Selected quad for the lemma: heaven_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
heaven_n	bread_n	father_n	manna_n	3,519	5	12.0995	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A02359	Three rare monuments of antiquitie, or Bertram, priest, a French-man, of the body and blood of Christ, (written 800 yeares agoe) with the late Romish purging thereof: Ælfricus, Arch-bishop of Canterburie, an English-man, his sermon of the sacrament, (preached 627 yeares agoe:) and Maurus, abbot, a Scots-man, his discourse of the same (820 yeares agoe:) all stronglie convincing that grosse errour of transubstantiation. Translated and compacted by M. VVilliam Guild, minister at King-Edward; De corpore et sanguine Domini. English. Abridgments	Ratramnus, monk of Corbie, d. ca. 868.; Guild, William, 1586-1657.; Aelfric, Abbot of Eynsham. Sermo de sacrificio in die Pascae. aut; Rabanus Maurus, Archbishop of Mainz, 784?-856. De sacramento Eucharistiae. aut	1624 (1624)	STC 12492; ESTC S103528	49,280	152

safetie of the Worlde Hee had not as yet redeemed vs with his precious blood when alreadie our Fathers in the Desart by Spirituall Food and invisible Drinke did eate his bodie and drinke his blood as the Apostle t●stifyeth when hee affirmeth our Fathers to haue eaten that same Spirituall Food drunken that same Spirituall Drinke Not that how the same was done is to bee inquired but Fayth that it was so done is to bee acquired For that selfe-same GOD who in his Church by his Almightie power changeth the Bread and Wine into his Flesh and Blood after a Spirituall manner that selfe-same GOD I saye turned in the verie like sorte the Manna which rayned from Heaven into his owne bodie vnto them invisiblie and turned the water gushing out of the rocke into his owne blood Which thing David vnderstanding hee declared the same manifestlie beeing instructed by the holie Ghost saying that Man did eate the bread of Angels For it is a thing to bee laughed at to suppose that that corporall Manna given to the Fathers doeth feede that heavenlie hoaste or that they doe eate anie such meate who are filled with the Banquets of that Heavenlie worde The Psalmist surelie showeth or rather the Spirite of God speaking by the Psalmist either what our Fathers by that heavenlie Manna did receiue or what the faythfull nowe in the mysterie of the bodie and blood of Christ ought to conceiue and belieue In both these surelie Christ him selfe is meant who feedeth the soules of the earthlie believers and is the meat of the heavenlie Angels and both this is done not with a corporall tasting nor by a bodily foode but by the vertue of the spirituall word And vvee vnderstand by the Evangelistes rehearsing that our Lord Iesus Christ before that hee suffered taking bread gaue thanks and gaue to his disciples saying This is my Bodie which is given for you doe this in remembrance of Mee Likewyse He tooke the Cup after Supper saying This Cup is the New Testament in my Blood which is shed for you Where wee see that Christ as yet had not suffered and yet the mysterie of his bodie and his blood was alreadie celebrated for wee thinke not that anie of the faythfull will doubt that that bread was made the bodie of Christ which giving to his disciples hee sayeth thereof This is my Bodie which is given for you Neither that they will doubt that that Cup doeth containe the blood of Christ sacramentallie to wit concerning the which hee sayeth also This Cup is the new Testament in my blood which shal be shed for you So that a little before hee suffered hee could thus haue changed that substance of bread and creature of wine into his owne bodie which was to suffer and into his blood which was to be shed and so also he was able to convert that heavenlie foode after the same manner that rained in the wildernesse and that water which gushed out of the Rocke into his bodie and blood albeit that long after hee was incarnate and his flesh was to hang vpon the Crosse for vs and his blood was to bee shed for our ablution Heere also wee ought to consider how the words are to bee taken which himselfe sayeth Except yee eate the flesh of the Sonne of man and drinke his blood yee haue no lyfe in you Hee sayeth not that his flesh which did hang vpon the crosse should be cutted in pieces and eaten by his Disciples or that his blood which was to bee shed for the redemption of the worlde was to bee given to his Disciples to drinke for that were a facinorous and an abhominable thing if either his blood were so drunken or his flesh eaten according as that grosse and incredulous people thought Wherefore in the words following hee sayeth to his Disciples who indeede believed his words but not as yet had throughlie pearced vnto their right meaning Doeth this sayeth hee offend you what therefore if yee shall see the Sonne of man going vp where hee was before As if he would haue sayde Yee shall not thinke that my bodie is to bee divyded in partes amongst you to bee eaten corporallie or my blood to be