Answer. First, because the Supper of the Lord is not a private action of any household, but mere ecclesiastical: and therefore that same domestical Lamb, was slain in Israel, that yet notwithstanding it should not be done at any other time, then when all Israel did celebrate this mystery. Notwithstanding I do acknowledge that in this case it is somewhat divers. For although it were very meet that these mysteries, throughout whole Christendom albeit in diverse places, yet notwithstanding daily also if it were possible, or at least upon appointed, and set days were celebrated, which should profit very much to the witnessing of that same mutual fellowship and consociation in Christ: notwithstanding forasmuch as neither of both can be obtained for many ⟨image 163⟩just and necessary causes it seemeth, I know not in what sort, to be contrary to the institution of the Supper of the Lord, that all the rest of the Church omitting it, some one house extraordinarily should celebrate those mysteries. Moreover unless that were done amongest all those that were sick, how shall the suspicion of partiality in respecting of persons be shunned? Now if the Supper of the Lord be to be ministered amongest all that are sick, let Pastors see by what means the profanation thereof may be avoided and how they may satisfy and undergo so great labours. The custom therefore of certain do nothing at all move me, although that it be very ancient, because the matter is too be judged, not by Examples, but by reasons. Finally that is most certain, that by this use the wicked things were brought into the Church: too wit, in the beginning the keeping of both signs, then the Wine waxing sour, the keeping only of one of the signs, ⟨image 164⟩which error is plainly against the nature of the Sacraments. Hence therefore sprang another error, as though by a certain magical pronunciation the thing signified were tied too the sign. To be short, it came so far, that salvation after a certain sort was tied too those signs.
Answeare. Firste, because the Supper of the Lorde is not a priuate action of anye houshold, but meere ecclesiasticall: and therefore that same domestical Lambe, was slaine in Israel, that yet notwithstanding it shoulde not bee done at any other time, then when all Israel did celebrate this mystery. Notwithstanding I doe acknowledge that in this case it is somewhat diuers. For although it were very meete that these mysteries, throughout whole Christendome albeit in diuerse places, yet notwithstanding dayly also if it were possible, or at least vpon appoynted, and sette dayes were celebrated, which shoulde profite very much to the witnessing of that same mutuall felowshippe and consotiation in Christ: notwithstanding forasmuch as neyther of both cā be obteined for many ⟨image 163⟩iust and necessary causes it seemeth, I know not in what sort, to be contrary to the institution of the Supper of the Lorde, that all the rest of the Churche omitting it, some one house extraordinarily should celebrate those mysteries. Moreouer vnlesse that were doone amongest all those that were sicke, howe shall the suspition of partiality in respecting of persons be shunned? Nowe if the Supper of the Lorde be to be ministred amongest all that are sicke, lette Pastours see by what meanes the prophanation thereof may be auoyded and howe they may satisfie and vndergoe so great labours. The custome therfore of certayn doe nothing at all mooue mee, although that it be very ancient, because the matter is too bee iudged, not by Examples, but by reasons. Finally that is moste certayne, that by thys vse the wicked thinges were brought intoo the Churche: too witte, in the beginning the keeping of both signes, then the Wyne waxing sowre, the keeping onely of one of the signes, ⟨image 164⟩which errour is playnly agaynst the nature of the Sacramentes. Hence therefore sprang another errour, as though by a certayne magicall pronunciation the thing signified were tyed too the signe. To be short, it came so farre, that saluation after a certaine sorte was tyed too those signes.
