Having with five loaves fed five thousand 16 (walking also the night after upon the sea) 22 on the morrow the people there upon resorting unto him, 27 he preacheth unto them of the Bread which he will give: telling them that he is come from heaven, and therefore able to give such bread as can quicken the word, even his own flesh: and that all his Elect shall believe as much. 60 Many not with standing do murmur at this doctrine, yea and become apostates, though he tell them that they shall see by his Ascension into heaven, that he is descended from heaven, but the Twelve stick unto him, believing that he is God omnipotent, as he said. Among whom also (that no man be scandalized) he signifieth that he foreknoweth which will become a traitor: as among the foresaid, which would become apostates.Hauing with fiue loaues fed fiue thousand 16 (walking also the night after vpon the sea) 22 on the morow the people there vpon resorting vnto him, 27 he preacheth vnto them of the Bread which he wil giue: telling them that he is come from heauen, and therfore able to giue such bread as can quicken the word, euen his owne flesh: and that al his Elect shal beleeue as much. 60 Many not with standing do murmur at this doctrine, yea and become apostataes, though he tel them that they shal see by his Ascension into heauen, that he is descended from heauen, but the Twelue sticke vnto him, beleeuing that he is God omnipotent, as he said. Among whom also (that no man be scandalized) he signifieth that he foreknoweth which wil become a traiter: as among the foresaid, which would become apostataes.
After these things JESUS went beyond the sea of Galilee, which is of Tiberias:AFTER these things IESVS went beyond the sea of Galilee, which is of Tiberias:Post hæc abiit Jesus trans mare Galilææ, quod est Tiberiadis :
2and a great multitude followed him, because they saw the signs which he did upon those that were sick.and a great multitude folowed him, because they saw the signes which he did vpon those that were sicke.et sequebatur eum multitudo magna, quia videbant signa quæ faciebat super his qui infirmabantur.
3Jesus therefore went up into the mountain, and there he sate with his Disciples.IESVS therfore went vp into the mountaine, and there he sate with his Disciples.Subiit ergo in montem Jesus et ibi sedebat cum discipulis suis.
4And the Pascha: the Passover, the paschal feast and lamb was at hand, the festival day of the Jews.And the Pasche was at hand, the festiual day of the Iewes.Erat autem proximum Pascha dies festus Judæorum.
5When JESUS therefore had lifted up his eyes, and saw that a very great multitude cometh to him, he saith to Philip, Whence shall we buy bread: that these may eat?When IESVS therfore had lifted vp his eies, and saw that a very great multitude commeth to him, he saith to Philippe, Whence shal we bie bread: that these may eate?Cum sublevasset ergo oculos Jesus, et vidisset quia multitudo maxima venit ad eum, dixit ad Philippum : Unde ememus panes, ut manducent hi ?
6And this he said, tentans: testing, putting him to the proof, not enticing to sin him. for himself knew what he would do?And this he said, tempting him. for him self knew what he would doe?Hoc autem dicebat tentans eum : ipse enim sciebat quid esset facturus.
7Philip answered him, Two hundred denariorum: a denarius, a Roman silver coin worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every man may take a little piece.Philippe answered him, Two hundred penie worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that euery man may take a litle peece.Respondit ei Philippus : Ducentorum denariorum panes non sufficiunt eis, ut unusquisque modicum quid accipiat.
8One of his Disciples, Andrew the brother of Simon Peter, saith to him,One of his Disciples, Andrew the brother of Simon Peter, saith to him,Dicit ei unus ex discipulis ejus, Andreas, frater Simonis Petri :
9There is a boy here that hath five barley loaves, & two fishes: but what are these among so many?There is a boy here that hath fiue barley loaues, & two fishes: but what are these among so many?Est puer unus hic qui habet quinque panes hordeaceos et duos pisces : sed hæc quid sunt inter tantos ?
10Jesus therefore saith, Make the men to sit down. And there was much grass in the place. The men therefore sate down, in number about five thousand.IESVS therfore saith, Make the men to sit downe. And there was much grasse in the place. The men therfore sate downe, in number about fiue thousand.Dixit ergo Jesus : Facite homines discumbere. Erat autem fœnum multum in loco. Discubuerunt ergo viri, numero quasi quinque millia.
