An apology or answer in defence of the Church of England with a brief…An apologie or answere in defence of the Churche of Englande with a briefe…

Besides we acknowledge there be two sacraments, which we judge properly ought to be called by this name, that is to say Baptism, and the sacraments of thanks giving. For thus many we see were delivered and sanctified by Christ, and well allowed of the old fathers Ambrose and Augustine. We say that Baptism is a sacrament of the remission of sins, and of that washing which we ⟨image 29⟩have in the blood of Christ, and that no person which will profess Christs name, ought to be restrained or kept back therefrom: no not the very babes of Christians, forasmuch as they be borne in sin, and do pertain unto the people of God. We say that Eucharistia, the supper of the lord, is a sacrament, that is to wit, an evident token of the body and blood of Christ: wherein is set as it were before our eyes, the death of Christ and his resurrection, and what act so ever he did whilst he was in his mortal body, to the end we may give him thanks for his death, and for our deliverance. And that by the often receiving of this sacrament, we may daily renew the remembrance of that matter, to the intent we being fed with the body and blood of Christ, may be brought into the hope of the resurrection and of everlasting life, and may most assuredly believe, that the body and blood of Christ doth in like manner feed our souls, as bread and ⟨image 29⟩wine doth feed our bodies. To this ban kett we think the people of God ought to be earnestly bidden, that they may all communicate among them selves, and openly declare and testify both the godly society which is among them, and also the hope which they have in Christ Ihesu. For this cause if there had ben any which would be but a looker on, and abstain from the holy Communion, him did the old fathers & Bishops of Rome in the primitive Church,¹ before Private mass came up, excommunicate as a wicked person and as a Pagan. Neither was there any Christian at that time which did communicate alone whilst other looked on.² For so did Calixtus in times past decree, that after the consecration was finished, all should communicate, except they had rather stand without the Church doors:³