WHo so will auoyd the danger of pride , of schisme and of hearesie , he hath no greater helpe therevnto in this Prou. 3. world , then to mystrust his owne iudgement , and to followe the authoritie of greater wisdome . Whiche thing he August . de Baptis . con●…a Dona●…st lib 2. Cap. ●… . 1. 〈◊〉 . 3. muste doe , not only by preferring the holie scriptures before the wrytinges of whatsoeuer men , but also by expo●…ding the same , according to the greatest authoritie that may be founde in that kinde .

The greatest authoritie among men must nedes be in the whole Catholike Churche of Christe , the piller and establishment of truthe , whose consent in the interpretation of Gods worde , because wee can not knowe by the handwryting of euerie particular 1. Cor. 8. member ( for knowledge is not in all persons ) we therefore muste not so muche seke after the bookes , as after the workes , and practise of all faythfull nations , to knowe by what meanes they expounded Christes Gospell . For as the holie Ghoste instructed Hebr. 10. alwayes theyr hartes , wryting his lawes in them : so by theyr conformable deedes we lerne , what he inspired to theyr hartes . As therefore it is most necessarie to conferre one part of holy scripture with an other , for the right vnderstanding of both places : euen so it behoueth to ioyne with that conference , the August . ad●…anua . Epist 118 Matt. 28. vse and custome of the people of God .

To make this matter the playner by an example , the Apostles are wille●… to teache all nations , baptizing them in the name of the Father , and of the Sonne , and of the holy Ghost . Now shall The Anabaptistes . this precept be vnderstanded ? For some thinke that teaching before baptisme is so necessarie , that no creature ought to be baptised , whiche is not first taught . Others thinke both necessarie , The Catholikes . but yet teaching to belong firste to suche as are able to be taught , and baptizing firste to suche , as are able to be baptized , and not yet readie to be taught . And because infautes may be baptized before they can be taught , they thynke that Christe meant , to haue teaching goe before baptisme in men of discretion , and baptisme before teaching in children , whose parents The practise of the whole Churche 〈◊〉 a good interpretation of scripture aske baptisme for them . Whiche later vnderstanding is proued to be more agreable to the meaning of Christe , not by the order of his wordes , but by the vse and consent of all nations , whiche are the spouse of Christe . For in euerie age and countrie of Christendome , children are brought to be baptized by theyr frindes : and the Bishops or Priestes of those countries haue alwayes baptized them .

So that we haue two great and necessarie poyntes expounded , in the precept of baptisme , by the custome of the Churche . The one is , that children maie be christened before they are taught theyr beleefe : the other , that suche children onlie maie be Christened , whose parents or frindes aske baptisme for them . But if any Iew or Gentil doe liue among vs , who wil not haue his child Christened , the Apostles by that fame 〈◊〉 of Christ , haue no authoritie to baptize suche a childe . Whiche thinge is proued , because the Church of God hath no suche custome . ●… . Cor. 11

The same strength whiche the practise of Christian men is nowe sene to haue in baptisme , is also founde to be no lesse in other Sacraments . For likewise al faithful countries haue asked the Sacrament of consirmation for their baptized children , and all Bishops haue geuen it , oynting and confirming them in the name of the 〈◊〉 with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , thereby declaring , how the holy Ghoste is geuen to the late baptized by the imposition Act. 8. of handes of the Apostles . 〈◊〉 all faithfull 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 adored the body and blood of Christ vnder the formes of bread and wine after consecration . They haue desyred that holy sacrifice to be made and offered for them , & all Priestes , Bishops , and Primates haue said masse , and allowed that deuotion of the layemen . Wherby it is proued that those wordes of Christ : This ys mie bodye , and : This ys my bloode , are to be taken properly , Matt. 26. and not figuratiuely , in so muche as the holy Ghost , by the vse of all the people of God , hath expounded the whole meany●…ge of Christe .

