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Rh them, he departed from them, and was caried into Heaven. And they adoring went backe into Hierusalem with great joy: and they were alwayes in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.

ANNOTATIONS. XXIV.

30. Tooke bread.) The Fathers in divers places take this to be meant of the B. Sacrament. Author operis imperf. ho. 17. S. Augustine li. 39 de consensu Evang. c. 25 & ser. 140 de temp. & ep. 59 ad Paulinum q. 8. Paulinus himself in the next epistle before that, among S. Augustines. Venerable Bede also upon this place. Theophylact upon this place. And that it should be meant of the holy Sacrament: the forme of solemne taking the bread into his handes, blessing it, breaking it, and reaching it to his Disciples (exceeding proper to the consecration, and common to none other vulgar benediction, nor any where used but in Christs miraculous multiplying the loaves) and the singular effect in notifying Christ unto them, do prove. And if it be the Sacrament (as it is most probable) then is it an evident example and warrant of ministration in one kind.

46. Pennance to be preached.) He shewed unto them out of the Scriptures, not only the things that were now accomplished in himself, but also that were yet to come about his Church: as, where it should begin, to wit, at Hierusalem and how farre it should goe, to wit, to al Nations: that he might not suffer us (saith S. Augustine) to erre neither in the bridegrome nor in the bride. For this maketh manifestly against al Heretikes and Schismatikes, that set up new Churches in particular countries, drawing the people from the foresaid only true Church which from Hierusalem so groweth * over al Nations til the end of the world come.

50. Blessed them.) Christ our high priest, * prefigured specially therein by Melchisedech, often gave his blessing to his: somtimes by wordes, as, Peace be to you: somtimes by imposing his handes: and now hereby lifting up his hands over his Disciples as it were for his farewel. In what forme, the Scripture doth not expresse, but very like it is that in forme of the crosse, as Jacob the Patriarch blessed his nephews for signification of Christs benediction: for now the crosse began to be glorious among the faithful, and the Apostles (as it is most certaine * by the Fathers which call it an ancient tradition) used that signe for an external note of benediction. Yea S. Augustine saith (''in Ps. 30. Con. 3'') that Christ himself not without cause would have his signe to be fixed in our foreheads as in the seat of shamefastness, that a Christian man should not be ashamed of the reproch of Christ. And what forme can a Christian man use rather to blesse himself or others, then that which was dedicated in Christs death, and is a convenient memoral of the same? Howsoever it be, that the Bishops and Priests of Gods Church blesse with an external signe, no man can reprehend, being warranted by Christs owne example and action. Rh