The souper of the Lorde wher vnto, that thou mayst be the better prepared and suerlyer enstructed: haue here firste the declaracion of the later parte of the .6. ca. of S. Joha[n], beginninge at the letter C. the fowerth lyne before the crosse, at these wordis: merely were. [et]c wheryn incidently M. Moris letter agenst Johan Frythe is confuted.

The Souper of the Lorde . wher vnto , that thou mayst be the better prepared and suerlyer enstructed : haue here firste the declaracion of the later parte of the .6 . ca. of S. Iohan , beginninge at the letter C. the fowerth lyne before the crosse , at these wordis : Uerely ●ere . &c wheryn incidently M. Moris letter agenst Iohan Fry the is confuted .

Whan Cryste sawe those glotons sekynge theyr be lyes flockinge so fast● vnto hym Aftyr hys wonte maner ( the occasion taken to teche and preche vnto them of the thynge now moued ) he sayde . Ue●ely verely I saye vnto you : ye seke me not because ye haue sene my myracles , but because ye haue eten of the loues and were well sylled● But as for me , I am not comen into thys worlde onely to fill mennis be lyes : but to feed and satysfye their souls . ye take grete paynes to folowe me for the meate of your belyes : but o slougherdis , worke , take paynes and labour rather to get that meate that shall neuer perysshe . For thys meat that ye haue sought of me hytherto , perysheth wyth your belyes : but the meat that I shall geue you is spiritual and may not perysshe but abydeth for euer geuinge lyfe euerlastynge . For my father hath con●eyg●ed and confyrmed me with hys assuered testimony to be that assuered sa●●yng helthe and ernest peny of euerlasting lyfe whan the I we● vnderstode not what Cryste ment bydding them to worke & labour for that meat that shuld neuer peryssh , they asked hym what shal we do that we myght worke the workis of God ? supposynge that he had spoken of some vtwarde worke requyred of thē● wherfore Iesus answerde sayng . Euen thys is the worke of God , ●o beleue and truste in hym whom the father hath sent . Lo , here maye ye se that worke of God whyche he requyreth of vs euen to beleue in Cryste . Also consyder agen what this meate is , whiche badde them here prepare & seke for sayng : worke , take paynes & seke for that meat &c. and thou shalt se it no nother meate then the beleif in Criste wherfore he concludeth that this meat so oft men c●oued , is faithe : of the whiche meate saith the Prohet the iuste lyueth . Abacuk , ●● Faith in him is therefore the meat whiche Cryste prepareth & dresseth so purely : powldering & spycyng it with spiritual allegoryes in al this chap●●er folowinge to geue vs euerlasting lyfe thorow it .

¶ Then sayd the ●ues vnto him● what token do●t thou wherby we might knowe that we shulde beleue in the ? Do some what that we might beleue the ? what thinge workest the● that we might knowe the to be god ? Thou knowest wel ynoughe that our fathers did e●e drede or Manna in the deserte as it is wrytē● he gaue them brede frome aboue Iesus answered Uerely verely I saye vnto you : Psal. 7. Moses gaue ye not that brede frome heuen : for thoughe it fil down frome the ayer : yet was it not heuenly fode , for it did but fede the belly . But this brede of god that is descenden frome heuen whom my father geueth , refressheth the ●oule so abundantly that it geueth ly●e vnto the wor●de● whan the ●wes vnderstode not this saynge . whiche was not els then the declaring of the gospel ) for by the etinge of this brede he ment the beleif of this his gospel ) : they sayd . Sir geue vs this brede euermore . Iesus sayd vnto them . I am the brede of lyue , and who so come to me , ●●al not honger : and who so beleue in me shal neuer thri●●e . whan the ●wes herde Cryste saye the brede that descended from heuen sh●●de geue lyfe to the worlde : they desye●d to haue this brede gyuen them for euer . And Iesus percey●ing that they vnderstod not the sence of this gospel , he expowned them who was this so lyuely brede that geueth lyfe to al the worlde sayng : I am the brede of lyfe , & who so come to me , that is to saye , who so is gryffed & ioyned to me by fayth shal neuer honger , that is , who so beleue in me is satisfyed . It is faith therfore that stancheth this honger and thirste of the soule . Fayth it is therfore in Crist that filleth our hongerye hartis , so that we can desyre no nother yf we once thus eat and drynke hym by faythe , that is to saye , yf we beleue hys flesshe & bodi to haue ben broken and his blood shed for our synnes . For then a● ou● soulis satisfyed and we be iustified .

¶ Ouer this it folowith . But I haue tolde ye this because ye loke vpon me & beleue me not that is , ye be offended that I sayed , he that cometh to me shal nether honger nor thirste , seyng that your selues being present , be yet bothe hongry & thirste . But this cometh because ye haue sene me with your bodelye eyes , & ye see me & beleue not in me . But I speke not of suche syght nor comyng : but of the lyght of fai●he , whiche who so hath , he shal no nother desyer he shal not seke by night to loue a nother before whom he wolde laye his greif : he shal not run wandering here & there to seke dede stockis & stones . For he is certifyed by hys fayth to whom he shal cleaue : he is coupled by faithe vnto me his very spouse & lyuely food the onely tresure of his soule neuer more to thirste for any other . This lyght of faith ye haue not , for ye beleue not nor truste in me : wherfore ye vnderstande not how I am the veri bred & meate of youre soulis , that is to saye , your fayth and hope . And the cause of thys your blyndenes is ( I wyl not saie ouer hardly to you ) that the father hath not drawne you into the knowlege of me , or els ye had receyued me . For all that the father geueth me , muste c●me vnto me . And as for me , I caste out noman that cometh to me . For I am not comen downe from heuen to do my wyl , whiche ye attribute vnto me as vnto eche any other man , for I am verely a very man : and accordyng to that nature I haue a special proper wyl : but miche more obedient to my father than one of you For youre wyll of●e resisteth & repugneth gods wyl , but so do myne neuer . I am therfore comen downe to do his wil that hath sent me . And to do ye to we●e what his wyll is . This ( I saye ) is my fathers wyll that hathe sent me . That of all that he hath geuen me , I leese non : but muste rease him vp agayn in the laste daye : & to be playne . This is his wyll that sent me That who so se that is knowe the sone and beleue in hym , he must haue lyfe euerlasting : & I shall stere hym vp in the laste day . Here may ye se what meat he speketh of . God sent his sonne into thys worlde that we myght lyue thorow h●m . who lyueth by hym ? they that eat his flesshe & drynke his blood . who eat his fl●sshe & drynke hys blood ? thei that beleue his body crucifyed and his blood shed for theyr synnes , these cleaue vnto his gracious fauour . But how coud thei cleaue thus vnto him except thei knew hy● ? And therfore he hadded sayng : Euery man that seith the sonne● that is to saye , vnderstandeth wherfore the sonne was sent into this worlde & bel●ueth in him , shal haue euerlastynge lyfe .

¶ Here it pered to the carnall iwes that Cri●te had taken to myche vpon himselfe to saye : The ca●se ●f the iwes murmur . I am the brede of lyfe , whiche am comen downe frome heuen to geue lyfe to the worlde wherfore the flesshe , that is to saye the iwes now murmured , & not merueled ( as M. More seweth hys owne dreme to a nother texte folowynge whiche I shal touche anon ) they murmured at this sayng of Cryste . I am the brede which am comen from heuen , sayng . Is not this Iesus Iosephs sonne whose father & mothe● we knowe well ynoughe ? How then sayth he , I am conen from heuen ? Iesus answered saing Murmur not among your selues . Herd ye not what I told ye euen nowe ? All that my father geueth me , come to me ? your vnbeleif , wherof foloweth this false vnderstanding of my wordis spiritually spoken compelleth me to tell ye one thyng more then once or twyse . This therfore it is : Noman maye come to me th onely ernest penye and pledge of your saluacion onlesse my Father that sent me drawe him : and whom he draweth vnto me , that is ioyneth vnto me by faith , him shal I stere vp in the laste daye . I wonder ye take my wordis so strangelye beleuing the● to be some harde rydels or derke parables , when I say nothinge els then is wry●en in your owne prophe●is , Isam . 54. bothe in Isaye & Ieremye , Iere. 31. sayng that all shal be taught off the lorde . Sith euen your prophetis testifye thys knowlege to be geuen ye of my father : what can be spoken more playnly then to saye : what my father geueth me , that cometh to me ? or this , noman may come to me , excep●e my father drawe him : & yet haue it more manifestly . who so haue herde my father and is lerned of him , he cometh to me as vnto the very onely ancore of his saluacion . Heb. 6. Not that any man hath sene the father , leste peraduenture ye mistake these wordis to here & to lerne , as thoughe they perteyned to the vtwarde sensis , and not rather to the mynde and inwarde illumininge of the soule . For noman euer sawe the father althoughe he worketh secretely vpon his hearte , so that what so euer he willeth , we muste hear & lerne , Noman ( I saye ) seith him , but he that is sent of God , as I sayde before of my selfe , he it is that seith the father . Now therfore say I vnto you so verely verely as playnely playnly . That who so beleue & truste in me , he hath lyfe euerlastinge . Now haue ye the some of this my doctrine , euen my very gospel the wholl tale of al my legacye and message wherfore I am sent in to the worlde . Had M. More haue vnderstande this shorte sentence , who so beleue in me hathe lyfe euerlastynge , and knowne what Paule with the other apostles preched : especially Paule being a pere and an halfe amonge the Corinths , determi●inge not nether presuminge not to haue knowne anye other thinge to be preched them ( as him selfe saythe ) then Iesus Cryste , and that he was crucyfyed . Had M. More vnderstod this pointe . he shulde neuer haue thus blasphemed Cryste and his sufficient scryptures , 1. Cor. 2. nother haue so belyed hys eu●ngelistis and holy apostles , as to saye , they wrote not al thinges necessary for our saluacion , but lefte out thinges of necessite to be beleued , makynge gods holy testament insufficient and vnperfite : firste reueled vnto our fathers w●iten eft sente by Moses , and then by his prophets , and at laste wryten bothe by his holy euangelestis and apostles to .

But turne we to Iohan ageyn and let More mocke stil and lye to . I am the brede of lyfe saith Cryste . And noman denyeth that our fathers and elders dyd ete Manna in the deserte , & yet ar thei dede . But he that eteth of this brede● that is to saye beleuethe in me , he hathe lyfe euerlastynge . For it is I that am this lyuely brede whiche am commen from heuen , of whom who so ete by faithe , shal neuer dye . Here therfore it is to be noted diligently that Cryste meaneth , as euery man may se , by the etinge of this brede non other thinge then the beleif in him selfe offred vp for our sinnes : whiche faithe onely iustifyethe vs : which sentence to declare more playnely , and that he wolde haue it noted more diligently , he repeteth it yet age● ne sayng . It is I that am the lyuely brede , which am comen downe from heuen : who so eteth of this brede , shall lyue euerlastinge . And to put ye clere out of doute , I shal shewe you in few wordis , what this mater is , and by what wayes I muste be the sauiour and redemer of the worlde to geue it this lyfe so ofte reherced . And therfore now take good heed . This brede which I speke of so myche , and shall geue it you : It is myn own f●esshe whiche I muste laye forthe and paye for the lyfe of the worlde . Here is it now manifest , that he shuld suffer dethe in his owne flesshe for our redempcion to geue vs this lyfe euerlastinge , Thus now may ye se how Cristis flessh , whiche he called brede , is the spirituall food & meate of our soulis . When our soulis by faith see god the father not to haue spared his onlye so dere beloued sonne but to haue deliuered hym to suffer that ignominious and so paynfull dethe to restore vs to lyfe , then haue we e●en his flesshe and dronke his blood , assuered fermely of the fauour of God , satisfyed and certefyed of our saluacion .

