IF the Apostles, (as an1 example for Priests only) did alone receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper: then by good reason we demand of you by what power, or by whose commandment the Priests do not only not deliver the Cup, but why also they give the bread, or why they do admit women to the Lords supper, sith they also being numbered amongst lay men, were not present in the first institution of the same? If therefore the lay men ought not to receive the Cup of Christs blood, ⟨image 109⟩because they were not at Christs last Supper, and that it belongeth to the Priests, because they were there, it must needs follow that the whole Sacrament belongeth only to the priests, and that neither the one nor the other kind of the Sacrament ought to be given to the laity. For the Priests do very ill, and without all authority give those things to the laity which Christ gave only to them selves. But this is a detestable saying. But the doctrine of the Gospel and of the Apostles is far better and fuller of comfort, which teacheth, that Christ our Lord in his last supper spake of the redemption of all mankind, which he should obtain by his body given on the cross, and by the shedding of his blood. And therefore he most plainly and evidently saith: This2 is my body which is given for you: This is my blood which is shed for you, and for many for the remission of sins. Wherefore sith the body and blood of Christ are the only salvation, food, & drink of all the faithful, whether they be Priests Ministers of the ⟨p. 99⟩Church, women, men, lay people, or of what name or condition soever they be: it then followeth, that the whole supper of the Lord as well the cup as the bread, is free for all men. But if the Sacraments appertain not unto them, then have they no part of the body and blood of Christ. But the Lord plainly and distinctly saith: Drink you all of this: and Mark addeth saying, and they all dr•nk. Furthermore Paul saith: That which he received of the Lord, he gave to the Church or congregation (and this not to the Priests or Ministers only) but to all the Corinthians. And it may be proved by seven sufficient testimonies out of the tenth and eleventh Chapters of his first Epistle to the Corinthians, that he gave both kinds, that is to say, bread and wine to all the faithful, as well women as men, laymen as Priests.
IF the Apostles, (as an1 example for Priests only) dyd alone receyue the Sacramente of the Lordes Supper: then by good reason wée demaunde of you by what power, or by whose commaundemente the Priestes doo not onely not delyuer the Cuppe, but why also they gyue the breade, or why they doo admitte women to the Lords supper, sith they also being numbred amongst lay men, were not present in the first institution of the same? If therefore the lay men oughte not to receiue the Cuppe of Chrystes bloud, ⟨image 109⟩bycause they were not at Chrystes last Supper, and that it belongeth to the Priestes, bycause they were there, it must néedes follow that the whole Sacrament belongeth only to the priests, and that neither the one nor the other kinde of the Sacrament oughte to bée giuen to the laitie. For the Priests doo very ill, and without al authoritie giue those things to the laytie which Christ gaue onely to them selues. But this is a detestable saying. But the doctrine of the Gospel and of the Apostles is farre better and fuller of comfort, which teacheth, that Chryst our Lorde in his last supper spake of the redemption of all mankinde, which he should obteine by his body giuen on the crosse, and by the shedding of his bloud. And therfore he most playnly and euidently sayth: This2 is my body which is giuen for you: This is my bloud which is shed for you, and for many for the remission of sinnes. Wherfore sithe the body and bloude of Chryst are the onely saluation, foode, & drinke of all the faythfull, whether they bée Priestes Ministers of the ⟨p. 99⟩Church, women, men, laye people, or of what name or condition soeuer they bée: it then followeth, that the whole supper of the Lorde as well the cuppe as the bread, is frée for all men. But if the Sacramentes appertayne not vnto them, then haue they no parte of the body and bloud of Chryst. But the Lorde playnely and distinctly saythe: Drinke you all of this: and Marke addeth saying, and they al dr•nk. Furthermore Paule sayth: That which he receiued of the Lorde, he gaue to the Church or congregation (and this not to the Priestes or Ministers onely) but to all the Corinthians. And it may bée proued by seuen sufficient testimonies out of the tenth and eleuenth Chapters of his first Epistle to the Corinthians, that he gaue bothe kindes, that is to say, bread and wyne to all the faythefull, as well women as men, laymen as Priestes.
- 1Whether the Lords supper were given to the Apostles only.Whether the Lordes supper were giuen to the Apostles only.
- 2Both the kinds in the sacrament are due to all men.Both the kinds in the sacramēt are due to al men.