so drunken when after my resurrection yee shall see mee going vp to the heavens with the whole fulnesse of my bodie and blood then ye shall vnderstand that my flesh is to be eaten by the faythfull not as these grosse and incredulous people doe thinke but truelie and in a mysticall manner bread and wine being converted sacramentallie to wit into the substance of my bodie and blood to bee taken by the faythfull And thereafter hee lyke-wyse sayeth It is the Spirit that quickeneth the flesh profiteth nothing Hee sayeth the flesh profiteth nothing that way as the incredulous Capernaites vnderstood for other-wise it giveth lyfe as it is taken in a mysterie by the faythfull And hee showeth manifestlie himselfe wherefore this is when hee sayeth It is the Spirit that quickneth Therefore in this mysterie of the bodie and blood of Christ there is a spirituall operation which giveth lyfe without the which operation these mysteries profite nothing because they may feede the bodie indeede but they cannot nowrish the soule But heere aryseth a question which sundrie doe propone affirming That these thinges are not figuratiuelie to bee vnderstood but according to the verie literall veritie which while they say they withall gaine-say the writings of the holie Fathers Sainct Augustine one of the chiefe Doctors of the Church in his third Booke concerning the doctrine of Christ writeth so Except yee eate sayeth our Saviour the flesh of the Sonne of man and drinke his blood yee shall not haue lyfe in you Hee seemeth to command a wicked and facinorous fact but hee doeth not so for he speaketh figuratiuelie commanding vs to communicate of the Passion of the Lord and that wee should profitablie and comfortablie lay it vp in our mynde That his bodie was crucified and wounded for vs. Wee see then that Augustine sayeth that the mysterie of the bodie and blood of Christ is to be celebrated by the faythfull vnder a figure or in resemblance for to eate his flesh and drinke his blood carnallie it is not a point of Religion but of wicked villanie amongst whom were these who in the Gospell vnderstanding the wordes of our Saviour carnallie departed from him and went no longer with him Lyke-wyse Augustine in that Epistle which he wryteth to Bishop Boniface amongst other things saith this to wit When Easter approacheth wee vsuallie say that the morrow is the day of the Lords Passion when not-with-standing hee hath suffered manie yeares agoe neither was that Passion of his but once and vpon the Sabbath thereafter wee say This is the day of the Lords Resurrection when notwithstanding manie yeares are by-past since hee arose Wherefore no man will bee so foolish as to accuse vs because wee call these dayes so but according

at all but this which is celebrated in the Church is temporall and not eternall corruptible as that which is yet in the way and not alreadie in the natiue Countrey wherfore they differ from them selues and therefore are not one But if they bee not one howe then are they called the true bodie and blood of Christ For if it bee the bodie of Christ and that bee sayde truelie because it is so then in veritie it is his bodie and if it be in veritie his bodie it is incorruptible and doeth not nowe suffer and consequentlie is eternall Then of necessitie this bodie which is celebrated in the Church must bee incorruptible and eternall But it can-not bee denyed but that is subject to corruption which is divyded in partes to bee taken and beeing brayed with the teeth is sent downe into the Bellie Therefore it is one thing that is seene outwardlie and another thing which is believed by fayth inwardlie For as it falleth vnder the sense of the bodie it is corruptible but as fayth believeth it is incorruptible That which is seene then outwardlie is is not the thing it selfe but the resemblance of it but that which is felt inwardlie and vnderstood by the mynd is the veritie of the thing it selfe Hence it is that Sainct Augustine in the Exposition of the Evangelist Sainct Iohn sayeth while hee was speaking of the bodie blood of Christ Moses did eate saith he that Manna and Aaron and Phineas and manie moe die eate the same there who pleased GOD and they died not Wherefore because they tooke that visible meate spirituallie they tasted spirituallie that they might bee filled spirituallie for wee now-a-dayes in lyke-manner take visible bread But a Sacrament is one thing and the vertue of a Sacrament another Also in the wordes following this is the bread which came down from heaven that heavenlie Manna did fore-show this bread the Altar of God also did fore-shadow this bread All these were Sacraments which are diverse according to their signes but a-like in that which they signified Let vs heare the Apostle Sainct Paul also Brethren sayeth hee I will not haue you ignorant that our Fathers were all vnder the Cloude and did all passe through the Sea and that they were all bap●ized vnto Moses in the Cloude and in the Sea and did all eate that same Spirituall