¶ Aftyr this communicacion , that he sayd . The brede whiche I shal geue you , is my flesshe , whiche I shall paye for the lyfe of the worlde : ye● were the carnall iwes neuer the wyser . For their vnbeleif and stourdy hatered wold not suffer the very spiritual sence & mynde of Crystis wordis to enter into their hertis . Thei coulde not see that Crystis flesshe broken and crucifyed , & not bodely eaten , shuld be our saluacion , and this spiritual meat : as our soules to be fed and certifyed of the mercy of God & forgeuenes of our synnes thorow his passion , and not for any ea●inge of his flesshe withe our tethe . The more ignoraunt therfore and flesshly they were the more fyerce were they ful of indignacion stryuinge one agenst a nother sayng . How may this felow geue vs his fless● to ete it ? Thei stoke fast yet in his fleshe before their eyes : these flesshely , ●wes wherfore no meruel thoughe they aborred the bodely etinge therof : although our flesshely papistis being of the iwes carnall opinion , yet aborre it not , nether ceasse thei dayly to crucifye and offer him vp agen whyche was once for euer & al o●●ered as Paule testifyeth . ●●br . 10. And euen here , sythe Cryste came to teche , to take a waye all doute , and to breke stryfe , he myght , hys wordis otherwyse declared then he hath declared and wyl heraftyr expowne them , haue soluted theyr question : sayng , yf he had so ment as More meanethe , that he wolde haue bene conuayed & conuerted , as oure iuggelers sleyghly can cōuay● hym wyth a fewe wordis , into a syngynge lofe orels , as the thomisticall papistis saye , bene inuisyble wythe al hys dymencioned body vnder the forme of brede transsubstauncyated into it● And aftyr a lyke thomysticall mystery , the wyne transsubstancyated to , into hys blood : so that they shulde eate hys flesshe & drynke his blood aftyr their owne carnal vnderstandyng , but yet in a nother forme , to put awaye al gruge of stomach● Or sith saynt Iohan , yf he had thus vnderstod hys masters mynde , and toke vpon hym to wrytte hys wordis , wolde leue thys sermon vnto the world to be redde : he myght now haue delyuered vs and them from thys doute . but Cryste wolde not so satisfye theyr questyon : but answerde . Uerely verely I saye vnto you : except ye ete the flesshe of the sonne of man and drynk hys blood , ye shal not haue that lyfe in youre selues . He that eteth my flesshe & drynketh my blood , hath lyfe euerlastynge : and I shall stere hym vp in the laste daye : for my flesshe is very meat & my blood the very drynke . He saythe not here that brede shal be transsubstanc●a●ed or conuerted into hys body , nor yet the wyne into hys blood : but now conferre thy● saynge to hys purp●s at the begynnynge where he bad them worke for that meate that shuld neuer perysshe : tellinge them , that to beleue in him whom God hath sente , was the works of God . and whoso beleueth in him shuld neuer thirste nor h●nger , but haue lyfe euerlastinge . Conferre also this that foloweth and thou shalt se it playne that his wordis be vnderstanden spiritually of the beleyfe in hys flesshe crucyfyed and his blood shede , for whych beleif we be promysed euerlasting lyfe : himself sayng who so beleueth in me hath lyfe euerlastynge . Here therfore their question , how maye this man geue vs hys flesshe to ete it , is soluted : euen when he gaue his bodye to be broken and his blood to be shed . And we ete & drynke it in dede , when we beleue stedfastly that he dyed for the remission of our synnes : Austen and Tertulliane to witnesse .

¶ But here maketh More hys argument agen●te the yonge man . Because the iwes merueled at this sayng : M● flesshe is very meate , and my blood drynke . And not at thys : I am the dore and the very vyne , therfore this texte ( sayth he ) My flesshe &c. muste be vnderstanden aftyr the litterall sence , that is to wytte euen as the carnall iwes vnderstode it , murmuryng at it being off●nded goyng ther ways from Cryste , for theyr so carnall understanding therof . And the to ther textis . I am the dore . &c. muste be vnderstanden in an allegorye and spirituall sence , because his hearers merueled nothinge at the maner of the speche lo crysten reder , her hast thou not a taste : but a gret tū●c full of Moris myscheif & perniciouse peruertinge of Goddes holy worde : and as thou seist him here falsely & pestelently destroye the pure sence in Goddes worde , so dothe he in al other placis of hys bokis . Firste where he saythe they maru●led at this Cristis sayng . My flesshe is very meat &c. that is not so , nether is there any siche worde in the texte , e●cepte More wyll expowne Murmurabant , id est , mirabant , they murmured , that is to saye , they meru●led , as he expowneth . O portet , id est , expedit et conuenit . He muste dye , or it behoueth him to dye , that is to saye , it was expedient & of good congruence that he shulde dye , &c. Thus this poet maye make a man to signifye an asse and blak whyght to blere the symple eyes ? ●oris 〈◊〉 reson ●ōfuted But yet for his lordely plesure , let vs graunte hym that they murmured is as myche to saye as they merueled : because perchaunce the one may folowe at the to ther. And then do I aske hym : whether Cristes disciples & his apostels herd him not , and vnderstode him not when he sayde . I am the dore and the vyne : and when he said My flesshe &c. yf he say no or nay then scripture is playn agenst him . Io. 6.10.15 yf he saye ye or yisse . Then yet do I aske hym whether his disciples and apostles thus hearynge and vnderstandinge his wordes in al these . 3 , sayd chapiters wonderd and marueled ( as More sayth ) or murmured ( as hath the texte ) at their masters speche : what thynke ye More muste answer here ? here may ye se whother this olde holy vpholder of the popis chirche is brought : euen to be taken in his owne trappe . For the disciples & his apostles nether murmured nor merueled , nor yet were not offended wyth this their master Crystes wordis and maner of speche : for thei were well aqueaynted wyth siche phrases : and answerd theyr master Cryst when he asked them , wyll ye go hence fro me to ? Lorde sayd they to whom shal we go ? thou haste the wordis of euerlastynge lyfe : and we beleue that thou art Cryste the sonne of the lyuyng God . Lo M. More , they nether me●ueled nor murmured . & why ? For because as ye saye they vnderstode yt in an allegory sence , & perceyued well that he ment not of hys materiall body to be eaten wythe their tethe , but he ment it of hym selfe to be beleued , to be very God & very man hauyng flesshe and blode as they had and yet was he the sonne of the lyuynge God , Thys beleyf gatherd they of all hys spirituall sayngi● as hym selfe expowned hys own wordis sayng . My flesshe profiteth nothing , meanyng to be eaten , but it is the spirit that geueth thys lyfe . And the wordis that I speke vnto you ar spirit and life : so that whoso beleue my flesshe to ●e crucyfyed and broken , and my blood to be shede for hys synnes , he eateth my flesshe and drynketh my blood , and hathe lyfe euerlastynge . And thys is the lyfe wher wyth the rightwyse lyue the euen be faithe . Abac. 2.

The secounde argument of More .

¶ Aftyr this texte thus wyselye proued to be vnderstanden in the lyterall se●ce wyth the carnall iwes , and not in the Allegoryke or spirituall sence wyth Cryste and hys Apostles : The hole some of Moris confutacyon of the yonge man standeth vpon thys argument . A Posse ad Esse . That is to wytte , God maye do it , ergo it is done . God maye make his body in many , or in all places at once , ergo it is in many or in all places at once . which maner of argumentacion , how false and naught it is euery sophister , & euery man that hath wit perceyueth . ●he cōfu●cion of 〈◊〉 . 2. argu●ent . A lyke iugement : God may shew More the trouthe and call hym to repentaunce as he did Paule for persecutinge his chirche : ergo More is conuerted to God ? Or , God may let him runne of an indurate hert with Pharao and at laste take an open and soden vengance vpon him for persecutinge his worde & burninge his pore members : ergo it is done all redy ? M. More must first proue it vs by expresse wordis of holy scripture , and not by his owne vnwryten dremes , that Cry●tis bodye is in many placis or in all placis at once : & then , thoughe our reason cannot reche it , yet our faith mesured and directed with the worde of faith will bothe reche it , receyue it , & holde it faste●● : not because it is possible to God , and impossible to reson : but because the wryten worde of our faith sayth it But when we rede gods worde in mo than x.x. places contrary , that his bo●y shulde be here . More muste geue vs leue to beleue his vnwryten vanites , verites I shulde saye , at laysour , Here maist thou se Crysten reder wherfore More wolde so fayne make the beleue . That th apostles left aught vnwryten of necessite to be beleued euen to stablesshe the popis kingdom whiche standeth of Moris vnwryten vanites . as of the presence of Crystis body and making therof in the brede , of purgatory , of inuocacion of sayntes , worshiping of stones and stockis , pylgrimagis , halowing of vowes and bellys and crepyng to the crosse &c. If ye wyll beleue what so euer More can fay●e wythoute the scripture , then can thys poet fayne ye a nother chyrche then Crystis & that , ye muste beleue it what so euer it teche you , for he hath fayned to that it can not erre , thoughe ye se it ●rre & fyght ag●nst it selfe a thousande tymes . ye yf it tell ye blak is whighte , good is badde , and the deuel is god : yet muste ye beleue it , orels be burned as heretyks● but let vs retourne to our propose .

¶ To dispute of Gods almighty absolute powr , w●at God maye do wyth hys body , it is grete foly and no lesse presumpcion to More , syth the pope whyche is no hole god but halfe a god by theyr own decrees haue decreed noman to dispute of hys power . But Crysten reder , be thou content to knowe that gods will , his worde , and his power be all one and repugne not And nether wylleth he , nor may not do any thynge includyng repugnance , imperfeccion , or that shulde derogate myness● or hurte hys glory and hys n●me . The glory of hys godh●d is to be present & to fyll all pl●c●s at once essencyally presently wyth hys almyghty power , whyche glory is denyed to any other creature , hym selfe sayng by hys Prophete : I wyll not geue my glorye to any other creature : Isa. 4 2. nowe therfore sithe hys manhed is a creature , it cannot haue thys glory whyche onely is appropryed to the godhed . To attrybute to hys man●ed that property whych onely is appropried to his godhed is to confounde bothe the natures of Cryste● what thynge so euer , is euery where ●f●yr the sayd maner , that muste nedis he infinite , wyth oute begynnynge and ende , it muste be one alone , and almyghty : whych propertys onely ar appropryed vnto the gloriouse maiestye of the godhed . wherfore Crystis body maye not be in al or in many places at once . Cryste hymselfe saynge as concernyng his manhed : He is lesse then the father , ●oā . 14. but as touchyng hys godhed , the father and I be bothe one thyng . ●oā . 10. and Paule rec●tyng the Psal affirmeth : ●ebr. 2. Cryste as concernyng his manhed to be lesse than god : or less● then angellis as some te●te hathe it : Here is it playne that all thyngis that More ymagineth and fayneth are not possible to God , for it is not possible for God to make a creature egall vnto hymselfe , ●or it includeth repugnaunce & derogateth his glorye . God promysed and swore that all nacions shulde be blessed in the dethe of that promysed sede whyche was Cryste God had determyneth and decreed it befor the worlde was made : ergo Cryste muste nedis haue dyed , and not to expowne thys worde oportet as More mynseth it . For it was so necessary that the contrary was impossible : except More wolde make God a lyer , whyche is impossible . Paule concludeth that Cryste muste nedys haue dyed , ●eb . 9. vsynge thys latyn terme Necesse . Sayng : wherso euer is a testement , there muste the dethe of the testement maker go betw●ne : or els the testement is not ratyfyed and suer but ryghtuosnes & remyssion of sinnes in Crystis blood is hys new testement , where of he is mediatour : Ergo the ●estament maker muste nedis haue dyed . wreste not therfore ( M. More ) thys worde Oportet ( thoughe ye fynde potest for oportet in some ●orrupt copye ) vnto your vnsauery sence . but let oportm signifye● he must or it behoueth hym to dye . for he toke our very mortall nature for the same decreed couns●l : hymself sayng . Io. 2. & . 12 Oportet exaltari filium hominis &c. It behoueth , or the sonne of man must dye , that euery one that beleue in hym perysshe not &c. Here may ye se also that it is impossible for God to breke hys promyse . It is impossible to God whyche is that verite to be fownde contrary in hys dedis and wordis : as to saue them whom he hathe dampned , or to dampne them whom he hathe saued , wherfore all thinges imagyned of Moris brayne ar not possible to God .