11Jesus therefore took the loaves: and when he had given thanks, he distributed to them that sate. in like manner also of the fishes as much as they would.IESVS therfore tooke the loaues: and when he had giuen thankes, he distributed to them that sate. in like maner also of the fishes as much as they would.Accepit ergo Jesus panes : et cum gratias egisset, distribuit discumbentibus : similiter et ex piscibus quantum volebant.
12And after they were filled, he said to his Disciples, Gather the fragments that are remaining, lest they be lost.And after they were filled, he said to his Disciples, Gather the fragments that are remaining, lest they be lost.Ut autem impleti sunt, dixit discipulis suis : Colligite quæ superaverunt fragmenta, ne pereant.
13They gathered therefore, and filled twelve baskets with fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained to them that had eaten.They gathered therfore, and filled twelue baskets with fragments of the fiue barley loaues, which remained to them that had eaten.Collegerunt ergo, et impleverunt duodecim cophinos fragmentorum ex quinque panibus hordeaceis, quæ superfuerunt his qui manducaverant.
14Those men therefore when they had seen what a sign JESUS had done, said, That this is the Prophet in vere: truly, in very truth (the same word that makes his flesh "meat in deed", v. 55), not the modern concessive "indeed" that is to come into the world.Those men therfore when they had seen what a signe IESVS had done, said, That this is the Prophet in deede that is to come into the world.Illi ergo homines cum vidissent quod Jesus fecerat signum, dicebant : Quia hic est vere propheta, qui venturus est in mundum.
15Jesus therefore when he knew that they would come to take him, and make him king, he fled again into the mountain himself alone.IESVS therfore when he knew that they would come to take him, and make him king, * he fled againe into the mountaine him self alone.Jesus ergo cum cognovisset quia venturi essent ut raperent eum, et facerent eum regem, fugit iterum in montem ipse solus.
16And when even was come, his Disciples went down to the sea.And when euen was come, his Disciples went downe to the sea.Ut autem sero factum est, descenderunt discipuli ejus ad mare.
17And when they were gone up into the ship, they came beyond the sea into Capharnaum. and now it was dark, and JESUS was not come unto themAnd when they were gone vp into the shippe, they came beyond the sea into Capharnáum. and now it was darke, and IESVS was not come vnto themEt cum ascendissent navim, venerunt trans mare in Capharnaum : et tenebræ jam factæ erant et non venerat ad eos Jesus.
18And the sea arose, by reason of a great wind that blew.And the sea arose, by reason of a great winde that blew.Mare autem, vento magno flante, exsurgebat.
19When they had rowed therefore about five and twenty or thirty stadia: stadia, about an eighth of a mile each, they see JESUS walking upon the sea, and to draw nigh to the ship, and they feared.When they had rowed therfore about fiue and twentie or thirtie furlonges, they see IESVS walking vpon the sea, and to draw nigh to the shippe, and they feared.Cum remigassent ergo quasi stadia viginti quinque aut triginta, vident Jesum ambulantem supra mare, et proximum navi fieri, et timuerunt.
20But he saith to them, It is I, fear not.But he saith to them, It is I, feare not.Ille autem dicit eis : Ego sum, nolite timere.
21They would therefore have taken him into the ship: and forthwith the ship was at the land to which they went.They would therfore haue taken him into the shippe: and forthwith the shippe was at the land to which they went.Voluerunt ergo accipere eum in navim et statim navis fuit ad terram, in quam ibant.
22The next day, the multitude that stood beyond the sea, saw that there was no other boat there but one, and that JESUS had not entered into the boat with his Disciples, but that his Disciples only were departed:The next day, the multitude that stoode beyond the sea, saw that there was no other boate there but one, and that IESVS had not entred into the boate with his Disciples, but that his Disciples only were departed:Altera die, turba, quæ stabat trans mare, vidit quia navicula alia non erat ibi nisi una, et quia non introisset cum discipulis suis Jesus in navim, sed soli discipuli ejus abiissent :
23but other boats came in from Tiberias beside the place where they had eaten the bread, our Lord giving thanks.but other boates came in from Tiberias beside the place where they had eaten the bread, our Lord giuing thankes.aliæ vero supervenerunt naves a Tiberiade juxta locum ubi manducaverant panem, gratias agente Domino.
24When therefore the multitude saw that JESUS was not there, nor his Disciples, they went up into the boats, & came to Capharnaum seeking JESUS.When therfore the multitude saw that IESVS was not there, nor his Disciples, they went vp into the boates, & came to Capharnaum seeking IESVS.Cum ergo vidisset turba quia Jesus non esset ibi, neque discipuli ejus, ascenderunt in naviculas, et venerunt Capharnaum quærentes Jesum.
