The other part of Christian questions and answers which is concerning the sacraments, writ[n]…The other parte of Christian questions and answeares which is concerning the sacraments, writte[n]…

181. Question.

But what doest thou think of taking the Sacrament with the hand, which also the Romish Church took away?

But what doest thou thinke of taking the Sacrament with the hande, which also the Romish Church tooke away?

Answer. Albeit I will not say, that the taking or touching with the hand is so precisely necessary, as the other Sacramental rites (for he also receiveth that receiveth with his mouth) yet notwithstanding, I think that this also ought to be restored in the Church. For it is more plain then that it can be denied, that the ancient & Apostolical Church did the same: and it is plain, that this same thrusting of the bread into the mouth sprang first from a certain preposterous and altogether superstitious reverence of the Sacraments, as though men were unworthy to handle the holy Elements, when as notwithstanding the mouth is more impure then the hand. To be short there, is no ⟨image 123⟩man but seeth, unless it be he which hath no eyes, from whence this superstition cometh, that same doting dream of transubstantiation once being received.

Answeare. Albeit I wil not say, that the taking or touching with the hand is so precisely necessarie, as the other Sacramentall rytes (for he also receyueth that receiueth with his mouth) yet notwithstanding, I thinke that this also ought to be restored in the Church. For it is more playne then that it can be denyed, that the auncient & Apostolical Church did the same: and it is playne, that this same thrusting of the bread into the mouth sprang first from a certaine preposterous and altogeather superstitious reuerence of the Sacraments, as though men were vnworthie to handle the holy Elements, when as notwithstanding the mouth is more impure then the hande. To be short there, is no