And when More sayth , that Chris●e had powr to let hys lyfe and to take it agayn , and therfore not to haue dyed of necessite : I wonder me , that hys scollematter here fayled hym , so conynge as he maketh hym selfe theryn : which graunteth and affirmeth ( as trwe it is ) that wythe the necessary decreed workis of gods forsyght and prouidence standeth ryght wel hys fre lybertie . But M. More sayth at laste , If God wolde tell me that he wolde make eche of bothe their bodyes too ( meanynge the yonge mannys body and Christis ) to be in fyften placis at once , I wolde beleue hym I , that he were able to make hys worde trewe in the bodyes of both twayn , and neuer wolde I so myche as aske hym whyther he wolde gloryfye them bothe first or not : but I am suer gloryfyed or vnglorifyed , if he sayd it , he is able to do it . Lo here may ye se what a feruent faythe thys olde man hathe , and what an ernest mynde to beleue Christis wordis if he had tolde him : but I praye ye M. More , what and yf Cryste neuer tolde it you , nor sayd it nor neuer wolde : wolde ye not be as hasty to not beleue it ? yf he tolde it you : I pray ye tel vs wher ye speke wyth hym , and who was by to bere ye recorde : & yet yf ye brynge as false a shrewe as your self to testifye this thing : yet by your owne doctryne , must ye make vs a myracle to confyrme your t●le , ere we be bownde to beleue you : or yet to admit this your argument , God may make his body in many placis at once , erg● it is so . Syr ye be to besy with gods almighty powr●● haue taken to grete a burden vpon your weke shuldern , ye haue ouerladen your self with youre own ●arnes and weapens : & yonge Dauid is lykely to preuayle agenste ye wyth hys s●ynge & stone . God hath infatuaded your highe subtyl wysedome● your crafty conuayance is spyed . God hath sent your chyrche a met ko●●r for siche a cuppe , euen siche a defender as ye take vpon your selfe to be , that shal let all their wholl cause fall flatte in the myer vnto bothe your shames and vtter confusion . God therfore be praysed euer Amen .

¶ Then sayth M. More , thoughe it semeth repugnant both to him and to me , one body to be in two placis at once : yet God seith howe to make them stonde to gither well ynough . Thys man with his olde eyen and spectacles seithe farre in goddis syght , and is of his pre●ey counsell : that knoweth belyke by some secrete reuelacion how god seyth one body to be in many placis at once , includeth no repugnance . For worde hathe he no● for hym in all scripture nomore then one body to be in all placis at once . It impllyeth first repugnance to my syght and reason , that al this worlde shulde be made of nothing : and that a virgen shulde bring forth a chylde . But yet● when I se it wryten with the wordis of my faithe , which God spake : and brought it so to pas : then implieth it no repugnance to me at all . For my faithe ●echeth it and receyueth it stedfastly . For I knowe the voyce of my herdeman : which if he sayd in any place of scripture that his bodye shuld haue bene contayned vnder the forme of brede and so in many placis at once here● in erthe , and also abydinge yet still in heauen to . Uerely I wolde haue beleued him I , as soone and as fermely as . M. More . And therfore euen yet , if he can shewe vs but one sentence truly taken for his parte , as we can do many for the contrary , we muste geue place . For , as for his vnwryten verites , & thaustorite of his anticristen sy●agoge , vnto whiche ( the scripture forsaken ) he is now at laste with shame ynough● compelled to flee : thei be prouede starke lyes and very deuelrye .

¶ Then saith he● that ye wote well that many good folke haue vsed in this mater manygood frutefuull exsamples of gods other workis : not onely myracles , wryten in scripture . vnde versus ? ( where one I praye ye ? ) but also done by the comen course of nature hearein erthe . ( if they be done by the comen course of nature : so be thei no miracles ) And some thingis made also by mannis hande . As one ●ace beholden in dyue●se glasses : and in euery pese of one glasse broke into twenty &c. Lorde how this po●ti●icall poe●e playeth his parte . Because ( as he sayth ) we se many facis in manye glasses : therfore maye one body be in many placis , as thoughe euery shadew and similitude representinge the bodye , wer a bodely substance . But I aske More , when he seith his owne face in so mani glasses , whither al those faces that apere in the glasses be his owne very facis hauinge bodely substance skynne flesshe & bonne , as hathe that face , whiche hath his very mouthe nose yen &c. wherwith he faceth vs oute the trouthe thus falsely with lyes ? and if thei be all his very faces : then in very dede there is one body in many placis , and he himselfe barethe as many faces in one hoode . But acordinge to his purpose , euen as they be no very faces , nor those so mani voyces , sownes , and similitudes multiplied in the ayer betwene the glasse or other obiecte and the body ( as the philosopher proueth by naturall reson ) be no very bodyes : no more is it Crystis very bodye : as thei wolde make the beleue in the brede in so ●any places at once . But the brede broken and eaten in the souper monessheth & putteth vs in remembrance of his dethe , and so exciteth vs to thankis geuing to laude and prease : for the benefit of our redempcion . and thus we there haue Cryste present in the inwarde eye and sight of our faithe . we ete hys body ● drinke his blode , that is , we beleue suerly that his bodi was crucified for our sinnes and his blood shed for our saluacion .

¶ At laste , note , Cristen reder , That M. More in the 3 boke of his confutacion of tyndall the 249 syde , to proue S. Iohnns gospel vnperfit and insufficient for leuinge out of so necessary a poynt of our faithe , as he callethe the laste souper of Criste hys maundye : saythe that Iohn spake nothynge at al of this sacrament . And now see agayn in these his letters agenst ●●rythe , how him selfe bryngethe in Iohn the 6 cap. to impugne frythes wrytinge , and to make all for the sacrament , euen thus , My flesshe is verely mete , and my bloode drynke . belyke the man had there ouershette himselfe ●owle , the yonge man here causyng him to put on his spectacles and poore better and more wysshely with his olde eyen vpon saynt Iohnns gospell to fynde that thinge there nowe wryten , whyche before he wolde haue made one of his vnwryten verites . As yet yf he loke narowly he shall espye that hymselfe hathe proued vs by scripture , in the 37 leaf of his dialoge of quod he a●d quod I● our ladys perpetual virginite expowninge non cognosco , id est● , non cognoscam , whiche now writen vnwrytten verite he nowmbereth a lytel before emonge his vnwryten vanites . Thus may ye se how this olde holy vpholder of the popis chirch , his wordis ●ight agenst themselfe into his owne confusion , in fyndinge vs forthe his vnwryten wryten vanites verites I shulde saie . But returne we vnto th exposicion of S. Iohn .

¶ whan the iwes wolde not vnderstande this spirituall sayng of the eti●ge of Cristis flesshe and drynkinge of his blood , so oft and so playnely declared : he gaue them a stronge strype and made them more blynde , for thei so deserued it ( siche are the secret iudgements of god ) addinge vnto all his s●yngis thus . who so e●e my flesshe and drynke my blode : abydeth in me and I in him . These wordis were spoken vnto these vnbeleuers into theyr farther obstinacion , but vnto the faythfull for theyr better instruccion . Now gather of this the contrary . and saye , whoso eteth not my flesshe and drinketh not my bloode : a bydeth not in me , nor I in him , and ioyn this to that forsayd sentence E●cept ye eat the flesshe of the sonne of man , and drynke his bloode , ●bac . 2. ye haue no lyfe in you , let it neuer fal fro thy mynde Christen reder , that faythe is the lyfe of the ryghtwyse , & that Christe is this lyuynge bred whome thou etest that is to saye , in whom thou beleuest . For yf our papistis take eting & drinking here bodely , as to eate the naturall body of Criste vnder the form of brede and to drinke his bloode vnder the forme of wyne : then muste al yong● chyldren that neuer came at Godes borde departed , and all laye men that neuer dranke hys blode be dampned● ● . Ioh. 4. By loue we abyde in God and he in vs● loue foloweth fayth in the ordyr of our vnderstandinge and not in order of succession of tyme , yf thou lokest vpon the selfe giftis and not of their fruites . So that princypally by faythe wherby we cleue to gods goodnes and mercy , we abyde in God , and God in vs , as declare his wordis folowing , sayng , as the lyuing father sent me , so lyue I by my father . And euen so he that eatethe shall lyue because of me , or for my sake . My father sent me whose wyl in all thynges I obaye , for I am his sonne . And euen so verely muste they that e●e me , that is beleue in me , forme and fasshion them aftir my ensample mortifyng their flesshe and changyng theyr lyuynge : olers thei eat my in vayne and dessemble theyr beleif . For I am not comen to redeme the worlde onely , but also to change theyr lyfe . They therfore that beleue in me shall transforme theyr lyfe aftyr my example and doctryne , Cristen lygion● fayth , a● a lyfe c●●respōde● and not aftyr any mannys tradicions . This is the brede to men frome heuen , as th effecte selfe declareth , whom whoso eteth shall lyue euer . But he that e●●th bodely brede lyueth not euer , as ye may se of your fathers that e it Manna , and yet ar they dede . It is not therfore no materiall brede nor bodely food that may geue you lyfe eternall .

¶ These wordis did not onely offende them that hated Cryst , but also some of hys discyples ( they where offended sayd the texte and not merueled as , More tryfleth oute the trouth ) whyche sayd Thys is an harde sayng . who maye here thys ? These discyples yet stoke no lesse in Crystis visyble flesshe , and in the barke of hys wordis , them did the other iwes : & as do now More , belyuyng hym to haue had spoken of hys naturall body to be eaten wyth their tethe . whyche offence Chryst seyng , sayd : Do thys offende ye ? what then wyll ye saye , if ye se the sone of man ascende thyther wher he was before ? If it offende ye to ete my flesshe whyle I am here , it shall myche more offende ye to ete it whan me body shal be gone oute of your syght ascended into heuen there syttyng on the ryght honde of my father vntyll I come ageyn as I went , that is to iugement . Here myght Cryst haue enstructed hys disciples the trouthe af the etinge of hys flesshe in forme of brede , had thys been his meaninge . For he left thē●euer in any perplexite or doute : but sought all the wayes by similitudes and familiare examples to teche thes playnely . He neuer spake them so harde a parable , but where he perceyued their feble ignorance , a non he helpt them and declared it them . ye & some tymes , he preuented theire askinge with his owne declaration , and thinke ye not that he did not so here ? yisse verelye . For he cam to teche vs , and not to leue vs in any doute and ignorance , especially in the chefe poynt of our saluacion , whiche standethe in the beleif in his dethe for our synnes . Wher for , to put them out of all dout as concerning this etinge of hys flesshe , and drinkinge of his blood , that shulde geue euerlastinge lyfe : where thei toke it for his very body to be eten with their tethe : he sayd , It is the spirit that geueth this lyfe , My flesshe profiteth nothing at all , to be eten as ye mean so carnally . It is spirituall meat that I here speke of . It is my spirit that draweth the hertis of men to me by faith and so refressheth them gostely , ye be therfore carnall to thinke that I , speke of my flesshe to be eten bodely , for so it profitethe you nothing at al. How longe wyl ye be without vnderstandinge ? It is my spirit I tell you that geueth lyfe , My fleshe profiteth you nothinge to eat it : but to beleue that it shal be crucifyed and suffer for the redempcion of the worlde it profyteth , And when ye thus beleue , then ete ye my flesshe & drinke my blood , that is ye beleue in me to suffer for your synnes . The verite hathe spoken these wordis My flesshe profiteth nothing at all : it cannot therfore be false . For bothe the iwes and his disciples murmured and disputed of his flesshe how it shulde be eaten , and not of the offering therof for our synnes as cryste ment . This therfore is the suer ancor to holde vs by agenst all the obieccions of the papists for the eting of Cristes bodye as they say in forme of breade . Cryste sayd My flesshe profyteth nothing : meaning to ete it bodely . This is the keye that solueth all their argumentis & openeth the waye to shew vs al their false and abominable blasphemous lyes vpon Cristis wordis , & vttereth their sleighe iuggelynge ouer the brede to mayntayn anticrystes kyngdom ther with . And thus when Criste had declared it and taught them that it was not the bodely eatinge of his material body : but the eating with the spirit of faithe : he added sayng . The wordis which I here speke vnto you ar spirit , and lyfe . that is to saye , this mater that I here haue spoken of with so many words must be spiritually vnderstanden to gyue ye this lyfe euerlasting . wherfore the cause why ye vnderstande me not is . that ye beleue not . Here is lo the conclusion of all this sermon . Cryste very God and man , had set his flesshe before them to be receyued with faithe that it shuld be broken and suffer for their synnes , but thei coulde not ete it spiritually because they beleue not in him . wherefore many of his disciples fill from him and walked nomore with him . And then he sayd to the twelue . wyll ye go a waye to ? And Symon Peter answerde : Lorde , to whom shall we go ? Thou haste the wordis of euerlastinge lyfe , and we beleue , and a● suer , that thou art Cryst the sonne of the lyuynge god . Here is it manifest what peter & hys felowes vnderstode by this etinge & drynkinge of Cryste . for they were perfitly taught that it stode all in the beleif in Cryste as their answer her● testifieth . If this mater had stode vpon so depe a myracle , as out papist is fayne with out● any worde of god , not comprehended vnder any of their comon sensis , that they shuld eat his bodye beynge vnder the fourme of bred as longe , depe thycke and as brode as it hanged vpon the crosse , thei beyng yet but feble of fayth not confirmed with the holy goste , muste here nedis haue wondred , stonned and staggerd , and haue ben more inquisy●yue , and of so strange a mater then they were . But thei nether douted nor marueled , nor murmured , nor nothyng offended withe this maner of spethe , as were the other that slipte awaye , but they answerde fermely . Thou haste the wordis of euerlastynge lyfe : and we beleue &c. Now to the exposicon of the wordis of oure lordis souper .