Meat and did all drinke that same Spirituall Drinke I say that same spirituall meat and that same drinke because they did eate other corporall meat dranke other corporall drinke in respect they did eate Manna But wee doe eate another thing and yet they did eate the same spirituall meat which wee doe and they all dranke that same spirituall drinke But according to the visible shape these thinges were different which not-with-standing did signifie but one thing spirituallie Howe then did they drinke of that same drinke Hee answereth They did drinke of that spirituall Rocke that followed them and that Rocke was Christ. From thence came the Bread also from whence the Drinke came and the Rocke Christ was given them for a signe but true Christ was exhibited in the worde and in the flesh Also this is the Bread which came downe from Heaven whereof if anie man eate hee shall not die But hee meaneth heere that which appertayneth vnto the vertue of the Sacrament and not that which appertayneth to the visible Sacrament Who so eateth within and not without participateth heere-of who so eateth with his heart and not with his mouth Also in the wordes following bringing in the wordes of our Saviour hee sayeth Doeth this offende you because I sayde I giue you my Flesh to eate and my Blood to drinke What then if yee shall see the Sonne of man going vp where hee was before What meaneth hee by this Heere hee taketh away that doubt which troubled them heere hee cleareth that which offended them For they thought that hee was carnallie to bestowe his bodie vpon them by morsels But hee shewed that hee was to goe vp to Heaven with his whole bodie When yee shall see the Sonne of Man then going vp where hee was before surelie then it shall be manifest that the LORD bestoweth not his bodie according as yee suppose surelie then yee shall vnderstand that his grace is not consumed by mo●sels Also hee sayeth It is the Spirite that quickeneth the flesh profiteth nothing And a good while after hee addeth this Who-so-euer hath not the Spirite of Christ sayeth the Apostle the same is not his Then it is the Spirite that quickeneth the flesh profiteth nothing The wordes that I speake vnto you are Spirit and Lyfe That is sayeth hee they are to bee vnderstoode spirituallie Vnderstandest thou them spirituallie Then they are Spirit and Lyfe vnto thee Vnderstandest thou them carnallie Even yet they are Spirite and Lyfe but not vnto thee By the authoritie then of this learned Doctor wee are taught manifestlie that the wordes of our Saviour concerning the Sacrament of his bodie and blood are to bee vnderstood spirituallie and not carnallie as hee sayeth him selfe The wordes that I speake vnto you are Spirit and Lyfe To wit the wordes concerning the eating of his fleshe and drinking of his bloode For it was concerning this that hee was speaking when his Disciples were offended Therefore that they might not bee offended our heavenlie Master calleth them backe from the flesh vnto the Spirit from corporall sense to spirituall vnderstanding Wee see then in the eating of the Lord● bodie and drinking of his blood in what respect the same is his bodie and his blood truelie to wit according to that that the same is Spirit and Lyfe Also these things that are a-like are comprehended vnder one definition Nowe concerning the true bodie of Christ it is sayde That hee is true God and true man who in the latter tymes of the world was borne of the Virgine Marie But these things cannot be sayde of the bodie of Christ which is celebrated by a mysterie in the Church According then to a certaine manner onelie it is acknowledged to be the bodie of Christ and that manner is by a figure and in resemblance that so the veritie and thing it selfe may bee the more sensiblie vnderstood In the Prayers also which are sayde after the mysterie of the body and blood of Christ and wherein the people answere AMEN the Priest vttereth these wordes Wee request Thee humblie O LORD who are now partakers of the Pledges of eternall Lyfe that which we touch in the resemblance of this Sacrament wee may receiue in the manifest participation of the thing it selfe Now we know that a pledge or resemblance is of another thing where-of they are the pledges or resemblances that is they are not to bee considered as they are in them selues but as they haue a reference to another thing for a pledge is of that for the which it is given and so is an

