A68658:29
A brief declaration of the Lords Supper, writtenA brief declaracion of the Lordes Supper, written
A brief declaration of the Lords Supper, written by the singular learned man, and most constant martyr of Jesus Christ, Nicholas Ridley Bishop of London prisoner in Oxford, a little before he suffered death for the true testimony of ChristA brief declaracion of the Lordes Supper, written by the syngular learned man, and most constaunt martir of Iesus Christ, Nicholas Ridley Bishop of London prisoner in Oxforde, a litel before he suffred deathe for the true testimonie of Christ
Emden: printed by E. van der Erve, 1555
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.
Unto this objection I have two plain answers, both grounded upon God's word. The one I will here rehearse: the other answer I will differ, until I speak of the Sacrament of the blood. Mine answer here is taken out of the plain words of S. Paul, which doth manifestly confound this fantastical invention, first invented (I ween) of Pope Innocentius, & after confirmed by the subtle sophister Duns, and lately renewed now in our days, with an eloquent stile & much finesse of wit.1 But what can crafty invention, subtlety in sophisms, eloquence or finesse of wit prevail against the unfallible word of God? What need we to strive and con tend what thing we break, for Paul sayeth, speaking undoubtedly of the Lords table: The bread (sayeth he) which we break, is it not the partaking or fellowship of the Lords body? Whereupon it followeth, that after the ⟨image 14⟩thanks giving it is bread which we break. And how often in the Acts of the apostles, is the Lords supper signified by breaking of bread? They did persevere (sayeth S. Luke) in the Apostles doctrine, 2communion, & breaking of bread. And they brake bread in every house. And again in an other place, wham they were come together to break bread &c. s. Paul which setteth forth most fully in his writing both the doctrine & the right use of the Lords supper, & the sacramental eating & drinking of Christs body & blood, calleth it five times bread, bread, bread, bread, bread.
Unto this obiection I haue two playne answers, bothe grounded vpō Goddes worde. The one I will here rehearse: the other answer I will differre, vntil I speake of the Sacramēt of the blood. Myne answer here is takē out of ye plaine wordes of S. Paul, which dothe manifestlye confounde this fantastical inuencion, furst inuē ted (I wene) of Pope Innocentius, & after confirmed by the subtile sophister Duns, and lately renewed nowe in our dayes, with an eloquent stile & muche finesse of wytte.1 But what can craftye inuencion, subtiltie in sophismes, eloquēce or fynesse of wytte preuayle against the vnfallible worde of God? What nede we to striue and cō tend what thing we breake, for Paul sayeth, speaking vndoubtedly of the Lordes table: The bread (sayeth he) which we breake, is it not the partaking or feloweship of the Lordes bodye? Whervpon it foloweth, that after the