SAthan in all tymes hath deuised , howe he might by subtiltie defyle and deface with al kind of superstition the Lordes supper . In the time of Saint Paul God did smite and sharpely punishe the Churche of the Corinthians , because they dyd euyll vse this Sacrament . In our tymes ( because we wyll not recount the errours of all worldes ) be brought in , sundry kyndes of supersticious hipocrisies , about the vsage of this Supper . All whiche I wyll not nowe name in perticuler , for spendynge of tyme . I wyll onely intreate of that which is of most force , that we may learne after what sorte we ought to present our selues to this holy table . Some wryters moued by these wordes of S. Paule : He that cateth vnworthelye of this breade and this wyne , cateth his owne iudgement : they haue taken in hand to declare how a man may worthely vse this Sacrament . And after much debating , they haue thus resolued them selues : that a man hath than worthely eaten this bread , when he is in the state of grace . And passing on a little further , they haue expounded & said , that a man is than in state of grace , when he is purged and clensed of all mortall and veniall sinnes . In this sort they resolue them selues , because their studye is to vnderstande after what sort synnes be purged , & howe a man may come into the state of grace . The writers of these dayes be of diuers iudgementes touchyng this matter . Some say that through contricion , confession , and satisfaction of workes , a man is purged from all sinne , and doth deserue the state of grace . But when a man doth diligently search what is this meritorious worke of this great goodnes , thei do very yll agree vpon the matter . For some say that this satisfactorye worke is fastyng , accompanyed with teares and prayer . Other adde this and say that our praiers must be done with sackcloth and other chastisementes of the fleshe . Others do saye , that not only these workes be necessarye to deserue the state of grace : but also there muste be almose , the whiche doth clense a man from sinne .

The furder we be seperated from the pure time of the Apostles , so much greater is the nomber of satisfactions , and the thyng is so augmented , that mens consciences be brought into feare , error , and desperation , and in them selues so confounded , that they knowe not where to fynde the beginning . Wherfore a man is neuer certayne to do these satisfactory workes so perfectlye that he may deserue to be in the state of grace : No more there is no conscience of anye lyuynge man , be he neuer so holye , that can assure himself to be without sinne , yf he shall beholde his merite , and the dignitie of his own workes . Let vs then leaue of such encomberaunce of conscience : and for the eatyng of the Lordes supper , let vs folow the facion that was vsed by the Apostles . Paule doeth not bring our mindes to this desperation and doubtfulnesse , when he doth exhorte the Churche of the Corinthians to vse worthelye this Supper : But this he saith , that than do we worthely vse this sacrament , when we do acknowlege our selues to be vnworthye , and laye open our sinnes before Iesus Christ , that he through his mercye woulde make vs worthye . That we shoulde also dispayre of our selues , & all our workes : for that we myght receaue comforte in hym , that we shuld humble our selues , that in Christ we myght be exalted : that we shoulde acknowledge our selues sinners , that in Christe Iesu we myght be iustified : therfore we mai not thynke to come to this Sacrament voyde of sinne , nether that wee be worthye to deserue so great a benefit . But let vs thus thinke , that we being poore , do go to a liberall geuer : that beyng sicke , we go to a gentle phisitian : And beyng sinners , doo runne to our sauiour . Thus the dignitie wherof Paul speaketh that is in this Supper , is perfourmed by fayth , at those tymes when we beleue that all the merites of Christ be oures : And that we behaue our selues in loue towards our neygbours as this daye shal be declared .

This error that I haue nowe spoken of , is one of the most notable errours that is in the church conserning the vsage of the lordes Supper . The seconde error is this , the which hath ben and is continuallye preached , that vnder breade and wine is conteyned the body & bloud of Christe Iesu . These preachers & scoolemasters of mens consciences , do only occupy them selues to perswade two thynges to the people .

The first , that in this sacrament is the body and bloud of Christ . The other , that all Christians ought with great desyre to receaue this Sacrament , because thei do receiue the body & bloud of Iesu Christ . And these reuerend fathers say , that men may search no further , because that all matters of faith ought to be beleued simplye . But to what ende a man ought to vse this Sacrament , and what commoditie a Christian getteth by it : these our reuerende fathers haue not so muche as touched one worde , to comfort suche consciences as be in trouble . These fathers do not consider that this theyr fayth may be in the deuyl , and in all his members . It is no hard thing to perswade this theyr article to the people . For yf thei beleue that Iesus Christ is rysen from death , that by a miracle he entred , the gate beyng shut , into the house where the Apostles were gathered together , without any hurt to his body : also if they beleue manye other miracles that was done of the Lord whyle he lyued here vpon earth : By the same reason it is an easy mater to perswade the Christian people , that in bread and wine there is the body and bloud of Iesu Christ . This this were a small matter whervpon to stay : but we must search somthing further . These spirituall masters thynke to haue done theyr offyce , whensoeuer they haue perswaded this to the people : that in the sacrament is the bodye of Iesu Christe , and that they be bounde to receaue it .

