336 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



" it, and fanctify it, and purify it, that in it may be made 

 " thy holy blood ;" and of the bread they fay, " Blcfs this 

 " faucer, or plate, that in it may be made thy holy body." 

 And in their prayer they fay, " Change this bread that it 

 " may be made thy pure body which is joined with this 

 " cup of thy precious blood." The Jefuits doubt of the va- 

 lidity of this confecration, becaufe it is faid, " this bread is 

 my body," and over the wine, " this cup is my blood ;" where- 

 as, to operate a true tranfubftantiation, they fhould fay over 

 the bread, " this is my body." 



For my own part, I leave it to the reverend fathers, who 

 are the beft judges, what is neceffary to operate this miracle 

 of tranfubltantiation. The reality of the thing itfelf is de- 

 nied by all Proteftant churches, has been often doubted by 

 others, has been ridiculed by lay- writers, and can never be 

 a matter, 1 believe,of thorough conviction, much lefs of proof 

 to any. The dignity of the fubject, on which it touches 

 nearly, as well as tendernefs for our brethren on the con- 

 tinent, an article of whole faith it is, fhould always fcreen it 

 from being treated with pleafantry, whatever we believe, or 

 whether we believe it or not. 



M. Ludolf thinks, that the words I have fet down are a 

 proof the Abyffmians do not believe in tranfubltantiation. 

 For my part, from thofe very words, I cannot think any thing 

 is clearer than that they do; the bread is upon the plate; 

 they pray that that plate may be blefied, " That in it the 

 bread may be made God's holy body*;" and of the wine they 



fay, 



* See the Ethiopic liturgies paffim. Ludulf, lib. ili. cap. 5. 



