A17219:285
Questions of religion cast abroad in Helvetia by the adversaries of the sameQuestions of religion cast abroad in Helvetia by the aduersaries of the same
Questions of religion cast abroad in Helvetia by the adversaries of the same: and answered by M. H. Bullinger of Zurick: reduced into .17. common places. Translated into English by John Cox. 1572Questions of religion cast abroad in Helvetia by the aduersaries of the same: and aunswered by M. H. Bullinger of Zurick: reduced into .17. common places. Translated into Englishe by Iohn Coxe. 1572
London: printed by Henry Bynneman for George Byshop, 1572London: printed by Henrie Bynneman for George Byshop, 1572
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The Answer.
The Answere.
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 drnk. 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.