"You will hear them state in their confessions," says Grotius,
"that they really, substantially and essentially partake of
Christ's body and his blood; but, in their disputes, they maintain
that Christ is received only spiritually, by faith. The antients
go much further: they admit a real incorporation of Jesus Christ
with us, and the reality of Christ's body, as Saint Hilarius
speaks."
It must however be remarked that, although Grotius thought that the term
_Transubstantiation_ adopted by the council of Trent, was capable of a
good interpretation, it is not clear, what was his precise opinion
respecting the Eucharist. He proposed the following formulary:
"We believe that, in the use of the supper, we truly, really, and
substantially,--that is to say,--in its proper substance,--receive
the true body and the true blood of Jesus Christ, in a spiritual
and ineffable manner: [054]"
_That_, Grotius justified the decision of the Council of Trent,
concerning the number of the sacraments:[055]
_That_, after the year 1640, he took no offence at the use of images in
churches, or at prayers for the dead:[056]
_That_, he thought the bishops of Rome may be in error, but cannot long
remain in it, if they adhere to the universal church;--this seems to
presuppose the church's infallibility:[057]
[Sidenote: CHAP.
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