A19571:276
A Defence of the True and Catholic Doctrine of the Sacrament
A defence of the true and catholic doctrine of the sacrament of the body and blood of our saviour Christ with a confutation of sundry errors concerning the same, grounded and stablished upon God's holy word, [and] approved by the consent of the most ancient doctors of the Church. Made by the most reverend father in God Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury, primate of all England and Metropolitan.A defence of the true and catholike doctrine of the sacrament of the body and bloud of our sauiour Christ with a confutacion of sundry errors concernyng the same, grounded and stablished vpon Goddes holy woorde, [and] approued by ye consent of the moste auncient doctors of the Churche. Made by the moste reuerende father in God Thomas Archebyshop of Canterbury, primate of all Englande and Metropolitane.
Imprinted at London : In Poules churcheyarde, at the sign of the Brazen serpent, by Reginald Wolfe. Cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum, Anno Domini. M.D.L. 1550Imprinted at London : In Poules churcheyarde, at the signe of the Brasen serpent, by Reginald Wolfe. Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum, Anno Domini. M.D.L. 1550
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.
Of these words of S. Augustine, it is most clear, that the profession of the catholic faith is, that Christ (as concerning his bodily substance and nature of man) is in heaven, and not present here with us in earth. For the nature and property of a very body, is to be in one place, and to occupy one place, and not to be every where, or in many places at one time. And though the body of Christ, after his resurrection and ascension, was made immortal, yet the nature thereof was not changed, for than (as saint Augustine saith) it were no very body. And further saint Augustine showeth, both the manner & form, how Christ is here present with us in earth, & how he is absent, saying, that he is present by his divine nature and Majesty, by this providence, and by his grace, but by his human nature and very body, he is absent from this world, and present in heaven.
Of these wordes of S. Augustyne, it is most cleare, that the profession of the catholike fayth is, that Christ (as cōcernyng his bodely substāce and nature of man) is in heauen, and not present here with vs in yearth. For the nature and property of a very body, is to be in one place, and to occupie one place, and not to be euery where, or in many places at one tyme. And though the body of Christ, after his resurrection and ascencion, was made immortal, yet the nature therof was not chaunged, for than (as saint Augustyn sayth) it were no very body. And further sainct Augustyne sheweth, bothe the maner & fourme, howe Christ is here present with vs in yearth, & howe he is absent, saiyng, that he is present by his diuine nature and Maiestie, by this prouidence, and by his grace, but by his humaine nature and very body, he is absent frō this worlde, and present in heauen.
Cyrillus likewise upon the Gospel of saint John agreeth fully with S. Augustine,1 saying Although Christ toke away from hence the presence of his body, yet in the Majesty of his Godhead he is ever here, as he promised to his disciples at his departing, saying: I am with you ever unto the worlds end.
Cyrillus likewyse vpon the Gospel of sainct Ihon agreeth fully with S. Augustyne,