Therfore whosoeuer teacheth a figuratiue vnderstanding of those words , he goethe fyrst from the autoritie of the gospell , where yt ys 〈◊〉 sayed : This is my body . Next he 〈◊〉 from the 〈◊〉 of the whole Churche , whiche so earnestly beleued these wordes , and th●…effecte of them , that she adored the body of Christe present , vnder the forme of breade , and acknowledged yt to be offered to God vnbloodely , for the obteyuinge of the sruites of Christes death . Thirdlie he must nedes 〈◊〉 concluded singular and prowd , who had rather leane to his owne The 〈◊〉 of a 〈◊〉 must not be trusted . iudgement , or to the iudgement of a fewe lyke him self , then to trust either God , or his whole Churche .

And wheras certayne men are wont to saye , that the holy Fathers and faythfull people of the first six hundred yeres after Christ , did vnderstande the wordes of his supper otherwise : It is ( Good Reader ) to to palpable , and to muche affected a blindnesse not to ponder and w●…igh , howe vnsensibly that is spoken .

All men of neuer so meane witte iudge thinges vncertayne by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . those that are most certayne , not contrariwise leauinge that whiche they euidently knowe , and measuringe yt by a rule cleane obscure or throwghly withowt the compasse of their reache . Christ in that dreadfull night wherin he was betrayed , 〈◊〉 nowe 1. Cor. 11 〈◊〉 the mysterie of owr redemption , after breade taken and blessing , 〈◊〉 , and gaue , and sayd , This ys my body . Hereof 1. Scriptu●… . Matt. 26. Marci . 14 l. 〈◊〉 . 22. 1. Cor. 11. S. Mathew , S. Marke , S. Luke , and S. 〈◊〉 beare wytnesse . Neither may anie man dowt therof , who loketh for saluation by 〈◊〉 .

Agayne whosoeuer is of lawfull age , and hath but the vse o●… his eyes and eares , can tell that in the Catholike Churche all men 2. The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of god . 〈◊〉 the real body of Christ vnder the 〈◊〉 of that bread , which was blessed by the Prieste . These two principals no man aliue may deny . 〈◊〉 no man is able to deny that 〈◊〉 three hundred and fiftie 〈◊〉 paste it was decreed by 4. 70. Bishops in the great Councell of 〈◊〉 kept at 〈◊〉 , that the body , and blood of Christ are trulie contayned vnder the 3. Generall Councels 〈◊〉 of bread and wine , the substance of bread and wine being changed into the body and blood of Christ by the power of God . The same thing is in effect tawght in the Councells kept afterward at 〈◊〉 , at Constance , at 〈◊〉 , at Trent . Fowrthly before those Councells , 〈◊〉 was condemned by three 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 re●… . other Councells , and by the preachers and lerned men of that age , wherein he 〈◊〉 , and therfore he 〈◊〉 the same 〈◊〉 , which now 〈◊〉 mayntayned in England . No poynte of these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , nor may be 〈◊〉 denied .

Wee haue then the wordes of the gospell plaine , the worshipping and adoration of the Christians plaine , the authoritie of diuers generall Councells exceding plaine . These all be thinges so knowen and certayne , that our aduersaries cannot say , they are not so , Albeyt they say , they should not be so . Well , they yet graunt we haue the wordes of the gospell , the vse of the Church these nyne hundred yeares , and the authoritie of generall Councels , of whom I 〈◊〉 on the other side , what gospell , what Church , what Councels they haue . 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 .

First they can bring no gospell where yt is written . This is 〈◊〉 figure of my bodie . Secundarily thei can bring no Church , 2. No vse of 〈◊〉 Church of God . where the bodie of Christ was not confessed , worshipped and 〈◊〉 . Thirdly they haue no generall 〈◊〉 , where it was euer said , that the wordes of Christ are 〈◊〉 , and worke not his bodie present . Thereunto they will straight take exception , affirming 3. No generall Coun 〈◊〉 . that all the first six hundred yeres cooke the wordes of Christes supper to be figuratiue , and nedes they must say so muche , for 〈◊〉 they should saie nothyng at all . But what 〈◊〉 we to that saying of theirs ?

