33a Appendix 3

CERTAIN POSITIONS OF THE SAME ZANCHIUS Of Some Principal Articles of our Christian Faith, Against Divers Heresies at Sundry Times Disputed on, Partly at Heidelberg, Partly at Newstade. For what purpose I published this confession with my observations upon it, for the very same cause, at this time have I gathered together these positions concerning sundry matters in question, which were handled partly under Frederick III, of godly memory at Heidelberg, partly under my favorable lord, John Cassimier, Erector of this school, here at Newstade, against divers heresies; and being all brought together, I thought good to have them printed with my confession, thereby, that all posterity might evidently see that I never consented to any of these heresies, which in these days of ours have been fetched again from the depth of hell. And this, to God’s glory, the edification of the church, and the salvation of many, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Of one true God, eternal Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Year 1572.

1. There is one only Jehovah, Creator of heaven and earth, and God of Israel.

2. And this God, though He be one only Jehovah, yet is He not one, but mere Elohim, the number and names of whom the Son of God manifested in the flesh, hath clearly and apparently revealed unto us, without all doubt, namely the eternal Father, the eternal Son, and the eternal Holy Ghost.

3. Further these three Elohim are true existences, and those undivided, living, understanding, willing; and therefore (as the church hath ever used to speak) true persons.

4. And the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are so distinct among themselves, as the one is not the other.

5. Yet every one of them is the true Jehovah.

6. Yet are there not therefore many Jehovahs, but only one Jehovah. Of the nature, singularity, and immeasurableness of one true God. Year 1573.

1. By the name of the nature of God is usually signified, not only His essence simply considered in itself, but also all His proprieties, or attributes, by which He is declared to us and for our sakes, of what sort He is.

2. And therefore God is rightly said, of His own nature to be gentle, wise, good, and such like.

3. But albeit He useth to apply many qualities like to this His own nature, unto men, by which we are made just, good, wise; yet His own nature He doth communicate to no created thing, which He cannot indeed communicate, unless there could more Gods be made.

4. God also, besides His other proprieties, is simply simple, or unmixed; that He can no ways be said to be compounded of many things. No, not of His being and essence.

5. For although He attribute unto Himself many things in the Scriptures, as it were many qualities as to be good, just, mighty, etc., yet no quality doth in very deed fall into God. But of what sort soever [whatsoever sort] He is, the same He is in His own simple essence. But by these divers names the infinite perfection of His most simple essence is signified unto us.

6. But God not only admitteth no composition in Himself, but also falleth not into concretion or substance of any created thing, as that He should be either the form or matter thereof.

7. God is furthermore truly immeasurable and infinite, and therefore present everywhere. And that not in His power and virtue only, but in His whole essence, filling heaven and earth and all the world.

8. But although He be in every place present, yet He is more said to be in heaven than in earth; and more in His children than in wicked men; and more in one godly man than in another. But this not in respect of His essence, but by the power of His working and of His grace.

9. Wherefore when we read in the Scriptures how God doth either depart from us, or return to us, we must believe He doth not so by changing of place, but by the effects of His presence, both internal and external; either showing them or withdrawing them.

10. Yet He is in the human nature of Christ, in a far other manner than in us, namely, not only in a more effectual operation but also in dwelling in Him corporally, and as a part of a thing compounded, so as He is true God, but we cannot be so.

11. But further it is so God’s property to be immeasurable and infinite, and consequently also everywhere present, as that it can belong to nothing created, no, not to the human nature of Christ.

12. For like as it cannot be that any creature can be made God in essence, so neither can it be that that which is not God should in its own essence exist everywhere, since it can neither be infinite nor immeasurable.

13. Wherefore, like as by this, that Christ is showed to be everywhere in His own essence, He is proved to be true God. So if any would prove the body of Jesus Christ to exist everywhere in its own essence, they must either deny that Christ’s Deity is proved by that argument, or else they must needs frame a new god and that a corporal one.

14. Christ’s body indeed is present, not only in its own virtue, but also in substance, to the minds of all godly men, receiving the same by true faith, and so by Christ’s spirit growing more and more into one with the same Christ, no less, nay more than the sun is to the eyes of all them which see. But yet Christ’s body can as well exist in many places at once (much less everywhere), in that manner of existing, wherein it is in heaven, as the body of the sun can exist in all the parts of heaven and earth in the very same sort, that it is in his own sphere.

15. Yet hereupon followeth it not (as some do impudently cavil) that the eternal and true deity of Christ is denied, but contrariwise, it is rather proved, since the Word of the Deity is defended to be of that sort; as it can be imparted to no created thing, so as the same should be God in essence, or equal to God in any divine propriety.

16. For God could not be the Word, if of what sort He is, of the same sort any creature might be made, no though it be a spiritual creature, much less a human body.

17. On the other side rather, they that will have His divine and essential proprieties so powered into the humanity of Christ, that it is as well almighty and everywhere, as is His Deity, they do not only open a wide gate to the Arrians, but even take away the true Deity of Jesus Christ.

18. For He is not indeed true God, whose essence and nature can be so really powered into anything created, as that the same may be made altogether such, as the same God is--really and by itself, infinitely mighty, infinitely wise, extending itself (as I may say) endlessly, and by that means actually existing everywhere in its own essence.

19. For the essential proprieties of God are in very deed nothing else but His very essence, seeing otherwise it could not be most simple.

20. To say then that Christ’s humanity is as well made almighty, and everywhere present, as is His Deity, is as if thou shouldst say that it is made such in its own essence and nature, and therefore is true God.

21. Now such a deity is no true deity; and therefore the Word (which is horrible blasphemy) shall not be true God.

22. Add, that it is not only most absurdly, but also most impiously said, that the proprieties of the divine nature are powered into the human.

23. For neither did we ever read that the Word or any propriety thereof was powered into Abraham’s seed, as contrariwise we read that Abraham’s seed was taken by the Son of God; neither could the proprieties of the Word be powered into the human nature without powering of the nature itself and the divine essence, seeing they are in very deed nothing else but the divine essence.