25And when they had found him beyond the sea, they said to him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?And when they had found him beyond the sea, they said to him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?Et cum invenissent eum trans mare, dixerunt ei : Rabbi, quando huc venisti ?
26Jesus answered them, and said, Amen, amen I say to you, you seek me not because you have seen signs, but because you did eat of the loaves, and were filled.IESVS answered them, and said, Amen, amen I say to you, you seeke me not because you haue seene signes, but because you did eate of the loaues, and were filled.Respondit eis Jesus, et dixit : Amen, amen dico vobis : quæritis me non quia vidistis signa, sed quia manducastis ex panibus et saturati estis.
27Work not the cibum: his food in general (not only flesh) that perisheth, but that endureth unto life everlasting, which the Son of man will give you. For him the Father, God, hath signed.Worke not the meate that perisheth, but that endureth vnto life euerlasting, which the Sonne of man wil giue you. For him the Father, God, hath signed.Operamini non cibum, qui perit, sed qui permanet in vitam æternam, quem Filius hominis dabit vobis. Hunc enim Pater signavit Deus.
28They said therefore unto him, What shall we do that we may work the works of God?They said therfore vnto him, What shal we doe that we may worke the workes of God?Dixerunt ergo ad eum : Quid faciemus ut operemur opera Dei ?
29Jesus answered, and said to them, This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he hath sent.IESVS answered, and said to them, This is the worke of God, that you beleeue in him whom he hath sent.Respondit Jesus, et dixit eis : Hoc est opus Dei, ut credatis in eum quem misit ille.
30They said therefore to him, What sign therefore dost thou, that we may see, and may believe thee? what workest thou?They said therfore to him, What signe therfore doest thou, that we may see, and may beleeue thee? what workest thou?Dixerunt ergo ei : Quod ergo tu facis signum ut videamus et credamus tibi ? quid operaris ?
31Our fathers did eat Manna in the desert, as it is written, Bread from heaven he gave them to eat.Our * fathers did eate Manna in the desert, as it is written, Bread from heauen he gaue them to eate.Patres nostri manducaverunt manna in deserto, sicut scriptum est : Panem de cælo dedit eis manducare.
32Jesus therefore said to them, Amen, amen I say to you, Moyses gave you not the bread from heaven, but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.IESVS therfore said to them, Amen, amen I say to you, Moyses gaue you not the bread from heauen, but my Father giueth you the true bread from heauen.Dixit ergo eis Jesus : Amen, amen dico vobis : non Moyses dedit vobis panem de cælo, sed Pater meus dat vobis panem de cælo verum.
33For the bread of God it is that descendeth from heaven, and giveth life to the world.For the bread of God it is that descendeth from heauen, and giueth life to the world.Panis enim Dei est, qui de cælo descendit, et dat vitam mundo.
34They said therefore unto him, Lord, give us always this bread.They said therfore vnto him, Lord, giue vs alwaies this bread.Dixerunt ergo ad eum : Domine, semper da nobis panem hunc.
35And JESUS said to them, I am the bread of life, he that cometh to me, shall not hunger: and he that believeth in me, shall never thirst.And IESVS said to them, I am the bread of life, he that commeth to me, shal not hunger: and he that beleeueth in me, shal neuer thirst.Dixit autem eis Jesus : Ego sum panis vitæ : qui venit ad me, non esuriet, et qui credit in me, non sitiet umquam.
36But I said to you that both you have seen me and you believe not.But I said to you that both you haue seen me and you beleeue not.Sed dixi vobis quia et vidistis me, et non creditis.
37All that the Father giveth me, shall come to me: and him that cometh to me I will not cast forth.Al that the Father giueth me, shal come to me: and him that commeth to me I wil not cast forth.Omne quod dat mihi Pater, ad me veniet : et eum qui venit ad me, non ejiciam foras :
38Because I descended from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.Because I descended from heauen, not to doe mine owne wil, but the wil of him that sent me.quia descendi de cælo, non ut faciam voluntatem meam, sed voluntatem ejus qui misit me.
