Institutions of Christian religion framed out of Gods word, and the writings of the best diuines, methodically handled by questions and answers, fit for all such as desire to know, or practise the will of God. Written in Latin by William Bucanus Professor of Diuinitie in the Vniuersitie of Lausanna. And published in English by Robert Hill, Bachelor in Diuinitie, and Fellow of Saint Iohns Colledge in Cambridge, for the benefit of our English nation, to which is added in the end the practise of papists against Protestant princes.

From whence doe you gather besides, that Christ spake Tropically?

1 From the nature and sacramentall speaches of all other Sa∣craments, alreadie instituted from the beginning of the world, wherein it commeth to passe that the name of the thing signi∣fied is giuen to the signe it selfe, or the signe is named for the thing signifyed, as Genes. 17.10.13. Circumcision is the Coue∣nant, that is, the signe of the Couenant. Exod. 12.11.27. The Lambe is the Passeouer: that is, the signe and memoriall of the Lord, The Rocke was Christ, that is a signe of Christ.a 1.1

2 From the knowne speech concerning the same Sacrament,

in Paule. 1. Cor. 10.16. The bread which we breake is the commu∣nion of the bodie, that is to say, Metonymically, like as the Gospell is called, the power of God, that is the effectuall instrument of God. Rom. 1.16. And ƲƲe that are many, are one bread, and one bodie: And 1. Cor. 11.29. He that eateth and drinketh vnworthily, eateth & drinketh his owne damnation: which things vnlesse a trope be vsed, cannot be vnderstood, and the bodie it selfe of Christ cannot be said to be eaten but tropically.

3 Because the Ascension of Christ into heauen, and the veritie of the humane nature which hee tooke admitteth not a proper speech. For Augustine teacheth, That one place is not to bee inter∣preted, so that it may be contrarie to many others, but so, that it may a∣gree with many other.* 1.2

4 Because the Fathers, had the same meate and drinke not only a∣mong themselues, but also with vs, that is to say, in respect of the mat∣ter. 1. Cor. 10.3. VVhat is the same, but that which also wee haue? saith Augustine. Therefore the same meat and the same drink, but to the vnderstanding and beleeuing. But to the not vnderstanding, that Manna alone,* 1.3 that water alone: but to the beleeuers, the same which now, for then Christ was to come, now he is come: was to come, and is come are diuers words, but the same Christ.

5 Because it could not be, that Christ locally sitting at the ta∣ble, and communicating with the disciples (as it is, Mat. 26.29. I will not drinke henceforth of this fruit of the vine) should himselfe eate himselfe really and corporally.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Exod. 17.6 1. Cor. 10.4
• * 1.2

  De Doct. Christ.
• * 1.3

  Book de Vti. lit. paenitent. & vpon Ioh. tract 21