24. But the divine nature cannot be transfused into the human, but that the union of the natures must cease, and so a mixture and confusion must be made; and they which are so mixed do cease to be that which they were.

25. Now therefore we say, that Deity, to which any created thing can be made equal, is not a true Deity.

26. For it would needs be, that either the thing to be made equal must be made infinite, which is altogether impossible; or else the same Deity to which it is to be made equal, must be finite, seeing nothing that is finite can be made equal, but only to a thing finite. But a Deity finite is no true Deity. Of the eternal omnipotency of one true God. Year 1575.

1. When in the Scriptures God is called mighty, we must not conceive in our minds that there is a passive might in God, whereby He may suffer anything, or leave to be that which He is, or become that which He is not by any change of Himself; but we must with a firm faith believe, (as it is indeed) that He hath only an active power, whereby He always worketh and can work.

2. For God is an essence most simple, most perfect, truly eternal, void of all passion, and unchangeable, and most powerful, and of whom and by whom all things are made.

3. Yet we must not imagine any such active power in God which is a divers thing from His essence.

4. For God in His own most simple essence is such, whatsoever He be--just, good, or almighty.

5. And although there be indeed but one only power in God, yet for the divers respects wherein He is considered, it may be said (not impiously) to be manifold.

6. For it is one respect when it is considered, as God worketh always in Himself in understanding, willing, loving; and another respect, when we behold it as God hath wrought outwardly or without Himself, in creating the world; and as He evermore worketh in governing the same, and as He could work innumerable things, if He would.

7. Therefore as the actions of God are not unfitly distinguished into abiding actions, and passing, so the power of God may not unjustly be called two-fold: one, wherein He ever from all eternity did work and doth work in Himself; the other, wherein He did not only make, ruleth, and worketh all things in time without Himself, but also can bring to pass infinite things, which He never will do.

8. Whereupon it is also that the same is usually divided into actual power, which worketh whatsoever He will; and into absolute power, whereby He can also do infinite things which He will not; because otherwise He could not be said to be simply omnipotent.

9. For as we hold not with them which think God is therefore called omnipotent, because simply whatsoever can be said or thought, whether it be good or ill, or if the same imply a contradiction, He can do the same; so neither do we subscribe to their opinion, which hold that God is called and is omnipotent for no other cause but for that He can do whatsoever He will; that His power should so stretch no farther than His will. But we believe He is therefore almighty, in that besides He can do whatsoever He will, He can also both will, and bring to pass innumerable things which He will never will, nor bring to pass.

10. For when the Scripture saith that God did whatsoever He would, it plainly teacheth that He could have done much more if he would. And He which saith He will have mercy on whom He will, and He will harden whom He will, He showeth manifestly that He could as well have mercy on all, or harden all, as He can harden some, and have mercy on some. And therefore that He can have mercy on more than He will have mercy on; and so that, there are more things which He can do than He will do.

11. For that which He can do, He can by His nature do; and therefore cannot but be able to do it, unless He could also so do as that He should not be God. But whatsoever without Himself He willeth, He freely willeth it; and therefore could also not will it, so as it is manifest, that God can do more than He will; seeing He can will that He will not.

12. Now we say God can do all those things which are not repugnant either with His personal proprieties, or with His essence and nature; or which imply not a contradiction; or lastly, which are not of the defect or want of power, if they be admitted.

13. Thus although the Father cannot be the Son, nor the Son the Father, neither also the Father can beget of Himself another Son, or the Son any other of Himself. Yet therefore doth neither the Son nor the Father cease to be omnipotent.

14. For these are personal proprieties, that the Father should beget and not be begotten, but the Son be begotten, not beget; neither doth the essence of God bear it, that there should be more Fathers, or more Sons.

15. Neither is anything taken away from the power of God in that He cannot bring to pass, but that He must be good, just, wise; seeing He cannot be God unless He be such, as the Scriptures describe Him.

16. So we take no power from God nor weaken it at all, if we say God cannot sin, He cannot suffer, He cannot bring to pass, either not to be that which He is, or that those things which are done should not have been done. Because these things are partly of the defect of power, and partly they imply a contradiction, and therefore are directly repugnant to the truth of God, and simply impossible.

17. And so is it the property of God to be omnipotent, as that it can belong to no created thing.

18. For seeing omnipotency is nothing else but the very immeasurable, infinite essence, and able to be communicated to no creature; that it should agree to that thing to be omnipotent, unto which it doth not agree to be God in its own essence.

19. Neither can a thing finite be capable of a thing infinite, seeing everything is received according to the measure (as they say) of the receiver.

20. Also it is no less contrary to the nature of God, that there should be more almighties than that there should be more gods. Whereupon Christian religion will not allow, that the three persons in God should be said to be three almighties.

21. Wherefore although the man Christ Jesus is truly omnipotent, because He is not man only, but also God; yet His humanity cannot be, or be said to be, properly omnipotent, without impiety.

22. For the human nature of Christ, though it be united to the divine nature into one person of the Word, and yet as it is not therefore made God, so neither is it made properly omnipotent, but held still the own weakness, whereby it was able to suffer for us and to die.

23. For neither could it have suffered, if as God, so also it had been made omnipotent, seeing to be able to suffer is impotency; and therefore God could not suffer, because He is omnipotent.

24. And if the human nature of Christ was made omnipotent through the hypostatical union in Christ, why do the Scriptures attribute it not to His humanity, but to His Deity, that His body saw no corruption; or that His soul being restored to Him, He rose from the dead?

25. Furthermore as a human body, through the union with the mind, neither is made an incorporeal substance endowed with will and understanding; neither receiveth from it either immortality or the virtue of understanding or willing; so neither the human nature, through the union with the divine nature of the Word, is made an essence subsisting by itself, most simple and most perfect; or hath received from it to be properly omnipotent.