treated of in another place and part we shal now declare to wit that which belongeth to the holie Housell Christen men may not now keepe that olde Law bodilie but it behoveth them to know what it ghostlie signifi●th That Innocent Lambe which the olde Israelites did then kill had signification after ghostlie vnderstanding of Christs suffering who vnguiltie shed his holie blood for our redemption Heere-of sing Gods servantes at everie Masse Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi miserere nobis that is in our speach Thou Lambe of God that takest away the sinnes of the world haue mercie on vs. Those Israelites vvere delivered from sudden death and Pharaohs bondage by the Lambes offering which signifyed Christes suffering thorowe which wee are delivered from ever-lasting Death and from the Devils cruell reigne if wee rightlie belieue in the true Redeemer of the whole Worlde even Christ the Saviour That Lambe was offered in the Evening and our Saviour suffered in the last Age of the Worlde This Age of the corruptible Worlde is reckoned to the Evening They marked with the Lambes blood vpon the Doores and vpper postes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 THAV that is the signe of the Crosse and were so defended from the Angell that killed the Aegyptian first-borne And we ought to marke our Fore-heads and our Heartes with the Bloode of our Lordes Suffering Those Israelites did eate the Lambes flesh yearlie at Easter time when they were delivered And wee receiue Christes bodie ghostly and drinke his bloode when wee receiue with true beliefe that holie Housell That tyme they kept yearelie at Easter seaven dayes with great worship when they were delivered from Pharaoh and departed from that I and. So also Christen men keepe Christes Resurrection at the tyme of Easter seaven dayes because thorow his Suffering and rysing wee are delivered and are made cleane by going to this holie Housell as Christ sayeth in his Gospell Verilie verilie I saye vnto you Yee haue no lyfe in you except yee eate My Eleshe and drinke My Blood Hee that eateth My Fleshe and drinketh My Bloode abydeth in Mee and I in him and hee hath that Ever-lasting Lyfe and I will rayse him vp at the last Daye I am that lyuelie Bread which came downe from Heaven not so as your Fathers did eate Manna in the Wildernesse and died Hee that eateth this Bread liveth for ever Hee blessed then Bread before his suffering and divided it vnto his Disciples thus saying Eate of this Bread It is My Bodie and doe this in My rememberance Also he blessed Wine in one Cuppe and sayde Drinke yee all of this This is My Blood which is shedde for manie in forgiuenesse of sinnes The Apostles did also as Christ commanded that is They blessed Bread and Wine to housell againe afterwardes in his rememberance Even so also their Successoures and all Priestes by Christes Commaundement doe blesse Bread and Wine to housell in his Name with the Apostolicke Blessing Nowe men haue often searched and doe yet often search howe Bread which is gathered of Corne and thorowe Fyres heate baked may bee turned to Christes bodie Or howe Wine which is pressed out of manie Grapes is turned thorowe a blessing to the Lordes bloode Nowe saye wee vnto such men That some thinges bee spoken of Christ by signification and some be thinges certayne True this is and certayne That Christ was borne of a Mayde and suffered death of his owne accorde and was buried and on this Daye rose agayne from Death Hee is sayde to bee Bread then by signification and a Lambe and a Lyon and a Mountayne Hee is called Bread because hee is our Lyfe and Angels lyfe Hee is sayde to bee a Lambe for his innocencie A Lyon for strength where-with hee overcame the strong Devill But Christ is not so not-with-standing after true nature neyther Bread nor a Lambe nor a Lyon Why is then that holie Housell called Christs bodie or his blood if it bee not truelie that which it is called Truelie the bread and the wine which in the Supper by the Priest is hallowed showe one thing with-out vnto humane vnderstanding and another thing with-in vnto believing mindes With-out they are seene bread and wine both in figure and taste and they bee so truelie after their hallowing But Christes bodie and blood by ghostlie mysterie An Heathen Chylde is christened yet hee altereth not his shape with-out though hee bee chaunged with-in Hee is brought vnto the Font-stone sinfull thorowe Adams disobedience And how-be-it hee is washed from all sinne with-in yet hee hath not changed his shape with-out Even so the holie Font water which is called the Well-spring of Lyfe is lyke in shape vnto other water and is subject to corruption but the holie Ghostes might commeth to the corruptible water thorowe the Priestes blessing and it may after wash the bodie and soule from all sinne thorowe Ghostlie might Beholde nowe wee see two thinges in one creature after true nature that water is corruptible moysture and after ghostlie mysterie hath whole-some vertue So also if wee beholde that holie Housell after bodilie vnderstanding then wee see that it is a creature corruptible and mutable but if we acknowledge there-in ghostlie might then vnderstand wee that life is there-in and that it giveth Immortalitie to them that eate it with beliefe Much is between the invisible might of this holy Housel and the visible shape of its proper nature It is naturallie corruptible bread and wine and is by might of Gods word truelie Christes bodie and his blood not so not-with-standing bodylie but ghostlie Much is betweene the