¶ Amonge the holy euangelistis , wrytinge the story of Cristis souper : Iohan , because the other thre had wryten it at large , ●at . 26. dyd but make a mencion therof in hys 13. cap. Matthe● ●ath . 14. Marke and Luke declaryng it clerely , ●uck . 22. orderly and with iuste nowmber of wordis . with whom Paule agreeth , thus wryting vnto the Corynthis . Co. 11● Our lorde Iesus , the same nyght he was betrayed : he toke the brede , and after he had geuen thank●s : he brake it , saynge : Take ye it , eat it . This is my boodye , whiche is for you broken . Here is nowe to be noted the ordyr of this accion or acte . Firste Criste ●oke the brede in his handis , secondarylye he gaue thankis , thirdelye he brake it : The o●●der of t●● accio● . fo●●ertly he raught it them sayng , take it , fyftely he had them eate it . At laste after all this he sayd . This is my bodye whiche is for you broken , this thinge do ye into the rememberance of me . Her ye se , that this breade was firste broken deliuered them , and they were commaunded to eate it to : ere Criste sayde This is my bo●dye . And for because it is to suppose verely , that they toke it at his hande as he bad them , and dyd eat it to , when they had it in their handis , their master ( whose wordis they did euer obaye ) commandinge them . It muste nedis folow ( yf these be the wordes of the consecracion ) that ●hey were houseled with vnconsecrated brede , or els now eaten , or at l●ste wyse parte of it , ere Cryste consecrated it , ye it foloweth that it was oute of Cristis handis and in theyr mouthes when Criste consecrated it , and so to haue consecrated it when it was now in hys disciples handis or in their mouthes or rather in theyr belyes .

Here it is manifest that Cryste consecrated no breade , but delyuered it to his disciples , & ba● them ete it . In somyche that S. Thomas they● owne doctour , that made their transsubstanciacion confesseth that some there were , that sayd that Criste did firste consecrate with w● other wordis , ere he nowe reching the breade to his disciples sayd . This is my bodye . &c. and yet calleth he it no heresye so to saye . Nowe sithe in all this acte and souper , ther be no wordis of consecracion , but of the delyuering of the brede broken after thankis geuyng with a commandement to eat it : brynge vs your wordis of consecracion ? and shew vs by what wordes God promised you & gaue ye pow● to make hys bodye ? Ther is nether commandement , nor yet any wordis lefte in all the scripture to make or to consecrate Christes body , to bringe it into the brede . But ther be the wordis of God lefte in the fyrst cap. of Genesys , wherby he made al the worlde : with which wordis , all be it we yet haue them : yet is it denyed vs to make that thing that he made with them . Now , sith we hauyng his wordis of the creacion , cannot yet make any newe creature of nothyng : how then shall we with out any wordis of consecracion and makinge , make the maker of all thyngis ?

¶ Unto thys accion or souper or delyuerance of the brede , he added a reason and significacion of thys signe or sacrement , and what also is the vse therof : ●he vse ●f the souper as thoughe any shulde aske them theraftir : what sacrement , religion , or ryte is this ? They shulde answer euen in a lyke maner of spech as it was commanded their fathers to make answere to theyr chyldren at the eatyng of the olde passouer wherof this new passouer was the veryte , and that the figure sayng . When your chyldern aske ye what religion is thys ? ye shal answer them . It is the sacrifyce of the passyngby of the lorde &c. Lo here the lambe that signifyed , and did put them in rememberance of that passyngby in Egyp●e ●he Israelitis spared , and the egyptians smyten , was called in lyke phrase the selfe thynge that it represented , signifyed and did put them in remembrance of : No notherwyse then if Chrystes disciples , or any man els , seyng in that souper , the brede taken , thankys geuen , the brede broken distributed & eaten : shulde haue asked hym . what sacrement or religion is thys ? He had to answer them that Christe sayd . This is my bodye whych is for you broken . This thing do ye into the remembrance of me , that is to saye , so ofte as ye celebrate thys souper , geue thankis to me for your redempcion . In whych answere he callethe the vtwarde sensible signe or sacrement , that is the brede wyth all that other accion , euen the same thinge that it sygnifyeth , representeth , and putteth syche eaters of the lordis souper in remembrance of .

For when he sayd , whyche is broken for you , euery one of them sawe that then it was not his body that was ther broken : but the brede : for as yet he had not suffered , but the brede broken was diuided into pesis euery one of the twelue takyng & eatinge a peace before he sayde●●hys is my bodye &c.

¶ Nowe sith M. More wil steke so faste in hys literall sense vpon these wordis . This is my bodye &c. Then do I aske him , what thynge he shewethe vs by this first worde and pronowme demonstratyue Hoc , in englysshe ( this ) ? If he shewe vs the brede : Mo●●terall ●●ce is 〈◊〉 so is the brede Christis bodye , and Christis body the brede , whiche sayng in the literall sense is an hyghe heresye aftir them . And for thys sayng thei ●u●●ned Lorde Cobham . Also I aske whither Cryste speking these wordis This is my bodye &c. had then the brede in his handis wherwith he houseled his disciples or no ? That he had it not , but had now delyuered it them : and had commaunded them to ete it to , the ordyr and wordis or the texte playnly proue it , as is declared before . And S. Marke ●ar . 14. relleth the story also in this ordyr . The Cuppe taken in his handis , aftyr he had geuen thankis , he gaue it them , and thei all dranke therof . And he sayd to them . This is my bloode of the new testament : whiche is shed for many . Here is it manifest that thei had all dronken therof first ere he said the wordis of consecracion ( if they be the wordis of any consecracion . ) Besydis this yet : if ye be so sworne to the litterall sense in this mater , that ye wyl not in these wordes of Cryste . This is my body &c. admitte in so playne a speche no troope ( for Allegorye ther is none , if ye knew the proper difference of them both , whiche euery gramma●ion can teche you ( then do I laye before your olde eyen and spectacles to , Crystes wordis spoken of the Cuppe bothe , in Luke cap. 2●2 . and Paule . 1. Ca 11. sayng . This Cuppe is the newe testament thorow my bloode which is shed for you . Here Cryste calleth the wyne in the cuppe the selfe cuppe which euery man knoweth is not the wyne . Also he calleth the cuppe the newe testament● and yet was not the cuppe , nor yet the wyne contayned theryn the newe testament , and yet he calleth it the newe testament conteigned and confirmed with his blood , here ye se he called not the cuppe his blode but the testament . Where is now your litterall sense that ye wolde so fayne frame for your papisti● plesure ? If ye wyll so sore steke to the letter : why do youre faccion leue here the playne letter : sayng that the letter slayeth : goinge aboute the busshe wyth thys exposicion and circumlocucion , expownyng T●ys is my bodye . that is to saye , This is conuerted and turned into my bodye , and thys brede is transsubstancy ●●ed into my bodye ? How farre lo , M. More is thys your strange thomisticall sence ●rome the statte letter ? If ye be so addi●●e to the letter : why traye ye the comon peple frome the letterall sence wyth thy●●ugge , tellyng them the letter slayeth ? but ther is nether , ●●tter nor spirit that maye brydle and holde your styfe necked headis .

¶ Also ye shall vnderstande that Christe rebuked the iwes . Io. 6. for the●r litteral sence and carnal vnderstandyng of hys spiritual wordis Sayng My flesshe profiteth you nothynge at all to eate it . &c. And their litterall takyng of hys spirituall wordis was the cause of theyr murmure . &c. For euen there , as also lyke in other placis . To ete Crystis flesshe . &c. aftyr the comon phrayse of the scripture , is not els , then to beleue that Cryste suffred dethe , and shede hys blode for vs . Rede ye . 1. Cor●n . 10. To ●●e ●rstis fless● is to beleue in hym . that our fathers all dyd ete the same spyritual meate and dranke the same spirytuall drynke that we nowe ete and drynke ? Here I thinke M. More muste leue hys litteral 〈◊〉 and materiall meat , or els denye Paule , and denye to that our fathers did ete Cryst and dranke hys blode , whyche all here Paule saythe , for to eate and to drynke thys spyrituall meat and drinke , was as himselfe declarethe to eate and drinke Christe . Thei dranke of the stone ( saith Paule ) that went with them . whiche stone was Christe . And we ete and drinke the very same stone . whiche is not els , then to beleue in Christe . Thei beleued in Christ to come and we beleue in hym comen and haue suf●red , where is now thinke ye M. Moris litterall sence for the ●●ing of Christis materiall bodye ? Our fathers were one , and the same chyrche with vs , vnder the same testament and promyse , & euen of the same faithe in Christe , And euen as they eate hym and dranke his bloode euen the same spirituall meat and drynke that we do ete and drinke : so do we now in the same faithe . for what els was signifyed by thys maner of speche our fathers did eate and drinke Chryste , then that they beleued in Christe to be incarnated & to suffer dethe ? what els ment the pore woman of Chanane by eatynge , then to beleue ? when she answerde Christe , saynge . Mat. 15. ye saye sothe my lorde . But yet ●o the lytell whelpis ete of the crummes that fall frome theyr maisters table ? This did she answer in an allegory accordyng to Christis first answer vnto her , she meaning by the etinge of the crummes , the beliefe of his wordis and gospel to be s●atred among the gen●yls as Christe answering , comfirmed hir meaning saing : O woman grete is thy faithe . He sayd not , thou arte a grete eater and deouwere● of brede . Here is it playne that to ete in escr●p●ure is taken to beleue : as Chy●te himself expowneth it Io. 6. so ofte , and so plentuously : and I am here compelled to inculke and iterat it whi●h so many wordis , to satisfye if it were possible this carnall flessh vowerer and flesshely iwe .

¶ Nowe to examyn and to discusse this mater more depely and playnly , I shall compare the olde passouer with the newe and souper of the Lorde . And to shewe ye how the figur●s corresponde theyr verites : I wyll begyn my comparison at Baptysme comparyng it with the lordis souper whyche be the two sacramentis lefte vs now vnder the grace of the gospell . And aftirwarde , to set forthe both these sacramentis playnely , I wyll compare Cyrcumcision with baptysme : and the passe lambe with Crystis souper .