26. Moreover the argument, whereby the fathers proved against the Arrians, Christ to be true God by the omnipotency attributed in the Holy Scriptures to the Son, is quite overthrown, if we grant that the omnipotency may be communicated to any created thing.

27. Lastly concerning religion, we must not speak but agreeable to the Scriptures, and to the analogy of faith. But the Holy Scriptures do declare none but only God to be omnipotent; neither did the church ever profess any otherwise in her creeds.

28. Whereas Christ said after His resurrection, "All power is given unto Me." Authority is one thing, and power another. Neither said He: It is given to my humanity, but "to Me." Neither was this spoken in respect of His nature, but of His office of a Mediator. And that office was and is of His whole person, according to both natures.

29. Therefore as we believe, by the Holy Ghost, God alone to be truly and properly omnipotent, so also with the whole church do we confess and preach.

30. But we doubt not that the human nature of Christ is endowed both with that power (though finite) which far exceedeth the power of all created things as well in heaven as earth, and therefore wherein it may well and properly be called the mightiest of all creatures; and also for the hypostatical union with the truly omnipotent Word, although properly in itself it be not such. Yet we grant it may in some sort be said to be omnipotent, namely, inasmuch as it is so united to the Word, that both those things which are proper to the Word may also be said of it yet in the concrete; and the Word did use and might use His soul and His body as proper instruments, (yet the proprieties and actions of each of them remaining distinct) to perform many of the works of His omnipotency. Of God’s Providence. Year 1576.

1. We believe and teach out of God’s Word that the providence which the Grecians call (a) (Romans 13:14), and also (b) (Luke 22:1-71; Acts 4:28), is in God; by which providence all things are (c) foreknown (Psalms 139:4), (d) preordained (Psalms 119:91), and (e) governed (Daniel 4:31).

2. This providence of God is that (a) most wise (Job 9:4; Job 9:12-13; Jeremiah 51:15); (b) most just (Deuteronomy 32:1-52; Psalms 145:17); (c) and unchangeable counsel (Isa. 24:27; 46:10; Psalms 33:11), (d) wherein He (Daniel 4:32) (e) decreed in Himself from all beginnings of all things as well in heaven as earth, both that they should be made (Proverbs 8:22; Ephesians 1:9), (f) and that they should be made in such order and fashion as they are made; and to the (g) pattern whereof He also (Psalms 119:91) (h) ordereth and governeth continually all things (Leviticus 26:4; Psalms 104:4; Hosea 2:21; Ephesians 4:11), (i) in time (Genesis 1:1-31), (k) sometime by certain and ordinary means (Deuteronomy 8:3; Psalms 72:18; Jeremiah 32:20), (l) sometime without them, but evermore (Psalms 115:3; Romans 9:10) (m) mightily; and that both for the (Psalms 138:8; Daniel 4:32; John 5:17), (n) salvation of His chosen (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28; 1 Corinthians 3:21), (o) and especially for the advancement of His own glory (Psalms 19:1; 1 Chronicles 29:11-12; Romans 9:17).

3. For besides that it is manifest, that God is (a) omnipotent, wise (Jeremiah 32:17; Luke 1:37), and (b) exceeding good, whereby it cannot be that He should suffer this huge large world (Matthew 19:17) (c) created by Himself (Genesis 1:1; Hebrews 11:3), and (d) wherein Christ’s church remaineth to rowle after the rash hazard of fortune and chance (John 16:11). Also the Holy Scriptures themselves in apparent words do teach (e) that this world is governed by God’s providence (Psalms 33:1-22; Psalms 147:1-20; Job 5:1-27; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 3:1-19).

4. Neither do we make only (a) a general providence in God, whereby He ruleth the whole frame of the world; but also we acknowledge and hold that peculiar providence wherein He worketh and guideth (b) everything (Nehemiah 9:35; Acts 17:28; Job 37:1-24; Job 38:1-41) severally, and especially (c) men, and of men, chiefly (d) His elect, with all their actions (Psalms 104:1-35; Psalms 147:1-20; Matthew 6:26, ???, 29).

5. For we know that nothing is done or moved in the world without the will of the (a) Father; so that nothing can be more absurd than to say there may something be done in the world which God had not before ordained, and which He governeth not with His own hand (John 4:1-54; John 6:1-71; John 7:1-53; Psalms 8:5; Psalms 139:1-24; Psalms 91:1-16; Zechariah 2:8 [or, 2 & 8?]; Matthew 6:10).

6. Neither yet do we thereby simply deny but that many things fall out (a) casually and by chance; seeing this being rightly understood doth not impugn the eternal and infallible providence of God (Matthew 10:29; Luke 12:6; Proverbs 16:4; Daniel 4:32; Exodus 21:13; Proverbs 16:33).

7. For God by His unchangeable providence decreed not only that such things should be done as are done, but He also ordained from the beginning that all things should come to pass in that very manner as they do come to pass.

8. But in that we say nothing is done in the world without the will of the Father, we do not thereby enwrap God Himself, the most wise and just director of all actions, into sin, or make Him author of sin.

9. For sin is (a) a transgression of the law and a declining from the straight line of the divine law (1 John 3:4). But God can neither (b) decline from the straightness of His will (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18; 1 John 1:5), neither (c) doth He instill into others the fault of declining (Isaiah 1:13); (d) nay God is a hater (Psalms 5:6) and a (e) most just revenger of sin (Deuteronomy 32:41; Nahum 1:2).

10. Wherefore seeing it belongeth to the providence of God that sins should be punished of God the just judge; by the doctrine of providence it is rather proved that God is to be feared and sins to be avoided, than that thereby any blame can be transferred upon God, or our wickednesses excused.