We be come nowe to this passe : lette a man aske a Christian yf he wyll communicate , he wylī aunswere yea . And if you aske him wherfore he wyll do so , he aunswereth , because the Churche hath so ordeyned . But yf we shoulde consyder the matter somthyng more deepelye , and searche for what pourpose and to what end this was ordeined : he wyll aunswer , to receaue the body and bloud of Christ Iesu . And they thynke to knowe enough , when they can after this sort geue accompt of theyr conscience . But as I haue already sayde , yf this thing be no otherwayes considered , this fayth is nothing : because euery naughtye person can haue this faith . And he that can geue no better accompte of his fayth , then is commenly done nowe a dayes , lette hym take heede to receaue this sacrament . To admit vnto the supper those persons thus euyll enstructed : is as a manne should admit a brute beast to an holy banquet , to the great ignominie of Iesu Christe , and confusion of the church , It is then erpedient that the Christian be otherwaies instructed , and that he knowe what thing this Sacrament is , and for what ende the Lorde hath ordeyned it , for what cause also the church doth vse it : what profite the faithful do receaue by it : and manye other thinges which be necessary to vnderstande , as this daye is made manifest . I say the minister ought to vse in this Sacrament the selfe same meanes , as is vsed in baptisme , when a child is baptised , or yet any other person growen in yeres . The whiche partie when he goeth to be baptised , it is not sufficient to desire to be vnited to the church & that he beleueth suerlye that this washyng is baptisme , and that this sacrament is ordeined of God : No nor it is no sufficient cause that the partie doeth desyre to be baptised , because this belief may be both in good and euyll . But the principall point that the minister doth desire to know of him that is baptised , is this : Whether he doth forsake the deuyll with all his works , and that he that is baptised do confesse so to do openly . That done , the minister doth aske yf he beleue in the father , in the sonne , and in the holye ghost . In which demaunde the mynyster doth searche out the fayth of him that receaueth the Sacrament : of which faith , the Church must be assured . Therefore it is nedeful that euery one that is baptised , shuld know to geue accompte of theyr fayth in the face of the congregation . Howe muche more then oughte this to be done in the Sacrament of the Lordes supper , the which is only ministred to such as be of sufficient yeres , & that be able to vnderstande the word preached .

Therfore when any man shal first communicate , it is erpedient to heare his confession vppon this article . For by that confession the Churche maye iudge yf suche a person bee a fitte vessell to receaue suche a Sacramente : that by this meanes there maye bee a difference of Iudas and other brutysshe creatures . There is then to be wysshed some other fayth , muche dyfferynge from this of the Hypocrytes , the whiche thynke they haue done enough , when they haue perfourmed that worke , because it is so ordeyned . Were it not a great folly yf one of rype yeres should be baptised , and yf he were asked wherfore art thou baptised could make no other aunswere but that he is baptysed because it is so ordeyned . And hauynge no other staye wherevnto the Christian fayth should staye vppon : should not such one be almost iudged and taken for a dissimuled Christian ? Seing than the Sacramentes be witnesses of our fayth : it is needefull that they whiche wyll present them selues to this table , be well instructed to geue accomptes of theyr fayth . Therfore it is conuement that suche shoulde be eramined of the minister of the Churche .