Uerily we 〈◊〉 , that it is a mayn lye , an impudent assertion , a fond imagination , as the which hath no ground at all in the The first 600. yeres 〈◊〉 not for the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . first six hundred yeres . Which thing although yt may be proued many wayes , yet in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is most inuincibly declared by three 〈◊〉 . The former is , in so muche as diuers holy Fathers 〈◊〉 vs most instantly to beleue the wordes wherin 1. Christ said : This ys my body , and : This ys my bloode , although they seme to be agaynst naturall reason and sense . and yet no wise man wil requier vs to beleue figuratiue wordes . The second is , 2. because the same Fathers teach expresly the adoration of that 〈◊〉 and blood of Christe , which is in the holy mysteries , which 〈◊〉 on the altar and table , which is taken into the handes mouthes , and bodies of Christian men . The third reason is , 3. because the holie Fathers teach , that we are made naturally and corporally one flesh with the flesh of Christ , in the worthy recenuing of the blessed Sacrament of his supper . All these thinges shal be declared , God willing , in their places . We haue therefore iust cause , not to graunt our aduersaries the first six hundred yeres .

And although we had not so iust cause to shewe the first six houdred to stand so playnlie for vs , yet how ys yt possible , that they or any man aliue can be sure of the opinion of that age ? The scriptures that should teache them , what thei owght to ●…ue , sounde an other waie ▪ The practise of the Churche , which hath deriued to vs their custome and vse , doth informe vs of a contrary meaning . By what meanes then come oure aduersaries to assure them selues of the first six hundred yeres ? It is cle●…ely impossible that any man should haue any sufficient ground , whereby to know , that the first six hundred yeres were of the 〈◊〉 or Sacramentarie iudgement . For the wrytinges of the Fathers ( whiche only they pretend ) cannot informe them of any suche their minde , for so muche as none of them all writeth so fauorably for them , that he hathe gone aboute once to proue , that the bodie of Christ is not vnder that which the Priest blesseth , or hath warned the people to beware of idolatrie , or hath vsed suche words in that behalfe , as the Sacramentaries of oure tyme do vse . And yet suerlie a lyke fayth wolde hau●… browght foorthe a lyke doctrine .

Now where they call the Sacrament a figure and holie signe : that doth not withstand the reall presence any whit , but rather proueth it , to him , who considereth the signe , we speake of , not to be a signe made by men , whose tokens do signifie th●… The signes of Christes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the signified 〈◊〉 . truth absent , but institued by Christ , who maketh reall truth in euerie Sacrament , vnder a holy signe therof . To be shorte , there is nothinge to be sene or readen in the auncient Fathers concerninge the matter of the Sacrament , but the same hath bene alwayes acknowleged of the Catholikes for good and sound doctrine , euen continually all thies nine hundred yeres , when , if they had thought otherwise , they might withowt reprouffe of any man , before Berengarius , or after his tyme , haue condemned what booke they lysted . But no Papist , were he neuer so muche addicted to the real presence of Christes body in the Sacrament , did find fault with any Catholike Father of the first six hundred 〈◊〉 : Undowtedlie , because he neuer sawe worde in them against his owne opinion . Or tell me , doth S. Thomas , doth S●…otus , doth Nicolaus de Lira , doth Dionysius Larthusianus accuse anie Father of the first six hundred yeres , as not thynkinge well of the Sacrament ? No suerlie . And that is because they neuer founde in them but the same docteine , which them selues beleued and tawght . And yet as sone as Berengarius began his newe doctrine , euerie lerned man founde fault with yt . Likewise with 〈◊〉 , with ●…uinglins , and with Iohn Caluin .

It is therfore euident , seinge no Catholike nother hathe bene before Luters time , nor is nowe offended with the olde Fathers doctrine concerninge the reall presence of Christes body , and yet euerie of them is offended with the Sacramentaries doctrine : that the Sacramentaries teache not , as the olde Fathers did , and agayne that the Sacramentaries cannot be suer , that their doctrine is found in the olde Fathers . For if yt were there to he found , why should not Catholikes find yt there as well as they : Or what one word can be brought forthe of them so plainly denyinge the reall presence of Christes body , vnder the forme of bread , as we are able to bringe forth certayne hundred places , wherin the said reall presence is earnestly affirmed ? Admitte the Fathers doctrine were vncertayne , were dowtfull & obscure , yet cowld oure aduersaries neuer be sure therby , that the fyrst six hundred yeres were with them . Admitte some of them semed rather to fauoure theire side then owrs ( whiche is vtterly false ) yet the plaine word of God , the plaine generall Councelles , the faith of all nations by the space of nine hundred yeres owght The 〈◊〉 mentaries are fam t●… 〈◊〉 the Fathers of the first 600 ▪ yeres 〈◊〉 ●…ye . to preuaile , before the probable and apparant sayenges of a fewe men .