11. But whereas besides this which we now spake of, there be many other profitable uses of this doctrine of God’s providence. Yet these two are principally to be noted: Namely, that this doctrine is a means that the godly in all their afflictions do fly unto God, (a) who governeth all things, and do rest themselves in His bosom, and they refer all glory to Him alone in prosperity; and are evermore humbled under His mighty hand, by which He worketh all things (Psalms 46:1; Matthew 10:28 [Matt. 27, 23, 35 ??]; 1 Peter 5:6-7; James 4:11). Of Eternal Election and Predestination, and of Redemption made by Christ. Out of the First Chapter of Paul to the Ephesians. Year 1579.

1. No blessing since the world’s creation hath befallen or can befall us, to which we were not elected and predestinated before the foundation of the world. Neither is the same bestowed on us by any other, nor by any means else, than by whom, and after what sort God in His everlasting decree had appointed, as the apostle saith, We are blessed in Christ Jesus with all spiritual blessing, even as He hath chosen us from the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3-4).

2. As in Jesus Christ alone we obtain all spiritual blessing, so also in Him alone we were chosen and predestinated to obtain it, since the apostle teacheth both, namely, that we are blessed in Christ, and were all chosen in Him (vv. 3,4).

3. Whosoever we be that have been elected, we were elected not only to the end--that is, eternal life--but also to the means ordained for the end. For St. Paul saith, God hath chosen us, that we should be holy and unblamable (v. 4).

4. In that God hath chosen us, He did it of His love towards us, and according to the good pleasure of His will, and therefore our whole election is of free gift (vv. 3-5).

5. The end of our free election is twofold: Our salvation; and the glory of God. Of the first, the apostle St. Paul saith, We are predestinated into the adoption of the sons of God, and therefore to a heavenly inheritance. Of the other, that it was done for "the praise of the glory of His grace" (vv. 5,6).

6. The salvation therefore of the elect in Jesus Christ is certain and necessary; the foundation whereof is the eternal, free, and unchangeable purpose of the will of God.

7. Who so have been chosen from the beginning in Christ unto life everlasting, and to the means thereunto--all they and only they in the time appointed of the Father, which is called the fullness of time--were in very deed through Christ and in Christ redeemed from their sins, and so [also] from the evil which followeth sins, the apostle saying, In Jesus Christ "we have redemption", even "remission [forgiveness] of sins" (v. 7).

8. Neither were we redeemed according to the merits and "works of righteousness which we have done", but according to the mercies of God (Titus 3:5), and according to the riches of His grace by the blood of Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:7), both which are manifestly confirmed by the apostle.

9. And albeit the eternal Father redeemed and saved us by His Son by whom He also created us; yet the Son is He which by an especial respect the church of God useth to call the Redeemer of mankind and our Savior.

10. For the Son alone was and is God and man; and He alone had the right of propriety, as they call it, or of kindred to redeem us. And He alone shed His blood whereby as by a ransom we were redeemed (Leviticus 25:48-49). Lastly, He it is alone in whose person our redemption is made perfect and accomplished.

11. By the name of this ransom which we are said to have in Christ, we mean that full and accomplished redemption, inasmuch as it containeth not only remission of sins in this life, but also in the life to come after this, a perfect deliverance from all ill, and from the bondage of all corruption; so that there is no ransom which we have not in Christ our most perfect Redeemer, who as He is made unto us by God our "wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification, so also our redemption" (1 Corinthians 1:30). Of the Resurrection of Christ Jesus from the dead, His ascension into heaven, and sitting at God’s right hand, out of the First of Paul to the Ephesians. Year 1581.

1. God did effectually show the greatness of His power in Christ by raising Him from the dead. Therefore only God, by His infinite power, is the efficient cause of the resurrection of Christ, and all the dead (Ephesians 1:19-20).

2. Yea, but Christ also by His power raised Himself from death. As He said, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will build [raise] it up" (John 2:19); but He spake of the temple of His body. And that, "I lay down my life, that I may [might] take it again" (John 10:17). Christ therefore is no less God than the Father; neither is He God of lesser might.

3. But one and the same cannot be truly the raiser and the raised from the dead unless he consist of divers natures--of the divine, according to which He doth raise, and the human, according to which He is raised. Therefore the same Christ, as He is true God, coessential with His mother and His brethren.

4. Neither can any be truly said to be raised and to rise from the dead unless the same be truly said to be dead and to have died. But death consisteth in a true separation of the soul from the body, whereby the body which dieth [dies] may presently be rightly called a dead carcass. Christ then, if He truly rose from the dead, it can by no means be denied but that He also truly died, His soul being truly separated from His body.

5. If then (since He truly died) neither His soul for that time of His death was in His body, neither (since He was truly buried) His body while it hung upon the cross was in the grave, or while it lay in the grave, hung upon the cross; (neither since God truly raised Him from the dead) either His soul recalled His body, or His body recalled Himself from death to life. Therefore the human nature in Christ was neither omnipotent, nor everywhere present in its own substance.

6. For as this consequence is not good, Christ Jesus Himself was dead and buried and rose again from the dead. Therefore He was dead and buried and rose again according to both His natures. So neither is this, behold "I am with you...even unto the end of the world;" therefore not only in His deity, but also in the substance of His humanity, He is really present with us on the earth.

7. But as this consequence is good, Christ being God, suffered; therefore He suffered not according to His deity but according to His humanity. So is this other, Christ Jesus being man is everywhere and simply omnipotent, therefore He is everywhere and omnipotent, not according to His humanity, but according to His deity, seeing the divine nature is no less united to the human than the human is to the divine, in the same person of Christ Jesus.

8. If God Himself, and so the divine nature in Christ raised His body from the dead, not by the same body, but by itself, namely by the divine nature, then it is false that the divine nature in Christ did all things and doeth not only in and with, but also by the human nature.

9. For the soul of Christ Jesus doth not work all things by the body, as neither do our minds understand or will things by the bodies; and that for this cause that as the philosophers also taught, our mind dependeth not on the body. Much less then doth the deity of Christ work all things by the flesh which it took.