First the minister doth aske the Christian what is this sacrament ? The faithful doth answere , that this sacrament is an assuraunce and gage , left of Iesu Christe in his church , for that none should doubt , but that his body is dead for vs , & that hys bloud is shed for the remission of our sinnes . Then the minister shal aske him what he intendeth to do , when he doth present him selfe to this supper . The faithfull doth aunswere , I do beleue to receaue al the merites of Iesus Christ , and to receaue them in suche sorte , that they bee no more Christes , but that they bee myne , in no lesse force then yf I with my owne proper bodye had merited the kingdome of heauen . Then the minister doth thys aske and say : what assuraunce hast thou to assure thy selfe after this sort of the workes of thy Lorde ? The faythfull doth aunswere , I do thys assure my selfe vppon the wordes that Iesu Chryst spake in his last supper , when he said , take and eate , this is my body , thys is the cuppe of the newe Testamente in my bloud , the whiche shal be shed for you . Agayne the minister doth aske , after what maner doest thou thynke to eate thys bodye , and drinke this bloud ? The faithful doth aunswere : I do beleue to eate it spiritually , in suche sort as the gospell vnder the signes of bread and wyne doth offer , & my fayth doth receaue . The minister doth aske , wherefore doest thou not thynke to eate the carnal body of Christ ? The faithful doth aunswere , because it is the spirite that geueth me life , & the fleshe profiteth nothynge . For this cause sayeth the Christian , am I come hyther vnto the company of the faythfull for to receaue this sacrament , because I beleue that the bodye of my Lorde is dead for me , & that hys bloud is shed for my redemption : therfore my fayth is confirmed & comforted by this sacrament . The minister doth demaunde , what profit & commoditie receueth thy soule of thys holy supper ? The faithful doth answere , the commoditie that I receaue therby , is the I am made a membre of Christe , who is the head of the Churche : And I do transfourme my selfe into my neighbour , so the I become one soule , one hart , & one wil with him . With these & other lyke instructions , ought the Christian people to be instructed , when they doe fyrst present them selues to thys holye supper . Thys Sacramente is a witnesse of our fayth , and also an open confession of the same : For when we do frequent it , we do declare the death of the Lord . The minister of the churh ought to admyt none to thys supper , who were not very well instructed , and also openly had made confession of these thynges : And when thys faith is not , all thinges be decayed and of no force . Let vs now then consider what difference is betwixt the fyrst fayth & this seconde . Thou beleuest by thy fyrst fayth , that in this sacrament is the bodye and bloud of Iesu Christ .

What profit hast thou by this beliefe ? The deuil and any wicked person may haue this faith , and yet for all that shall not be saued . Thou beleuest that to vse this sacrament , is a good worke . The deuyll beleueth also & knoweth that it is a good woorke : so the this common faith maketh man no better then the deuyll , or any other naughtie person : Therfore it is requisite to haue some other fayth . But so sone as the true & lyuely fayth springeth in our hartes , and speaketh to our conscience , it sayeth : Ah from henceforth be mery , seinge Christ is wholy thine in all respectes , because that in this supper thou doest receaue all hys merites , he hath supped vp in his bloud all thy sinnes . Confesse therefore from henceforth openly in thys Sacrament , the death of thy Lord , because he is present in all thy doinges .

