THE CATHOLIKE AND APOSTOLIKE FAITH CONCERNING THE SACRAMENT . The Argument .

Christ at his last supper instituted both a Sacrament , & also a sacrifice , consisting in the true & real presence of his pretious body & blud .

This is proued partly by graunt of the aduersaries , who confesse Christ in that supper to haue made his new testament , partly by particular examining the nature of a testament , and conferring the new testament with the old .

The same is proued by the Paschal lamb , which was a figure ( as the aduersaries also graunt ) of Christs Sacrament & finished in the same , & therefore this must needs be a sacrifice as that was : according to the plaine scriptures , & al auncient fathers .

The same is most clearly proued by the sacrifice of Melchisedech , which albeit most Protestants reiect , & withall reiect the whole primitiue Church of Christians , as also the auncient synagogue of the lewes , both which church & s●nagogue confessed the same ; yet some acknowledge it , & thereof is the holy sacrifice & real presence briefly inferred .

The same faith was reterned & practised by the first primitiue church in the time of the Apostles .

The same faith was continued in all Christendom from t●e Apostles tyme without any great trouble or contradiction the first thousand yeres , as appeareth by consent of the fathers , general Councels , & stories of the church .

Berengarius the first notorious father of the sacramentarie heresie , conuinced by learning , & condemned in sundrie Councels gathered out of al Christendom , abiured his owne wicked invention & died penitent therefore : from whose time to this age the Catholike faith hath bene clearly acknowledged and mainteyned by al Christians both in the Latin Church , & also in the Greeke .

Berengarius when he was a sacramentarie , he was also a damnable heretike , euen by the Protestants iudgement , for sundry other heresies besides this .

So were all they which since Berengarius haue taught this heresie ; as Peter de Bruis the Albigenses , Almaricus and

Ihon Wi●lef a pernicious heretike , & flatterer ; who yet recan●ed his heresies twise or thrise , & is condemned for an heretike by the Protestants .

Out of the premisse ; is gathered a generall & sure rule & the same confirmed by manifest scriptures , to know an heresie , & to proue , that Berengarius his opinion ( & al that folow him ) is heretical . And the summe of this chapiter touching the principal contents thereof is concluded with the authoritie of Erasmus , a man much extolled by the aduersaries .

THE FIRST CHAPITER .

BEFORE I come to examine the particular points of error & false doctrine contayned in these sermons , I thinke it convenient first in a chapter or two to declare the true Catholike faith concerning this sacrament as it hath alwaies bene receaued and acknowledged in the church of Christ ; and withal historically to note , when , an in what sort the Zuinglian heresie , that I 〈…〉 which at this present bea●eth greatest sway among the Protestants of England & Scotland ( for the Protestant congregations & preachers of Germanie from the beginning of this schisme in Martin Luthers time vntil this present day , condemne it for heresie no lesse then do the Catholiks ) at some tymes endeuored to put forth it self ; but hath evermore bene repressed by the pastors of Christs church , vntil this present age : wherein faith decayng , & Christian beleefe being in many men for many points measured by carnal reason , vpon such ground ether of prophane infidelitie , or great decrease of faith , the true beleef of this sacrament hath amongst many other necessarie articles fayled in the harts of a number .

¶ Our sauiour Christ therefore , when at the tyme of his passion he was to finish & consummate the worke , for which he was incarnate , that is , to redeeme mankynd , abrogate the old law , begin the new , & into this to transfer the sacrifices and priesthod of that former , as the Heb. 7. ● . 1● 1 Cor. 10. 1● Apostle Paule teacheth vs ; in his last supper for a perpetual memorie of that high and infinite sacrifice offered on the crosse , which was the persite & absolute redemption , Christ in his last supper i● stituted a true sacrifice . and consummation of al , the ful price and raunsom for al sinnes done or to be done from the first creation of the world vntil the last ending of the same : to continue I say a perpetual memorie of that bluddy sacrifice , to ordeine the true worship of god in the new law or testament Genes. 4. ●●● et cap. ● . ●●● Exod. 24. Mal●ch . 1● ( which worship in euerie law consisteth principally of sacrifice ) to leaue his people a peculier meane , whereby that infinite vertue & grace procured by the sacrifice on the crosse might be in particular diuided & applied to them : in his last supper instituted this sacrifice & sacrament of the altar , as comonly among Catholique Christians it is called : the sacrifice & sacrament of his owne most pretious body & blud : a sacrifice , for that it is offered to the honor of god for the benefite of christian people in commemoration of Christ his sacrifice , once done and now past ; as al the old sacrifices of the law of nature & Moses were offered for the benefite of that people in prefiguration of the same sacrifice of Christ then to come : a sacrament , for that it was also ordeyned to be receiued of Christians in particular , to feed our bodies to resurrection & immortalitie , & to geue grace , vertue & sanctification to oursewles .

This to be the true sense & meaning of our Sauiour in this institution , and that principally & especially concerning the sacrifice ( for the sacrament is more euident , Christs body 〈…〉 in his supper . & confessed by the more learned of our aduersaries , & it shal be proued plainly hereafter , is sufficiently expressed in the wordes of our Sauiour , which according to the recital of al the Evangelists & S. Paul ▪ yeld plainly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . ● . Cor. 11. 1● . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●●● . ●● . 20. this sense . For when Christ nameth his body broken or geuen for vs ▪ which is al one as if he termed it sacrificed for vs ) his blud of the new testament shed there in the supper mystically for vs , for remission of synnes , these words as truly import a sacrifice ▪ as any words which the holie scripture vseth to expresse the sacrifice of Christ on the crosse : Ma●. 26. 28 Ma● . 14. ●● Gal. 1. 4. 1. Tim. 2. 6. Ti● . 2. 14. Ioan. 19. 33. 36. Chrysost. in 1. 〈…〉 . ●● . especially those words of S. Paul . Corpus quod frangitur , the body which is broken most properly & directly are to be referred to the body of Christ as in the sacrament , & vnder the forme of bread , in which it now is , & then was truly broken . & so it was not on the crosse , as S. Ihon specially recordeth . Whe : ●of S. Chrysostom writeth very liuinel● ▪ expounding this same word : Hoc in Eucharistia vi lere lice● , in cruce autem minime &c. This we see done in the sacrament , but not on the crosse . For there ye shal not breake an● bone of him ▪ saith the Euangelist Iohn . ●● . But that which on the crosse he suffered not , that he suffereth in the sacrifice , & for thy sake ( o man ) is content to be broken . And so this word being by S. Pa●le incuitably verified of Christs body in the sacrament , draweth by like necessitie al the rest , both touching the body and blud therevnto : although al the rest are also most truly spoken of the same body of Christ as geuen for vs on the crosse , which no ways impayreth but rather much strengtheneth the veritie & real presence of the same body in the sacrament .

Which sense is yet more clearly & necessarely confirmed , if we conferre these words of Christ vsed in delyuering Christs blud in the chal●c● . the chalice of the new law with the words of Moses vsed in sprinkling the blud of gotes & calues , which was appointed by gods ordinance to ratifie & establish the covenant betwene god and his people the synagoge of the Iewes in the old law . For as then Moses gathering that blud in to some standing peece or cup sprinkled the Exod. 24. ● . Hebr. 9. ●● . people therewith , saying ▪ This is the blud of this ( old ) testament , which god hath made with you : euen to our Sa●iour ordayning this new testament , most euidently making relation to those former words of Moses , and transferring them to his new ordinance , when he deliuered the chalice to his Apostles , & in them to the vniuersal Catholike Luc. 22. ●● church , said : This is the blud of the new testament as that was of the old , & this here conteyned in the chalice , is the selfe same , which is to be shed for yow , as that was sprinkled vpon the Iewes . Where S. Luke referring these later words , shed for yow , to that which was conteyned in the chalice , me●utably convinceth that which was in the chalice , to haue bene the very real blud of Christ ▪ as Leo ●●●m . 7. de passione Domini . August . ●pist ▪ ●6 . ●●●●● l. Chrysost. ● . ●● . ad N oplyto● hom. 45. in Ioan. ●●●●m . 61. ad ●o●ul . A●tioch . truly as that was his real blud which the next day was shed on the crosse : & as truly as that was real blud , with which the people were sprinkled in the old testament , in steed of which blud this is succeded , the truth in place of the figure : as witnesseth S. Leo , S. Austin , S. Chrysostom , & other most auncient fathers . All which proue not only the real presence of Christs most pretious body & blud , but also that it is present by way of a sacrifice , & as in order to be sacrificed .