10. For doth the Deity understand by the human understanding, or doth it will by the human will? Or doth it keep or sustain the human nature in the person of the Word, by the very same human nature? Or doth it bear all things by the human flesh or rather by the word of its own virtue? Lastly, if the form of God do nothing but by the form of a servant, how can that saying of Leo be true: "Each form doth the property of itself with communion of the other?"

11. Like as therefore the form of God is one, and the form of a servant another, so the actions and proprieties of the one and of the other be divers; though many times both the one and the other have one and the same work and operation.

12. Wherefore this is no consequence--to whomsoever Christ cometh with the Father, according to the form of God, to him He also cometh and abideth in him in His own substance according to the form of a servant; much less that He is so everywhere.

13. Further, like as no other, but the very same Christ, rose from the dead, so He rose in no other but in the very same body in which he suffered, died, and was buried.

14. For He could not be truly said to be raised and to rise from the dead; except that which truly died the very same quickened again should rise again.

15. Now the body wherein Christ suffered, died, and was buried, was a true human body--visible, palpable, circumscribed. Therefore Christ after His resurrection had and retained no body but that which was circumscribed in a certain place, and wheresoever it was and is, might and may be seen and handled.

16. Add also, that the apostle carefully discoursing of the qualities with which our bodies being raised up to eternal life shall be indued, he saith not that they shall not be subject either to the eye, or to the touch, or not be circumscribed in a definite place, but he rehearseth only incorruption, glory, and power, as is the agility thereof, and that they shall rise spiritual; not that the corporal substance shall be changed into an incorporeal, but that they shall be (as the Greeks call it) immortal, and shall be full of the Holy Spirit dwelling and working in them. The apostle therefore taught that these are qualities never to be separated from the bodies, namely that they shall be circumscribed, visible, palpable. Wherefore neither did Christ’s body after His resurrection put off these qualities.

17. Neither is that exception anything, that Christ after He was risen came in to His disciples the doors being shut. For it was not therefore either made invisible or uncircumscribed or unpalpable; seeing Christ, being come in and seen of His disciples presently said, Feel or, "handle...and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have" (Luke 24:39). And therefore (as the fathers teach) there was no change made of Christ’s body, no more than there was when He or Peter walked upon the waters. But by the omnipotency of His deity having power over all things, the doors gave place to the true and firm body of the Son of God.

18. Wherefore not without cause did the fathers condemn not only Marcion, the Maniches and others, which taught that Christ took not a true and firm human body, but a fantastical one, and did all things according to imagination and fantasy, but also the Originists, John of Hierusalem [Jerusalem ?], and Euticius of Constantinople, bishops, and others, which said that Christ’s body after His resurrection was made so spiritual that it was more thin than air, and therefore invisible and unpalpable.

19. Seeing then that in the Supper no other body of Christ is given us to be eaten but that which was broken for us, that is, truly suffered and died; it followeth that Christ’s true body which we eat in the Supper is truly circumscribed, visible, and palpable. And consequently, seeing nothing is seen, touched, or perceived in the Supper besides bread, the same body cannot in its own substance really be contained under the forms of bread and wine, or lie hidden in the very bread and wine.

20. Now we acknowledge the resurrection of Christ is both the cause and an example of our as well spiritual as corporal resurrection. The cause of the spiritual, because the apostle saith to the Romans in Romans 4:1-25, He "was raised again for our justification" (v. 25); and an example, because he saith, "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4).

21. But that He is the cause of our corporal resurrection, we doubt not, for that the apostle saith, If Christ be risen again, we shall also rise again; and for that he also saith, Christ is the firstfruits of them that rise (1 Corinthians 15:1-58). And an example, for that the same apostle also writeth, He shall change our vile bodies that they shall be like His glorious body (Php 3:21).

22. Whereupon it also followeth, either Christ’s body not to be invisible, unpalpable, uncircumscribed, and so not spiritual bodies but incorporeal spirits.

23. For where Christ saith, "Feel [handle] and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have," He did not only conclude that Himself was no spirit, but He especially taught this, that there is no flesh nor bones but may be seen and felt.

24. The Scripture teacheth, and the church confesseth, that our Lord Jesus Christ being raised from the dead, did show unto His disciples for forty days space, by many arguments, that He was truly risen; and then even in the beholding of the apostles, that He was lifted up from the earth and ascended into heaven. Therefore like as no other Christ rose again than he which died; so no other ascended into heaven, nor in no other body, than He, and in which, that truly rose again from the dead, the Son of God, truly human, visible, palpable, and circumscribed.

25. Wherefore as the conversation of the same Lord Jesus Christ, wherein He conversed among His apostles after His resurrection for forty days space, was not fantastical, but real and true--so also His ascension was not only visible, but also truly (as the fathers say) local; when the apostles saw Him ascend from the earth up into heaven.

26. But such an ascension and moving cannot agree to His divine nature; therefore He ascended according to His human nature.

27. Yet by the way we deny not this, but that Christ as God, like as He is said to have descended from heaven in respect that He abased Himself, taking upon Him the vile form of a servant, and suffered in it--so also it may rightly be said that He is exalted and ascended up into heaven, namely, in respect that in the very same form of a servant, when it was glorified, even the form of God was after a sort glorified by His ascension and after it, that is, was made glorious in the whole world.

28. But it is apparent that as this consequence is not good, Christ Himself being God and man ascended into heaven, in a local and visible moving. Therefore, He in the same sort ascended according to His deity; so neither is this good, Christ God and man is with us to the end of the world truly, and in His own essence; therefore He is present on earth as well in the substance of His body and soul, as in the essence of His deity.

29. If also the apostles saw with their eyes Christ in His own body, by change of place ascending from earth into heaven, then the heaven into which He did ascend cannot be an ubiquitary [ubiquitous] heaven, but it must needs be far distant from the earth.

