_Bruno._ “I have thought that the divinity of the Word was present
in the humanity of Christ individually, and I have not been able
to understand that it was a union like that of soul and body, but
a presence of such a kind that we could truly say of this man that
he was God, and of this divinity that it was man; because between
substance infinite and divine and substance finite and human there is
no proportion as between soul and body, or any other two things which
can make up one existence; and I believe, therefore, that St. Augustine
shrank from applying that word ‘person’ to this case: so that, in
conclusion, I think, as regards my doubt of the Incarnation, I have
wavered concerning its ineffable meaning, but not against the Holy
Scripture, which says ‘the Word is made flesh.’”
_Inquisitor._ “What opinion have you had concerning the miracles, acts,
and death of Christ?”
_Bruno._ “I have held what the Holy Catholic Church holds, although
I have said of the miracles that, while they are testimony of the
divinity [of Christ], the evangelical law is, in my opinion, a stronger
testimony, because the Lord said ‘he shall do greater than these’
miracles; and it occurred to me that whilst others, like the Apostles,
wrought miracles, so that, in their external effect, they seemed like
those wrought by him, Christ worked by his own virtue, and the Apostles
by virtue of another’s power. Therefore I have maintained that the
miracles of Christ were divine, true, real, and not apparent; nor have
I ever thought, said, nor believed the contrary.
“I have never spoken of the sacrifice of the mass, nor of
transubstantiation, except in the way the Holy Church holds. I have
believed, and do believe, that the transubstantiation of the bread
and wine into the body and blood of Christ takes place really and in
substance.”
_Inquisitor._ “Did you ever say that Christ was not God, but a
good-for-nothing, and that, doing wretched works, he ought to
have expected to be put to death, although he showed that he died
unwillingly?”
_Bruno._ “I am astonished that this question is put to me, for I have
never had such opinions, nor said such a thing, nor thought aught
contrary to what I said just now about the person of Christ, which is
that I believe what the Holy Mother Church believes. I know not how
these things are imputed to me.” At this he seemed much grieved.
_Inquisitor._ “In reasoning about the Incarnation of the Word, what
have you held concerning the delivery of the said Word by the Virgin
Mary?”
_Bruno._ “That it was conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of Mary as
Virgin; and when any one shall find that I have said or maintained the
contrary, I will submit myself to any punishment.”
_Inquisitor._ “Do you know the import and effect of the sacrament of
penance?”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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