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HOW many examples do we vse to proue that the thing is not that which nature made, but that which the bles∣sing hath consecrated; and that the power of Consecra∣tion is greater then the power of nature: for by Consecra∣tion the wery nature it selfe is changed. Thou hast lear∣ned therefore that of bread is made the body of Christ, and that wine & water is put into the
Chalice, but by the Consecra∣tion of the heauenly word it is made bloud. And hauing alleadged many examples, as of Moyses his rod change in∣to à serpent, wat••er into wine he goes on saying. Now if hu∣man benediction preuailed so farre as to Change & conuert nature, what say we of the di∣uine Consecration, where the very words of our Sauiour are operatiue & do worke? for this Sacrament, which thou recei∣uest, is made by the word of Christ. If the word of Elias preuailed so farre, as to bring downe fy∣re from heauen; shall not the word of Christ preuaile so farre as to Change the species or na∣ture of the Elements? Of the workes of the whole word thou hast read, that he sayd the
word and they were made; he commanded, and they were created: the word of Christ then which was able to make of nothing that which was not, cannot he change the things that haue being into that which they were not? it is not a lesse matter to giue new natures, then t••o change them. Thus S. Ambrose: by all which it is cleere that he speakes not heere of an acci∣dentall Morall change in vse and office, not of an externall deputation of the bread and wine (corporall foode) to si∣gnify spirituall nourishment; butt of a Physicall change; of a change in nature, of such a change as none but omnipo∣tent power of the Creator can make in his Creatures.