¶ My intent is not to make any long discourses of this matter , which hath bene so learnedly treated dy diuers excellent men of our Iland within our memorie , that I gladly confesse my selfe vnable to adde any thing to their labours . Yet because this point of Christs testament is the ground of al , and for denying the real presence Magdeburg . C●●t . 4. in p●●s●t . Plane ●●●c●ant testamentum Domini . of Christs blud in the sacrament , the Lutheran Protestants them selues charge the Caluinists with quit disanulling & making voyd the testament of our Sauiour , I thinke it good to make some more stay herein & better examine the circumstance of this testament , yet as nigh as I can eu●ing no new questions , but resting on such certayn verities , as are confessed by the aduersaries them selues , & cleare by plaine scripture : out of which I meane to deduce Muscul . in ●o ●● commun . cap. de can● Domini . nu 〈…〉 . 2. Pag. ●●2 . such reasons , as may iustifie our catholike cause , & disproue the contrary . Wolf . Musculus in his common places entreating hereof , writeth thus : S. Luke & S. Paule attribute to the cuppe that it is the new testament . Whereby they signifie this to be the sacrament of the new testament in respect of the old the Paschal sacrament , which Christ finished in this his last supper , & in place thereof substituted this new . In the same supper being then nigh to his death , he made his testament . Thus Musculus . In which few words he noteth two things very important concerning the truth whereof Christs testa●●●t made as ●● last supper I here entreate , both deliuered in the scriptures , both vrged by the Catholikes , both confessed not onely by the Lutherans , but also by the Sacramentaries , as here we see . The first , that Christ in his last supper made his new testament : the second , that Christ in the same his last supper ended the sacrament of the Paschal lamb , & ordeyned in place therof the sacrament of his body . Concerning the f●●●t , what a Testament is , & how Christ made his , the same writer expresseth truly in this sort . A testament is the last wil What was required to ●he making thereof . of one that is to dye , wherein he bestoweth his goods , & freely geueth to whom he pleaseth . To the making of a testament , & that it be auayleable , is required , first the free libertie & power of the 1 ●●ber ac sui 〈…〉 . testator , that he be as his owne commaundement . For a slaue , a seruant , a sonne vnder the power & regiment of an other , can not make a testament . So Christ when he made his testament , was free , & had power & libertie to do it . God his father gaue Matth. 11. 27. Hebr. 1. 2. al in to his hands , made him heyre of al in heauen & earth . God his father willed him to make a testament , & sent him in to the world to that end , that by his death he should confirme Hebr. 8. ●●●●●om . ● 1. 2 3 this new testament , which he had promised . Next , it is required in a testament , that the testator bequeath his owne goods , & not other mens : so did Christ . 3. A thing can not be geuen in a testament : which is due of right . So that which Christ gaue in his testament , was geuen only of grace & fauour . 4. In a testament it is required , that certain executors of the testament be assigned . 4 Those Christ made his Apostles , to whom he committed that office that they by evangelizing , should ministerially dispense the 1. Cor. 4. v. ● . 5 grace of this testament . 5. Finally , to the confirmation & ratification of a testament is required the death of the testator . So Christ the next day after this testament was made , died on the crosse , & there by his death & blud , ratified , confirmed , & eternally established it . Thus far Musculus , adding withal , Christ Ibi. pag. ●●● saith , this cup is the new testament in my blud ; or according to Matthew & Marc , this is my blud , which is of the new testament . The old testament consisted in the tropical & figuratiue blud of beasts , the truth whereof was to be fulfilled in the blud of Christ . The new testament consisted not in the blud of any beast , but of Christ the true & immaculate lamb . For declaration whereof he said ▪ This cup is the new testament in my blud : ( or ) This cup is my blud , which is of the new testament . Christs blud deliuered in his last supper . Thus much being manifest , confessed , and graunted ; it must also be graunted of necessitie , that this blud was delyuered in the supper , & not only shed on the crosse , as Musculus & the Zuinglians suppose . First , because our Sauiour Christ according to the report of al the Euangelists in precise termes so avoucheth , This ( in the cup or chalice ) is my blud of the new testament . Secondly , because to the making of the new testament , & fulfilling the figure of the old , true & real blud of the sacrifice was required , as appeareth in the figure , which here the aduersaries confesse to haue bene fulfilled . For in that figure first of al Exod. 24. . 6. 7. ● . Hebr. 9. ●● was the sacrifice offered , & the blud thereof taken in the cuppes , & then the people sprinkled with the blud of the sacrifice , & these words vsed : This is the blud of the testament &c. Nether is it possible , that the blud of the sacrifice should be deliuered , or taken , or any waies imployed by man or to man , before the sacrifice were offered to god . Therefore whereas Christ assureth this to be the blud of the new testament , as that was of the old : it is as certain & sure , that the sacrifice , whereof this was the blud was before offered , as we are sure of the same in the Christ offered sacrifice at his last supper . old testament . Briefly whereas in that figuratiue sacrifice , whereof this is the accomplishment , & perfect on 3. things are specified by the holy ghost , 1. the publication of the law or testament to the people , 2. the offering of the sacrifice ● 3 whereof the blud was taken , 3. the eating of the sacrifice , sprinkling of the people with the blud , and vsing of those words : This is the blud of the testament : whereas for exact correspondence of the first , Christ at his last ● supper ▪ publisheth his law and testament : A new commaundement geue I to yow , that yow loue one an other , as Ioan. 13. 34. cap. 14. 16. cap. 15. 9. 10. ●●c . I haue loued yow : promiseth the holy ghost to remayne with them and his church for euer ; iterateth that commaundement of mutual loue & charitie , as the summe of his new law & perfection thereof , which was to be Cap. 16. 12. wrought in the hartes of his Christians by the holy ghost then promised , who also was euer to assist them , to teach them , to leade them & the whole Church for euer in to al truth , & so fu●th : whereas thus in 5. whole chapiters Cap. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. having expressed his new wil & testament ▪ & such graces as apperteyne therevnto , he in fine for correspondence of the third , biddeth the executors of his testament to eate his body and drinke his blud with those same so pregnant , so vrgent words ; This is my body , which is and shal be deliuered for you : This is my blud of the new testament , which is and shal be shed for yow : how can it otherwise be chosen , but for answering of the second part , as that body and blud of beastes there was first offered to god in sacrifice , so this body and blud here must be offered in like sort , to fulfill and accomplish that figure ? So that it suffiseth not to say , the blud of Christ was shed on the crosse where he dyed , though that also were necessarie for the confirmation and ratification of the testament , as we also graunt ▪ and common reason teacheth , and the Apostle proueth ( for testamentum in mortuis confirmatur , a H●br. 9. 17. testament taketh his absolute and ful perfection , strength and ratification by the death of the testator ) but we say further , that to make and perfite the testament as it was at the last supper ▪ blud also was by gods order requisite ; & that blud to be first offered to god in sacrifice ; without Christ offered him s●lf at his ●●●t supper . which oblation first made to god , it could not be receiued of men : and the conference of Christs actions with those of Moses , manifestly conuinceth the same , as Greg. Nyssenus orat . 1. de ` Resurrectione . shal better appeare in the next paragraph . For the present , the only authoritie of Gregorious Nyssenus brother to S. Basil the great may serue , who writeth very plainly , that our Sauiour after a secret and most diuine maner of sacrifice preuented the iudgement and violence of the Iewes , and offered him selfe for vs , being at one tyme the priest , and the lamb , that taketh away the sinnes of the world . And when was this done ? then when he gaue his body to be eaten , and blud to be drunken of his frends ( the Apostles . ) For a man could not eate the lamb , except the immolation went before . Quum igitur discipulis suis dedit corpus ad comedendum , aperte demonstrat iam perfectam & absolutam esse agni immolationem . Christ therefore who gaue to his Disciples his body to be eaten , euidently declareth , that the oblation or immolation of that lamb was now past and performed . Now already therefore by his almightie power was that body , inuisibly and in wonderfull maner sacrificed . The selfe same , but more briefly , & therefore not so plainly , writeth Hesichius bishop of Hierusalem : Hesi●hius 〈…〉 Leuit. lib. 1. cap. 4. ●● lib. 6. cap. 23. Christ preuenting the sacrifice of his body vpon the crosse in violent maner sacrificed him selfe in the supper of his Apostles which thing they know , who vnderstand the vertue of these mysteries .