¶ Cy baptysme , as we testyfyed vnto the congregacion our enterynge into the bodye of Criste ( take here Crystis bodye , 1. Co , 10 11 , & . 12. as dothe Paule for his congregacion ) to dye , be buryed , Ro. 6. and to ryse wyth hym , to mortifye our flesshe , Ephe. 4. and to be reuyued in spirit , to caste of the olde man , and to do vpon vs the newe : euen so , by the thankys geuynge ( for so did the olde greke doctours call thys souper ) at Goddis borde , Euchary●stia tāhk●●geuynge● 1. co. 10 . 1● or at the lordis souper ( for so doth Paule call it ) we testifye the vnite and communion of oure hertis , glued vnto the hole bodye of Cryst in loue : ye and that in siche loue as Cryste at thys , hys laste souper expressed : what tyme he sayde , hys bodye shulde be broken and hys blod shede for the remission of our synne ? , And to be short : As baptisme is the badge of oure faythe so is the lordis souper the token of our loue to god and oure neghbours : 1. Tim. ● wher vpon standeth the lawe and prophetis . For the ende of the precepte , is loue out of a pure herte , and good conscience and faith vnfained . So that by Baptisme we be iniciated & conseigned vnto the worship of one god in one faith : And by the same faithe and loue at the lordis souper . we shewe our selues to continew in our possession , to be incorporated and to be the very members of Crystis bodye .

¶ Bothe these sacramentis were fygured in Moses lawe . Baptysme was fygured by circ●ncisyon : and the lordis souper , by the etynge of the passelombe● where lyke as by cyrcuncysion , the people of Israel were rekened to be goddis people , seuerall frome the gentyls : so be we now by baptisme rekened to be : conseigned vnto Crystis chyrche seueral frome iwes paynyms &c. And as their passouer , that is to saye their solempne feste yerely in etynge their passelombe , was an vtwarde token of their perseuerance in their relygion , and in remembrance of theyr passage out of egypte into the londe of Chanaan : ●uc . 22. Cor 5. so is now the etinge of the lordis souper ( whyche Cryst and Paule called our passouer ) a token of our perseuerance in our crysten profession at baptisme : and also thankis geuynge wyth that ioyfull remembrance of our redempcion from synne , dethe , & helle by Crystis dethe . Of the fygure of thys souper , our new passouer : Exo. 12. thus is it wrytten . Aftir ye be entred into that lande whyche the lorde God shal geue you accordyng to thys promyse : ye shal kepe thys ceremony . And when your chyldren aske ye : what relygion is thys ? ye shall answer them . It is the sacryfice of the passyngouere of the lorde , when the lorde passed forebye the houses of the chyldern of Israel in egipte , smyting the gipcians and delyuering our houses . This etinge therfore of the passe lambe was the figure of the lordis souper , which fygure whan the howr was comen that he wolde i● to ceasse & geue place vnto the verite , as the shadewe to vanisshe awaye at the presence of the bodye : He sayde thus● Luc. 22. with a feruent desyer do I longe to eate this passouer with you ere I suffer .

¶ Agene , let vs compare the fygure wyth the trwthe , the olde passouer with the newe , and diligently consyder the properte of spekinge , in and of ether of them . Let vs expende the succession , imitacion , & tyme , howe the newe succeding the olde , the mediatour Criste betwene bothe sittinge at the souper celebratinge bothe with his presens , dyd put out the olde and bryngyng the newe . For ther is in ether of them syche lyke composicion of wordis , siche affinite and proporcion in speche , syche symilitude and propertie in them bothe , the newe so corresponding in all thingis the olde , that the olde declarethe the newe , what it is , wherfore it was instituted , & what is the very vse therof . And to beginne at circuncision the fygure of baptisme . ye shall vnderstande That in sycke rytes and sacraments ther ar two thingis to be consydered , 2. thinges to be consydered in the sacramē●tis . that is to wit . The thinge , and the sygne of the thinge . The thynge is it wherfore the sygne is institued to sygnifye it : as in circuncision , the thinge is the couenant to be of the peple of God and the sygne is , the cuttyng of the foreskinne of the preuey member . In the passouer , the thinge was , the rememberance wyth thankis geuinge for the delyuerance out of the harde ●seruitute of egipt : but the sygne was , the lambe rosted with siche ceremones as were ther prescrybed them . So in baptisme : The thynge is , the promyse to be of the chirche of Cryste : the sygne is , the dippinge into the water withe the holy wordis . In oure Lor●is souper , the very thinge is , Cryste promysed and crucifyed , and of fayth thankis geuinge vnto the father for his sonne geuen to suffer for vs● but the sygne is , the dealyng and distributing or rechinge forth of the bred and wyne , with the holy wordis of our lorde spoken at his sauper , after he had thus dealte the brede and wyne , vnto his disciples .

The syg●e is cal●ed the ●hinge . ¶ And here is it diligently to be noted : That sithe in all these ri●es , ceremones , or sacramentes of God thus institued : these two thynges that is to we●te the thinge sygnyfyed , and the sygne that signifiethe ●e concurrant and inseperable : it ●s ●he comen vse and proper●ye of the spe●he in the scripture , to call the sygne , the thynge , as is circumcision called the cou●nant Euery manchylde muste be cyrcumcysed that my couen●nt myght be in your flesshe for a perpetual bonde . Gen. 17. And yet was it onely but the vtwarde sygne and seal of the couenant , that the sead of Abraham shuld be his especial chosen people , and that he wolde be their God . The lambe , Ero. 12. that was but the sygne , was called the passouer : and yet was not the lambe the passyng ouer , but the sygne onely excitinge & monesshinge them to remember that delyuerance by the angell passynge by the Israelitis in egipt , smyting the gipcians . And sithe this trope or maner of speche the scripture dyd vse wyth so grete grace in the olde rytes and ceremones that figured our sacramentis : why may it not wyth lyke grace , for that analogye & propercongruence of the fygures wythe theyr verites , vse the same phrase and maner of speche in their verites ? Yf the scripture called the sygne the thynge in circumcision and passouer , why shuld we be offended wythe the same speche in our baptisme and in the lordis souper ? sithe siche maner of speche haue no lesse grace and fulnes here then there to brynge the thynge sygnifyed into our hertis by siche vtwarde sensible signes . For when that sygne of circumcision was geuen the chyld : then were they certified ( as an vtward token maye certifye ) that the chylde was of the peple of Israel . And therfore dyd the syg●es them , as they do nowe ●ere the names of the thynges which they signified as the lambe eten in they passouer wa● called the sacrifyce and the selfe passouer , no nother wyse than in our new passouer , that is the lordis souper , the breade broken &c. is called the bodye of Cryste , and the wyne powerd forthe and distributed to eche man , the blood of Cryste , because the brede so broken and dealte signifieth vnto the receyuers and put●eth them in rememberance of the sacrifyce of his bodye one the aulter of the crosse and of his blood powerde forthe for our redempcion . So that this maner of speche in thadministr●cion & vse of the souper of our lorde : to saye This is my bodye , and this is my bloode : is as miche to saye as , This signifyeth my nody , thys sygnifyethe my bloode● whiche souper is here celebrated to put vs in rememberance of Cristes dethe , and to excyte vs to thankis geuinge .

¶ Nether let it not offende the , ● crysten reder , That Est is taken for significat : Est is ta●ē for sig●ificat . that is to saye , This is that , is as miche to saye , as this signifyethe that . For this is a comen maner of speche in many placis of scripture , and also in our mother tonge : as when we se many pictures or images , whiche ye knowe well are but sygnes to represent the bodyes whom they be made lyke : yet we saye of the image of our ladye . This is our ladye . & of . s. Kataryne , this is saynt Kataryne . and yet do they but represent and sygnyfie vs our ladye or saynt Kataryne . And as it is wryten Genesis . 40. ca. The thre branches ar thre dayes . The .3 . baskettes ar .3 . dayes● which was not els but they sygnyfyed thre dayes . Also in the 28. ca. Iacob sayde This stone whiche I haue set vp an ende , shal be goddis house , which stonne yet was neuer gods house , nor neuer shal be : but only did signifye goddis house to be buylded in that same place● Agay● , Pharao dremed to haue sene .7 . fayer fatt oxen , & efte sone .7 . pore lene oxen . whiche Ios●ph expowning sayd : The .7 . fatte oxen ar .7 . plentuouse yeris : and the .7 . lene are 7. deare yeris , in whiche phrase or maner of speche euery man seithe that the oxen were no yeres : but they signif●ed siche yeris . Meruel not therfore thoughe Est lyke wyse in thys sentence : Hoc est corpus meum . be taken for significat , as miche to saye , as this signifyeth my bodye . And yet for because the scriptures conferred togither expowne them selfe as saith S. Austen . And Peter . 2. pe 1. That we haue before a ferme and suer propheticall speche vnto whiche yf ye attende as vnto a lyght set vp in a derke place , ye do wel : I shal shew ye a lyk phrase in Ezechiel where the destruccion of Ierusalem was thus fygured : Eze. 5. God commandinge Ezechiel to take a swerde as sharpe as raser , & shaue of his head and berde , and then take a certayne waight of the hearis deuyded into .3 . partes : of the one , he shulde burne in the myddes of the cyte a nother he shuld cutte rowndabout , and the chirde caste it vp into the wynde . &c. whiche done he sayd : Thus sayth the lord god This is Ierusalem . which acte and dede● so done , was not Ierusalem : but it signifyed & preched vnto the beholders of it , Ierusalem to be destroyed : no nother wyse then the brekinge & distributing of the brede and wyne called Crystis body and blode signifyeth and precheth vs the dethe of Cryste , the fygure and sygne beringe the name of the thinge signifyed● as in the prophetis speche , sayng : This is Ierusalem : whiche did but signifye Ierusalem . Ioan . 2. when Cryste did brethe into his discipules sayng . Take ye the holy goste : the same brethe was not the holy goste , but signifyed and represented them the holy gost , with a thousand lyke maner of speche in the scripture .

¶ In the olde passouer thankis were geuen for the slaughter of the firste begoten , wheryn the kyngis posterite of egipte fill a waye , the Hebrews spared , passed ouer , and delyuered● But in the newe passeouer , thankis ar gyuen , that the only begoten sonne of the most hyghest was crucified , wherby al faithful ar spared passed ouer , and not smyten with the swerde of dampnacion : but delyuered and● saued in the lambis blood that haue taken awaye the synne of the worlde In the olde passouer , The lambe or festes is called the lordis passouer . and yet was nether the lambe nor the feste his passyng ouer ; but the sygne and commemoracion of his passyngby . And euen so is it nowe in the newe souper of our lorde . It is ther called the body of our lorde , not that ther is any thinge wheryn his very natural body is contayned so longe and brode as it hanged on the crosse , for so is it ascended into heuen and sitteth one the right hande of the father : but that thinge that is there done in that souper , as the breking & dealing & eting of the brede , and the wholl lyke accion of the wyne , signifyeth representeth and puttethe into our hertis by the spirit of faithe this commemoracion , ioyful rememberance , and so to geue thankis for that inestimable benefit of our redempcion , wheryn we se with the eye of our faithe presently his bodye broken , and his bloode shed for our synnes . This is no small sacrament , nor yet irreuerently to be entreted : but it is the moste gloriouse and hyghest sacrament , with all reuerence & worsehip , withe thankis geuinge to be ministred , vsed receyued , preched & solempnely in the face of the congregacion to be celebrated : of whose holy administracion and vse I shal peraduenture speke in the ende of thys souper .

