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]…

239. Question.

I would gladly also that that were declared unto me, at what time thou thinkest the supper of the Lord ought to be celebrated. For we hear that the Christians are laughed to scorn of the Jews, who sup so early, yea, and that against the manner of the most old and Apostolical church of Christ it self.

I would gladly also that that were declared vnto me, at what time thou thinkest the supper of the Lord ought to be celebrated. For wee heare that the Christians are laughed to skorne of the Iewes, who suppe so earely, yea, and that against the manner of the most old and Apostolicall church of Christ it selfe.

Answer. Christ did celebrate these mysteries at night for two causes: For he would compare this new Sacrament which he instituted with the figure answering unto it. Now the passover was slain betwixt two evenings. And furthermore it is plain that this was the manner of the ancient, that they should sit down once, that is too say, in the evenings. For [Greek or Hebrew] and [Greek or Hebrew] which the Latins (I think) called Prandium, that is, a dinner, as if a man should say, the leavings of the former meals, because that that very same day nothing in a manner was sodden, but somewhat was taken of the remnants of the former days ⟨image 160⟩meal in a manner they not sitting down neither was it of all, nor of full provision and junkets. It is no marvel therefore, forasmuch as Christ differed these same mysteries, as it were the sealing up of his Testament into his last banquet, that he rather instituted this rite in the Evening then in the Morning. Now it ought not too seem any wonder, that the old Church, whiles that those love feasts by little and little were taken away, that they did end their banquets with the celebration of this Supper: the which thing notwithstanding, that it was not every where kept, it appeareth not only by the last Apology of Justine, but also by other testimonies of the ancient fathers. But it cannot be gathered of any cir, cumstance of time out of the words of the institution, that Christ commanded any thing concerning the circumstance of time. Therefore custom hath very well prevailed, that the Supper of the Lord should be celebrated rather in the morning meeting, & of those that are fasting, then of those that have dined,