¶ To this argument ▪ the other mysterie of the paschal lambe which Christ also finished in his last supper , substituting or placing this sacrament of his body and blud in steed thereof , as Musculus truly auoucheth , yeldeth great force . For plainer declaration whereof we likewise wil accept that which our aduersaries enforced by manifest scripture graunt , & thereof draw a truer conclusion then they do . This figure thus the same author expoundeth : Christ Muscul . vbi supra pa. 3 ●4 saith , this bread is my body , the body of the true lamb , which ere long shal be offered in sacrifice . This cuppe or ( to speake more plainly ▪ as Th. Beza also teacheth vs ▪ that which is conteyned Be●● annot. ● Matt● ▪ ●● . 26. v. 28. in this cuppe , is not the old , but the new testament in my blud , the true lamb , whose blud shal be shed for yow . Therefore as this figuratiue lamb hath bene hitherto accompted the paschal sacrament of the old testament : so this bread and cup shal hence forward be accompted in the new testament for the sacrament of The sacrament , in steed of the Paschal lamb my body sacrificed and my blud shed . This I take to be the meaning of Christ in these words , that as Moses the mediator of the old testament Exod. 12. toke order about that paschal lamb , instituted of it a solemne yerely memorial before it was sacrificed , that by the blud thereof ●e might turne away the Angel , which killed al the first borne , and so he appointed that for a sacrament of the old testament : in like maner Christ meaning now to make an end of the old testament , and to begin the new , ordeyned this sacrament of the new & true paschal , I meane of his owne body and blud , before he was to be offered on the crosse for the redemption of mankynd . Againe in the same place . Mus●●l . vbi . supra . 3 23. Christ in his supper endeth the old testament , and sacraments thereof by the succession of the new testament . There he saith . This is the new testament in my blud , and so doth substitute the new testament in place of the old , and withall ordeyneth a sacrament consisting of two parts , which should correspond to the sacrament of the old Pasch , which also consisted of two parts . In that figuratiue Pasch was sacramental meate & drinke , so is it here etc. Briefly ( for I wil not stand vpon euerie his particular circumstance ) his conclusion is that the plaine text , and order vsed by Christ declareth sufficiently , that Christs mystical supper succeded in place of the old pasch , which was a sacrament of the old law . So here we see accorded ; that the plaine te●t of scripture , and Christs owne doing proue , Comparison of our sacrament with th● paschal lamb . the paschal lamb to haue bene a prefiguration of this sacrament instituted by Christ at his last supper , which ( as before is confessed ) was ordeyned by Christ to succede in place of that paschal lamb . And this to be so , appeareth by euery circumstance of Christs action compared with that auncient ceremonie . That lambe was by Num. 9. 5. Exo. 1 2. v. 6 Matth. 20. v 17. 20. God appointed to be sacrificed precisely the 14. day of the first moneth in the euening . Christ in the same day , and the same time of the day precisely instituted this sacrament . That lamb was offered in memorie of our lords Exo. 12. 11. est enim ph●se , 1. trans●tus Domini . passe-ouer , and deliuerie of the Iewes out of their Aegiptiacal bondage . The Eucharist is offered in memorie of Christs passe-ouer , when by his passion he passed out of this world to his father , & also in memorie of Luc. ●2 . 19. Ioan. 13. 1. Exod. 12. v. 6. 8. 11. our deliuerance from the power and bondage of Satan , which benefite is procured vs by Christs death . That lamb was first offered as a sacrifice , & then eaten as a sacrament , as the viage-prouision for pilgremes and trauailers ▪ for which cause they who did eate it , were then attired like trauailers with their loynes girded , shoes on their feete , staues in their hands , as men being in their iourney towards Iewrie their land of promise . So this ( to omitte the sacrifice first due to god ) is imparted to Christians as their proper viage prouision , their viaticum , by which they are strengthened & comforted in this vale of miserie and peregrination , wherein they trauaile towards heauen their eternal country and promised land . Deuteron. 1● v. 5. 6. Hieron . tom. 2. epist. ad Damaiū Papam . Aug. sermo . 18 1. de tempore . cap. 12. Num. 9. 5. Exod. 1● . 43 45. 1 Cor. 11. 28 That lamb could not be lawfully eaten but in Hierusalem only , the place which god had appointed peculiarly for his name to dwel in : nor this but in the Catholike church , with out which who so ▪ euer eateth it , he is prophane , he is in the high way of damnation , as saith S. Hierom. & S. Augustin . That was appropriated to those only that were Hebrewes ; circumcided and cleane : so this to only Christians , baptised , of pure life and conscience , for which cause S. Paule willeth euery one to proue and t●ie him selfe before he presume to this table . Finally as Moses commaunded the Israelites to keep the memorie thereof for euer : Exod. 12. 42. so Christ willed his Christians to do this in memorie of his passion & death for euer vntil his second aduent . Where 1 Cor. 11. 25 26. as this then so exact a prefiguration of the Christian Eucharist , and which was ended and fulfilled in our Eucharist : before it was eaten , was by Gods ordinance Exod. 12. 6. commaunded to be offered to him in sacrifice : how can it be denyed , but that the Eucharist was also sacrificed before it was eaten ? How was the figure fulfilled , if the principal part and ceremonie most touching the honour of God , were omitted ? And how is it credible Christ sacrificed at his last supper . that our Sauiour , who so diligently obserued euery lesser resemblance , should neglect & omitte that which was most notable & important ? Wherefore as the Protestants them selues confesse one part , videlicet the sacrament of Christs body to haue bene foresignified in the pa●chal lamb , and that to haue bene fulfilled in our sacrament & this our sacrament to haue succeded in place their of : so we must draw them one foote farther , and adde vpon like ground & warrant , that that sacrifice of the lamb foresignified also our Eucharistical sacrifice : that it was fulfilled & accomplished in this , and that this Christian sacrifice hath succeded in place of that Iudaical . Which conclusion the same comparison of the scriptures inferreth , the office of Christs priesthod and fulfilling of the law enforceth , the Apostle acknowledgeth , and the church of 1. Cor. 5. ● . Tertullian . Cyprian . Ambros . Nazianz. Hi●r●n●m . Chrysost. August . Leo. Hesichius . Beda . Christ from the beginning hath euermore beleeued , as we learne by Tertullian lib 4. contra Marcionem , S. Cyprian de Caena Domini , S. Ambrose in Luc. 2. S. Nazianzen oratio . 2. de pascha . S. Hierom in Matth 26. S. Chrysostom . homil. de proditione Iudae , & homil. 23. in Matth. S. August . contra literas Petiliani lib. 2. cap. 37. S. Leo Serm. 7. de passione Domini . Hesich . lib. 2. in ●euit . cap. 8. & lib. 6. ca. 23. S. Beda in Luc. 22. The summe of al whose words is briefly thus vttered by S. Chrysostom in the place before noted : At one table both Paschal lamb● Marc. 14. 12 were celebrated or offered , first the figure , then the truth . And S. Leo : The old obseruation is taken away by the new sacrament : Hostia ●n ●●stiam transit . one sacrifice passeth into an other , one blud excludeth & endeth the other , & the legal ceremonie while it is changed , is fulfilled . Hesichius more shortly : Christ at his last supper hauing first eaten the figuratiue lambe with his Apostles , afterwards offered his owne sacrifice . And albeit ( as saith S. Gaudentius ) Gaud. tract . ● . in Exod. in that shadow of the legal pasch , many lambs were offered , not one onely , but in euery seueral howse one , yet now thorow al churches idem in mysterio panis & vini reficit immolatus , vi●ificat creditus , consecrantes sanctifica● consecratus Haec agni caro , hic sanguis est . One & the selfe same lambe in the mysterie of bread & wine being sacrificed doth refresh vs al , being beleeued reviueth vs al , & being consecrated sanctifieth al the consecraters . This is the flesh of the lambe Christ , this is his blud . Thus these two parcels being true , & manifest , and for such graunted by our aduersaries , the one , that Christ in his last supper made the new testament : the other , that then he fulfilled the auncient ceremonie of the paschal lambe , and altered that in to this our sacrament : these two being examined & conferred according to the sense of euident scripture , and consent of the primitiue church , manifestly establish a true sacrifice and real presence of Christs body & blud , in this sacrament of the new law & testament .