30. Moreover nature and for everything some ce ned; as we see God hath which He created. Seeing th can be found more excellent dy, both for the union with th the wonderful gifts created in so also for the most perfect glori nds wherein he now liveth. It must that this body must exist in some most happy place.

31. Neither can it proceed but only from our piety, and from our true reverence toward Christ, that we should believe that His body doth dwell, not under the earth, not in the earth, not in the waters, not in a piece of bread, not in every leaf of a tree, not in the air, or in the celestial spheres, but in a place as the most happy, fair, and perfect, so the highest of all others; which we with Ambrose think the apostle spake of when he said, that He was caught up into the third heaven, and into paradise (2 Corinthians 12:2; 2 Corinthians 12:4).

32. To this, the same Scripture also teacheth, and the catholic faith believeth and confesseth, that the same Jesus Christ shall come out of that heaven in the clouds to judge the quick and the dead; and that we being raised from the dead, shall be caught up into the air to meet Him in the clouds, and so shall be with Him in that heaven forever (Php 3:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

33. And this heaven, which is called the Father’s house (John 14:2), and the heavenly city, and by many other names, the Scripture proveth to be placed above all the visible and moveable heavens, saying that Christ is ascended "above all heavens" (Ephesians 4:10), and that He is in heaven.

34. For this heaven wherein He is in His body, and wherein we shall be in our bodies and souls, cannot be some vast and I know not what, uncreated room--partly, because nothing is uncreated but God; partly, because it is plainly to the Hebrews said to be God’s workmanship (Hebrews 11:10).

35. Moreover the chief and principal efficient cause of that moving wherein His body was carried up into heaven, was the divine nature remaining in Him according to that, to the Philippians, chapter 2, God hath exalted Him, and, He was taken up (of God) into glory. But a secondary efficient cause was the gift of agility, which followed His glorious resurrection, bestowed on the human nature by the Deity, by which agility that flesh ascended up, not held and sustained by angels or by the clouds, as once Elias was in the fiery chariot, but of its own accord, and without trouble or difficulty. And therefore that motion was not a violent motion.

36. Now this ascension of Christ our Head was the cause and the example of our ascension which shall be into heaven. For since the Head is ascended, it must needs be that the members shall ascend; and as His ascension was, so ours shall be. For He shall change our vile bodies to be like to His glorious body, and we shall be caught up into the clouds to meet Christ in the air, and so we shall be with the Lord forever.

37. If then ours shall be a true ascension, and that we shall truly be lifted from the earth into heaven, therefore Christ’s body also did truly ascend from earth into heaven, not imaginarily or putatively.

38. And this doctrine of Christ’s true ascension into that highest heaven, and His perpetual abiding there, is most profitable, and full of consolation.

39. For first it serveth to strengthen our faith about the certain place, where with the eyes and hands of our faith we may behold, touch and take hold of the body of Christ. Then, to establish our hope, namely that it shall be, that before the resurrection of our bodies, our souls being separated from our bodies, they shall neither descend beneath the earth, nor shall float in the waters or the air, nor roll about with the spheres, but shall be carried above all these heavens to that blessed and heavenly house of the Father, into which Christ in His body is already entered, that they may be ever with Christ. Lastly, to kindle in our hearts the love and desire of a heavenly life and conversation, as the apostle saith, "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above."

40. Of Christ’s sitting at the right hand of the Father thus speaketh the apostle, "And hath set Him (Christ raised from the dead, and carried up into heaven)...in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and hath put all things under His feet," etc. Whatsoever is read otherwise in the Holy Scripture, or confessed by the church in the Creeds concerning this sitting, is agreeable unto this.

41. But we can nowhere read, that for this sitting at God’s right hand, either Christ Jesus took any other body, (call it howsoever) or that in His natural body, there was any change made of the substance of it, or of any of those natural qualities and essential proprieties which it retained after His resurrection. It is therefore manifest, that in what body Christ rose, and ascended into heaven--namely, a visible, palpable, and circumscribed body--in the same He also sitteth at the Father’s right hand in the highest heavens. And wheresoever He is, or pleaseth to be, He keepeth still to Himself such a body.

42. The apostle also witnesseth, and the church confesseth in the Creeds, that Christ first died, was buried, raised from the dead, and taken up into heaven, before He sat at the Father’s right hand. Therefore, either it is false that Christ’s human nature then first received a gift, for substance of His body to be really everywhere; or if it be true, then it received it not by the hypostatical union, which was made in His very incarnation.

43. Neither is this exception anything, that by the hypostatical union, this was given Him, in the first act, as, that if He would, He might be present everywhere, but by the sitting at God’s right hand, it was given Him, in the second act, that is, that He was indeed present everywhere.

44. For besides, that the terms of this distinction are terms not taken from the fountains of Israel, but out of the puddles of sophisters, Christ Himself also refelleth [?] this exception, when speaking not of the first act, but of the second--that is, of His actual presence--He said both a little before His death, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." And after His resurrection, before His ascension, He said, Behold "I am with you...even unto the end of the world."

45. By those sayings it evidently appeareth that either Christ spake not of the real presence of His body, but only of the presence of His deity, and power of His Spirit; or that He is present to us in the same manner that He was to the apostles, namely visibly, seeing He said not "I will be," but "I am." Neither is there any necessity to alter the sense of those words.

46. Add this, that if He speak of the same real presence of His body, and that this promise pertained not to the apostles only, but also to all the faithful which were then in the world, Christ had not spoken a truth. For He was not before His death or after His resurrection present in a visible presence with all the faithful, which were then in the world, and which were gathered together in His name.

47. Wherefore the doctrine of the real and substantial, yet invisible presence of the body of Christ Jesus on the earth and everywhere, is not agreeable with the Holy Scriptures, but seemeth to come near to the Maniches, who (as Augustine showeth against Faustus) say that Christ’s body doth invisibly hang on every tree.

