ⟨p. 760⟩they are often to be changed: As when it is said, Pluck out thine eye. For words are to be understood according to the nature of things. Moreover they themselves, who accuse us of change, do more make this change and mutation than we. Reply. The body of christ was broken and crucified for us: not the sign of the body. Therefore the bread is the substantial body of christ. Answ. I grant: for the bread signifieth that very body, which was borne of Mary & crucified.