39For this is the will of him that sent me, the Father: that all that he hath given me I non perdam: lose, let perish (not lease) not thereof, but raise it in the last day.For this is the wil of him that sent me, the Father: that al that he hath giuen me I leese not thereof, but raise it in the last day.Hæc est autem voluntas ejus qui misit me, Patris : ut omne quod dedit mihi, non perdam ex eo, sed resuscitem illud in novissimo die.
40And this is the will of my father that sent me: that every one that seeth the Son, and believeth in him, have life everlasting, and I will raise him in the last day.And this is the wil of my father that sent me: that euery one that seeth the Sonne, and beleeueth in him, haue life euerlasting, and I wil raise him in the last day.Hæc est autem voluntas Patris mei, qui misit me : ut omnis qui videt Filium et credit in eum, habeat vitam æternam, et ego resuscitabo eum in novissimo die.
41The Jews therefore murmurabant: grumbled, complained with discontent, not a low or soft sound at him, because he had said, I am the bread which descended from heaven:The Iewes therfore murmured at him, because he had said, I am the bread which descended from heauen:Murmurabant ergo Judæi de illo, quia dixisset : Ego sum panis vivus, qui de cælo descendi,
42and they said, is not this JESUS the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How then saith he, That I descended from heaven?and they said, is not this IESVS the sonne of Ioseph, whose father and mother we know? How then saith he, That I descended from heauen?et dicebant : Nonne hic est Jesus filius Joseph, cujus nos novimus patrem et matrem ? quomodo ergo dicit hic : Quia de cælo descendi ?
43Jesus therefore answered and said to them, Murmur not one to an other:IESVS therfore answered and said to them, Murmure not one to an other:Respondit ergo Jesus, et dixit eis : Nolite murmurare in invicem :
44no man can come to me, unless the Father that sent me, traxerit: draw him to me, lead and attract him by grace, not drag or compel against the will him: and I will raise him up in the last day.no man can come to me, vnles the Father that sent me, draw him: and I wil raise him vp in the last day.nemo potest venire ad me, nisi Pater, qui misit me, traxerit eum ; et ego resuscitabo eum in novissimo die.
45It is written in the Prophets, And all shall be docibiles: teachable, taught by God (not docile/submissive) of God. Every one that hath heard of the Father, and hath learned, cometh to me.It is written in the Prophets, And al shal be docible of God. Euery one that hath heard of the Father, and hath learned, commeth to me.Est scriptum in prophetis : Et erunt omnes docibiles Dei. Omnis qui audivit a Patre, et didicit, venit ad me.
46Not that any man hath seen the Father, but he which is of God: this hath seen the Father.Not that any man hath seen the Father, but he which is of God: this hath seen the Father.Non quia Patrem vidit quisquam, nisi is, qui est a Deo, hic vidit Patrem.
47Amen, amen I say to you, he that believeth in me, hath life everlasting.Amen, amen I say to you, he that beleeueth in me, hath life euerlasting.Amen, amen dico vobis : qui credit in me, habet vitam æternam.
48I am the bread of life.I am the bread of life.Ego sum panis vitæ.
49Your fathers did eat Manna in the desert: and they died.Your fathers did eate Manna in the desert: and they died.Patres vestri manducaverunt manna in deserto, et mortui sunt.
50This is the bread that descendeth from heaven: that if any man eat of it, he die not.This is the bread that descendeth from heauen: that if any man eate of it, he die not.Hic est panis de cælo descendens : ut si quis ex ipso manducaverit, non moriatur.
51I am the living bread, that came down from heaven. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread which I will give, is my flesh for the life of the world.I am the liuing bread, that came downe from heauen. If any man eate of this bread, he shal liue for euer: and * the bread which I wil giue, is my flesh for the life of the world.Ego sum panis vivus, qui de cælo descendi. Si quis manducaverit ex hoc pane, vivet in æternum : et panis quem ego dabo, caro mea est pro mundi vita.
52The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?The Iewes therfore stroue among them selues, saying, How can this man giue vs his flesh to eate?Litigabant ergo Judæi ad invicem, dicentes : Quomodo potest hic nobis carnem suam dare ad manducandum ?
53Jesus therefore said to them, Amen, amen I say to you, Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you.IESVS therfore said to them, Amen, amen I say to you, Vnles you eate the flesh of the Sonne of man, and drinke his bloud, you shal not haue life in you.Dixit ergo eis Jesus : Amen, amen dico vobis : nisi manducaveritis carnem Filii hominis, et biberitis ejus sanguinem, non habebitis vitam in vobis.
