An account of a disputation at Oxford, anno dom. 1554 with A treatise of…

All that put and affirm this change of the substance of Bread and Wine into the substance of Christ's Body and Blood (called Transubstantiation) do also say and affirm this change to be made by a certain form of prescript words and none others: but what they be which make the change, either of the one or of the other, undoubtedly even they which write most sincerely in these our days, almost confess plainly that they cannot tell. For although' they grant to certain old Authors, as Chrysostom and Ambrose, that these words—This is my Body, are the words of Consecration of the Sacrament of the Body; yet say they, these words may well be so called, because they do assure us of the consecration ⟨p. 17⟩thereof whether it be done before these words be spoken or no. But as for this their doubt concerning the Sacrament of the Body I let it pass.

All that put and affirm this change of the substance of Bread and Wine into the substance of Christ's Body and Blood (called Transubstantiation) do also say and affirm this change to be made by a certain form of prescript words and none others: but what they be which make the change, either of the one or of the other, undoubtedly even they which write most sincerely in these our days, almost confess plainly that they cannot tell. For altho' they grant to certain old Authors, as Chrysostom and Ambrose, that these words—This is my Body, are the words of Consecration of the Sacrament of the Body; yet say they, these words may well be so called, because they do assure us of the consecration ⟨p. 17⟩thereof whether it be done before these words be spoken or no. But as for this their doubt concerning the Sacrament of the Body I let it pass.

Let us now consider the words which pertain unto the Cup. This is first evident, that as Matthew much agreeth with Mark, and Luke with Paul, in form of words concerning the Sacrament of the Body; so in this Sacrament of the Cup the form of words in Matthew and Mark is divers from that which is in Luke and Paul. The old Authors do most rehearse the form of words in Matthew, and Mark; because, I ween, they seemed to them more clear: But here I would know whether it is not credible or no, that Luke and Paul, when they celebrated the Lords Supper with their Congregations, that they did not use the same form of words at the Lord's Table which they wrote? Of Luke, because he was a Physician, whether some will grant that he might be a Priest or no, and was able to receive the order of Priesthood (which they say is given by virtue of these words said by the Bishop - Take thou Authority to Sacrifice for the Quick and Dead) I cannot tell: but if they should be so straight upon Luke, either for his craft, or else for lack of such power given unto him by virtue of the aforesaid words, then I ween, both Peter and Paul are in danger to be deposed of their Priesthood; for the craft either of Fishing which was Peter's, or of making Tents, which was Paul's, were more vile than the science of Physic; and as for these Sacramental words of the order of Priesthood, to have authority to Sacrifice both for the quick and the dead, I ween Peter and Paul, if they were both alive, were not able to prove that ever Christ gave them such Authority, or ever said any such words unto them. But I will let Luke go, and because Paul speaketh more for him himself, I will rehearse his words, That which I received of the Lord I gave unto