A19571:364
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.
And therefore S. Augustine saith Contra Maximinū, 1that in sacraments we must not consider what they be, but what they signify. For that be signs of things, being one thing and signifying an other. Which he doth show specially of this sacrament saying: 2The heavenly bread which is Christs flesh, by some manner of speech is called Christs body, when in very deed it is the sacrament of his body. And that offering of the flesh which is done by the priests hands, is called Christs passion, death and crucifying, not in very deed, but in a mystical signification.
And therfore S. Augustine saith Contra Maximinū, 1that in sacraments we must not considre what they be, but what they signifye. For thet be signes of things, beyng one thyng and signyfiyng an other. Whych he doth shew specyally of thys sacrament saying: 2The heauenly bread which is Christes flesh, by some manner of speache is called Christes body, when in very deede it is the sacrament of his body. And that offering of the flesh whiche is doone by the priestes handes, is called Christes passion, deathe and crucifiyng, not in very deede, but in a mystycall signyfycacion.
- 1Contra Maximinū. li. 3 cap. 22.Contra Maximinū. li. 3 cap. 22.
- 2In lib. sentē tiarum Prosperi de conscrat. distin. 4. hoc est.In lib. sentē tiarum Prosperi de cōscrat. distin. 4. hoc est.
And to this purpose it is both pleasant,