54He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath life everlasting: and I will raise him up in the last day.He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my bloud, hath life euerlasting: and I wil raise him vp in the last day.Qui manducat meam carnem, et bibit meum sanguinem, habet vitam æternam : et ego resuscitabo eum in novissimo die.
55For my flesh, is meat in deed: and my blood is drink in deed.For my flesh, is meate in deede: and my bloud is drinke in deede.Caro enim mea vere est cibus : et sanguis meus, vere est potus ;
56He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, abideth in me, and I in him.He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my bloud, abideth in me, and I in him.qui manducat meam carnem et bibit meum sanguinem, in me manet, et ego in illo.
57As the living father hath sent me, and I live by the father: and he that eateth me, the same also shall live by me.As the liuing father hath sent me, and I liue by the father: and he that eateth me, the same also shal liue by me.Sicut misit me vivens Pater, et ego vivo propter Patrem : et qui manducat me, et ipse vivet propter me.
58This is the bread that came down from heaven. Not as your fathers did eat Manna, and died. He that eateth this bread, shall live for ever.This is the bread that came downe from heauen. Not as your fathers did eate Manna, and died. He that eateth this bread, shal liue for euer.Hic est panis qui de cælo descendit. Non sicut manducaverunt patres vestri manna, et mortui sunt. Qui manducat hunc panem, vivet in æternum.
59These things he said teaching in the Synagogue, in Capharnaum.These things he said teaching in the Synagogue, in Capharnáum.Hæc dixit in synagoga docens, in Capharnaum.
60Many therefore of his Disciples hearing it, said, This saying is hard, and who can hear it?Many therfore of his Disciples hearing it, said, This saying is hard, and who can heare it?Multi ergo audientes ex discipulis ejus, dixerunt : Durus est hic sermo, et quis potest eum audire ?
61But JESUS knowing with himself that his Disciples murmured at this, he said to them, Doth this scandalizat: cause you to stumble, give you occasion of falling away, not shock or socially disgrace you you?But IESVS knowing with him self that his Disciples murmured at this, he said to them, Doth this scandalize you?Sciens autem Jesus apud semetipsum quia murmurarent de hoc discipuli ejus, dixit eis : Hoc vos scandalizat ?
62If then you shall see the Son of man ascend where he was before?If then you shal see * the Sonne of man ascend where he was before?si ergo videritis Filium hominis ascendentem ubi erat prius ?
63It is the spirit that vivificat: giveth life, maketh alive, the flesh non prodest: availeth, is of use; it is the carnal, gross manner of understanding that profiteth not, not "Christ's flesh is worthless" nothing. The words that I have spoken to you, be spirit and life.It is the spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing. The wordes that I haue spoken to you, be spirit and life.Spiritus est qui vivificat : caro non prodest quidquam : verba quæ ego locutus sum vobis, spiritus et vita sunt.
64But there be certain of you that believe not. For JESUS knew from the beginning who they were that did not believe, and who he was that would betray him.But there be certaine of you that beleeue not. For IESVS knew from the beginning who they were that did not beleeue, and who he was that would betray him.Sed sunt quidam ex vobis qui non credunt. Sciebat enim ab initio Jesus qui essent non credentes, et quis traditurus esset eum.
65And he said, Therefore did I say to you, that no man can come to me, unless it be given him of my Father.And he said, Therfore did I say to you, that no man can come to me, vnles it be giuen him of my Father.Et dicebat : Propterea dixi vobis, quia nemo potest venire ad me, nisi fuerit ei datum a Patre meo.
66After this many of his Disciples went back: and now they walked not with him.After this many of his Disciples went backe: and now they walked not with him.Ex hoc multi discipulorum ejus abierunt retro : et jam non cum illo ambulabant.
67Jesus therefore said to the Twelve, What, will you also depart?IESVS therfore said to the Twelue, What, wil you also depart?Dixit ergo Jesus ad duodecim : Numquid et vos vultis abire ?
68Simon Peter therefore answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.Simon Peter therfore answered him, Lord, to whom shal we goe? thou hast the wordes of eternal life.Respondit ergo ei Simon Petrus : Domine, ad quem ibimus ? verba vitæ æternæ habes :
69And we believe and have known that thou art Christ the son of God.And we beleeue and haue knowen that thou art Christ the sonne of God.et nos credidimus, et cognovimus quia tu es Christus Filius Dei.
70Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you the Twelve: & of you one is a devil?IESVS answered them, Haue not I chosen you the Twelue: & of you one is a deuil?Respondit eis Jesus : Nonne ego vos duodecim elegi : et ex vobis unus diabolus est ?
71And he meant Judas Iscariot, Simons son: for this same was to betray him, whereas he was one of the Twelve.And he meant Iudas Iscariot, Simons sonne: for this same was to betray him, whereas he was one of the Twelue.Dicebat autem Judam Simonis Iscariotem : hic enim erat traditurus eum, cum esset unus ex duodecim.
Annotations
27Work not the meat. By their greedy seeking after him for meat of the body, he taketh occasion to draw them to the desire of a more excellent food which he had to give them, and so by little to open unto them the great meat and mystery of the B. Sacrament: which (as he proveth) doth not only far pass their ordinary bread or his marvellous multiplied loaves, but Manna itself, which they thought came from heaven, and so much wondered at it.
32The true bread. Though the person of Christ incarnate, even out of the Sacrament also, be meant under the Metaphors of bread and drink from heaven: and our belief in him, be signified by eating and feeding: yet the causes why they should be recommended unto us in such termes, were, that he was to be eaten and drunken in deed in the forms of bread and wine: for the which cause his body on the cross is called his bread: & his blood shed on the cross, the blood of the grape: no doubt because the same body and blood were in Holy Sacrament to be eaten and drunken. In which speeches, either of Christs person generally, or peculiarly of the same as in the B. Sacrament the true bread is not taken properly and specially for that substance which is of corn, and called with us bread: but generally for food or meat, and therefore it hath joined with it lightly a term signifying a more excellent sort of sustenance: as, the true bread, the bread of heaven, the bread of life, Supersubstantial bread. in which sort the holy Sacrament which is Christs body, is both here. and in S. Luke and S. Paul also, often called bread, even after consecration: not only for that it was made of bread, but because it is bread more truly, and by more excellent property and calling, then that which ordinarily is named bread.
44Draw him. The Father draweth us and teacheth us to come to his Son, and to believe these high and hard mysteries of his incarnation and of feeding us with his own substance in the Sacrament: not compelling or violently forcing any against their will or without any respect of their consent, as Heretics pretend: but by the sweet internal motions and persuasions of his grace and spirit he wholly maketh us of our own will and liking to consent to the same.
49Manna, and died. The Heretics holding the fathers of the old Testament to have eaten of the same meat, and to have had as good Sacraments as we, be here refuted: Christ putting a plain difference in the very substance thereof, and in the graces and effects much more at large. Manna was only a figure of the B. Sacrament, though a very excellent figure thereof for many causes. It came in a sort from heaven, out Sacrament more: it was made by God miraculously, our Sacrament more: it was to be eaten for the time of their peregrination, our Sacrament more: it was to every man what he liked best, our Sacrament more: a little thereof served and sufficed as well as much, our Sacrament more: it was reserved for such days as it could not be gathered, and our Sacrament much more: it was kept for a memorial in the ark of the Testament, our Sacrament much more: the discontented and incredulous murmured and gainsaid it, at our Sacrament much more it sustained their bodies in the desert, our Sacrament both body and soul much more.
52How can this man?. It came not to their mind that nothing was impossible to God, that wickedly said, How can this man give us his flesh? but we may make great profit of their sin, believing the Mysteries, and taking a lesson, never to say or once think, How? for it is a Jewish word and worthy all punishment, so saith S. Cyril. li. 4 c. 11 in Io. Nevertheless if one asked only for desire to learn in humility, as our Lady did touching her having a child in her virginity, then he must take the Angels answer to her, That it is of the Holy Ghost, so saith S. Damascene li. 4. c. 14.
53unless you eat. Christ commending the Sacrament of the faithful unto us, said, Except you eat &c. you can not have life in you. So the life saith of life, and to him that thinketh the life to be a lier, this meat shall be death & not life to him. August. Ser. 2 de verb. Ap. c. 1. And S. Leo thus, Because our Lord saith, Except you eat &c. let us so communicate that we nothing doubt of the truth of Christ's body and blood: for that is received with mouth, which is believed in heart: and they answer Amen in vain, that dispute against that which they receive.