The vse o● the souper . ¶ But in the mene ●eason ( Crysten reder ) let these sensible signes signifye and represent the his dethe , and prynte it in thy herte , geuinge thankis incessantly vnto God the father for so incomparable a benefit , that hathe geuen that his owne onely so dere beloued sone our sauiour our Iesus Cryste to dye for thy synnes , ye & t●at when we were not his chyldern but his enmyes● Crystis disciples sayd to the man , Lu● 22. where is this geste chamber where I might ete the passing by with my disciples ? and thei prepared the passouer . And yet cryste eit not the passouer , but the lambe with his disciples . where it is playne , the signe to do on the name of the thing●

¶ At laste , consyder vnto what ende all thingis tended in that last souper , how the fygure teched the verite , the shadew the bodye , and how the verite abolesshed the fygure , and the shadewe gaue place to the bodye . Loke also with what congruence , proporcion , and similitude bothe in the accion and the speche , all thinges were consonant and finesshed , and all ●o lede vs by siche sensible sygnes frome the fygure vnto the verite , from the flesshe vnto the spirit , And take thou here this infallible and assuered sayng of Cryste neuer to fall fro thy mynde in this last souper . Lu. 22. Do ye this into the rememberance of me . And also of Paule , sayng 1. co . 11. So oft as ye shal ete this brede , lo this heretike calleth it brede euen aftyr the wordis of the popis consecracion , and drincke of this cuppe , prayse , declare , and geue thankes for the dethe of the lorde , vntyl he shal come agene to iugement . Remember thou also : what Cryste sayd to the carnall iwes takinge the etinge of his flesshe and drinkinge of his blood so carnally , answeringe them . My flessh profiteth n● mening to ete it bodely . Ioh●̄ . ● but the spirit maketh lyfe . And to this set the prophet A●a●uke sentence . The iuste lyueth of his faithe . Abac. ●

And now ( Crysten reder ) to put the ●le●e oute of doute , that Crystis bodye is not here present vnder the forme of brede ( as the papistis haue mocked vs many a daye ) but in heuen , euen as he rose and ascended , Thou shalt knowe that he tolde his disciples almoste twnty tymes betwene the .13 . and .18 . cap. of Iohan , that he shulde , and wolde go hence , and leue this worlde . where to conforte them agene for that thei were so heuy for his bodely absence , he promised to sende them his holy goste to be their conforter , defender , and techer : in whom , and by whom , he wolde be present with them and all faithful vnto the worldis ende . He sayd vnto his disciples . I go hence , I go to the father , I leue the worlde , and now shal I no more be in the worlde . but ye shall abyde stil in the worlde . Father I come to the. Pore men haue ye eue● with you , but me shall ye not alwais haue with you . And when he ascendid vnto heuen , 〈◊〉 . 2. thei did beholde him and sawe th● clowde take his bodye out of their syght : and thei fastening their eyes aftir him , the two men clothed in whight , sayd vnto them . ye men of galyle , wherfore stande ye thus lokinge vp in to heuen ? This is Iesus that is taken vp frome you into heuen , whiche shal so come agene , euen as ye haue sene him goynge hence . Here I wolde not More to ●●itte from his litteral playn sense . All these so playne wordis be sufficient , I trowe , to a crysten man to certifye his conscience that Cryste went his waye bodely ascending into heuen . For when he had tolde his disciples so ofte of his bodely departing from them : they were meruelouse heuy and sadde . Unto whom Cryste sayd . Because I tolde ye that I go hence , Io. 14. & . 16. your herts ar ful of heuenes . If they had not beleued hym to haue spoken of hys very bodely absence : they wolde neuer haue so morned for hys goyng away And for because they so vnderstode hym , and he so ment as hys wordis sowned : He added ( as he shulde haue sayde ) be ye neuer so heuye or how heuely so euer ye take my goyng hence , yet do I tell ye trouthe . For it is expedyent for you that I go hence● For if I shuld not go hence , that counforter shall not come vnto you . But and if I go hence , I shal sende hym vnto you . And agayn in the same Cap. I am comen frome the father , and am comen into the worlde , and shall leue the worlde agene and go to my father . what mystery , thynke ye , shuld be in these so manyfeste wordis ? Dyd he speke them in any darke parables ? Dyd he mean other wyse then he spake ? Dyd he vnderstande by goyng hence so ofte repered , to tary here styll ? or dyd he mene by forsakyng and leuyng the worlde to be but inuisible beyng styll in the worlde wyth hys bodye ? No suerly . For he ment as faithfully and as playnely as hys wordis sowned● and euen so dyd hys disciples wyth out any more meruelynge vnderstode him . For they answerd him sayng : Lo now spekest thou apertely : nether spekest thou any prouerbe . But what a derke prouerbe and subtyle rydle had it bene : if he had ment by hys goynge hence to haue taryed here styll ? and by forsakynge the worlde , to abyde ●tyll in the worlde ? and by hys goyng hence to hys father by hys very bodely ascencion , to be but inuisible ? who wolde interprete thys playne sentence thus ? I go hence , that is to saye : I tarye here styll I forsake the world and go to the father , that is to saye I wyll be but inuisible and yet here abyde styll in the worlde bodely ? For as concernyng hys godhed , whiche was euer wyth the father , and in all placys at once , he neuer spake syche wordis of it . whan Cryste sayde , hys dethe now at hande , vnto hys disciples : now agene I forsake the worlde and go to my father , but ye shall tary styl in the world . If they wyl expowne by hys forsakyng the worlde , to tarye here styl bodely , and to be but inuysyble : why do they not ●y lyke exposicion interprete the tarynge here styl of the disciples at that tyme , to be gone hence bodely and to be here visible ? For Crist did set these contraryes one agenst a nother to declare eche other . as if to tarye here styll , dyd signyfye to the disciples that they shulde abyde in the worlde , as it dothe in dede : them muste nedis his goyng hence & forsakyng the worlde signifie his bodely absence as both the wordis plainely sowne , Cryste ment , & they vnderstode them . But in so playne , a mater what nede all these wordis ? Be thou therfore suer , Crysten reder , that Crystis glorified body is not in this worlde , but in heuen , as he thyther ascended in whiche body he shall come euen as he went gloriously wythe powr and grete maiestye to iuge all the worlde in the laste daye , Be thou therfore assuered , that he neuer thus i●geled no● mocked hys so dere beloued disciples so ful of heuines now for hys bodely departynge . For if he had so ment as our papistis haue paruerted his sayngis , his disciples wolde haue wondered at so strange maner of speche , and he wolde 〈◊〉 ●xpressed his mynde playnly , sithe at thys tyme he was so full set to leue them in no doute , but to counfort them with hys playne and confortable wordis . And yf he wolde haue bene but inuisible and still bodely present : he woulde neuer haue couered himselfe wyth the clowde shewynge them and testifyenge also by those two men his very bodely ascension oute of theyr syghtis . we maye not make of his very bodely ascension , siche an inuysyble iugelynge caste as oure papistis fay●e , Fasshoning and fayning Cryste a bodye nowe inuisible , now in manye placis at once , and then so greate and yet in so lytel a place , not discerned of any of our sensis nowe gloryfied , now vngloryfied , now passible , and then impassible , and I wote ner what they imagyn and make of theyr maker , and all with oute any worde , ye clene agaynste all the wordis of holy scripture . For suerly , in thys theyr imaginacion and so sayng thei bringe in a fresshe the heresye of that great hereti● Marcyon , whiche sayd that Criste toke but a phantasticall bodye● and so was nether verely borne , nor suffered , nor rose , nor ascended verelye , nether was he very man . whiche heresye Tertullian confuteth . Cryste toke verely oure nature , siche a passible and mortal body as we here aboute with vs , saue that it was with oute all maner of synne . In siche a body he suffred verely , & rose agen frome dethe in siche a glorifyed body now immortall &c. as euery one of vs shall ryse in at the general iudgement . It is appropryed onely to his godhe● to be euery whore and not to be circumscribed nor contaned in no place . And as for our papistis prophane voyde voyces , his bodye to be in many places at once , indiffinitiue incircūscripti●e non permodum quanti neque localiter &c. whiche includeth in it s●lfe contradiccion , of whiche Paule warned Timothe . 1. Timo. 6 : & . 2. Tim. 2. callyng them th opposicions of a false named scyence ( for that their scolasticall diuinite muste make obiec●ions agaynste euery trouthe , be it neuer so playne wyth pro & contra : whych scyence many that professe it saith Paule . 1. Tim. 2. haue erred from the fai●he ) as for this contencion and bataill aboute wordis profitable for nothynge els , but to subuerte the herers I care not for them . For I haue the almyghty testymony of the●erlastinge worde of God redy to soyle all their madde and vnreasonable reasons , to wype them clene a waye , & to turne them into their owne confusion .

¶ And for because they holde them so faste by Paule . 1. Co. 11. I shall loose their holde , expownynge the lordis souper aftir Paule , whyche addeth immediatly vnto the cuppe , this that Luke there leaued forthe : Do ye this in to my rememberāce● This doth Paule repete so of●e to put vs in mynde , that these thankis geuyng and souper is the commemoracion and the memoriall of Crystis dethe . wherfore aftir all he repeteth it yet agayne the thirde tyme saynge . So oft as ye shall ete this brede ( he calleth it styll brede euen aftir the popis consecracion ) & drinke the cuppe ( he saith not drynke this blood ) se that ye geue thankes , be ioyouse and preche the de●he of the lorde , for somyche sygnifieth annunciate in this place , vntyll he come that is to saye , fro the tyme of hys deathe & ascencion vntyll he come agayne to iugement . Forthermore , saith Paule , whoso ete thys brede , he calleth it styll brede , or drynke of the c●ppe of the lorde vnworthely●he is gilty the bodye and blode of the lorde . The bodye & blood of the lorde Paule calleth here the congregacion assembled toghyther to ete the lordis souper . For they at hys body and blood whych ar remeded wyth his body and blode , as he sayde in the .10 . cap. before . The cuppe of thankis geuynge whyche we receyue wyth thankis : is it not the felowship of the blood of Cryste ? Th● brede whyche we breke , is it not the felowship of the bodye of Cryst ? For we beyng many togither ar one brede , euen one bodye . Lo here Paule expownyng hymselfe vseth the same forme of speche that is vsed in these wordis This is my bodye , takyng Is , for signifieth . we ar one brede euen one bodye , that is to saye , we ar signified be one lofe of bred to be one bodye , he shewethe the cause , adding because we be all partakers of one lofe or pese of brede . And in the .12 . cap. folowing , he sayth playnely , ye be the bodye of Cryste and hys partyclar members , and in the firste cap. to thephesians● God dyd set Cryste to be the head ouer all vnto hys congregacion whyche hys bodye . &c.

¶ And because t●e comparyson in the .10 . cap. betwene the lordys borde & hys cuppe , and the deuillys borde and hys cuppe , do declare thys mater . I shall recy●e Paulys wordis saynge ye maye not drynke the cuppe of the lord , & the cuppe of the deuyll bothe togyther● ye may not be partakers of the lordis borde & the deuylls borde bothe at once . The deuyls bord and his ●upp● was not hys body and blode , but the ety●ge and drynkynge before theyr images and Idolls as dyd the haithen in the worshyp and th●nkys of thyr Gods● of whyche thynge thou maist gather what Paule ment by the lordis borde and his cuppe . Now let vs retourne to Paule in the .11 . cap. Thei eate thys brede and drynke of this cuppe vnworthely , that come not vnto thys borde with suche faithe and loue as they professed at theyr baptisme . They ete vnworthely that thru●ted them selues in among thys congregacion hauyng not the loue that this sacrament and sygne of vnyte techethe & s●gnyfyeth . whych maner of people Paule in thyssame ca. rebukethe , & bendethe all hys sermon agenste them : for that thy were contensyouse , and came togyther not for the better but for the worse● So that thyr comyng togither whyche shuld haue ●ene a token of faithe and loue , was turned into th occasyon and mater of di●sencion and stryfe : because euery man dyd e●e ( as Paule sayth ) hys owne souper and not the lordys souper : wheryn the brede and drynke is comon as well to the pore as to the ryche . but here the ryche dysdayned the pore and wolde not tarye for them . so that some ( as the ryche ) wen●e theyr waye dronken and ful : an● the pore departed ●ongrye & drye , whyche was a token of no ●gal distrybucion of the brede and drynke : and that the ryche comtemned the pore and so became sclaunderouse and gyltie of the body and blode of Cryste : that is to wite , of the pore congr●gacion redemed wyth Crystis body and blo●e . Thus they that came togyther ape●yng to haue had that loue whyche the souper signifyed , and had it not , vttered them selues by thys contenciouse & vnlouynge dealyng not to be members of Crystys bodye , but rather gyltye & hurtfull vnto them . As if a soudyer of our aduersaryes parte shulde come in among vs wythe our lordis badge , hauynge not that herte faythe and loue to our capitayne that we haue , we wolde ( if we espy●d it by any token ) take hym for a spye and betrayer rather then one of vs .