bodie of Christ which hee suffered in and the bodie which is hallowed to housell The bodie truelie that Christ suffered in was borne of the flesh of Ma●ie with blood and bone with skin and sinewes in humane limmes with a reasonable soule living But his ghostlie bodie which wee call the Housell is gathered of many Cornes with-out blood and bone with-out limme with-out soule and there-fore nothing is to be vnderstood there-in bodilie but all ghostlie What-so-ever was in that Housell which giveth substance of life that is of the ghostlie might and invisible doing Therefore is that holie Housell called a mysterie because there is one thing in it seene and another thing vnderstoode That which is there seene hath bodilie shape and that which wee doe there vnderstand hath Ghostlie might Certainlie Christs bodie which suffered death and rose againe from death never dieth hence-foorth but is eternall and impassible That Housell is temporall not eternall corruptible and dealed in-to sundrie partes chewed betweene the Teeth and sent downe in-to the bellie how-be-it never-the-lesse after Ghostlie might it is all in everie part Manie receiue that holie bodie and yet not-with-standing it is so all in everie part after Ghostlie mysterie Though some chewe the lesse yet there is no more might not-with-standing in the more parte than the lesse because it is whole in all men after

proceede from the Vine-grape by the sanctification of the holie mysterie is made the blood of Christ not visiblie as is vsuall is substantiall conversions but as the same Father sayeth by the invisible operation of the holie Ghost And because they are a farre more different thing by the invisible power than they appeare outwardlie and are seene to bee hee distinguisheth them while he saith that the bread and wine are therefore compared to the bodie and blood of Christ because as the substance of the visible bread and wine nowrisheth and cheareth the outward man so the worde of God which is the liuelie bread by the participation thereof refresheth in like manner the soules of the faythfull By saying of which things hee confesseth plainlie that whatsoever is taken outwardlie in the Sacrament of the Bodie and Blood of our Lord it is meete for the refreshment of the bodie onelie but the word of God which is the invisible bread beeing invisiblie present in that Sacrament doeth feede the soules of the faythfull invisiblie quickning them by the participation of himselfe Hence it is that the same divine Doctor sayeth that it is a Sacrament in anie celebration when the action is so performed that some thing is vnderstood to be signified which is to bee holielie taken By saying which hee showeth that all Sacramentes in holie matters doe containe some mysticall thing and that it is one thing which is seene by our outward eyes and another thing which is inwardlie to bee vnderstood by our mynds And after this hee showeth what Sacraments are to bee celebrated by the faythfull to wit Baptisme and that of the Bodie and Blood of Christ. Which are called Sacramentes because vnder the covering of the corporall thinges in these Sacramentes the divine vertue more secretlie worketh salvation Whence it is that from their secret and sacred vertue they are called Sacraments And thereafter hee sayeth that in the Greeke they are called MYSTERIES because they haue a secret and hid nature and disposition with them What then are we taught here but that these things which are sayd to bee the bodie and blood of our Lord are therefore called mysteries because they haue a secret and hid disposition and qualitie that is that one thing they show outwardlie and another thing invisiblie they worke inwardlie From this they are also called Sacramentes because by the covering of corporall things the heavenlie power more secretlie dispenseth the salvation of the faithfull partakers Out of all then which hath bene formerlie spoken wee haue showne vnto you that the bodie and blood of Christ which is taken in the Church by the mouth of the faythfull are signes and figures according to their visible shape but according to their invisible substance that is according to the power of the heavenlie word they are the bodie and blood of CHRIST truelie whence it is that according as they are seen as the visible creatures they nowrish the bodie but according to the vertue of the more powerfull substance they both nowrish and sanctifie the soules of the faythfull WE must looke now to the drift of the second Question consider if that same bodie which was borne of the Virgine and suffered died and was buried and sitteth now at the right Hand of the Father bee that which is taken by the mouth of the faythfull daylie in the mysterie of the Sacrament Then let vs aske at Sainct Ambrose what hee doeth thinke concerning this matter for hee sayeth in his first Booke of the Sacramentes Surelie it is a wonderfull thing that God rained downe heavenlie Food vnto our Fathers and that they were daylie nowrished vpon