But nowe seinge the Fathers of the first six hundred yeres are so clerelie for vs , that oure aduersaries are forced to excuse the expresse witnesses of S. 〈◊〉 , S. Chrysostome , S. 〈◊〉 alleged for the reall presence of Christes bodie , as spoken by plaine hyperbole which ( in them that professe to teach the Catholike faith ) is no lesse to say , then that these Fathers make rhetoricall lyes in wryting of the blessed ●…ucharist , seing they are constrayned to deuie certaine workes of the verie most auncient , as of Dionysius Areopagita , of S. Ignatius , of S. Polycarpus , of Abdias , of S. Clement , of Anacletus , of 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 , yea of S. Ambrose , and of suche like ( because their sayings are to 〈◊〉 agaynst them ) seing all , that dispute now a dayes with the 〈◊〉 , presse them with nothing more customably then with the autoritie of the auncient Fathers .

Now to saie they lea●…e to the first six hundred yeres , when the holie scriptures , and auncient Fathers , generall Counceils , and 〈◊〉 tradition maketh agaynst them , he that listeth to consyder how 〈◊〉 , how vilely , how impudently it is pretended , may in all other assertions mistrust them , as men for great synnes geuen ouer vnto their owne lewd phantasie , withowt they Roma. 1. repent and call agayne to the holie Ghost for more grace and better vnderstanding .

M. Nowel in the preface prefixed before the reprouf of M. Nowell in his pre●… . Dormans prouf , semeth to haue small confidence in the first six hundred yeres , and therfore findeth fault with M. Iuell , because he gaue vs that most large scope of all Doctors of the Church , who haue wryten for the space of six hundred yeres after our Sauior Christes being here in earth , and of a●…l Councells kept in the said continuance of tyme : Whereas M. Nowel wolde haue had him tye vs streightly to the triall of the scriptures , the certaine and only iudges ( sayeth M. Nowell ) in controuersies of religion . Wherin he affirmeth , we can saye nothing at all .

The holy scriptures , M. Nowell , are so certayne and vpryght ●…udges , that if they cowld speake , thei wold remoue out of their The Scri ptures wold neuer abyd him that sh●…ld say : This is not my body . co●…rtes all suche 〈◊〉 tonges as saie , This ys not Christes bodie . This , I say , whiche is made at the holy table of Christes supper . This ▪ which after blessing and the wordes of consecration spoken , is broken and deliuered . This , which at the handes of the Priest is taken and eaten . If scriptures might be heard , should he leue one hower , that seing a thing so exa●…ly taken and pointed vnto , and hearing the same with so manie circumstances ( all tendinge to the makinge a new mysterie of the new testament ) affirmed to be the body of Christ , whiche is geuen Luce. 22. for vs , yet wold neither care for the word nor the dede , but stowtly , 〈◊〉 , that this whiche is sene and taken , is not by the wordes of Christe made his owne reall bodye ? And yet haue we nothing at all to say in the holie scriptures ?

Some others graunt we haue somwhat to say in this question of the reall presence , but not in any other . Whome I beseche to suspend their iudgement , vntill they know what they saie . For not if they vnderstand not how scriptures belong to vs in other questions , we doe therfore lack scriptures . From the highest The Catholiks lack no Scriptures . question of the sacrifice of the masse , to the most abiect ( in our aduersaries reputation ) of indulgences and pardons , the Catholike Churche neuer lacked , nor shall at any tyme lack plentie of holy scriptures , as yt shall appere when particular occasion serueth .

