A replie vnto M. Hardinges ansvveare by perusinge whereof the discrete, and diligent reader may easily see, the weake, and vnstable groundes of the Romaine religion, whiche of late hath beene accompted Catholique. By Iohn Iewel Bishoppe of Sarisburie.

M. Hardinge. The .3. Diuision.

Now concerninge this Article, whether we are able to auouche it by sutche auctorities, as M. Iuel requireth, or no, it shal not greatly force. The credite of the Catholique Faithe dependeth not of olde proufes of a fewe newe controuersed pointes, that ben of lesse importaunce. As for the people, they were taught the trueth plainely, when no Heretique had assaulted their Faith craftely. (248)* 1.1 The doctrine of the Churche is this: The Bodie of Christe after due Consecration remaineth so longe in the Sacrament, as the Sacramente endureth.* 1.2 The Sacramente endureth so longe, as the formes of Breade, and VVine continewe. Those formes continewe in their integritie, vntil the other accidentes be corrupted, and perishe. As if the colour, weight, sauour, taste, smel, and other qualities of Breade, and VVine be corrupted, and quite altered, then is the forme also of the same annichilated, and vndone. And to speake of this more particularly, sith that the substance of Breade and VVine is tourned into the substance of the Body and Bloude of Christe, as the (249)* 1.3 Scriptures, auncient Doctours, the necessary consequent of trueth, and determination of holy

Churche leadeth vs to beleeue: if suche change of the Accidentes be made, whiche shoulde not haue suffised to the corruption of Breade and VVine, in case of their remaindre, for suche a change the Body and Bloude of Christe ceaseth not to be in this Sacrament, whether the change be in qualitie, as if the colour, sauour, and smel of Breade and VVine be a litle altered, or in quantitie, as if thereof diui∣sion be made into suche portions, in whiche the nature of Breade and VVine might be reserued. But if there be made so great a change, as the nature of Breade and VVine should be corrupted, if they were present: then the Body and Bloude of Christe doo not remaine in this Sacrament, as when the colour and sauour, and other qualities of Breade and VVine are so farre changed, as the nature of Breade and VVine mighte not beare it: or on the quantities side, as if the Bread be so smal crom••••ed into duste, and the VVine dispersed into so smal portions, as their formes remaine no longer: then remaineth no more the Body and Bloude in this Sacrament. Thus the Body and Bloude of Christe remaineth in this Sacrament, so longe as the formes of Bread and VVine remaine. And when they faile and cease to be any more,* 1.4 then also ceaseth the Body and Bloud of Christe to be in the Sacrament. For there muste be a conuenience and resemblaunce betweene the Sacramentes, and the thinges whereof they be Sacra∣mentes, whiche done away and loste at the corruptions of the formes and Accidentes, the Sacramentes also be vndone and perishe, and consequently the inwarde thinge and the heauenly thinge in them conteined, leaueth to be in them.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The .248 Vn∣trueth. For this is a nevve fanta∣sie, and not the Doctrine of the Anciente Churche.
• * 1.2

  The Do∣ctrine of the Church▪
• * 1.3

  The .249. Vn∣truthe. For nei∣ther the Scrip∣tures, nor any of the Ancient Doctours &c. leadeth vs thus to beleeue.
• * 1.4

  August. ad Bonifaciū epist. 23.