celestiall meat whence it is sayde that Man did eate the bread of Angels and yet they who did eate that bread died all in the Desart But that meate which thou takest and that bread of life which came down from heaven furnisheth the nowrishment of everlasting lyfe and who-so-ever eateth this bread hee shall never die and this bread is the bodie of Christ. Looke then in what respect it is that this holie Doctor sayeth that Christes bodie is foode which the faythfull receiue in the Church for hee sayeth that bread of lyfe which came downe from heaven furnisheth the nowrishment of everlasting lyfe Now I aske if it furnisheth that nowrishment as it is seene or as it is taken corporallie as it is chewed with the teeth swallowed with the mouth and received in the stomacke Not. For that way it should feed the flesh onelie which is mortall neyther giveth it anie immortalitie that way nor can it bee sayde that who-so-ever eateth this bread so shall not die for ever for that which the bodie receiveth is corruptible neither can it availe vnto eternall lyfe because that which is subject to corruption cannot giue eternitie Therfore in that bread there is a lyfe which is not seene with these corporall eyes but which wee beholde with sight of fayth and that is that heavenlie bread which came downe from heaven and concerning the which it is sayd who-so-ever eateth this bread shall liue for ever which is the bodie of our Lord. Also in the wordes following when hee was speaking of the almightie power of Christ he sayeth so The word of God that might of nothing make that which was not can Hee not change these thinges which are into that vvhich they were not For it is not a greater matter to create new things than to change natures Sainct Ambrose then sayeth that there is in the Sacrament of the bodie and blood of our Lord a mutation made marveilouslie because divinelie and ineffablie in respect it is an incomprehensible mysterie Let them tell then sayeth he who will haue nothing vnderstood according to an internall secret vertue but all to bee esteemed after an outward and visible manner onelie wherein this mutation is made for according to the substance of the creatures they are that same thereafter which they were before the consecration they were first bread and wine vnder the which shape they beeing consecrated are seene still so as yet to remaine It must be inwardlie then that they are changed by the mightie power of the holie Spirit and that which fayth beholdeth feedeth the soule onlie and furnisheth the nowrishment of eternall lyfe Also in the words following he sayeth Wherefore seekest thou the order of nature in the bodie of Christ aboue the order of nature our Lord was borne of the Virgine Marie But heere then aryseth the hearer and sayeth that that is the verie bodie of Christ which is seene and that is his blood which is drunken neither that we must aske how it is so but that wee must belieue that it is so Thou seemest for-soothe to thinke well but if thou weigh diligentlie the force of the wordes thou believest indeede faythfullie that it is the bodie and blood of Christ but yet if thou wouldest vnderstand aright thou shalt finde that

hand of his Spirit bee so seated and setled in your heartes that by that heavenlie Stampe it thay bee both inwardlie witnessed to your owne Consciences and outwardlie testified in your liues to the world that Your Honoures are the adopted Children of that heavenlie Father whome as You set Your selues to glorifie on earth hee shall not after the heaping of much Honour and Happinesse vpon You and Yours fayle to glorifie You in the highest Heavens which is the full Felicitie and blessed Rest of His owne Sainctes and which as the highest of all Wishes I shall not ceasse to beseech GOD to effectuate towardes YOVR HONOVRS and YOVR Hopefull and Happie Off-spring Your Honoures in all humble duetie WILLIAM GVILD TO THE READER THis Popish Plasma bred of Hydra's Braine Come from the Snakie Cerberus his Lake Which Pitchie Charon-Popes for trueth maintaine And it a Fulcre of their Fayth doth make Loe GVILD but guyle doth here expand their Packe Of wicked Wares vnto judicious view That who so reades this Booke may notise take And clearlie see this Paradox vntrue By written Word and Antiquaries olde He doth this Dogma dash and Trueth vnfolde WALTER FORBES The Life of BERTRAM PRIEST BY IOHN TRITHEMIVS a Popish Histriographer BERTRAM PRIEST and MONKE was one that was singularlie Skilfull in holie Scripture and notablie learned in like manner in humane Sciences of a most pregnant and quicke wit of an excellent and eloquent vtterance Neyther was hee lesse Notable and renowned for his holie lyfe than his great learning Hee wrote manie excellent Workes and Treatises where-of not-with-standing few haue beene suffered to come to our knowledge but in especiall hee wrote a most laudable and prayse-worthie Worke of Predestination vnto King Charls Brother to Lotharius the Emperour and like-wyse a Booke of the Bodie