In the meane tyme because I am not able to bring foorth at once , what may be sayed owt of holy scriptures , for all the con●… of our age , I haue beg●…ne first with the cheif of all , which is concerning the reall presence of Christes body and blood vnder the 〈◊〉 of bread and wine . Beseching God I may haue grace and tyme , to bring in other questions other like 1. scriptures . I haue examined the wordes of Christes supper , I haue 2. noted the ci●…cumstances of thinges done and sayd there : I ha●… 〈◊〉 . conferred the holy scriptures of one place , with them that in the same matter are written in other places , as well of the old as of the new testament : I haue ioyned the Fathers of the first six hundred 4. yeres , to shewe , they thought as the Catholikes nowe doe , whom they call Papistes . But what circumstance , what confere●…ce of holie scripture can helpe owre aduersaries ? T●…e 〈◊〉 cannot confer scri ptures in this matter .

Before they can ioyne one place of scripture with an other , they must haue some one clere and playne , by whiche the other , that is more darke and obs●…re , maye be interpreted and expounded . But what playne place can that be in the supper of Christe ? For if the wordes and dedes , that make the supper , be obscure , if th●…y that sulfill the prophecies and promyses goinge before , be darke and figuratiue : where ys it possible to finde a prophecie , a If the wordes of the supper be figuratiue , none other can be plaine . figure , a psalme , a promesse more e●…ident , then the perfo●…mance therof was ? Doth not the death of Christ as fulfill , so make playne and open all the lawe and prophetes ? Euen so whatsoeuer is browght apperteininge to the purpose of Christes supper , muste nedes be more vncertayne and lesse euident , then the supper it self , which is the end and perfourmance , and therfore the openinge and interpretation of all the rest . Who so therfore maketh the wordes of Christes supper figuratiue or vncertaine , muche more he maketh al other places , that belonge to that argument , obscure and harde to be vnderstanded .

What certentie then can theire belefe haue , who neither haue an euident faithe comminge from theire ancestoures to them , nor any manifest place of scripture , by which they maye iudge and trie other suche scriptures , as they bringe for theire figuratiue doctrine ?

As they imagine withowt any prouf at all , that they haue the faith of the first six hundred yeres : so I thynke they imagine a gospell , where it is w●…tten , This is not my body : or , This is the figure of my bodie . But as with thine eyes thow maiest reade it distinctly wrytten in fower places of the th●… 〈◊〉 , This ys my body : so if thow be of any good yeres , thow 〈◊〉 ●…ember the tyme , when noman professed the belese that they now doe prosesse . And farther , if god graunt the to leue but twentie yeres moe , thow shalt see manie a thowsand of their owne felowshippe beleue the co●…trarie of that , whiche in many articles is now professed by the 〈◊〉 them selues . For heresie can not staye , vntill 1. Tim. 3. yt come at the length to infidelitie .

But , as I sayed , thow art sure of the gospell , where it is sayed : This ys my body , and sure of the Churche , where ●…t both was , and is beleued , to be Christes body after consecration : so can they neuer be sure , where yt is wrytten , this is the figure of my body , nor yet can they be sure that euer yt was beleued in the first six hundred yer●…s , to haue ●…ene a figure , without the reall truth of Christes s●…bstance vnder the forme of bread .

Tell me masters , I beseche yow , sith before youre ●…ies the wordes of Christe lie sownding against your opinion , and in your knowledge and experience yow haue sene al Christian people prof●…sse a 〈◊〉 faith vnto yours , by what euidence , by what inuincible authoritie can yow proue , that the first six hundred yeres agreed with yow ? Is yt wrytten in the gospell ? It say●…th 1. the contrarie in these wordes , This ys my body . Is it come to 2. your hands by tradition ? All tradition maketh agaynst you , whereby we are tawght the body of Christ to be made by Christes wordes vnder the forme of bread . Did all nations and faithsull 3. p●…ople beare wytnes to your opinion ? It is cleane contrarie . For yow can name no people where your opinion was professed before these fiftie yeres , albeit a fewe haue in corners now and then 〈◊〉 yt , as now some or other alwayes 〈◊〉 the blessed Trinitie . Did generall Cou●…cels teache yow , to thynke as yo●… 4. dor ? They are cleane on the other 〈◊〉 , as which professe an vnbloody Con. Ni. Cō . Lat. sacrisice , and a 〈◊〉 of Christ vpon the altar , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ? Doe the auucieut Fathers tell you , that them 5. 〈◊〉 beleued so ? They tell you cleane contrary , as who forbyd you to 〈◊〉 of Christes wordes , and bid vs adore his flesh in the mysteries . Where is then this faith of six hundred yeres proued : Admit you had a worde or two , that semed to fauoure your parte . Is that enough to buyld your consciences vpon , agaynst the playne scripture , vniuersall tradition , consent of nations , de●… of generall Councels , and so vndouted witnesses , as are in Ephes. 4. the a●…cient Fathers ? are you so slenderly buylt vpon Christ , that euerie blast of 〈◊〉 , ●…inglius , or Caluins mouth is able to remoue you from the scriptures , tradition , Councels , Fathers , and 〈◊〉 belefe of all Christendome ?