48. If Christ also sat not at God’s right hand in His body before His resurrection and ascension into heaven, as the whole church confesseth, then their doctrine is impious and heretical which teacheth that Christ Jesus, even from His mother’s womb (according to the flesh He took), hath sitten at the right hand of God’s power.

49. If this also be true which the apostle teacheth, and the whole Scripture confirmeth, and the catholic church confesseth, that Christ Jesus not only then sat at His Father’s right hand after He ascended into heaven, but also is so placed in the same at God’s right hand, as He is never read to sit at such a right hand in any other place than in heaven; therefore then it cannot only not be said according to the Holy Scriptures, that Christ Jesus sitteth any other where at God the Father His right hand than in heaven; but also it is false, that He also so sitteth in the earth; that He is no less present really in substance of His body, in the bread of the Lord’s Supper and in every place, than He is in heaven.

50. For the apostle also in other places, and [e]specially in the epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews, denieth that He is upon the earth, namely in a corporal presence, for as much as He sitting at the right hand of the throne of majesty in heaven, executeth His office of priesthood.

51. Moreover we hold beyond all controversy, that Christ sitting at God’s right hand is a figurative speech, seeing God, to speak properly hath neither right hand nor left hand. Neither is it lawful to imagine any carnal thing concerning the seats and thrones in heaven, wherein they are said to sit; and oftentimes in the Scriptures this word sitting, is used besides other significations, for dwelling, ruling, exercising judgment, and forresting [?].

52. But that the apostle Paul meant not by this phrase, that Christ Jesus in His own body is truly and substantially present in all places; besides that which hath been already said, it is also evident by that which for declaration sake he adjoineth.

53. For to this sitting of Christ at God’s right hand, the apostle addeth for declaration sake, three things: First, that Christ is so placed at God’s right hand, that He is above all principality, that is, that He hath no creature above Him, or equal to Him, no not in heaven, but is made higher than the heavens, and all heavenly things. Then, he addeth, that all things are made subject to Him, that is, that there is nothing beneath Him, over which He hath not power and authority. Thirdly, that He was given to be a Head of the Church.

54. Now as we said that whatsoever we have before spoken of the resurrection from the dead, and so of the ascension, ought to be understood according to the human nature of Christ; so we think with the sound fathers, that these things also must be understood especially according to the same human nature.

55. The exaltation of Christ’s human nature above all things, may be understood two ways: Either in respect of the local placing, as this, He ascended above all the heavens, that the meaning may be, the human nature was placed locally above all created things; or in respect of the excellent preeminence of the dignity and power thereof, and then the meaning may be, Christ even touching His human nature was set over all created things, and to Him was given power and authority over all things. For in these two manners anything of the same kind is said to be over another, either in place, or in dignity.

56. If then this saying be understood the latter way, thereupon the ubiquity cannot be proved; seeing Christ in that in His human nature He may use His authority over all creatures, although He be not in substance of body everywhere. If the former way, then He is not everywhere, seeing that which is everywhere, is as well beneath, and at, and within, as above all creatures.

57. But Paul doth plainly teach that Christ (touching His human nature) did so rise from the dead, that He was no longer among the dead, and so ascended into heaven, that He was no longer on earth; and so being exalted above all creatures, sitteth at the Father’s right hand, that He is neither beneath nor within created things, seeing all things are put under His feet.

58. Neither can the head be said to be in its own substance, where the feet are, although it be in them in virtue and operation, and indeed as well the head to the feet, as the feet to the head are joined together in their substance, by the sinews and by the soul.

59. But the apostle saith, Christ Jesus is given for a "head of the church," namely, according to His humanity; now the head is above all the body.

60. The apostle therefore meant nothing less by his words of Christ’s sitting at God’s right hand, than to conclude that Christ’s body in its own substance is present in all places. Wherefore they do great wrong to the apostle, which by their cavils labor to conclude this out of his words.

61. Neither can any such ubiquity be proved by any necessary consequence, out of that article of faith.

62. For although it were granted (which cannot be granted) that by the sitting at God’s right hand the human nature is made truly by itself omnipotent, yet unless it be proved to be so made omnipotent, that it is also made infinite and immeasurable, it can by no means be convinced that Christ’s body in its own substance is everywhere present.

63. For so is this the only cause, why God also in His own essence is everywhere; that if ye take immeasurableness from Him, He cannot be said to be everywhere in His own essence.

64. And if also ye fain an infinite body, and therefore everywhere, yet that it is wholly in all places at once, you shall never prove while the world stands, unless ye can show, that the same body is also a most simple essence; seeing God is therefore wholly everywhere, not according to his parts, but because He is the most simple essence.

65. Wherefore whatsoever the ubiquitaries do prate and babble, arguing either from the hypostatical union, or the right hand of God, or the words of the Supper, or the divers kinds of being, or from the saying, "all power is given unto me," and such like speeches--they evermore in this disputation, infer one fallation [?] (to speak of none else at this time) which is called non causa pro causa, except by those arguments they could prove the substance of Christ’s body to be made immeasurable and infinite, and also most simple, such as is the essence of God.

66. Yet do we not for all this deny, but the body of Jesus Christ, though it remain in heaven yet it is truly present unto us, not only in His operation, but in substance also.

67. But how, or in what manner of presence? Surely a true presence, but so as He is really present in us, by His Spirit in us, and by our faith; and (if we may use similitudes) as the Head is truly and really present to all the members, yea to the feet.

68. But how are these present one to another? Not in nearness of place, (for so the head of a pygmy were more present to his feet than the head of a giant) but by virtue of one soul, and the junctures of sinews and ligaments.

69. Seeing then according to the Scriptures our bodies and Christ’s body are truly knit together by the same Spirit, so that we are one and the same body under one and the same Head, which God hath given to the Church, namely Christ, no man can deny this true presence, without great blasphemy.