¶ Let a man therfore sayth Paule proue him selfe well before , whyther he hathe thys faythe to Cryste and loue to God and hys neghbour whych all he professed at baptisme , & thys souper signyfyed : and so come in emonge the congregacion to ete of thys brede & drynke of this cuppe ( he calleth it styll brede & wyne : and nether hys body nor blode ) . For he that etith and drinketh vnworthely , eteth & drynketh his own dampnacion : because he discry●eth not the lordis bodye . He calleth styll the lordis bodye the congregacion redemed wyth Crystis body , as he dyd before , and also in the chap. folowynge fe●chyng ●ys analogy and simyle●ude at the naturall bodye . In whyche althoughe ther be diuerse members one exellynge a nother , one inferior , vyler & more contemptible then a nother yet may not the bodye want them : but must kouer them reuerently , & holde them in honour . Ageyn , in the bodye , thoughe ●herbe dyuerse members of diuerse e●●ices : yet is ther no discorde emonge them : but euery member , be●t ne●er so low & vyle : yet dothe it mynister & serue a nother , and al togither holde vp & helpe the ●●oll bodye . This consideracion with these comparysons so eloquently , so playntuously , so lyuely dothe Paule set forthe in that .12 . chap. that noman can desyer any more . And all to bringe vs into the consyderacyon & discrecyon of the bodye of Cryste whyche is hys congregacyon : wythout whyche consyderacion & discrecion , if we thrust our selues yn wyth this signe & cognisans faynedly : we be but hypocrites and ete and drynke our owne iugement . For thys cause many are syke emonge you , and many ar a slepe , that is , ar dede . Here it semeth some plage to haue bene caste vpon the Corinth for this abuse in the e●yng of the lordis souper . For bothe the lawe and prophetis thretened vs plages as pestilence , famyne : & swerde for our synnes . For yf we had iuged our soules , that is , If we had dilygently examined our owne lyuinge and repented : we shulde not haue been iuged , that is to saye , punisshed of the lorde . But whyle we be punyshed , we be corrected of the lorde leste we shuld be condempned wythe the worlde . wherfore my brethern , when ye come togyther to eate , tary one for a nother . Here is the cause of all thys dissention wherfor Paule rebuketh them . But here myght some of them obiecte & tell Paule , Syr we come hyther hongry & may not tarye so longe . wher vnto Paulle answereth as he dyd before : saynge , Haue ye not houses to ete & drynke yn ? Do ye contempne the congregacyon of God & shame them that haue non ? Here he calleth the pore , the chyrche of god , whom aftyrward he called the body of the lorde : and now at laste he sayth . If any man be so hongry , let hym ete somwhat at home , & so delaye hys honger that he may the beter tary for the pore , leste ye come togither vnto your condempnacyon . And as for other thyngys I shall dispose and set in ordyr when I come . These other thynges were concerning this souper & siche as were out of frame emong them whyche yf ye rede the wholl pystle , ar efte esye to se : & that they were no necessary trouthes for their saluacion , for al syche trouthes Paule had preched them before and wrytten them to Nether were these other thyngys lente , faste , th assumpciō of our lady , halowyng of bowes bellis and asshes , halowyng of vestymentis , & crepynge to the crosse , wyth siche other vnwryten vanites , as M. More li●tethe to ieste and tryfull out the trouthe .

¶ Now haue ye the very pure sence of these Crystis wordis . Thys is my bodye , that is to say . Thys signifyethe or reprensente the my bodye , takynge Est for significat . As M. More hymselfe vttered it in hys Dyaloge put forthe in wylliam Barlows name , reciting the opinyons of Ecolampadius & zwinglius : saynge , thys is my body , is as miche to saye as thys sygnyfyeth my body , wher he sayth that Ecolampadius allegeth for hym Tertulyan , Chrysostome , and Austen , but falsely somtyme addynge more to their wordis , sometyme takynge a waye frome their sentencis . whych sayng is playne false , and he belyethe the man now departed , for fyrste hys incomparable lernynge and very spirituall iugement wolde not suffer hym to be ignorant in the vnderstanding of these olde holy doctours ( whom I dare saye ) he vnderstode as well as More . And his conscience & faythf●lnes wold not suffer him falsely to peru●rte them as More belyethe and peruertethe Crys●e and Paule & all holy scripture . And yf this man had thus delte wyth these doctours sayngis : Luther agaynste whome he dyd contend in this mater wolde not haue lefte it vntolde him

¶ But ( Christen reder ) to put the oute of do●te haue here these Doctours owne wordis bothe in la●yne & in englysshe . And firste heare Tertullyan , where thou muste fyrste vnderstande that there was an heretyk called Marcyon , sayng that Cryste toke not to him the very bodye of man , but an imagined and phantasticall bodye , to put of , and on , whan he lysted : & so not to haue been borne verely of the virgen Marye , nor yet to haue suffered verely dethe &c. Agenst whom , ●●●●lyā● thus wryteth Tertullian in h●s . 4. boke .

Professus itaque se concupiscentia concupisse edere pascha , vt suum acceptum panem & distributum discipulis corpus suum illum fecit , h●e est corpus meum dicendo : id est figura corporis mei . Figura autem non fuisset , nisi veritatis esset corpus . Ceterum , v●cua res , quod est phantasma , figuram capere non posset . whyche wordis are thus in englishe spoken of Cryste . whiche acknowleginge himselfe wyth how feruent desyer he longed to eie the passou●r , as his brede taken & distributed to hys disciples : made it his bodye saynge : This is my bodye : that is to saye , the fygure of my bodye . For fygure had it be none , excepte it were a verye bodye . For a voyde thinge whiche is a phantasye can receue no fygure . Here is it playne , that This is my bodye after olde holye doctoure is as miche to saye as this is the ●ygure or signe that r●presenteth or signifyeth my bodye .

¶ Also , thus sayth Austen . Auste● 12 , aga adima Lex dicit non esse manducandum sanguinem , ꝙ anima sit sanguis . Quod lex dicit , sanguis est anima : esse positum dicimus , sicut ali● multa et pene omnia scriptura ♃ illa ♃ sacramenta signis et figuris plena future predicatiōis , que ●am per dnm nostrum Iesu● Christum declarata est &c. Possum etiam interpretari preceptum illud in signo esse posirum . Non enim dubitauit dns dicere : Hoc est corpus meum , quum signum daret corporis sui . Sic est enim sanguis anima , quomodo petra erat Christus . Net tamen quum hec diceret , ait : petra significab at Christum , sed ait : petra erat Christus . Que rursus ne carnaliter acciperetur , spiritualem illam vocat . id est spiritualiter intelligi docet . whiche wordis ar thus in englisshe . Gen. 9 The lawe sayth that blood shuld not be eten , Leui. ● because the lyfe is bloode . whiche precept of the lawe and because that bloode is lyfe : Deut. ● we affirme it to be sette lyke as many other almost innumerable sacramentis of those scriptures , full of sygnes and fygures of the prechinge to come : whiche nowe is declared by our lorde Iesu Cryste &c. And I maye interprete that precept to be layed in a sygne . For the lorde douted not to saye● This is my body : when he gaue the sygne of his bodye . And euen so is the blode lyfe , as the stone was Cryste . And yet when he said these wordes : he sayd not the stone signifyed Cryste : but he sayd , the stone was Criste . whiche le●te they shulde be taken carnally , he callethe it spirituall , that is to saye , he techeth it to be vnderstande spiritually , where is now Moris litter●ll sence , and materiall meat ?

●●m . ●m o 〈◊〉 imꝑ●e●● ¶ Now shal ye heare Chrysostome . Nihil fensibile tradidit Christus : licet dederit panem et vinum : non ꝙ panis & vinum non sint sensibilia , sed ꝙ in illis mentem herere noluit . Nam in suum corpus , quod est panis vite , subuehit dicens . Hoc est corpus meum : perinde ac dicat H●c licet panis sit , significat tamen tibi corpus . Thus it is in englysshe . Cryste geuing● brede and wyne , gaue no sensible thynge : not that brede and wyne be not sensible : but that he wolde not our mynde to steke styll in them , For he lyfted vs vp into his bodye , whiche is the brede of lyfe : sayng . This is my bodye : as though he shuld saye . Thoughe this be but brede , yet it sign●fyethe vnto the , my bodye . Now iudge thou ( Christen reder ) whither M More reportethe ryghte , of thys man that alleged these olde holy doctours , or no.

●he cōfu●cion of 〈◊〉 papis●●s glo●●● . ¶ Nowe haue ye the pure vnderstandynge of the wordis of the lordes souper confirmed wyth the olde holy doctours . That this is my bodye , is as miche to saye , as this signifyeth my body . And this is my bloode : is , this sygnyfyethe my bloode . But yet was there neuer siche maner of speking in the scripture This is that That is to saye , This is conuerted & transsubstanciated into that . Or this is contayned in that : the thinge conuerted and changed , kepping styll her forme , qualites , quantite &c. As to saye . This is my body , that is to saye . This brede is conuerted into my bodye , the brede abyding styll in his fasshion , taste , colour , waight &c. For Cryste when he conuerted water into wyne , dyd not leue the forme , colour , and taste styll in the water . For so had it bene no changing . But let our couetouse conuerters choppe and change brede & wyne tyll we there fele se and taste nether brede nor wyne , & then wyll we beleme them so thei bringe for them the worde of god . For as for their false iug●linge we fele it at our fyngers ende : we se it , had we but halfe an eye : we cast it at our tongues ende , and know it with all our wittis and vnderstanding so manifestly , that we parc●yued them openly longe a goo , to be the very anticrystis , of whom Cryste and his apostles warned vs to come in this laste tyme .

¶ And if they saye . That this conuersion is made by miracle . Then muste euery one of them as ofte as he say a misse make vs many a miracle the very markis of Moris chirche . For it is one grete miracle that Crystis body shulde come so sodenly inuisible and so ofte out of heuen , and that suche a miracle as the worde of god neuer knew : a nother that to grete a body shuld be contayned in so litel a place , and that one bodye shulde be at once in so many placis and two bodyes in one place , an other that it is eten nether the eter feling it , nor the bodye eten suffering nor feling the tethe of the eter . which as many mo meruelouse and lyke miracles or rather absurdites of the brede & wyne , that there muste be the forme , coloure , taste , waight , broken &c. and yet nether to be brede nor wyne in our belife except we wil be burned of them because we beleue not their iugelinge castis . O mischeuous miracle makers . O cruel conuerters . O blodye vouchers .

¶ But herke , Crysten reder , and I shal lernethe to knowe Crystis playn & t●we miracles● from the sleighthy iugglinge of these crafty conuayers . Cryste wolde neuer haue done miracle had men beleued him onely by his wordis , but when he sayd firste these wordis . This is my bodye , noman donted at them , noman was in any vnbeleife of them . wherfore these wordis m●ste nedis be playne single & pure without miracle , as these . The .3 . branchis ar. ● . dayes : withoute any subtyle tran●substanciacion , siche insensible conuersion , or any false miracle . Cryste wrought al his miracles for the glorye of god to declare him selfe bothe god and man so that all Crystis miracles were comprehended vnder mannes sences or comon writes , which brynge in siche knowlege vnto the vnderstondyng . As when he changed water into wyne , the miracle was firste receyued withe the syght , open at the eye , tasted withe the mouthe and so conuayed vnto the vnderstonding . And now , thoughe we nether se nor taste that miracle , yet we heare it , se it , rede it , and so vnderstonde that it was once a miracle do●e of cryste : whan he restored the syght to the blynde , heled the lame , clensed the leprose , reared the deade : all was seen , herde and so comprehended vnder our most suerest sensis : that his very enimes were compelled to confesse them for miracles , But our miracle makers , that make dayly so ofte and so many , ar so farre from this clere poynt : that their miracles in this mater , be not , nor neuer shal be contayned nor comprehended vnder any of our 5 wyttes , but thei rather delude and deceyue bothe sight , taste , felinge , hering , and smellinge : ye our faith & understanding to . Beware therfore of these mischeuous miracle makers for their owne glorye and profit : and will kyll the to , if thou beleueste not their lyes . Beware I saye of those marchants that wil sell the wares , whiche the● wil not suffer the to se , ●●r to taste . nor to touche : but when thei shewe the whight , thou muste beleue it is blak : If they geue the brede , thou muste bele●e it withoute any worde of thy faithe , that it is Crystis body , & that of their owne makinge . If thou taste , se , & fele it brede yet thou muste saye it is none though the scripture calleth it brede .xx. tymes . Beware beware I saye of Anticryste : whose cominge sayd Paule● 1. thess. 2 , ( he is come al redy saith Iohn . 1. Ioā● 2 . ● now ar there many anticrystis ) shal be aftir the workinge of Satan with an almighty powr , withe false sygnes & wonders lyinge miracles , and with al deceite of v●rightuousnes . &c.

