words which, recorded by the holy Evangelists, and afterwards repeated by St. Paul,[1] whereas they carry with them that proper and most manifest meaning according to which they were understood by the fathers, it is indeed a crime the most unworthy that they should be wrested, by certain contentious and wicked men, unto fictitious and imaginary figures of speech,[2] whereby the verity of the flesh and blood of Christ is denied, contrary to the universal sense of the Church, which, as the pillar and stay of truth,[3] has detested, as satanical, these inventions devised by impious men; she recognizing, with a mind ever grateful, and remembering, this most excellent benefit of Christ.
CHAPTER II.
On the Reason of the Institution of this most holy Sacrament.
Our Saviour, therefore, when about to depart from this world unto the Father, instituted this Sacrament, in which He, as it were, poured forth the riches of His divine love towards man, making a remembrance of his wonderful works;[4] and He commanded us, in the participation thereof, to venerate His memory, and to show his death until He come[5] to judge the world. And He also willed that this sacrament should be received as the spiritual food of souls, whereby may be nourished and strengthened those who live with His life, who said, He that eateth me, he also shall live by me;[6] and as an antidote, by the which we may be freed from daily faults, and preserved from mortal sins. He willed, furthermore, that it should be a pledge of our glory to come, and of everlasting happiness, and thus be a symbol of that one body of which He is the head, and to which He would fain have us, as members, be united by the closest bond of faith, hope, and charity, that we might all speak the same thing, and there might be no schisms among us[7]
