The Sum of Christian Religion

3 They reason from a circumstance of the time: The same night in which he was betrayed. No man which speaketh seriously, speaketh figuratively, Christ instituting his supper spake seriously. Therefore without any figure. Answer. I deny the Major: because by that position no man that speaketh seriously should speak figuratively, which is most false. God speaketh in all sacraments, though figuratively, yet seriously. I have earnestly desired (saith Christ) to eat this Passover with you. Wherefore I answer, that he useth not jesting or obscure figures. This figure is perspicuous, because it is usual, and his disciples speak so: Where wilt thou that we go, and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover? It is usual also in all sacraments It is forcible and emphatical, because it expresseth the similitude of the sign and the thing signified, and the certainty of the conjunction of both in the right use and administration. Again we invert their reason, and say, Because christ spake seriously, therefore he used a figure which ⟨p. 780⟩doth well express and declare the thing. Reply. Christ said, This cup is the new testament. In wills and testaments men speak properly. Christ here instituteth a sacrament: therefore, &c. Answer. I deny the Major, and invert the reason: for seeing he would institute a sacrament, therefore he spake figuratively, calling his Supper the new Testament; which is figuratively to be understood for these two reasons. 1. Because otherwise there should be two covenants, the one proper, and the other the supper. 2. Otherwise also they should be shut out from Gods covenant, who cannot come to the supper, and all who came to the supper should be in the covenant. Objection. Christ saith, In my blood. Therefore the real blood of christ is in the supper, and is drunk by the mouth. Answer. We conclude the contrary rather by those words of Christ. Because the new testament was made by Christs blood shed on the Cross and applied unto us by faith, not drunk by the mouth: for otherwise they should be excluded from the testament and covenant, who were not able to come to this sacrament. Reply. There is a great force in the word, New. That which was done in the old testament typically, is done in the new really. Answer. If they add, Therefore done by the mouth of the body:

3 They reason from a circumstance of the time: The same night in which hee was betraied. No man which speaketh seriously, speaketh figuratiuely, Christ instituting his supper spake seriously. Therefore without any figure. Aunswere. I denie the Maior: because by that position no man that speaketh seriously should speak figuratiuely, which is most false. God speaketh in all sacraments, though figuratiuely, yet seriously. I haue earnestly desired (saith Christ) to eate this Passeouer with you. Wherefore I aunswere, that he vseth not iesting or obscure figures. This figure is perspicuous, because it is vsual, and his disciples speak so: Where wilt thou that wee goe, and prepare that thou maiest eate the passouer? It is vsuall also in all sacraments It is forcible and emphaticall, because it expresseth the similitude of the signe and the thing signified, and the certainetie of the coniunction of both in the right vse and administration. Againe we inuert their reason, and say, Because christ spake seriously, therefore he vsed a figure which