B. About the Second Doubt

373. As to the second doubt, it is very probable that bread paste and bread do not differ in species, because by the cooking of bread paste in the oven, or by fire in some other way, only the watery fluid mixed with the parts of the flour is drawn out, and this mixture is one of juxtaposition. Now such separation does not change the species, for the mixing too does not change it. But neither can the sacrament be confected from bread paste, because Christ did not want to impose on us in his sacraments a subtle disputation about specific differences, but that we should have commonly for the matter of consecration the usual wheat bread. And so according to Damascene, Orthodox Faith ch.86, the sacrament instituted for us ought to be what, either it or the like, is commonly accustomed to be nutriment.

374. And if you argue that bread becomes bread paste through a little kneading by the fingers, but it seems, after such kneading by the fingers, to be matter for consecration, therefore before baking too - I reply that this proves bread does not differ in species from bread paste, but it does not prove that bread paste is consecratable matter.

And if you ask about such bread, recent and reduced to paste, whether it is consecratable - I reply that it is, because as much remains of its accustomed hardness as is accustomed to be in the hardness of bread; yet from the fact that it was once baked and was bread (unless it departs from the idea of usual bread), it does not depart from the idea of consecratable bread.