The Christian disputations, by Master Peter Viret. Divided into three parts, dialogue wiseThe Christian disputations, by Master Peter Viret. Deuided into three partes, dialogue wise

Theophilus. If it do profit as much him which doth not communicate really the Sacrament, as him which doth communicate so that he have faith, as well as the communicant, to what end then serveth to go to the supper? And wherefore hath Jesus Christ said: deuyde this bread among you, and drink ye all of this cup? we shall then need no more if we will not take the supper really: But that the father may send his son: the husband his wife: the master his servant, which may communicate for them, and they without moving or wagging themselves, shall communicate spiritually by faith, so that the intention and devotion be such in them. I am not ignorant but that the true communication is spiritual and through faith, without which the outward bringeth more damage then lprosite. But dost thou think that Jesus Christ hath instituted the sign and the exterior Ceremony of he Sacrament will, out cause? and that he• would ⟨p. 187⟩not but that we our selves should communicate, except we have some lawful let, which draweth us back, as sickness, imprisonment, fault of ministering it, or other like doubt, which proceedeth not of our fault, of infidelity or despising it? Truly I will not deny but that in such a case, those which cannot be present at the supper, should have just excuse, and that they do communicate spiritually with Jesus Christ. But I demand of thee. Eusebius, if thou wouldest be content, that an other should dine for thee• and if in fasting thou shalt be refreshed with the meat that an other shall have eaten?

Theophilus. If it doe profite as much him which doth not communicate really the Sacrament, as him which doth communicate so that he haue fayth, as well as the communicant, to what ende then serueth to goe to the supper? And wherefore hath Iesus Christ sayd: deuyde this bread among you, and drincke yée all of this cuppe? wee shall then néede no more if wee wyll not take the supper really: But that the father may send his sonne: the husbande hys wyfe: the master his seruaunt, which may communicate for them, and they wythout mouing or wagginge themselues, shall communicate spyrytuallye by fayth, so that the intention and deuotion bée such in them. I am not ignoraunt but that the true communication is spirituall and thorowe fayth, wythout which the outwarde bringeth more domage then lprosite. But doste thou thincke that Iesus Christ hath instituted the signe and the extericure Cermonye of he Sacrament wyll, out cause? and that he woulde