¶ To be to curiouse in so playn a sacrament and sygne , to cauill Crystis clere wordis with sophistical sophismes , & to tryful out the tro●● the withe tauntis & mockis , as More dothe , is no crysten maner . And if our papistis , & sc●lasticall sophisters will obiecte & make answer to this souper of the lorde , bringing yn for them , their vnwryten wordis , dede dremes ( for we haue compelled More withe shame to flitte frome the scripture ) strewed withe their vayn strange te●mes wihche Paule damneth , & geueth Timothe warning of . I shall , by goddis grace , so set the almihgty worde of god agenst them that all christen shall se their falshed & deceite in this sacrament : & so disclose their deuilessh doctryne & ●●eighe iugelynge , that all that ca●rede englysshe , shall se the trouthe of Goddis worde openly ●ere downe their vnwryten lyes . For it is verely the thinge that I desyer , euen to be wryten agenste in this mater , for I haue the solucions of al their obieccions redye . And knowe right wel , that the more thei stere this sacrament , the broder shal their lyes be sprede , the more shal their falshed apere and the more gloriously shal the trowthe triumphe : as it is to se this da●e by the longe contencion in this same , and other lyke articles : whiche the papi●tis haue so longe abused , & how More hys lyes vtter the tr●●the euery daye more & more . For had he not come begging for the clergye from purgatory , withe his supplicacion of soulis , and Rastel & Rochelter had they not so wysely playd their partis : purgatory paraduenture had serued them yet a nother yere : nether had it so sone haue ben quenched , nor the pore soule & proctour ther be with his blody bisshop crysten catte so farre coniured into his owne Utopia with a sechel about his necke to gather for the proude preistis in Synagoga papi●tica .

¶ Whan Cryste was ascended into heuen : and had sent his Apostles the spirit of trouthe , to leade them into all trouthe perteyning vnto our saluacion euen in to him that sayd : I am the trouthe of whyche trouthe he enstructed them aftir his resurrection . Luk. 24. and thei had preched the same trouthe nowe in Ierusalem Act. 2. at which preching ther were that receyued their wordes & where baptized , abou the , z. M. his apostels rememebringe how their master Cryste at his last souper did institute & leue them this holy sacrament of his body & blood to be celebrated & done in hys rememberance emonge siche as had receyued his gospell , were baptized , had professed his faythe , and wolde perseuer in his religion , dyd nowe in this firste congregacion celebrate the lordis souper brekinge the brede & etinge it as Cryste dyd ●eche them , whiche souper , Luke & Paule called afterwarde the brekinge of the brede . As Acto , 2. saynge . That they which gladly had nowe receyued Peters acte , & were baptized : were perseuerynge in the doctrine of the apostles , and in the communion , & in the breakinge of the brede , and in prayer , whiche sacramente was now a token of the perseuerance in theyr cristen religion nowe professed . Off thys brekinge of brede , Luke wrytynge of Paule coming● vpon Troadem , sayth Act. 20● also , that there vpon a sabbot daye , when the disciples were come togyther vnto the brekinge of the brede : Paule made a sermon during to mydnight &c. And that this was no comen nor prophane vse but an heuenly sacrament and a reuerent ryte and vsage , the cricumstancis of the accion declare , bothe in Luke and Paule , shewyng it to be the very institucion that Cryste ordened at his soupere , Paule thus recy●ynge this brekeynge of the brede : say●g . The brede which we breke , is it not the felawship of the bodye of Cryste ? that is to saye dothe it not signify vs to be the bodye of Criste that is his congregacion and his peple , as dothe the wordes folowinge declare ? Paule addinge the cause saynge For we being many are all togyther signifyed by the one lofe to be one bodye : for that we be partakers of the same brede . Also before , he callethe in the same souper , the cuppe of thankis geuinge the felawshyp of the blode of Cry●t● , that is to saye , the congregacion redemed with Crystis bloode .

¶ Thys holy sacrament therfore , wolde god it were restored vnto the pure vse , as th apostles vsed it in theyr tyme . wolde God , the seculare prynces whyche shulde be the very pastours and hed rulers of their congregacions committed vnto their cure , wolde fyrste commaunde or suffer the trwe prechers of goddis worde to preche the gospell purely and plainly wyth discrete lyberte : and constitute ouer eche particulare parysshe syche curatis as can and wolde preche the worde , and that once or twyse in the weke , apoyn●ynge vnto their flocke certayne dayes aftyr their discrecion and zele to godwarde , to come to gyther to celebrate the lordis souper . At the whyche assemble the curate wolde propowne and declare them fyrste thys texte of Paule . 1. Corynth . 11● So of● as ye shal ete this brede and drinke of this cuppe : se that ye be ioyouse , prayse , and geue thankys prechyng the dethe of the lorde . &c. whyche declared , and euery one exhorted to prayer , he wolde preche them purely Cryste to haue dyed and ben offred vpon the altare of the Crosse for their redempcion : whyche onely oblacio● to be a sufficyent sacryfice to peace the fathers wrathe , and to purge all the synnes of the worlde . Then to excyte them wyth all homble dilygence euery man vnto the knowlege of him selfe and hys synnes : and to beleue and truste to the forgeuenes in Crystis blode : and for this so incomparable be●efyt of oure redempcion ( whiche were solde bondmen to synne ) to gyue thankis vnto God the father for so mercyfull a delyuerance thorowe the deathe of Iesu Cryste , euery one , some synginge and some saynge deuoutely , some or other psalme or prayer of thankes geuinge in the mother ●onge . Then , the brede and wyne set before them in the face of the chi●che vpon the table of the lorde purely and honestly layed , let hym declare to the people the significacions of those sensyble signes , what the accion and dede mouethe , techethe and exhortethe them vnto : and that the brede and wyne be no prophane comen signes : but holy sacraments reuerently to be consydered and receyued with a depe fait●e and rememberance of Crystis dethe and of the shedynge of his blood for our synnes , those sensible thinges to represent vs the very bodye and bloode of Cryste , so that whyle euery man beholde with his corporall eye those sensible sacramentis : the inwarde eye of his faithe maye se and beleue stedfastlye Cryste offred and dying vpon the cro●se for his sy●nes , how his bodye was broken & his blood shed for vs , and hathe geuen himselfe wholl for vs , himselfe to be all oures , & what so euer he dyd , it to serue vs , as to be made for vs of hys father our rightwysnes , our wysdome , holynes , redempcion satisfaccion &c. 1. Corinth. 1.

¶ Then let thys preacher exhorte them louingly to drawe nere vnto thys table of the lorde , and that not onelye bodelye , but also ( their hertes pourged by faythe , garnyshed with loue and innocencye ) euerye man to forgeue ●ache other vnfaynedlye , and to expresse or at lestwyse to endeuour them to folow that loue whiche Cryste dyd set before our eyes at his laste souper when he offred himselfe willingly to dye for vs his enymes . whiche incomparable loue to commende , brynge in Paulis argumentis . Roma. 5. so that thus , thys flocke maye come to gyther , and be ioyned into one bodye , one spirite , and one peple . Thys done , let him come downe : and accompaned honestely wyth other ministers come forthe reuerently v●to the lordis table , the congregation nowe set rownd aboute it , & also in their other conuenient seatis , the pastour exhortinge them all to praye for grace faithe and loue , whyche all this sacrament signifyethe and puttethe them in mynde of . Then let ther be redde apertely and distinc●ly the .6 . cap. of Iohan in theyr mother tongue : wherby they maye clerely vnderstand , what it is to eate Crystis flesshe and to drynke his bloode . This done , and some breyfe prayer and prayse songe or redde , lette one or other minister rede the .11 . chap. of the fyrste to the Corinths , that the peple myghte perceyue clerely of those wordis the mystery of thys Crystes souper , & wherfore he dyd institute it

¶ These wyth siche lyke preparacions and exhortacions hadde , I wolde euery man presente shuld professe the articles of oure faythe openly in our mother tongue , and confesse his synnes secretely vnto God , praynge intierly that he wolde nowe vouchsafe to haue mercy vpon him , receyue his prayers , g●we his harte vnto hym by faythe and loue encrease his fayth , geue him grace to forgeue and to loue hys neyghbour as himselfe , to garnesshe his life with purenes ond innocencye , and to confyrme hym in al goodnes and vertu . Then agen it behoueth the curate to warne & exhorte euery man depely to consyder and expende wyth hym selfe the sygnificacyon and substance of thys sacrament so that he sytte not downe an ypocryte & a dissembler , sith god is sercher of herte and raynes thoughtis and effectis : and see that he come not to the holy table of the lorde wythout that fayth whych he professed at hys baptisme , and also that loue whych the sacrament precheth & testifyeth vnto hys herte , leste he now fownde gyltie the body & blood of the lorde , that is to wytte a dessembler wyth Crystis dethe & sclaunderouse to the congregacyon , the body & blode of Cryste : receyue hys owne dampnacion . And here let euery man fall downe vpon his knees sayng secretely wyth al deuocion their Pater noster in englysshe , their curate as ensample knelyng downe before them . whyche done , let hym take the brede & efte the wyne in the syght of the peple herynge hym with a lowde voyce , wyth godly grauite , & aftir a cry●ten relygiouse reuerence rehersynge distinctely the wordis of the lordis souper in theyr mother tongue . And them distrybute it to the ministers , whyche takynge the brede wyth grete reuerence , wyl deuyde it to the congregacyon euery man breking & rechyng it forthe to hys nexte neghbour and member of the mystik body of Cryst , other mynisters folowyng wythe the cuppis powering forthe & dealynge them the wyne , all togyther thus beynge now partakers of one brede & one cuppe , the thynge therby sygnifyed & precheth prynted fast in their hertys , But in this meane whyll , must the minister or pastour be readyng the communicacion that Cryste had wyth his disciples aftyr hys souper . Io. 13. begynnynge at the wasshynge of their fete : so redynge tyll the brede & wyne be eten & dronken and all the accion done . And then let them all fal downe on their knees geuinge thankis highely vnto god the father , for thys benyfyt & dethe of hys sone , wherby nowe be faithe euery man is assuered of remyssion of hys synnes , as this blessed sacrament had put them in mynde & preched it them in thys vtwarde accion & souper . This done , let euery man commende and geue them selfe whol to god , & departe . ¶ I wolde haue herto put mi name , good reder , but I know wel that thou regardest not who wryteth , but what is wryten thou estemest the word of the veryle , & not of the autor . And as for M. Mocke , whom the veryte most offendeth , & doth but mocke it oute when he can not soyle it : he knowth my name well inoughe . For the deuyl hys gardian , as hym selfe sayth , cometh euery daye into purgatory , yf therby there any day at all , wyth hys emnyouse & enuyouse laughter , gnasshyng his tethe & gryning , tellyng the proctour wyth hys popis presoners , what so euer is here done or wryten a●sten them , both hys persone & name to . And he is now , I dare saye , as gret wyth hys gardian , as euer he was .

¶ If any man tell ye , lo here is Cryste , or ther is he beleue hym not , For ther shal a●yse false crystes false anoynted geuyng grete miracles . ●at . ●4 . Taken hede , I haue tolde ye before , yf thei ther●ore tel ye : ●o , he is in the deser●t , go not forth : ●o he is in the preuye pixe , beleue it not .

Imprinted at Nornburg by Niclas twonson .

5 April . An. 1533.

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