¶ And yet the figure of Melchisedech is more plaine , M●l●●ised●●● sacrifice . cleare and irre●utable , then ether of these . Nether was there euer any learned christian man , bishop , Father , Doctor , or how so euer he be called , that wrote since the beginning of the church , but he graunted , & as occasion of mentioning the same was offered , committed also to writing , that the sacrifice of Melchisedech foreshewed Christs sacrifice in his last supper ; and that there , Christ G●●●s . 14. Psal. 109. exactly and most properly offered sacrifice according to the order and ●ite of Melchisedech , as was foreprophecied of him . This I say is the vniforme and vniuersal consent of al auncient fathers , that euer wrote commentaries vpon scripture since the Apostles tyme : and some few sacramentarie-protestans there are , and more Lutherans , Vide V●●●● R●gium respon●●●●●● . E●●● d● Missa cap. 13. F●●c●as M●d●●● . de ●●●● si● lib. 4. ca. 19. which vnwares and indirectly to an other purpose confe●●e so much . Of which number , Andreas Fric●is sometime secretarie to the king of Pole , and ( for a noble man ) as learned as any that hath writen for the sacramentarie gospel : Christ ▪ saith ●● ▪ as a feas●maker distributed to his gheasts bread & wine , ●e fulfilled the office of Melchisedech the priest of the most high god , him selfe a most true priest . For as he offered to Abraham bread & wine , so Christ gaue bread and Ibid. lib. ● . ●e Eccl●si●●●act . 11. dialog. 1. pa. ●1● . wine to his Apostles . And in an other place , somewhat more to the purpose : Christ after the example of Melchisedech offering bread & wine , gaue both to his disciples . Therefore priests that sacrifice after the example of Melchisedech & Christ , should geue to Christs disciples both bread & wine . In which application , this man much abuseth him self ▪ in that he maketh Melchisedech a priest in offering bread & Christ in his ●●s● supper offered after Melchisede●●s order wine to Abraham his inferior ( whereas sacrifice is an office or dutie appointed to testifie the obedience of an inferior to the superior , & properly of man to god ) which was no part of a priestly sacrifice , but onely of a regal or princely liberalitie & benevolence , as the Protestants commonly , & therein truly , declare the matter . And much Cyprian libr. ● . epist. 3. more theologically S. Cyprian expresseth this figure , when he writeth that Christ in his last supper as the priest of the hiest god , offered sacrifice ( not to Abraham ) but to god his father ; & offered the same that Melchisedech did , id est panem & vinum , suum scilicet corpus & sanguinem ; that is to say , bread & wine , I meane his owne body & blud . And thus he being the fulnes & plenitude of all , accomplished & Melchisede●● sacrifice in the new Testament . performed the veritie of that figuratiue sacrifice , which was foreshewed in the bread and wine offered by Melchisedech . Which sacrifice in the same epistle S. Cyprian also deduceth to priests of the new testament : that for so much as Christ being the priest of God his father , first of al so offered sacrifice to god , & commaunded the same to be done in commemoration of him : therefore priests ought in that same maner to offer true & persite sacrifice to god almightie in the Catholike church , as they see Christ to haue done before them . This is the right application of that sacrifice offered to god by Melchisedech , & that this should so be practised in the Bibliander de summa t●●n . lib. 2. pa , 89. new testament , Theodorus Bibliander a famous man among the Sacramentaries testifieth to haue bene the general beleefe of al the auncient Hebrewes . His words are : Est apud Hebraeos veteres dogma receptissimum &c. It is among the auncient Hebrewes a doctrine most generally receyued , that at the comming of the Messias , al legal sacrifices shal haue an end , & there shal be frequented only the Eucharisti cal sacrifice of praise & confession : & that shal be done in bread & wine ▪ as Melchisedech king of Salem & priest of the hiest god in the time of Abraham brought forth bread & wine in sacrifice . Whereof the Christian learned reader desirous of the truth , may see a verie good treatise out of sundrie the old & most famous Rabbins before Christ , gathered together by Petrus Galatinus in his tenth booke De arcanis Galat. de arcanis Cath. verita . lib. 10. Catholicae veritatis : where he verie wel declareth the three special points here mentioned by S. Cyprian and Cap. 4. Bibliander , 1. that in place of al the auncient legal sacrifices should succede in the new testament an eucharistical sacrifice in bread & wine : 2. that that bread & wine Cap. 6. Cap. 5. should be the true flesh & blud of the Messias & 3. that in such sacrifice should consist the priesthod according to the order of Melchisedech . Al which might easelie & plainely inough be deduced out of the scriptures ( for if Melchisedech so offered in prefiguration of Christ , Christ must needes likewise so offer to fulfil that figure : which being neuer by Christ accomplished but at his last supper , most sure & certain it is that there he offered after the order of Melchisedech ) were it not that the Protestants , especially the Sacramentaries , herein , cheifly in the first Genes. 14. 1● . original & ground of all the rest , that is in the sacrifice of Melchisedech mentioned in Genesis , shew them selues 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Contempt of the auncient fathers . incredible wranglers & Sophisters in cauilling vpon the Hebrew letter , without al reason & ground , heretikes beyond measure in trusting to them selues alone , & condemning al others , who since the time of Melchisedech Caluin d● vera eccl●sia reformanda ratione . ●ps● vanitat● vanius . Idem ad Hebra . ca. 7. v. 9. both Hebrewes & Christians haue acknowledged in this place a sacrifice . Amongst which heretikes the chief both Caluin & Zuingli ▪ very saucely & impudently shame not to say , that in this matter al the auncient fathers & writers wrote & spake without iudgement , more vainl● then vanitie it self , & not content with Christs institution , & the wisdom of god , inuented the oblation of their owne heads . They al erred in so bel●●●ing & writing & deuised to them selues a sacrifice , whereof Moses & the holy Gost neuer thought . They Zuing● . ●● . ● . Epichir . de canone M●●s●●ol . 183. Thyr gl●s● i● Hebra . ●7 . v. 1. followed there owne inuentions , & saw lesse in the scriptures then the rude ignorant people . And Illy●icus : that they in so expounding the scriptures , violently & naughtely hunted after allegories , as was always their fashion . Although our English doctor , doctor Iewel whose Theologie consisted vpon words & phrases , haue a farther shift peculier to him selfe beyond al other , vz. that the Hebrew word vsed by Moyses is doubtful , & signifieth as wel a prince as a Iew . Defence of the A 6. logic part . po●a . 11. pa. 650. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Psal. 9● . 6. Genes. 14. 18. Psal. 109. 4. Helra . 7. 1. priest , & therefore nether priesthod nor sacrifice could necessarily be inferred thereof . Which is a right way to checke & reproue both the prophet Dauid , & Apostle Paule , who long sithence determined the Hebrew word to one certain signification , which I suppose they knew somwhat better then M. Iewel did . The declaration of which matter to make it plaine to common capacities , because it would require some longer time , then I thinke needeful to spend , for that it is somwhat obscure & subtile & dependeth vpon gramatical cauils of the Hebrew tonge Luther . Vrban● Reg. M 〈…〉 n Pomeranu● . Bi●●rus . Brentius . K●mn●●●us . ●●●yr●cu● . I wil here omit , especially for that otherwise sufficient seemeth to haue bene said of the words of Christs supper ; which are also so very manifest & euident of them selues , that the more learned gospellers from the first original of this new gospel , haue stood in defence of the real presence , & do at this present , against the tropical construction of the Caluinists . Wherefore ceasing to speake any more hereof , I wil procede on as I intended , to shew the continuance of this beleefe , if yet first I shal note in a word or two , that Christs speach vttered in the institution of this sacrament , cary such weight to induce & establish a sactifice , that so much in part is confessed , & Caluin in 1. Cor. ca. 11. v. 24. graunted by Ihon Caluin him selfe , who in his commentarie vpon the words of the Apostle S. Paule , Corpus quod pro vobis frangitur , The body , which is broken for yow , writeth Christs body geuen as in Sacrifies . thus : This is not lightly to be passed ouer . For Christ geueth vs not his body sleightly , or without any condition adioyned , but he geueth it as sacrificed for vs . Where ore the first part of this sentence declareth that the body of Christ is deliuered or exhibited to vs : the second part expresseth what fruit cometh to vs thereby , to wit , that thereby we are made partakers of the redemption wrought by Christ , & the benefit of his sacrificess applied to vs . Which words how soeuer he vnderstand them , signifie wel & truly , that Christ in that his last supper , deliuered his blessed body to his disciples , & in them to al Christians , not as borne of the virgin , not as conversant in this world , not as risen from death , & ascending to heauen , or sitting there on gods right hand ; but as offered to god , & sacrificed for vs , & to the end , that by that commemoratiue sacrifice , the fruite of Christs redemption procured vniuersally to al mankind by his death on the crosse , might be really & effectually applied to al faithfull Christians , members of Christs catholike church who haue communication in that sacrifice .

