[ad. 16th.-c. L. consubstāntiātion-em, n. of action from consubstāntiāre: see above. Formed after the much earlier term transubstantiation.]
1. The doctrine of the real substantial presence of the body and blood of Christ together with the bread and wine in the Eucharist, as distinguished from transubstantiation in which the whole substance of these elements is held to be changed into the body and blood of Christ.
A term used controversially to designate the Lutheran doctrine of the Saviour’s presence ‘in, with, and under the in-substance-unchanged bread and wine’ (in, mit, und unter dem der Substans nach unveränderten Brode and Weine); but not used by the Lutheran Church, nor accepted by Lutherans as a correct expression of their view.
1597. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., V. lxvii. § 10. So that they all three do plead God’s omnipotency … the patrons of transubstantiation … to the change of one substance into another; the followers of consubstantiation to the kneading up of both substances as it were into one lump.
1616. R. C., Times’ Whis., I. 473. To passe the papist & the Lutheran, Their trans & consubstantiation.
1673. Milton, True Relig. Wks. (1851), 409. The Lutheran holds Consubstantiation; an error indeed, but not mortal.
1705. Hickeringill, Priest-cr., I. (1721), 48. Calvin refines the Refiner, as if Luther’s Consubstantiation bordered too near upon the Wafer-God Transubstantiation.
1798. J. Hey, Lect. Divinity, IV. 324 (ed. 3), II. 542. Luther explained his consubstantiation by saying, that in red-hot iron two substances are united, iron and fire.
1882. Froulkes, in Macm. Mag., XLV. 207. In exposing the subterfuges of consubstantiation and transubstantiation alike.
† 2. A rendering consubstantial. Obs.
1660. Stillingfl., Iren., II. iv. § 12 (1662), 196. Else Christ must have as many bodies as the Church hath particular congregations. Which is a new way of Consubstantiation.
1768–74. Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1852), II. 383. Who took upon Him our nature by an union with the human soul and body of Jesus … Union, which is not a transubstantiation, nor consubstantiation extending throughout the same portion of space.
Hence Consubstantiationist, one who holds the doctrine of consubstantiation.
1813. W. Taylor, in Monthly Mag., XXXVI. 7. The consubstantiationist maintains that the sacramental elements are transubstantiated in the mouth of the faithful communicant, and not previously in the chalice of the priest.
a. 1834. Coleridge, Lit. Rem., IV. 192. Do you believe that the Christians … will be damned, according as the truth may be respecting … the Consubstantiationist, or the Transubstantiationist?
