(2.) The mystic symbols, AFTER CONSECRATION, PASS NOT OUT OF THEIR OWN NATURE: FOR THEY REMAIN IN THE FORMER SUBSTANCE and shape and appearance: and they are seen and touched, such as they were before. But they are understood to be what they were: and they are believed and venerated, as being those things which they are believed. Compare, therefore, the IMAGE with the ARCHETYPE; and you will perceive their resemblance: for the TYPE must needs be similar to the TRUTH. [19b]
11. Pope Gelasius lived in the fifth century: and, in his quality of a Pope speaking judicially or controversially, it is thought, that he specially merits the attention of the Romish Clergy.
Certainly, the sacraments of the body and blood of the Lord, which we receive, are a divine thing: because, by these, we are made partakers of the divine nature. Nevertheless, THE SUBSTANCE OR NATURE OF THE BREAD AND WINE CEASES NOT TO EXIST: and, assuredly, the IMAGE and SIMILITUDE of the body and blood of Christ are celebrated in the action of the mysteries. [19c]
12. Vacundus lived in the sixth century.
The sacrament of adoption may be called adoption: just as the sacrament of the body and blood of Christ, which sacrament is in the consecrated bread and wine, we are wont to call his body and blood. Not, INDEED, THAT THE BREAD IS PROPERLY HIS BODY, OR THAT THE WINE IS PROPERLY HIS BLOOD: but we so denominate them, because they contain the mystery (or sacrament) of his body and blood within themselves. Hence it was, that our Lord called the consecrated bread and wine, which he delivered to his disciples, his own body and blood. [20a]
13. Ephrem of Antioch flourished in the sixth century.
The body of Christ, which is taken by the faithful, NEITHER DEPARTS FROM ITS SENSIBLE SUBSTANCE, on the one hand: nor remains separated from intellectual grace, on the other hand. And spiritual baptism, likewise, being whole and single, both retains the propriety of ITS SENSIBLE SUBSTANCE, I mean THE WATER: and loses not that, which it hath become. [20b]
14. The venerable Bede flourished in the eighth century.
The Lord, in the Supper, gave to his disciples the FIGURE of his holy body and blood. [20c]
15. Amalar of Triers lived in the ninth century.