¶ And thus with this opinion , was this sacrament practised by the Apostles in the first Apostolical church immediatly after Christ , as we learne by S. Luke , & the Apostle S. Paule : by S. Luke , when he noteth in the Sacrifice vsed by the Apostles . Actes of the Apostles , that the holy Ghost chose out certaine of them , as they were doing publike service & ministerie to our lord , ministrantibus illis domino . Where Act. ●3 . 2 . the word vsed by the Evangelist signifieth a publike ministerie & service of the church , such as properly the sacrifice Erasmus . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is . And therefore Erasmus translateth it according to the proper signification of the Greeke word , sacrificantibus illis domino : while they were doing sacrifice to our lord . Which Beza also could be content to admit , were Beza in cur● lo●um . it not , it draweth to nigh to the church sacrifice . But howsoeuer in that respect he refuseth it ; sure it is , al the old fathers & Apostolike men , from thence & in that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Masse . sense , called the christian sacrifice or masse , the Liturgie , as the Liturgie or masse of S. Iames , the Liturgie or masse of S. Basil , the Liturgie or masse of S. Chrysost. Lut. 1. v. 2● ▪ hebra . ca. ● . 2. 6. as also Erasmus doth interprete it : & in this sense of a publike sacrifice doth S. Luke otherwhere vse the word : & S. Paule by this word properly expresseth our Sauiours priesthod and his most publike & general sacrifice . Which Apostle also mentioneth this the Church sacrifice , 1. Covinth . 10 14. S. Paul proveth the sacuses . when as writing to the christians of Corinth , he dehorteth them from communicating with the Gentiles in their idolatrous sacrifices by an argument taken from the nature of al sacrifices , & the excellencie of this Christian sacrifice . For the nature of al sacrifices is to ioyne the communicants with him vnto whom the sacrifice is offered , whether it be god or the deuil . As among the Ibi. v. 18. v. 20. v. 16. v. 21. Iewes ( saith the Apostle ) they which did eate of the thing sacrificed , were thereby made partakers of the sacrifice , & by such sacrifice did concrre to the honor of the true god : in like sort , they which take part of things ofsered to Idols , thereby are made partakers of the Idolatrous sacrifice , & so together with idolaters honor the deuil . Then how straunge a thing is it , that yow who partake of the table & sacrifice of Christ , who there communicate & receiue his pretious body and blud ( for the chalice there blessed , is the communication of his blud , the bread there broken is the participation of his body ) should also be partakers of the table & sacrifice of deuils . In which argument , albeit the Apostle being brief , and writing to Christians , whom he accounteth skilful & v. 15. wei instructed in this thing , by mentioning litle , signifieth more , & setting downe one part , willeth them to vnderstand the whole , as Calvin also truly noteth , and Caluin . in 1. Cor. a. ●0 . v. 17. therefore vseth not in everie part of his comparison the terme of altar and sacrifice : yet as otherwhere he acknowledgeth the Christians to haue a true altar to sacrifice on , and consequently a sacrifice , from which the Hebra . 13. 1 Iewes were debatred● so here the very drift of his reason , & exact correspondence of ech part to other , require that as the Iewes had an altar & a sacrifice , so had the Gentils , so had the Christians . As the Iewes offered to their god , so did the Gentils to their ( false ) god , so did the Christians . As the Iewes by that seruice were partakers Sacrifice vsed among the first Christians . of the worship of the true god , so were the Gentils by the like seruice concluded & conuinced to worship a false god , that is the deuil , & therefore could not haue any part or communion in the worship of the true god ▪ which was performed by the dreadful sacritice of Christs body & blud among Christians . Which triple sacrifice , that of the Gentils to the deuil , & these two of the Iewes & Christians to the true god , S. Chrysostom Chrysost. in . 1 Co●. ● . 10. Homil. ●4 . ve●v we observeth , writing vpon the same place . His words are : In the old testament Pagans & idolaters offered the blud of beasts to their idols . This blud god tooke to him selfe , that so he might turne away his people from committing idolatrie : which was a great signe of infinite loue . But here in the new testament he provided a sacrifice far more wonderful Seipsum off●rendum pr●cepit . & excellent , both in that he changed the sacrifice , & withal in place of beasts killed in sacrifice , he commaunded him selfe to be offered . And this to be the true sense of the place , Vib. Regius ioynt-Apostle with M. Luther in preaching Prasatie operu Vib. R●g●● de preplutij● vi●●u Testament● so . 164 & operum parte 3. s . 7● this new gospel ( & whom the Protestants of Germanie acknowlege & cal a perfite & absolute Diuine , of infinite learning , the Evangelist & cheef Superintendent of the churthes of Christ in the Duchie of Luneburge , as Luther was in the Duchie of Saxonie ) plainely graunteth . Many there are ( saith he ) which thinke a sacrifice to be proued by the Apostle 1. Cor. 10. where he dehorteth from the societie of such as sacrifice Vrban . Regi●● 1. parte op●rum , de miss● negotio , & ● . sol . 6● . to idols , by arguments taken from the faith of the sacrifice vsed by the Iewes & Gentils . For he seemeth to compare sacrifice to sacrifice , as Chrysostome teacheth ; & his comparison so to stand , that by it is gathered Christians in the Lords supper to haue a certaine peculiar sacrifice , whereby they are made partakers of our lord , as the idolaters by their abominable sacrifice are made partakers of deuils . Which if it be so , me seemeth it may be answered , that in the supper of Christians are the body & blud of Christ , which are a holy sacrifice , but commemoratiue : sacrosanctum sunt sacrificium sed The masse ● true sourifice , yet comme●●ratius . memoriale . By which later word , albeit he thinketh to haue answered the Catholiks , & excluded the truth of the sacritice , yet is he much deceiued therein . For so far are Catholiks from denying the sacrifice to be commemoratiue , that of al other sacrifices , which euer were , or can be imagined , we graunt this to be moste commemoratiue , as which most neerely , liuely , & truly expresseth the verie condition , efficacie & nature of that sacrifice , offered on the crosse , with which being one in substance it differeth only in maner of offering & generalitie of Mat. 16. ●● M●t. 17. ● . ● . Pet. 1. ●● . redemption . And as Christs transfiguration on the holy mount before his passion , was the best & most persite figure , examplar & representation of that eternal glorie , which the same person of Christ was to enioye in heauen after his resurrection & ascension : in like maner we are to iudge of this mistical & commemoratiue sacrifice in respect of his sacrifice on the crosse ; yet not excluding the veritie of Christs presence in one place more then the other . Nether is there any reason , why Vrbanus Regius a Lutheran should imagine the sacrifice to be disproued for that it is a memorial , or done in commemoration of Christ , more then the real presence is disproued & reiected , because that also in the Lutheran religion must needs be done in commemoration : Christs words being most plaine , do this in commemoration of me . Which ●● . 22. 19. words doubtles haue no more strength to overthrow & remoue a sacrifice of Christs body as al Catholikes vrge , then a true presence of the same body , which al Lutherans graunt . So that out of these words of the Apostle is confirmed the mistical sacrifice , & that it was vsually frequented in the first Apostolical church , which rec a●ed directly from Christ and his Apostles the order & administration thereof .

¶ This sincere & sound beleefe concerning both sacrifice & sacrament , continued in the catholike church for the first thousand yeres , almost without contradiction of any man or sect worth the naming . Only as our Sauiour Ioan. 6. 51. him self in the ve●ie beginning when he first prom●se● that the bread which he would geue , should be the same flesh , which he was to geue for the life of the world , signified Ibi v. 64. obscurely that Iudas the traytour & certaine other for want of faith were scandalized at his words , & rep●ne● at them : so a few veres after , it may be gathered that some there were of Iudas folowers , who likewise denyed the truth of this heauenly mistery , whereof S. Real presence Ignatius scholer to the postles writeth thus as his T●●od . 〈…〉 . 3. ●● 〈…〉 . words are recorded by Theodoretus : Some sectaries there are who like not , nor approue the obl●●ions & sacrifi●e● 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 . 〈…〉 for that they acknowledge 〈…〉 〈…〉 ●●● 〈…〉 ●● 〈…〉 c●rn●m salu● ▪ toris nostr● . quae pro pecc●t● nostris passa est , ●t c. not the Eucharist to be the flesh of our Sauiour Christ Iesu , the selfe same flesh that suffred for our sinne● & which the father of his merciful goodnes raised from death . But what these men were , & what sway they bare , & what scholers they had , appeareth not by any ecclesiastical record , & therefore belike were sone put to silence in that happie time of our primitiue & first faith , when the Apostles them selues , and many by them instructed had the governement of the church . Wherefore the beleefe first taught by Christ and his Apostles proceded on from hand to hand , from age to age , without any notable resistance . Whereof ( being a thing at large treated & proued in sundry bookes both latin and english set forth of late ) I wil bring only thre or fower testimonies , but the same most auncient . S. Ireneus bishop of Lyons in Fraunce & martyr , S. Cyprian bishop of Carthage in Africa , a martyr likewise , and the first general Councels of Nice & Ephesus in Asia . S. Ireneus writeth thus : Christ taking bread gaue thankes & said , Ireneus lib. ●● ca. 32. This is my body , and that which was in the chalice , he confessed to be his blud , and so taught the new sacrifice of the True sacrifice of the new testament . new testament , which the church receiuing from the Apostles , doth offer to god through the whole world . Of which sacrifice the prophete Malachie foreprophecied thus : I haue no liking in Malach. 10 yow , saith our lord almightie , nether wil I take sacrifice of your hand ( o ye Iewes ) because from the rising of the Sunne to the going doune of the same , my name is glorified among the Gentils , & incense is offered to my name in euerie place and a pure sacrifice . The same argument and dedustion Before pa. 14 I haue noted before out of S. Cyprian● First , that Christ Cypria . lib. 2. ●p●stola 3. our lord and god him selfe was high priest of god the father , and he first of al offered him selfe a sacrifice to his father ( ●●●●s last supper ) and commaunded the same to be done in commemoration of him . Next , that such priests occupie the place of Chist truly , who do that which Christ did : and then in the church offer they to god the father true & ful sacrifice , if they so offer as they see Christ him selfe to haue offered . About some 100. yeres after S. Cyprian , was gathered the first general Councel of Nice , and about a hundreth yeres after that of Nice , was the first general Councel of Ephesus , in which the bishops there assembled thus vtter their faith , that is , the faith of the vniuersal catholike church in this matter . The woids of that most auncient Co●cil . Nic● . 1. Real presence & real sacrifice . & Apostolical Councel of Nice are : On the diuine table let vs not basely regard the bread and cup set there , but lifting vp our mynde● let vs by faith vnderstand , that on that holy table is placed the lamb of god which taketh away the sinnes of the world , who there is without effusion of blud sacrificed by the priests ; and that we truly receiue his preticus body and blud , beleeuing these to be the pledges of our Concil. Eph●s . declaratio Anathem . 11. p● . 667. & ●n epist. Conc. pa. 605. resurrection . The words of the other general Councel of Ephesus are to the same effect , thus : We confessing the death of Christ according to his flesh , his resurrection and ascension into heauen , confesse withal and celebrate in the church the holy li●e●●uing and vnbluddy sacrifice , beleeuing that which is set before vs , not to be the body of a common quod propon●nitur . Ioan. 6. man like to vs , as nether is that pretious blud ; but rather we receiue that as the proper body & blud of the word which geueth life . For common flesh can not geue life , as him selfe witnesseth , saying : flesh profiteth nothing , it is the spirite that geueth life . For because it is made the proper flesh of the word for this reason it is lifegeuing , according to that our Ibi. v. ●7 . Sauiour him selfe ●aith ; As my liuing father hath sent me , & I liue by the father : & he that eateth me , he shal liue by me . This faith I say of Sacrament & sacrifice in al sinceritie & Leo epist. 23 ad ●l●rum & popu●um Constantinop . August . lib. 3. de ciuitat . ●d . 10. simplicitie thus passed on , so vniuersally knowen & beleeued , that as writeth S. Leo in Italie , & S. Augustin in Africa , very children were taught to acknowledge the true flesh and blud of Christ to be offered in the sacrifice of the masse .