53And drink. This the Protestants allege for the necessity of receiving in both kinds: but in respect of themselves (who lightly hold all this chapter to pertain nothing to the Sacramental receiving, but to spiritual feeding on Christ by faith only) it can make nothing for one kind or other. And in respect of us Catholics, who believe Christs whole person both humanity and Divinity, both flesh and blood to be in either form, and to be wholly received no less in the first, then in the second or in both, this place commandeth nothing for both the kinds.
53You shall not have life. Though the Catholics teach these words to be spoken of the Sacrament, yet they mean not (no more then our Saviour here doth) to exclude all from salvation, that receive not actually and Sacramentally under one or both kinds. For then children that die after they be baptized and never received Sacramentally, should perish: which to hold, were heretical Neither did S. Augustine mean, applying these words to infants also, that they could not be saved without receiving sacramentally, as not only the Heretics, but Erasmus did unlearnedly mistake him: but his sense is that they were by the right of their Baptism joined to Christs body Mystical, and thereby spiritually partakers of the other Sacrament also of Christs body and blood. As all Catholic men that be in prison, joining with the Church of God in heart and desire to receive and be partakers with the Church of this Sacrament, and those specially that devoutly hear Mass and adore in presence the body and blood of Christ, joining in heart with the Priest, all these receive life and fruit of the Sacrament, though at every time they receive not sacramentally in one or both kinds. And although in the Primitive Church the holy Sacrament in the second kind were often given even to infants to sanctify them, yet (as the holy Council hath declared) it was never ministered unto them with opinion that they could not be saved without it, and therefore the Heretics do untruly charge the Church and the Fathers with that error.
54I will raise him. As the Son liveth by the Father, even so do we live by his flesh, saith S. Hilary. li. 8. de Trin. And S. Cyril again thus, Though by nature of our flesh we be corruptible, yet by participation of life we are reformed is the property of life. For not only our souls were to be lifted up by the holy Ghost to life everlasting, but this rude gross terrestrial body of ours is to be reduced to immorality, by touching, tasting, and eating this agreeable food of Christ's body. And when Christ saith, I will raise him up, he meaneth that this body which he eateth, shall raise him. Our flesh (saith Tertullian) eateth the body and blood of Christ, that the soul may also be fatted. therefore they shall both have one reward at the Resurrection. And S. Irenaeus, How do they affirm that our bodies be not capable of life everlasting, which is nourished by the body and blood of our Lord? Either let them change their opinion, or else cease to offer the Eucharist. S. Gregory Nyssene also saith, That lively body entering into our body, changeth it and maketh it like and immortal.
55Meat in deed. Manna, was not the true meat: nor the water of the rock, the drink in deed: for they did but drive away death or famine for a time and for this life. But the holy Body of Christ is the true food nourishing to life everlasting, and his blood the true drink that driveth death away utterly, for they be not the body and blood of a mere man, but of him that being joined to life is made life: and therefore are we the body and members of Christ, because by this benediction of the mystery we receive the son of God himself. So saith S. Cyril li. 4 c. 16 in Io.
58He that eateth this bread. By this place the holy Council proveth that for the grace and effect of the Sacrament, which is the life of the soul, there is no difference whether a man receive both kinds or one, because our Saviour who before attributed life to the eating and drinking of his body and blood, doth here also affirm the same effect, which is life everlasting, to come of eating only under one form. Therefore the Heretics be seditious calumniators that would make the people believe, the Catholic Church and Priests to have defrauded them of the grace and benefit of one of the kinds in the Sacrament. Nay, it is they that have defrauded the world, by taking away both the real substance of Christ, and the grace from one kind and both kinds, and from all other Sacraments. The Church doth only (by the wisdom of Gods Spirit and by instruction of Christ and his Apostles, according to time and place, for Gods most honour, the reverence of the Sacrament, and the peoples most profit thereby) dispose of the manner and order, how the Priest, how the people shall receive, and all other particular points, Which himself (saith S. Augustine) did not take order for, that he might commit that to the Apostles, by whom he was to dispose his Churches affairs, though both he and the Apostles and the Fathers of the primitive Church left us example of receiving under one kind, Christ at Emmaüs, The Apostles Act. 2, 42. The primitive Church in giving the blood only to children, Cypr. li. de lapsis, nu. 10. in reserving most commonly the body only, Tertul. li. 2 ad vxo. nu. 4. Cypr. li. de lapsis, nu. 10. in houseling the sick therewith, Euseb. Ec. hist. li. 6 c. 36. in the holy Eremites also that received and reserved it commonly and not the blood, in the wilderness, Basil. ep. ad Caesariam Patritiam. and in divers other cases which were to long to rehearse.