This seconde fayth farre passeth the fyrst , the which maketh thee no better then the Deuyll , no nor than any hipocrite . But this second christian faith , doth geue vnto thee , al that treasure enclosed , and promysed in these wordes of Iesu Christe : Take & eate this is my body . Therefore it is nedefull that the minister of the Church be wel aduised in geuinge thys sacrament to any body , yf he haue not before vnderstande his faith . And by that confession which the Christian hath made in the church , to iudge that he is worthye to eate thys supper , and to be made one bodi with Iesus Christ . This confession is to be had of necessitie , because that sacramentes be ordained for this ende , that they may be witnesses , & also an open confession of our faith . It is expedient that we liue after suche sort in thys mortall lyfe , that we helpe our neyghbour , & that we shuld shew our faith , the which is hid in our hartes , openly by some outwarde token to the Church . That is bi baptisme , & with the supper of the lorde . The gospell must bee confessed openly with our mouth , and for this cause also is this sacrament ordayned , that al the worlde maye knowe that we be Christians : he that vseth not the sacrament of this sort , doth greuously offend hys lord . What shall profit thee this fyrst faith of the hipocrites , when in passing ouer of this worlde , the deuilles shal tempt thee ? if thou shalt saye I beleue that I haue receaued the body of Chryst , because it is so ordayned : In lyke sort wil the deuil say . And I beleue also that thou haste receaued it . This faith will nothinge profit thee , nor yet ease thee of thy troubles . But if thou be instructed in the true fayth : thou shalt aunswere the deuill & say . Ah Satan thou tyraunt , what power haste thou in me ? I am armed in thys sacrament with the merites of Iesu Christ , who is made mine and I am become his : what canst thou do against me ? I do not esteme thee , vse thy force , I do not feare it : my lorde is greater then thou . With thys fayth ought euery one to be armed , not only to passe ouer this lyfe , but also in all parylles whiles we shall here lyue . After thys sort it becommeth a Christian to be instructed , yf this sacrament should profit him . For yf thou hast not thys fayth , although thou hadest al the Priestes of the worlde aboute thee with the Sacrament in theyr handes , it should profit thee nothinge . We reade in the boke of the Kynges , that the people of Israell fyghting with the Philistines , were ouerthrowen , put to flyght , and dispersed . After thys ouerthrowe , the Elders of the people of Israell , gathered them selues together and sayde to them : for thys cause are the Philistines lordes and conquerours in this warre , because the arke of the couenaunte is not 1. Reg. 11 with vs . It was then ordayned that the arke should be brought into the army , of whiche when it came , al the people were glad . The Iewes cryed with greate ioye , thinkinge therby to haue made affrayde the Philistines , triumphinge of victoritie , not yet gotten . The people of Israel being proude for the presence of the arke of the Lord , they beganne battell a freshe with the Philistines , but with great losse and more shame , they were put to flight & ouerthrowen . Howe came this to passe , that the Iewes were thus subdued & euyll handeled ? The arke of the lorde was present , in which they had such confidence , that they thought God to bee present , and that he had there a peculier habitation . Of thys they had no lesse confidence , then hath the hipocrites of this sacrament . Why dyd not God helpe the Iewes : because the Hebrues were voide of faith , thought by the presence of the arke , to haue god to be fauourable . The very selfe same thinge doth come to passe in our times , to such as trust in the outward worke of this sacrament , and be not instructed with the true faith where with a christian ought to be endued . Therefore the deuill hath more power of suche , after thei haue receaued the sacrament , then euer he had before . Let vs then leaue of this illusion , and beleue , that that Christian whiche is partaker of Iesu Christe by faith , doth become of the self same substaunce with his lord . This is that coniunction of the church with Christ , whereof Paule spake saying : that we should encrease Ephe. 11 by all meanes in Chryst , who is the head , whervnto the body fastened & ioyned by euery kind of coniuction , according to the power & mesure of euery part , causeth the body to encrease in edifiyng it self by charitie . Our bodies be membres of Iesu christ , and the habitation of the holye ghost . These benifites be geuen vnto vs , because our lord is ioyned vnto vs both in spirite & in bodi . This coniunction that we haue with Iesu Chryst , can not be declared , with greater prayse then Paul did , when he said , that our fleshe is the fleshe of Christ , and Ephe. v. our bones the bones of him . In no lesse force than was the bones and fleshe of Eua formed of Adam .