I speake not this ( God is my witnesse ) to vpbrayd you of your 〈◊〉 , but to warne you of the miserable state , that your 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 se●…ses haue caried you to . I now requier not anie other thing of you , then that yow depelie ponder , and all par●… set a side ( calling for the grace of God ) earnestly examine , what was the first motion that made you doute of Christes T●…e reas●…s that 〈◊〉 our faith . 〈◊〉 and blood vnder the formes of bread and wine . Was it not your senses ? Did not your sensuall man saie , how can this white round cake be the body of Christ ? How can this bald shoren Priest make God ? How can Christe sitting at the ryght hand of his Father , he also present in a thousand places at once ? Tell not me , but tell your ghostly fathers , whether theis reasons chefely mo●…ed you not , to discredit this high mysterie ? If those or suche like where the beginning of your departing from the Catholike ●…aith , remember that God is almightie , that Christ is God , that he said : This is my body , doe and make this thing : and all Luce. 22. those thoughtes of infidelitie are straight driuen away .

But if now ye replie that there was in dede the beginning , but afterward you found more strong argumentes , I tell you , the argumentes also be daily the stronger , because your faith is daylie the weaker . But for so muche as I am not with euerie of you , face to face , where I maye shew the weakenes of your argumentes , I haue answered in this booke such as I found in the Apologie of the Churche of England , beseching you most hartely to take my paynes in good worth . If any where I seme to charge my aduersaries with malice or any like faulte , take not that spoken to you , but to hym that is giltie of it . If my laboure lyke you in this argument , it shal be redie to serue in anie other to my best habilitie . Fare well and pray for me , as I beseche God of his grace that I may pray especially for all them , that reade my booke . To th' entent it may offend none , but the desperate , helpe some that be not incurable , comfort others that desier comfort of God , to whom be all honour and glorie .

IN alleging the holy scriptures although I haue had alwaies dew regard vnto the tonges , wherein they were first writen , yet I haue specially kept that texte , which hath bene aboue these thousand yeres generally receaued throughowt all the weast Churche , and therefore is expounded best , and best knowen to the Latyns . Concerninge the number of the Psalmes , I haue followed the seuentie interpretours , whom vniuersally the whole Churche hath followed from the Apostles tyme , namely in the distinction of the Psalmes .

Concerning the englyshe bible , I haue almost neuer vsed the wordes thereof , partely because I am not bounde therevnto , but specially because it almost neuer translateth any text well , whereof any controuersie is in these our daies . And to omit for this present other falsified places to the number of a great many hundreds , these that followe , are found not to be well translated in the onely matter of the Sacrament of Christes body and blood .

Christ saieth : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Operamini Ioan. 6. cibum permanentem . The true Englishe were : worke the meate which tarieth . The translation appointed to be read in the Churches turneth ( Operamini ) labour for . Whereby the Cert●…in places not weltranslated . sense of the place is corrupted . We labour for that , which we seeke , and haue not , we worke that stuffe , which is present with vs , and must nedes be present , before we can worke it . I suppose there is a difference , whether a carpenter worke a piece of tymber , or labour for a piece of tymber . He that woorketh it , hath it present , he that laboureth for it , seeketh it absent . Christ bad the ●… Iewes not labour for a meate , which should be absent , when they came to work , but he bad them work the meate , which taryeth to life euerlastinge , which the sonne of man will geue them . The sonne of man ( which is Christ ) will make the meate present , and the Iewes are willed to worke the sayed meate being first made present , and geuen to them .

