A19571:333
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.
Thus have you heard, the declaration of Christ him self and of saint Paul, that the eating and drinking of Christs flesh & blood,1 is not taken in the common signification, with mouth and teethe to eat and chaw a thing being present, but by a lively faith in heart and mind to chaw and digest a thing being absent, either ascended hence into heaven, or else not yet borne upon earth.
Thus haue you hearde, the declaracion of Christe him selfe and of sainct Paule, that the eatyng and drinkyng of Christes fleshe & bloud,1 is not taken in the common signification, with mouthe and teethe to eate and chawe a thyng beyng present, but by a liuely fayth in heart and mynde to chawe and degest a thyng beyng absent, either ascended hence into heauen, or els not yet borne vpon yearth.
1And Origene declaring the said eating of Christs flesh and drinking of his blood, not to be understand as the words do sound, but figuratively, writeth thus upon these words of Christ: Except you eat my flesh and drink my ⟨p. 61⟩blood, you shall not have life in you. Consider (saith Origen) that these things written in gods books, are figures, and therefore examine and understand them as spiritual, and not as carnal men. For if you understand them as carnal men, they hurt you and feed you not. For even in the gospels is there found letter that killeth. And not only in the old testament, but also in the new is there found letter, that slayeth him, that doth not spiritually understand that which is spoken. For if thou follow the letter or words of this that Christ said: Except you eat my flesh and drink my blood. this letter killeth.