Of the institution of the sacrament of the blessed bodie and blood of Christ, (by some called) the masse of Christ eight bookes; discovering the superstitious, sacrilegious, and idolatrous abominations of the Romish masse. Together with the consequent obstinacies, overtures of perjuries, and the heresies discernable in the defenders thereof. By the R. Father in God Thomas L. Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield.

The fourth Demonstration, from the Fathers Explanation of their meaning, by a kinde of Correction.

SECT. VI.

ANcient Fathers in good number call that, which is repre∣sented in the Eucharist, and which we are said to offer, The same Host, not many; the same Oblation, no other; the same Sacri∣fice, and none but it: but they adde by a Figure 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, a Correction of the excesse of their speech, or rather for Caution∣sake, (least their Readers might conceive of the same Sacrifice herein as properly pres••nt) saying in this manner; We offer the same Sacrifice, or Rather the Remembrance thereof; alluding some∣time expresly to the Institution of Christ, [Doe this in remembrance of me.] The Fathers are these, viz. a Chrysostome, b Theophylact, c Thodoret, d Ambrose, e Eusebius, and f Primasius.

Your only Answer is, that their Exception, here used, was not to note that it is not the same Body of Christ here Corporally pre∣sent, which was offered upon the Crosse, but that it is not offered in the same manner by effusion of Blood, as that was; which is indeed a Part, but not the whole Truth. For survay the Margi∣nals, and then tell us; If that your Sacrifice were the same Body of Christ Corporally present, why should Theophylact apply h••s qualification not to the manner, whether Bloody or Vnbloody, but to the person of Christ, saying,▪ We offer the same Christ, who was once offered, or rather a Memoriall of his Oblation? And Theodo∣ret applying it directly to the thing, [Non aliud] We offer not ano∣ther Sacrifice, but a memoriall thereof? why Eusebius, Wee offer a Memoriall in stead of a Sacrifice? plainly notifying unto tis, that they meant the same very Body, which was the Subject of the Sa∣crifice on the Crosse, to be the now proper Object of our Remem∣brance in the Eucharist, but not the Subject therein.

Which agreeth with that which in the former Section was said by Ambrose, Our offering up of Christ in an Image; and Augustine his celebrating of this Sacrament of Remembrance. Semblably, as Hierome speakes of the Priest, who is said to take the Person of Christ in this Sacrament, so that, He (saith g Hierome) be a a true Priest, or rather an Imitator of him. But a Priest and an Imitator is

not Identically the same that is represented. Master Breeley is not Christ. Lastly, The same (said Primasius) in all places, which was borne of the Virgin, and not now great, and now lesse. So he. But have we not heard you number your many Hoasts on one Altar, at one Time? and yet the Fathers say, We offer not many, but the same, which must needs be the same one, as Object; else shew us where ever any Father denied but that upon divers Altars were divers Breads; or that but, according to their outward Demensions, they were now greater, now lesse; which no way agreeth with the Body of Christ, as hath beene proved in discussing the Canon of the Councell of Nice.

Notes

• a

  Chrysost. in Heb. 10. Hom. 17. pag. 1171. [Christus semper suo sanguine intrat] Ipse Sacrificium Sacer∣dos, & Hostia: si hoc non esset, multa oportebat etiam Sa∣crificia offerri, saep. ùs oportebat crucifigi.—Eandem ipsam Hostiam, quam Chri∣stus immolabat, offe∣rimus, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,] vel potiùs Recordationem ipsi∣sius, &c.
• b

  Theophylact. in Heb. 10. pag 885, 886. Nunc & ipsi sine san∣guine immolamus? Ita quidē, Sed Christi tunc reminiscimur o∣bitus: & una nobis est immolatio, non multae, quandoquidē & ille semel immola∣tus est. Eundem sem∣per offerimus, quin po•…•…s Oblationis il∣lius memoriam faci∣mus, perinde ac si es∣set hoc tempore im∣molatus. Quocirca u∣num effe hoc nost••um Sacrificium constat.—Vnicum est & semel oblatum—nam & unus est san∣guis, & semel fosus.
• c

  Theod. in Hebr. cap. 8. Cumeffecitur alia Sacrificia non essent necessaria, cur novi Testamenti Sacerdotes mysticam Liturgiam seu Sacrificio•••• pera∣gant? sed clarum est iis, qui sunt in rebu•• divini•• eruditi, nos non aliud Sacrificium offerre, sed unius illius sal••∣taris memoriam peragere—Dixit enim, Hoe facite in memoriam mei.
• d

  Ambros. in Heb. 10 Offeri∣mus quidem, sed Recordationem salutaris mortis ejus, & una haec Hostia, non multae.
• e

  Euseb. Demonst. Evan∣gelic. lib. 1. cap. 10. Sacrificamus & incendim••is, a••••âs autem magni Sacrificii illius memoriam, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• f

  Primasius in Heb. cap. 10. Quod Deus &c. Offer•••••• quidem Sacer••••••es nostri, sed ad reco••dationem mortis ejus—sicut ipse dixit, Hoc facit•• in Commemo rationem 〈◊〉〈◊〉—Vn•• hostia, non mul∣tae—Corpus unum cum illo, quod suscepit in utero virginali, non autem multa Corpora, nec nunc qui∣dem aliud magnum, aliud minu••.
• g

  Hier. Tom. 5. lib. 13. Com. in Ezech. cap. 44. Qui offerat Deo Sacrificium, ita ut verus Sacerdos sit, imò Imitator ejus, qui est Sacer ••o•• secundum ordinem Mele••izedech. Idem Tom. 9. lib. 4. cap. 26. in Match. Sicut Melchizedech panem & vinum offerem, ipse quo que veritatem corporis & sanguinis sui repraesentet.
• See above Booke 4. cap. 9. Sect. 4.