Towards 800. yeres after Christ one Bertram & a litle before him one Scot ●s wrote darkly of the truth of this sacrament . Of the writings of the one of these , nothing I thinke remayneth ; of the other a litle doth , but the same vttered so doubtfully , that as the Zuinglians vse his authoritie against the Catholikes , so the Lutherans vse him to the contrarie : yea they in maner reproue him , as fauoring to much the faith of the Catholikes . For of him Illyricus with his bretherne say , that he hath in that his Centur. ● . ca. 4. col. 312. litle booke , semina transubstantiationis , the seedes & original ground of transubstantiation . But what soeuer his priuate opinion were , his publike speaches and writing Paschas . lib. de ●●rpore & sanguine Domini in Eucharistia . ●ounded so●il in the eares of the Catholiks of that age , that Paschasius an Abbat in France made a verie learned booke in refutation of him . And al writers who about that age wrote of this mysterie , vsed more expresly to den●e the sacrament to be a signe , trope , figure , image , symbole &c. in such sort as whereby the veritie of the real presence might be excluded : as appeareth in the seuenth Concil. Nic●n . 2. Actio . 6. ●om. 3. general Councel , in Alcuinus scholemaister to Charles the great , in Raba●●● archbishop of Ments lib. de diuinis officijs . Theophilact . in Matth. 26. Marc. 14. Al●uinus . Rabanus Theophilact . &c. Ioan. 6. A●alarius Arch-bishop of ●reuirs lib. de mysterijs missae , cap. 24. 25. Haymo bishop of Halberstat in 1. ad Corinth . ca. 10. Remig●us bishop of Antissiodorum . in Canonem missae , Fulbertus bisshop of Chartres in epistola ad Adelman . episcopum in lib. Paschasij . Stephanus bishop in high Bu●gundie , Tom. 4. biblioth●cae Sanctorum patr●m : and briefely al other that wrote betwene the time of Bertram & Berengarius .

¶ For after Bertram ▪ the next that appeared in fauour of this heresie , was Berengarius , who put forth him self a little after the yere of our lord 1000. when ( as S. Ihon writeth in his Apocalyps ) the deuil was let lose to Apoc. 20. ● . trouble the church . This man ( as witnesseth our martyr-maker Fox . Act. & monuments anno 1●7● . pa. 55. M. Fox , like to those first heretiks in the Apostles tymes toke away the veritie of the body & blud of Christ ) from the sacrament . For which cause he commendeth him as a singular instrument whom the holy ghost raised vp in 〈…〉 . an a●c● . h●●●tike against the sacrament . the church to ouerthrow great errors . What instrument he was & whom he serued , shal best appeare by his owne behauiour & confession . In the meane season , this old heresie he published with greater industrie & shew of learning , then his predecessors ; & countenanced it with Gu●tmūd . lib. 1. d● s●●ramēto in 〈…〉 . more credit & assistance of many vnstable sowles and sinful persons , ( as is noted by the godly and learned writer● of that tyme ) which only kind of men ioyned them selues to him , and that because his doctrine seemed to yeld them some quietnes & securitie in their sinne , from which they were much withdrawen by a reuerend feare and dread which they had of Christs presence in the sacrament , to the receauing whereof they were by order of the church at certaine times induced But as the heresie of this man spread farther , then any of that kind in any age before ; so the church vsed more diligence in repressing the same , by sundry publike disputations had Writers & Councels against Beren garius . with the same Berengarius , by a number of most excellent writers against him , among whom Lanf●ancus archbishop of Canterbury in England , Guitmundus bisshop of Auersa in the kingdom of Naples , Algerus a monke in Fraunce in that verie time excelled : & the supreme pastors of the church assembled sundry great synodes & meetings of byshops and other doctors to discusse that opinion & instruct those that erred after him : first at Tours in Fraunce , next at Vercellis in Italie , then againe at Tours , where Berengarius him selfe being manifestly conuicted , 〈…〉 a solemne oth neuer to maintaine his former heresie . Which oth when as yet he performed ● . Petr. 2. ●● not , but returned to his former filth an other Councel was gathered in Rome of 113. bishops , in which he againe was confuted , and yelded , so that with his owne hands he burnt the bookes which he had made in defence of his heresie . But not persisting in his faith and oth geuen , after certaine yeres he was againe perswaded to come to Rome there to defend his opinion by such learning as he could , in a great synod of bishops gathered for that purpose : where being convinced by al maner proofe , which he desired ; by scriptures , by fathers , by Councels , by vniuersal and vncontrolled tradition , and vniforme consent of al Christians and christian churches that euer were since Christ , be being then an old man , & hauing some more feeling & feare of death , of hel , of his owne damnation then before , Berengarius 〈◊〉 . acknowledged his impietie , requested pardon of the supreme Pastor and other bishops there present , and Theue●●●●● d●●●●m . illustres lib. 3. sol. 1 2 ● . i● vita Bereng . Guil●●● . Malme●● . lib. 3. ●●gestis Anglerum . ( as it may be credibly thought ) without al fiction or hypocrisie abiured his heresie in these words : Ego Berengarius corde credo & ore confiteor &c. I Berengarius beleeue in hart & confesse with mouth , that the bread and wine is conuerted into the true propre , and life-geuing flesh and blud of Christ our lord : & that after consecration there is the true body borne of the virgin , which suffred on the crosse , and sitteth at the right hand of the father , & the true blud which issued out from his side , & that it is present not only in signe or vertue ▪ but also in proprietie of nature and veritie of substance . As here in this writing is conteyned & as I reade it , and as yow vnderstand it , so I beleue , & wil neuer teach contrarie . Berengarius repentance . And afterwards being at the point of death , which befel on the day of the Epiphanie ( which is as much to say as the Apparition ) of our Sauiour , remembring by his hererical preaching what numbers of poore ignorant sowles he had seduced , with great sorow and repentance he vttered these words : This day which is the day of Christ Iesus his Apparition ▪ shal he also appeare vnto me for my glorie ( as I hope ) because of my repentance , or for my eternal punishment ( as I feare ) because of so many as I haue deceaued . I verelie beleue , that after the consecration , those mysteries are the true body and blud of our Sauiour . And I Vide ●ap●●●um M●sson● in Annalib . Fracorum lib. 3. in Philip. r●g●● & Gerson . contra Ro ment . am induced so to beleue both by the authoritie of the primitiue church , & by many miracles shewed of late . And ●o with great signes of sorowfulnes and repentance died a true Catholike man , as is recorded by good autentical writers .

From Berengarius tyme vntil this present , albeit there haue not bene any such great numbers , as were in Berengarius tyme , yet scarce any one age hath missed some notorious heretike , who among other heynous he resies , hath vpholden also the heresie of Berengarius . As on the other side , there hath not wanted great Clerks and Saints of excellent holynes & learning , who haue maynteined the Catholike and Apostolike faith deliuered to them from their fathers . Such were in the age of Berengarius , besides those before named , Adelman●us bishop of Brixen , Hugo bishop of Langres , Iuo bishop of Chartres , Hildebertus first bishop of Mantes , after archbishop of Tours , S. Bruno , and sundry others . ●ox Act. & ●●● . Ann●●● 15. p● . 70 After solowed S. Bernard , Petrus Clumacensis , Petrus Lombardus , Hugo & Richardus de S. Victore , Euthymius , S. Thomas , S. Bonauenture , the general Councel of Laterane vnder Innocentius , in which were present as witnesseth M. Fox , 61. Archbishops & Primates , Consent of the Greek & latin church touching the sacrofice . Concil. Florenti● . 400. Bishops , 800. other men of great learning : an other general Councel holden at Vienna , item a third general Councel holden at Florence : ( besides that of Constance ) wherein the Greeke church and Latin professed their consent and vniforme faith touching the veritie of this diuine sacrifice and sacrament ; as likewise many Greeke Bishops wrote sundry treatises in iustification thereof : Samonas Bishop of Gaza , Nicolaus of Methone , Marcus of Ephesus , Nicolaus Cabasilas , Bessa●ion the Cardina ' : as likewise of late they haue testified the same in their answere to the Protestants of Germanie , who sued to enter in to some communion with them Censur● Orientalis Ecclesia , art. 10. against the Romaine church . But the Greekes vtterly refused them as condemned heretikes both for other their sundrie heresies , & namely for this of the sacrament whereof I speake , wherein the Greeks very constantly hold the same faith , which al Christians Concilium T●ident . ●●●● . ●● . cap. 1. heretofore haue , and euer ought , & which is deliuer●d in the late general Councel of Tient .

¶ Thus much is to be noted in this discourse , that from Berengarius vnto Luther , no one man hath bene a patrone of this opinion , but he hath bene also defiled Berengar . con 〈◊〉 the protestants . with some very sowle & grosie heresies beside , such as the Protestants them selues hold for heresies , & count the defenders of them heretikes . As for example , to begin with Beregauus him selfe , when he maynteined this sacramentarie heresie , he & his partakers denyed Top Masster ▪ in Ann● lib. Franc●●●●● . 3. in ●ug●ns & Roler●● . withal the grace of baptisme , denyed that men committing mortal sinne cou'd euer obtayne pardon therefore Besides this , he was an enemie to mariage , and al stayned from meates which god had created , and from fat , as things vncleane . Whereby it appeareth , that he was not only a Sacramentarie , but also an Anabaptist , a Iew , and ( which in the Protestant gospel perhaps is greatest of al ) an enemie to mariage Occolamp . ●● lib. 3. epistol . Zuingli●●● Occolampad . fol●●●● . and good fare . For which cause Occolampadius though in the matter of the sacrament a right Berengarian , yet iudgeth him to be an heretike & worthely condemned : Berengarium a Concilio Romano non iniuste condemnatum arbitror &c. I ( saith he ) am of opinion , that Berengarius was iustly condemned by the Councel holden at Rome . For besides the matter of the Eucharist , he defended some things against mariage , & the baptisme of children : & in the verie matter of the Eucharist , he seemeth ho●ely to haue set him selfe a worke rather desirous of victorie and vaine glorie , the● of opening the truth .