and Blood of the LORD Hee lived in the tyme of Lotharius the Emperour aforesaid in the YEARE of GOD 840. BERTRAM His Treatise Of the Bodie and Blood OF CHRIST TO CHARLES King of FRANCE Nephew to CHARLES the Great Emperour THE PREFACE YOu command Renowned Prince that what I thinke concerning the mysterie of the Bodie Blood of CHRIST I should signifie to your Highnesse A Commandement indeede in howe much worthie of your high Soveraignitie to enjoyne in so much moste harde to my small strength to performe For what is more worthie of Royall providence than catholicklie to vnderstand His holy Mysteries who hath deigned to bestowe vpon you that princelie Throne and not to suffer your Subjectes divers●ie to bee distracted in Opinions concerning the Bodie and Blood of CHRIST wherein doeth consist the summe of Christian Redemption For while some of the Faithfull affirme that the mysterie of the Bodie and Blood of Christ which is daylie celebrated in the Church is to bee considered without anie figure or vaile of vsuall to wit and sacramentall speach and to be taken onelie according to the naked simplicitie of the verie literall words and others againe that these things are set downe and comprehended vnder a figure and mysticallie so that it is one thing which is seene by the bodilie sight and another thing altogether diverse which the eye of fayth onelie beholdeth Heereby it commeth to passe that no little strife is found to bee amongst them And seeing the Apostle writeth to the faythfull that they thinke and speake all one thing and that no division be seene to be amongst them they are not then a litle divyded who speake so diverslie of the Bodie and Blood of Christ not beeing alike minded Wherefore your Royall Majestie stirred vp by the zeale of Fayth weighing these things aright and desiring according to the Apostles direction that all thinke and speake one thing doeth diligentlie search the hid trueth of this point that you may call backe the wanderers vnto it whence it is that you disdaine not to inquire the veritie therof even from them of the meanest ranke knowing that the mysterie of such an hid secret cannot bee vnderstood but by God his revealing of the same who without exception of persons showeth foorth the light of his trueth by whomsoever he chooseh But in how much it is pleasing to my meannes to obey your command it is as hard to dispute concerning a matter most distant from humane senses and not to be passed thorow without the instruction of the Spirit of God Beeing subject then to the direction of your Highnesse and confyding in his favour and aide concerning whom we speake in as few words as I can not trusting to mine owne wit but following the footesteps of the holie Fathers I shall open vp what I thinke in this matter YOVR High Excellence desires then to vnderstād If that Bodie and Blood of CHRIST which is taken by the mouth of the Faythfull in the Church bee taken so in a mysterie or according to a literall veritie that is Whether it containe some secret thing which is onlie manifest to the eyes of Fayth or without the covering of anie such mysterie if the eyes of the bodie beholde that outwardlie which the soule and mynde doeth beholde inwardlie That the whole matter which is in hand then may appeare manifest and if it bee that same Bodie which was borne of the Virgine Marie which suffered died and was buried and rising againe ascended to heaven and sitteth now at the right hand of the Father let vs looke throughlie first to the former of these questions And lest we be intangled within the obscure circuit of ambiguous and doubtfull words we must first define what a figure is and what we call literall veritie that so eyeing some certaine thing we may know assuredlie whither to direct the course of this our present discourse A figure then is a certaine overshadowing of a thing with some vailes or ornaments of speach manifesting so what it intendes as for example when wee speake of the worde wee call it Bread as in the Lords Prayer when wee desire to bee given vs our daylie Bread or when Christ who is the incarnate worde speaking in the Gospell sayeth of himselfe I am the living Bread which came downe from Heaven Or when hee calleth him●elfe a Vine and his Disciples Branches all these speaches say one thing and signifie another But literall veritie is the demonstration of a manifest thing not covered with anie resemblances of shadowing but insinuated in its owne pure and proper and that wee may speake more plainlie in its owne naturall and manifest signification as when Christ is said to be borne of the Virgine Marie suffered was crucified died and buried there is nothing heere over shadowed with covering figures but the veritie of the thing is showne by the proper signification of the naturall words themselues neither may wee vnderstand anie other thing heere than is spoken But in the former examples it was not so for Christ substantiallie is not Bread nor a Vine neither were the Apostles Branches