XIII. Transubstantiation, Adoration, and in what sense the Eucharist

is a Sign.

• Since it was expedient, as has been shewn, that our senses should perceive nothing in this mystery of faith, it follows that there should be no visible change in the bread and wine of the Eucharist ; hence, as we discern the same species, and experience the same effects as before, in this Sacrament, we must not be surprised if sometimes and in a certain sense we give it the same name. But faith, attentive to the Word of

Him who does whatsoever pleaseth Him in heaven and earth, recognizes here no other substance than that which is designated by that same

Word, the very Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, into which the bread and wine are changed ; and this is called Transubstantiation.

The truth which we know to be contained in the mystery of the

Eucharist, does not imply any denial that it is outwardly a sign, only it is of such a nature as not to exclude the reality of the thing signified, since, in truth, these words, " This is My Body," pronounced over the elements which Jesus Christ has appointed to be used, are a sure token of His being present. And though these accidents remain to the senses Bread and Wine still, we do not regard them as such, because a superior authority intervenes to work a change. Notwithstanding the objects themselves, and the effects of certain natural impressions, which would lead us to consider the elements as Bread and Wine, the authority of Him in Whom we believe, is sufficient to make those very accidents themselves declare the presence of another substance ; for we listen to

Him who says, that what we "take and eat" is "His Body," — and sucli is the power of His Word, that it prevents us from looking upon these accidents as merely Bread and Wine, and makes us ascribe to them the Real Presence of Jesus Christ ; so that His adorable Presence being assured to us by these signs, we feel no hesitation in offering adoration. I will not enlarge upon the subject of " adoration " because the most sensible and intelligent men among our adversaries have granted some time ago that the Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, must oblige all who believe in it to adore it. And, once convinced that the powerful words of the Son of God effect all they express, we believe, on good grounds, that immediately they are pronounced at the Eucharist, the effect is produced, — and by a necessary consequence we acknowledge the Real Presence of the Body before manducation.