A19571:565
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.
In these words Athanasius declareth the cause why Christ made mention of his ascension into heaven, when he spake of the eating and drinking of his flesh and blood. The cause after Athanasius mind was this, that his hearers should not think of any carnal eating of his body with their mouths (for as concerning the presence of his body, he should be taken from them, and ascend into heaven, but that they should understand him to be a spiritual meat, and spiritually to be eaten, and by that refreshing to give eternal life, which he doth to none, but to such as be his lively members.
In these woordes Athanasius declareth the cause why Christ made mention of his ascention into heauen, whan hee spake of the eatinge and drinking of his fleshe and blud. The cause after Athanasius mynde was thys, that his hearers shuld not thinke of any carnal eating of his body with their mouths (for as concerning the presence of his body, he should be taken from them, and ascende into heauen, but that they shuld vnderstande him to be a spirituall meate, and spiritually to be eaten, and bi that refreshing to giue eternall lyfe, which he doth to none, but to suche as be his lyuely membres.
And of this eating speaketh also Basilius,1 that we eat Christs flesh and drink his blood, being made, by his incarnation and sensible ⟨image 99⟩life, partakers of his word and wisdom. For his flesh and blood he called all his mystical conversation here in his flesh and his doctrine, consisting of his whole life, pertaining both to his humanity and divinity, whereby the soul is nourished and brought to the contemplation of things eternal
And of this eatinge speaketh also Basilius,1 that we eate Christes flesh and drinke his blud, beynge made, by hys incarnation and sensyble ⟨image 99⟩