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. Do ye not behold a goodly Philosophy? Although that I do think, that they have also regard, that the mass ought to keep and hold some show of the communion, the which could not have any great show or colour, except there be two or three at the least with the Priest. For that cause I think, that they have in like manner taken the custom, to break their host in three pieces, because that it is written, that Jesus Christ did break the bread, and gave it unto his Disciples. Then for to represent in their particular supper, that ¹fraction & distribution of the bread: which cannot be done unto one alone, they do yet keep y• fashion to break it after the example of Jesus Christ. But because that they alone do eat it up all without distributing it unto others, yet they would nevertheless counterfeit the example of Jesus Christ, giving to understand that they do take the parts which they do make, in stead of them, in whose name they are made, & for whose intent they sing them. ⟨p. 189⟩And the Master of the sentences and also Gratian, do ²make the author of that law and ordinance Sergius. 2. Who before y• he was pope, was called: hogs snout. But because that that name seemed to him vile, he caused it to be changed into this same: sithens which, the custom continued among the Popes, that when they are chosen into that office, they do change all their names. All that ³was done about y• year of our Lord. 742. after the death of Charlemagne. The Doctors which came afterwards do tell the reason, wherefore that division of the host is divided in three parts: And say, that that which is put and ⁴cast into the Chalice, and made wet in Wine, is offered for the health and salvation of the living. The other two dry parts are for the dead, the one for the praise of those which are now in Paradise. The other for those which are in the pains of Purgatory, for to deliver them. Although that, there are others which do attribute the wetting in the Wine, unto the blessed, which are now in Paradise. But I am now abashed of those which have found out that manner to wet and moisten the bread with the wine, that they have no regard to their Canons which do rebuke & condemn very sharply some which had that evil custom to wet the bread with the wine, and chiefly some Egyptian Churches.