¶ Next ensued one Petrus Brusius , and Henricus , author of the sect called Albigenses , which so horribly for many yeres tormented Fraunce , as now do the Caluinists ▪ Papir . Mass● ▪ An●●l . Franco● . lib. 3. in Philip. Aug. Ser S. ●ernard . epistol. 14● . Crispi . in ●●●● mart . fol. 9. and these in many articles agreed iust with the Sacramentaries of this tyme . For which reason Ioannes Crispinus , him self a sacramentarie , & one that hath gathered together in to a storie the french sacramentarie mar ▪ ti●● , as M. Fox hath done the English ( the like whereof euerie sect , especially the Lutherans and Anabaptists haue done for the Martirs of their peculiar Gospels ) this Crispinus of Geneua in his Martyrologe acknowledgeth them for bretherne of his congregation ; and for martyrs , those that dyed in defence of their opinions , as Fox Acts & monuments fol. 71. also M. Fox in his Acts & monuments greately aduaunceth them . And what men were they ? In matter of the Sacrament , so far forth as now it is ministred in the church ( for in an other point they differed ) they were of Berengarius faith , beleeuing that the body of Christ Albigenses heretiks . was present there no otherwise then it was in any other bread . Withal they denyed prayer for the dead and Purgatorie , defaced Images , & brake downe crosses . And thus far they joyne with French , English , & Scottish gospellers ; as likewise in much sacrilegious spoile of churches , ouerthrowing of altars , calling in the Mores and Mahometans Antonin . 3. parte specu●s ●●stor . tit. 19. ca. 1. Vincentius lib. 30. El●nc●● . Aphabet . h●●e●ū lib. 1. cap. 23. of Africa to assist them against the Christians . But withal they held many articles , which the Protestants as yet condemne for wicked , & heretical , as that with Manicheus they taught that there were two first creators & beginnings of al creatures , a good and a bad , god & the deuil , and that god created some things , and the deuil other some . 2. With the Sadduces they denyed the resurrection , beleeuing the sowle to dye with the body , neuer to returne againe . 3. They B●lsorest in Annalib . lib. 3. ca. 80. scorned at praier for the dead , beleeuing no purgatorie , nor yet hel . 4. They refused baptisme , as altogether superfluous & vnprofitable . These with some few other of like qualitie were the faith of the Albigenses , in defence whereof there were ouethrowen & slaine in one battaile a 100. thousand , in an other 70. thousand : and many being taken and hauing free offer to abiure their opinions & liue , or els to be burnt to death , if they stoode stil in them , made voluntary chose rather to suffer death by fyer , then to forsake their heresie .

At the same time rose Almaricus , whom M. Fox in his martyrologe calleth a worthy learned man , and of a Fox . Acts & monuments pa. 70. 〈◊〉 h●r●t●●e . simple doctor maketh a great bishop ▪ as though he had bene some Archp●otestant . This man in his opinion against altars , images , and especially the Sacrament , wherein he acknowledged with the forenamed Albigenses the body of Christ to be no otherwise , then it was in any other bread or creature , may be and is iustly chalenged Bernard 〈…〉 6. 1. 〈◊〉 . lib. ● . ca. 29. o● the Sacramentaries for a brother of theirs : but for some other bad heresies they must ( I thinke ) needs abhorre him as a detestable h●●●t●ke : as for that he denyed 1. the resurrection of our 〈◊〉 . 2. he denye● both heauen & he● , ●aing that who so had in him the knowledge of god , he had in him heauen : & on the other side who so commmitted mortal sinne , he had in him Extr● d● sum●● T●nit . c● . Fin●l● . N●n tam haereti●● quam 〈◊〉 . hel . 3. he said that god spake in Ouid , as wei as he did in S. Augustin. 4. besides certaine other most vile opinions against god . For al which , his doctr●ne by solemne sentence of the church is adiudged not so much heretical , as playn mad & frantike ; & for which cause belike Iew . defen , ● of the Apologie part. 1. c● . 7. diuis. 3. our great prelate M. Iewel , against M. Fox & Crispine the martyr-makers , refuseth both Almaticus and the Albigenses as no ●ight gospellers , saying plainly : of them we haue no skil , they are none of ours .

¶ Finally our countreman Ihon Wiclef , albeit he by the more part of Protestant writers be accompted for a Iew . ibid. perfect Protestant , whom M. Fox calleth the valiant Champion of the truth , & no lesse famous Diuine , of whom Fox Acts & monuments pa. 85. he writeth , that when al the world was in most desperate and vile estate , & the lamentable ignorance & darknes of gods truth had ouershadowed the whole earth , then this man stepped forth like a valiant champion , vnto whom that of Ecclesiasticus may be iustly applied ; Euen as the morning star in the middest of a cloud , & as the moone being ful in her course , and as the bright beame ; of the sunne , so doth he shine & glister in the temple & church of god : yet this notwithstanding , that he was both a vile heretike , & as a most UUicles ● heretike & a parasite . pernicious flatterer & parasite , applied his whole learning & gospellizing to please the humors of certaine noble men his favourers , which gaped for the spoile of the church ; his owne preaching & teaching doth abundantly conuince . For to let passe other heresies against god him self recorded by Catholikes , and to make stay vpon a few of the articles , which as most plausible M. Fox reciteth ; as I graunt that he ioyneth with them in Fox vbi supra fol. 90. many , namely in that he taught with M. Fox , the sacraments to haue bene instituted by Christ only for memorials & that Christ is not in the Sacrament truly & really ; to omit these and some other agreing with our Caluinists , who can deny but it is both grosse heresie , and palpable flatterie , when he teacheth 1. th●● a prelate or bishop excommunicating any which hath appealed to the king , or to the UUicless articles . kings Councel is thereby him selfe a traitor to the king and the realme . 2. Th●t temporal lords may according to their owne wil and discretion , take away the temporal goods from the church men , when so euer they offend . 3. That it is against the scripture , ecclesiastical ministers to haue any temporal possessiens . 4. That tenthes are pure almes , & that parishioners may for the offence of their Curates de●eyne & kepe them backe , & bestow them vpon others at their owne wil and pleasure . ● . That if a bishop or priest be in deadly sinne , he doth not order , consecrate , or baptize . Yea that so long as he is in deadly sinne , he is nether bishop , nor prelate in the church of god . 6. That who soeuer geue almes to friers , are accursed . Do not these articles ●●ew manifestly , that his gospel ( ●or so M. Fox wil pa. 97. needs haue it ) tended only to spoyle the church & clergy , to spite his aduersaries , & to gratifie the temporaltie ; among whom by his seditions preaching he had gotten a litle estimation ? Doth not Caluin . Beza , the whole Wicles an 〈◊〉 in the Caluinist● . consistorie and church of Geneua detest & condemne as prophane and Antichristian the first article of suspending the right of excommunication vpon the wil of the temporal magistiate ? Do the Ministers approue the second and third , that the Lords temporal & parishioners may take away at their discretion their liuings , rents , services & tithes , & geue to them as almes , how much , when , & in what sort they please ? Do they beleeue , that it is against the word of god , that ministers & bishops enioy ecclesiastical liuings ? Or make they voyd al their baptilmes & suppers , & orderings , if he that ministreth the sacraments , be in mortal sinne , in which they liue euery howre and moment , & can not be without them , being of opinion , as is Luther , Caluin , and al the crue of Protestants , that we sinne perpetually ; yea the iust man sinneth in euerie good worke ▪ & ( as Beza saith ) euery Beza annot. ●● 1. Ioan. ca. ● . v. 16. the least cogitation of the least sinne is a mortal sinne , and deserueth hel syer eternally ▪ I omit other things specified by M. Fox , which in my opinion should quit exclude Wiclef from being a gospeller ( saue that euerie heresie scemeth sufficient to make a gospelle● ) some whereof are good & Catholike , some most wicked & Satanical : but for a conclusion let this suffise , that Wiclef no lesse then Berengarius ( saue that Wiclef dyed an heretike , twise Wicless o●ten 〈◊〉 . or thrise relapsed & periured ) recanted al his gospelling noueltie , at the lest thrise , as M. Fox signifieth . And therefore if these men wil needs haue him a Protestant , because he some times , & in some things sayd as they say surely they haue no cau●e so extremely to brag of him , as M. Fox doth , seyng he so oftentymes reuoked such sayings & condemned them : as appeareth by these words Fox Act. & monument . pa. 91. of his re●ocation set downe in M. Fox : I desyre my lord god of pardon and forgeuenes . And now againe ●s before also , I do reuoke and make retractation , most humbly submitting my self vnder the correction of our holy mother the church &c. the yere 1377. After which time he made yet againe an other reuocation , the yere 138● . as in the same author appeareth . pa. 9● . Albeit al this notwithstanding , M. Fox reciteth as a verie great argument of the gospel , that Wiclefs sect Ibid. increased priuily , and daily grew to greater force : truly so great , that they made traiterous conspiracies against the king him self , as is recorded in the Acts of Parlament Henrie . 5. ●● 2. cap. 7. ● . ●ol●●● . Virg●nstor . lib. 2● and common stories , and in part ●auntingly noted by M. Fox , who writeth that king Henry ● . decreed most cruel punishement against such as should hereafter solow Wiclef● doctrine , against whom he held a Parlament at Le●ester : Fox vbi supra pa. 173. the which peraduenture saith the● had no● bene so wel holden at London , because of the fauourers of the Lord Cobham and other Wiclefs solowers .