It is not therfore the commaundement of Christ , that they should labourfor it , as if it were to be sought out by their diligence ( for they should labour in vain , as neuer being able to find of them selues so preciouse a thing ) But Christ meaneth that they shuld work , by faith and mouth , by soule and body , by soule in beleuing , by body in eating , that meate , which the sonne of man doth promise to geue them . That is the trew meaning of the word , Operamini , work ye : as the wordes that follow to the end of the Chapiter do plainly declare .

But because the Sacramentaries do not beleue the meate that Why th●… Sacrain●… taries haue corrupted th●… text . tarieth ( which is afterward shewed to be the flesh of Christ eaten in dede , whereby he tarieth in vs and we in him for euer ) to be made really present , so that we maye work it by faith and body : therfore they haue changed working into labouring for , as thowgh in the supper of Christ we laboured for his body , and did dot rather work his body .

Againe , Christ saith : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. Ioan. 6. Qui manducat me & ipse viuet propter me . The trew English is , He that eateth me , he also shall liue for me , The Englishe Bible teadeth , He that eateth me , shall liue by the meanes of me . There is a similitude made in that place , that as Christ being sent of the Father liueth for the Father : so he that eateth Christ liueth for Christ . The Greek word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in both places . It is construed with an accusatiue case in both places , it is latined by propter in both places . yet in the former place it is englished in the common Bible , for the Father : in the later , not ( for me ) as it owght , but by the meanes of me : Whereas Christ wold proue , that as him self doth liue for his Father ( with whom he is one nature and Godhead by eterna ! generation ) so we doe liue for him , with whom we are one flesh and manhod by eating him worthely . As therfor●… the Godhead of the Father is really present in the whole substance thereof with Christ : so is Ch●…ist really present with vs in his whole substance , when we eate him in the Sacrament , of which kind of eating he speaketh in that place by the waie of promise , as I haue proued vpon S. Ihon. What hon●…sty can be here pretended in one sentence to turne one word di●…ersly , euen when Christ ●…seth the self same word to shew therby the similitude of the matter ? Is propter Patrem , for the Father ? and yet is propter me , not , for me , but , by the meanes of me ? A man maie liue by his meanes that is abs●…t , whom also he neuer saw . But he can not liue for him , who is not with him , yea so with him , that his whole life is mainteined through him . For here Christ meaneth , by liuing for me , such a kind of life as men haue by liuing for , and because of the meate which they 〈◊〉 . As therfore noman is able to liue through that meate which is absent , and as when the meat causeth vs to liue , it is truly and really in vs : euen so when Christ saith , He that eateth me , shall liue for me , he meaneth him self , to be really eaten of him who liueth through that he eateth Christ . This helpe toward the Catholike faith the Sacramentaries thought to make nothing , by sa●…ifying the holy scripture .

Thirdly Christ saith : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . Qui manducat hunc panem viuet in aeternum . The true English were . He that eateth this bread , shall liue for euer . The Bible doth English it , He that eateth of this bread . It is true to saie , he that earcth of this bread shall liue for euer , and it was saied before of Christ . But though it be true in his place , yet it is not the true sense of this place . For here Christ speaketh ( by the waie of promise ) of sacramental eating , and he is so eaten in the Sacrament , that we both eate him , and of him . We eate him , because he is bodi●…y pr●…sent vnder the foorm of bread . We eate of him , because we take vertue and increase of li●…e of him , & he yet tarieth whole . Of him we maie eate also , without the Sacrament , by beleuing in him , and keping his commaund●…ments . But himself we properly eate only vnder the foorm of bread , of which eating Christ now spake .

But because the Sacramentaries wold haue no difference betwen eating Christ , & eating of Christ , ( as who beleue Christ really neuer to be eaten vnder the form of bread ) therfore they haue corrup●…ed the text , putting , of this bread , where they shuld haue left out , of , and haue said : He that eateth this bread . this bread , I say , which before Christ called his own flesh and his own self . He that eateth this bread shall liue for euer . Other smal faults in translating S. John I will not now stand about . Lett vs passe vnto the supper of Christ .