Answer. First, that which thou sayest, too wit, that of whomsoever the outward word is heard, that they should also perceive that which is signified by it, thou knowest is not always true. For it hath no place in them, who speaking in a strange tongue, so hear that they do not understand, which falleth out to most men under the papacy. Yea how many do hear those that speak unto them in a known tongue, who yet notwithstanding understand not the very meaning of those things that are spoken: For therefore we go to schools, and to Schoolmasters, not only too learn the tongues, but especially that we may understand in deed those ⟨image 132⟩things, whose sounds we perceive well enough. Now this thing is much more to be acknowledged in divine then in common matters, and by their own nature more agreeable to this our understanding. But go to let us grant that that in the simple word and in the Sacrament, there is heard and also understood of all that which is signified by both: yet for all that I will not grant, that the thing signified, that is to say, Christ, is received of any others then of those that receive him worthily, that is to say, that come unto him with faith. For this receiving, which by a Sacramental figure (as we have said before) in the words of eating & drinking is signified, & by the effect is called of the Apostle the communion or spiritual union, doth not only respect the hearing of our ears nor our understanding only, but declareth that which is the only property of faith alone, to wit the spiritual application of Christ himself.
Answeare. First, that which thou sayest, too wit, that of whomsoeuer the outward woord is hearde, that they shoulde also perceiue that which is signified by it, thou knowest is not alwaies true. For it hath no place in them, who speaking in a strange tongue, so heare that they doe not vnderstand, which falleth out to most men vnder the papacie. Yea how manie doe heare those that speake vntoo them in a knowne tongue, who yet notwithstanding vnderstande not the very meaning of those things that are spoken: For therefore we goe to schooles, and to Schoolemaisters, not onely too learne the tongues, but especially that wee may vnderstande in deede those ⟨image 132⟩things, whose soundes we perceiue wel ynough. Now this thing is much more to be acknowledged in diuine then in common matters, and by their owne nature more agreeable to this our vnderstanding. But goe to let vs graunt that that in the simple woorde and in the Sacrament, there is hearde and also vnderstoode of all that which is signified by both: yet for all that I will not graunt, that the thing signified, that is to say, Christ, is receiued of any others then of those that receiue him woorthily, that is to say, that come vnto him with fayth. For this receiuing, which by a Sacramental figure (as we haue sayde before) in the woords of eating & drinking is signified, & by the effect is called of the Apostle the communion or spiritual vnion, doth not only respect the hearing of our eares nor our vnderstanding onely, but declareth that which is the onely propertye of fayth alone, to witte the spirituall application of Christ himselfe.