But to returne to my purpose of Wiclef and to end his storie , although most Protestant writers ( as I haue said ) recken him for one of their chief & most reuerend Apostles , namely M. Fox who plac●th him in redd letters , 〈◊〉 ● . Wiclef an heretike to the Ca●●●nistes . first in his Calender , Ihon wiclef , preacher , martyr ( though he dyed in his bed searce an honest man ) yet some other Protestant writers there are of a more sincere & vpright iudgement , who for the reasons abo●e noted , Vadianus d● Eu 〈◊〉 lib. 5. pag. 162. recken him ( as he deserued ) in the number of ranke heretikes . Amongest whom Ioachimus Vadianus of Zurich a right Zuinglian , writeth of him , that albeit he saw somwhat in matter of the gospel yet in nounull●s foe le lap●us est , in sundry points of religion he was fowly ouerseen , & much Pantaleon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . pa. 110. more geuen to sco●fing & prating , then became a sober Diui●e . And Pantaleon a sacramentarie likewise , in his Chronologie accounteth him for an heretike , as he doth also his scholer Ihon Husse though canonized by M Fox for Maij 2. Iuly 8. a martir , as likewise he is in the Scottish Calender , of whom he saith further , & that by warrant of that great Apostle Martin Luther , that quibusdam bonis multa pestifera admiscuit , amongest a few good things he mingled a number of wicked & pestiferous . And these are the principal which since Berengarius time haue bene publishers of the Zuinglian faith touching Christ not present in the sacrament .

¶ Out of al which , before I conclude this chapiter , one general & infallible rule I wil sett downe commonly geuen A sure rule to discerne an 〈…〉 . Maior . by al Diuines to proue any sect or opinion heretical : and the rule is ; that Whensoeuer there ariseth any preaching or doctrine in the church , to the Christian people new and straunge , and which the Pastors and Bishops of the church reproue and disallow as false : such preaching & doctrine certainly is heretical . This proposition is iustified by the vniuersal tenor and drift of the whole testament old & new , in al places where it entreateth of the Catholike church of the new Testament : for so The visible Church eternal . much as of that church it was of old prophecied ( & by Christ performed ) that it should be put in possession of al truth , and by the meanes of Bishops , Prelates and Pastors , held in the same truth by vertue of the holy ghost , and continued without error vntil the end of the world . The knowledge of truth in this Church shal be Psal. 11. 9. cap. 2. 3. cap. 54. 13 abundant as the waters of the sea : God shal be therein a perpetual teacher : God shal make with that church such an eternal couenant , that the truth once deliuered to it , shal cap. 39. 21. be continued from one to an other , from seed to seed , from generation to generation for euer so long as the world endureth : god shal set vpon the wals of this church , right , true Esa. cap. 60. 18. cap. 62. 6. vigilant pastors and watchmen . which neuer at any time day nor night shal cease from preaching the truth . Thus the prophetes foretold . For performance of which Christ promised to be with them for euer , al daies vntil the end of Matth. 2● . ●● . the world . He promised them the holy ghost , the spirit of truth , to abide with them and their successors , for euer to Ioan. 14. 17 Cap. 16 , 13. teach them and leade them in to al truth : which spirite he sent at the time appointed in the day of Pentecost : & finally for this purpose , before his departure out of this Act. 2. world , he placed in his church , Apostles , prophetes , pastors Ephes. 4. 1● . Act. 20. 28. & doctors , to rule , gouerne , maynteine & preserue in truth that his church ( so dearly purchased with his blud ) vntil his second comming to iudgement . Thus much for the profe of this first proposition . Ioyne thereto for a second : But the doctrine of Berengarius was new Minor and strange to Christian people , and condemned generally by al Bishops and Pastors then liuing in vnitie of Christs church ouer the whole face of Christendome . The proofe of this , is gathered out of al historiographers liuing about those tymes , and out of the practise of the church . For as before is noted , a number of Councels , some general , many particular were essembled against it , and condemned it , at Rome , at Vercellis , at Tours , in Italie , in France , in Germanie , and other parts of Christendome : & as the Histories record , Berengario , illiu● temporis Papir . Mass●n vbi supra , in Henric● rege . Theologi bellum omnes indixere . The Diuines of that time euery one , bad warre and defiance to Berengarius , so soone as be durst publish his new opinion of the Eucharist . Here of the conclusion foloweth plaine , and most assured , that Conclusion . Berengarius opinion was heretical : & therefore the contrary , that is , the Catholike opinion , which holdeth against Berengarius , is the true doctrine of Christ and his Apostles , deliuered by them to the church , & in the church conserued and continued in al ages , in al times , in al Catholike countries and realmes vntil our age . Wherefore to end the argument of this chapiter , & withal to stoppe the wrangling of certain English Diuines , who more like Grammarians and sophisters , then wise or learned men , very childishly thinke to auoid what so euer is alleaged for Christs presence in the Sacrament , by con●erring together certaine words and phrases , by which kind Calu. Instructio . contra Libertin●s , ca. 1● of Diuinitie they may ( and some of their brethern do ) inferre Christs presence on the crosse to be tropical and figuratiue no lesse then in the sacrament : to proue I say , that the church and al auncient fathers according to the scriptures , wrote and meant as I haue before declared , I wil shut vp this matter with Erasmus words , wherein also I wil comprise the summe in a maner of al that hitherto hath bene declared ; whose authoritie I vse the rather , for that the Protestants somtimes much extolle him as a great profound Diuine , deepely seene in the Fathers , and no enemy to their side , to whom among others the Iew . defense of the Apologie , part. 2. cap. 16. diuisio . 2. chief proctor of the English church M. Iewel yeldeth such high praise , as that he calleth him a man of famous memorie , whose name for learning and iudgement hath at al times among the learned bene much esteemed : with whom the Catholike writers ( D. Allen Cardinal , D. Harding , D. Sanders , Erasmus faith of the sacrament . D. Stapleton &c. whom he termeth the yonge Lou●nian Clergy ) may not wel compare in the profound knowledge of the Doctors without blushing . Wherefore this man so wel esteemed among the learned , & of so profound knowledge in the Doctors , concerning this matter writeth thus . Membra●im discerpi . Protesting his owne faith , vz that he had rather be drawen in peeces , then to become of Berengarius opinion , and thinke of the sacrament , as the Zuinglians do ; & that he wold rather susteine al miserie , then to defile his conscience The grounds of Erasmus faith . Erasmus l●● . 19. epist. ad Conrad . P●ll●c●num . pag. 676. with so fowle a sinne , & therein depart out of this life , the reasons of this his constant persuasion thus he yeldeth : I could neuer be induced to beleeue otherwise , then that the true body of Christ was in the sacrament , for that the writings of the gospel & Apostles expresse so plainly , The body which is geuen , & The blud which is shed : & for that , this thing so wonderful wel agreeth with the infinite loue of Plaine scriptures . God towards mankind , that whom he redeemed with the body and blud of his sonne , those after an inexplicable maner he should also feed with the body & blud of the same his sonne , Idem lib. 2● . 〈…〉 pag. ●17● . and by this secrete presence of him , at is were with a sure pawne or pledge comfort them vntil he shal returne manifest and glorious in the sight of al. Thus for the scriptures , the gospels and S. Paule , and the cleare euidence of this faith touching the sacrament vttered by them : which was to him , as he writeth , an vnmoueable foundation to ground Immobile ●●● damentum . vpon . Now for the auncient fathers & Councels of the church , thus he procedeth : Seing then we haue so manifest warrant from Christ and S. Paule : whereas besides it is most evidently proued , that the auncient writers , vnto whom not Consent of auncient fathers . without cause the church yeldeth so great credit , beleeued with one consent , that in the Eucharist is the true substance of Christs body & blud : whereas vnto al this is ioyned the constant authoritie of Councels , and so great consent of Christian people : 1. Cor. 13. 1● Matth. 26. 29. let vs also be of the same mynd concerning this heauenly misterie ; and let vs in a darke sort feed of that bread and cup of our lord , vntil we come to eate and drinke it after another sort , in the kingdome of God . And I wish with al my hart , that they who haue folowed Berengarius in his error , wold also folow him in his repentance . Thus Erasmus , a man of profound knowledge in the auncient Doctors , with whom if the yonge Doctors of the Catholike Clergie may not wel compare without blushing , much lesse may the yonge scholers & preachers of the Scottish and English congregations , who for sound learning , & substance of Diuinitie , so long as they liue ( I suppose ) wil not be worthy to carie the books after those former . And therefore being content , that on both sides such great & peerles authoritie be geuen to Erasmus as M. Iewel chalengeth for him , thereof I conclude , that the auncient fathers , according to the plaine scriptures , alwaies thought and taught , that in the holy Eucharist is the substance of Christs body and blud & that a Christian man were better to suffer any torment , and most cruel kind of death , then to be of an other opinion . And with Erasmus I wish , and our Lord of his mercy graunt , that those of our poore Iland both English Ubi supra p● . 1178. and Scottish , who haue folowed Berengarius in his impudent error ( for so Erasmus termeth it ) may also folo● him in his repentance & execration of the same impudent error , whereunto Erasmus persuadeth them .