Seinge we haue nowe made manyfeste the instruction that ought to be kept when a Christian will vse thys sacrament or supper : It is nowe nedefull to declare what fruite and commoditie we haue of this supper . I saye thys supper doth brynge forth two fruites to a Christian . The fyrst is , that we become after a sort the brethren of Iesu Chryst , and that we be the selfe same substaunce with him . The second fruite is , that we be transfourmed after a sort with oure neighbour , that we become one harte , and one soule with hym . And after this sort al the whole Churche is vnited with Iesus Chryst and in it self . These two fruites be described of Saynct Paule who sayth : The cuppe of blessynge whiche we blesse , is it not the communion of the bloud of Christ ? The bread whiche we breake , is it not the communion of the bodi of Christ ? Because that many be one bread and one body , therefore all we be partakers of one bread , whensoeuer we do eate of thys bread , that wytnesseth that thys meate is common to all beleuers . And seyng that in this sacrament al thinges be common : let vs receaue together that , the whiche Chryste hath wrought for vs . Thys is that commoditie of whiche I haue so often spoken . If the christian haue fayth , and beleue that the body and bloud of the lorde be hys , he hath then Iesu Christ in him with all hys benifites . Thenceforth the hart is meri , reioyseth & triumpheth , trustyng to be saued , not by his owne goodnes , but by the innocent bloud of Iesu Christ . This is to be transfourmed into christ , and to be his body & bloud : for that he taketh vpon him al our miseries , all oure vnhappynes , & al our mishappes . These two thinges be ioyned together , and agree in one , that is the goodnes of Christ and our sinne , that we should be of the same health and strength , if we be one soule with Iesu Christ : what thynge shuld we desire more then that . These and such other like thinges , ought to bee preached and taught the people , when they fall a reasonynge of thys sacrament , for that end , that the christians may vnderstande to geue accompt to the Church of theyr sayth . But ypocrisie hath nowe suche power and force , that the Christians be onely geuen to ceremonyes , the whiche be more supersticious then godly . They vse this sacrament only because it is so ordayned : because they thynke to receaue the bodye of Iesu Christ : there thei stay . And leauyng the true vse of thys sacrament , they haue framed of their owne heades , many other commodities without the warantise of the worde of god . The fyrste commoditie is thys , yf a man heare masse , all day he can haue no harme : If thou haste loste any thynge , or yf thou bee robbed , cause masse to be sayde , and thou shalte fynde thy thinges , and that shal be restored that was robbed . If thou wyll fynde grace in maryage , or bee healed of any dysease , or yf thou wouldeste haue a prosperous iourney , or delyuered from any peryll , cause masse to be sayd of suche or suche a Sainct , vnto whom the wysedome of man hath grauen theyr peculyer office . These be not the commodities of this supper . For it is not intituled that a manne shoulde therby obtayne prosperitie , honour , ryches , and other worldly goodes : but it is principally ordayned for a remembraunce of the lordes death , that we should be vnited to him , neuer to be seperated . There is also an other cause , wherfore this sacrament is ordayned , and that is : that it should be in stede of an erhortation to stirre vs vp to loue and vnitie with our neighbour . For this cause doth the Lord participate his bodye to vs , that he may be wholy vnited to vs , and we ioyned together with hym . And being al ioyned in one misticall bodye , we shoulde be the members one of another . This societe which we ought to haue together , is figured bi the bread and wine whiche be offered in this supper . The bread is made of many cornes , the whiche be after a sorte made one and mingled together , so that the one can not be seperated from the other . Euen so we Chrystians ought to be vnited together with ●●ch charite , that one could not be seperated from another . This vnitie was described of Saint Paule as I haue sayde before : who sayde that all those which were partakers of this holye breade , be one body . The Christian than shall reape a greate profite by this Sacrament , yf he shall be transfourmed into his neyghbour , and doth preferre the wealth , honour , and profite of his neyghbour before his owne . Out of this greate charitie spryngeth these good thoughtes in vs , which can not offende , which can not despyse , nor by any meanes torment our neyghbour . And by that meanes is not Iesu Christ offended , neither torne , nor yet rente in peeces . Therfore we can not be seperated from our neyghbour , but we be also seperated from Iesu Christe : we can not loue our brother , if we loue him not in Iesu Christe . We ought to haue the selfe same care of our neyghbour , as we haue of our selues . We be one the membre of another , and we be altogether the bodye of Iesu Christe , who is the head . Lyke as there is no one part in our carnal body that is hurt , but that all the rest of the members feele smart by the same : Euen so ought we to haue compassion one vpon another , when he is in trouble , and suffereth any sorowe : and our neyghbours busines ought no lesse to be oures , then our owne . This is to be mery with them that be mery , & to sorowe with them that sorowe , and to be disposed with the selfe same mynde one towardes another . These two frutes be at large set forth of S. Augustin , who said : The faithfull do nowe knowe this to be the bodi of Christ , not to despise to be the body of Christ . They become the body of Christ yf they wyll lyue by the spirite of Christ : of the spirite of Christ lyueth nothyng but the body of Christ . Vnderstande this brethren that I haue spoken . Thou art a man and hast a spirit and a body : thy spirite is inuisible , thy body visible . Tell me what lyueth ? liueth the spirite by the bodye , or the bodye through the spirite ? The bodye to conclude lyueth by the spirite . Wylt thou ti 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the spirit of Christ , become Christes body . Tell me , liueth my body by the vertue of thy spirite ? my body liueth by his owne spirite , and thy body by the vertue of thy owne spirite . The bodye of Chryste can not lyue but by the spirite of Christ . Therfore Saint Paule makynge manifest this breade , sayde : we be one bread and one bodye . O Sacrament of Godlynesse , O signe of vnitie , O knot of charitie . What oration either of Demosthenes , or yet of Marcus Cicero , or of any other famous wryter , coulde stirre vp or moue more vehementlye to the loue of our neighbour , than this sacrament moueth ? What prouocation can be more lyuely and sensible then this ? Let all the Oratoures of the worlde come forth and perswade vs to the loue of oure neyghboure with theyr polyshed Orations : Let them vse all the coloures of Khethoricke and all theyr connyng , they shall neuer brynge suche a perswasion as this sacrament doth preache .