70. But for the sitting at the right hand, we believe that the apostle meant to signify by this phrase, how Christ according to His humanity, after many and most grievous labors rubbed through upon earth, and many troubles endured for our redemption’s sake, now gloriously resteth in heaven; and so being dearly beloved of His Father liveth in exceeding happiness, and appeareth in God’s sight in our behalf, and that His intercession and propitiation is most acceptable to His Father; and that He reigneth with His Father, and by Him is appointed to be the Judge which shall at length come to judge the quick and the dead, and is placed in the celestial throne.

71. For to sit (as Tertullian teacheth) is proper to one that resteth; and (as Augustine teacheth) to one that dwelleth, reigneth, and doth the office of a judge. Neither are any said to sit at the right hand, but such as are dearly beloved, and near friends.

72. Augustine indeed thus interpreteth this place; of the Creed to the Catechumeni:

He ascended into heaven, believe it; He sitteth at God’s right hand, believe it; to sit, understand to dwell; as we say of any man, in such a country He hath sat three years; so therefore believe ye, that Christ dwelleth on the right hand of God, there He is. Let not your heart ask ye this question, what doth He? Do not seek for that which it is not lawful to find; there He is, it sufficeth us; He is blessed, and of this blessedness which is called the Father’s right hand, the name of this blessedness itself is called His Father’s right hand. For if we take it carnally, then because He is at the right hand, the Father should be at the left hand; and is there any reason thou shouldest so set them, the Son at the right hand, and the Father at the left? There all is the right hand, seeing there is nothing but blessedness.

Also, this sitting of His beloved, ye must not take it to be meant of the human parts, as if the Father sat on the left hand, and the Son sat at the right hand. But by the right hand, understand that power which that man being entertained of God received, namely that He might afterwards come to judge, which before came to be judged.

Also, who is He, that sitteth at God’s right hand? The man Christ. For in that He is God, He was ever with the Father, and of the Father. And when He came forth unto us, He departed not from the Father, for to be God is to be wholly everywhere. Therefore the Son is wholly with the Father, whole in heaven, whole on earth, whole in the virgin’s womb, whole in the cross, whole in hell, whole in paradise, whither He brought the thief. Not at divers time, or divers places do we say He is whole everywhere, as now whole in one place, and another time whole in another place, but He is whole always, and in all places.

Also, but by this that the Son is said to sit at the Father’s right hand, it is showed that the man whom Christ took upon Him, hath received the power of a judge.

Also, the man which Christ took on Him, now reigneth sitting at the Father’s right hand.

Also, but in that He is God, and equal to the Father, and always imageth [?] He is ever present; but He shall come a Redeemer in that form wherein He ascended.

73. So far from it therefore is it, that by the sitting at God’s right hand, the apostle meant to signify that Christ in the substance of His body is on earth and everywhere, that He rather seemeth to teach them quite contrary--seeing that in heaven only, and not on this earth mens’ blessedness consisteth, and God is said to dwell in heaven, not on earth, and rather that He reigneth in heaven than on earth, and it is said and believed that Christ shall come not from earth, but from heaven to judge both the quick and the dead.

74. Add this, that as God’s feet by a certain human affection or property are not said to be in heaven, but on earth, according to that saying, heaven is my seat, and earth my footstool (Acts 7:49), so also we may with good reason say that His right hand hath place in heaven rather than on earth.

75. We therefore conclude that as by the apostle’s doctrine of the resurrection from the dead, and the ascension into heaven, the ubiquity of Christ cannot be proved, but is rather confuted; so neither by the doctrine which is of His sitting at God’s right hand, can the same be necessarily inferred.

76. Nay, if such an ubiquity be admitted, we do not only shake but even quite overthrow all these articles of faith--of His incarnation in the womb only of the virgin, of His true death, (that is the true separation of His soul and body), of His true resurrection of His flesh, of His true and visible ascension from the earth into heaven, of His true sitting at God’s right hand in the heavenly places. Lastly, of His visible return from that place to judge both the quick and the dead.

77. For a body that is everywhere cannot be moved from place to place according to it’s whole self, as true philosophy teacheth, and Christian theology confirmeth; which showeth, that God therefore is not moved from place to place, because being immeasurable He filleth all things.

78. Neither can that body also which is everywhere be rightly said to sit at the right hand or the left of another, but you must needs confound the substance of Him that sitteth, with the substance of the right hand, at which, and with the substance of Him whose right hand He sitteth at. Seeing therefore even the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost filling heaven and earth, are everywhere, both all and each of them, because they are one and the same essence.

79. Finally, we think this doctrine of the invisible and unpalpable presence of Christ’s flesh everywhere is neither true nor profitable.

80. Not true indeed, because we could never see the same showed either by any manifest testimonies of Holy Scriptures, or any necessary consequences drawn out of them. Nay, we have observed the same to be repugnant to the Scriptures, and to the catholic consent of the old church, rightly expounded by the rule of faith contained in the Apostles’ Creed.

81. Yea, and we see it so contrary to the Scriptures, that without a manifest implying of a contradiction, ye cannot grant both those things which the Creed delivereth, and those things which the authors of this ubiquitary doctrine do deliver.

82. Neither is it profitable, because that which is not agreeable with God’s Word, to propound, believe and observe it as agreeable and necessary unto salvation, is a sin--The Lord saying, "Add not...nor diminish" (Deuteronomy 12:32); and the apostle, "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Rom. 14:25); and, "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).

83. Finally, because if that opinion of the ubiquity of Christ’s body should be believed to be true, it would be a hindrance that a man could not apprehend and eat with a mind lifted up Christ to the true flesh of Christ Jesus being in heaven, whereunto notwithstanding, both the apostle and the church calleth us, saying, Lift up your hearts; and, "Seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God."

84. They then do nothing less than eat Christ’s flesh, which do not behold the same in heaven where indeed it is, but imagine Him to be really present everywhere in His own substance. Aesop’s dog, leaving the true flesh, did foolishly catch at the vain shadow of the flesh, because it seemed a bigger piece.