62If you shall see. Our Saviour seemeth to insinuate, that such as believe not his words touching the holy Sacrament, and think it impossible for him to give his Body to be eaten in so many places at once, being yet in earth, should be much more scandalized and tempted after they saw or knew him to be ascended into heaven. Which is proved true in the Capharnaites of this time. whose principal reason against Christs presence in the Sacrament is, that he is ascended into heaven: yea, who are so bold as to expound this same sentence for themselves thus, It is not this body or flesh which I will give you, for that I will carry with me to heaven. Whereby if they meant only that the condition and qualities of his body in heaven should be other then in the Sacrament, it were tolerable: for S. Augustine speaketh sometime in that sense. but to deny the substance of the body to be the same, that is wicked.
63The flesh profiteth nothing. If this speech were spoken in the sense of the Sacramentaries, it would take away Christs incarnation, manhood, and death, no less then his corporal presence in the Sacrament. for if his flesh were not profitable, all these things were vain. Therefore CHRIST denieth not his own flesh to be profitable, but that their gross and carnal conceiving of his words, of his flesh, and of the manner of eating the same, was unprofitable. Which is plain by the sentence following, where he warneth them, that his words be spirit and life, of high Mystical meaning, and not vulgarly and grossly to be taken, as they took them. And it is the use of the Scripture to call man's natural sense, reason, and carnal resisting or not reaching supernatural truths, flesh or blood. as, Flesh and blood revealed not this to thee &c Mat. 16.
64That believe not. It is lack of faith, you see here, that causeth men to spurn against this high truth of the Sacrament: as also it may be learned here, that it is the great and merciful gift of God that Catholic men do against their senses and carnal reasons, believe and submit themselves to the humble acknowledging of this Mystery: lastly, that it may well by Christs insinuation of Judas, be gathered, that he specially spurned against our Masters speeches of the holy Sacrament.
66Went back. It can be no marvel to us now that so many revolt from the Church, by offense or scandal unjustly taken at Christs body and blood in the Sacrament: seeing many of his Disciples that saw his wonderful life, doctrine, and miracles, forsook Christ himself, upon the speech & promes of the same Sacrament. for the mystery of it is so supernatural and divine in itself, and withal so low & base for our sakes, by the shew of the forms of these terrene elements under which it is, and we eat it: that the unfaithful and infirm do so stumble at Christ in the Sacrament, as the Jews and Gentiles did at Christ in his humanity. For, the causes of contradictions of the Incarnation and Transubstantiation be like. And it may be verily deemed, that whosoever now can not believe the Sacrament to be Christ, because it is under the forms of bread and wine, and is eaten and drunken, would not then have believed that Christ had been God, because he was in shape of man, and crucified. To conclude, it was not a figure nor a mystery of bare bread and wine, nor any Metaphorical or Allegorical speech, that could make such a troop of his Disciples revolt at once. when he said he was a door, a vine, away, a Pastor, and such like (unto which kind of speeches the protestants ridiculously resemble the words of the holy Sacrament) who was so mad to mistake him, or to forsake him for the same? For the Apostles at the least would have plucked them by the sleeves, and said, Go not away my masters, he speaketh parables. The cause therefore was their incredulity, and the height of the Mystery, for that they neither knew the means how it might be present, nor would believe that he was able to give his flesh to be eaten in many places. And even such is the unbelief of the Heretics about this matter at this day.
68Peter answered. Peter answereth for the Twelve, not knowing that Judas in heart was already naught, and believed not Christs former words touching the B. Sacrament, but was to revolt afterward as well as the other. Wherein Peter beareth the person of the Church and all Catholic men, that for no difficulty of his word, nor for any revolt (be it never so general) of Schismatics, Heretics, or Apostates, either for this Sacrament or any other Article, will ever forsake Christ. And when company draweth us to revolt, let us say thus: Lord, whither or to whom shall we go, when we have forsaken thee? to Calvin, Luther, or such: and forsake thee and thy Church with the unfaithful multitude? No, thou hast the words of life, and we believe thee, and thy Church will not nor can not beguile us. Thou hast (saith S. Augustine) life everlasting in the ministration of thy body and blood, and a little after. Thou art life everlasting itself, and thou givest not in thy flesh and blood but that which thyself art.