A68658:50
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.
1Thus much have I spoken, in searching out a solution for this principal question, which was, what is the material substance of the holy Sacrament, in the Lords supper. Now least I should seem to set by mine own conceit, more than is mete: or less to regard the doctrine of the old ecclesiastical writers, than is convenient for a man of my poor learning and simple wit for to do. And because also I am in deed persuaded, that the old ecclesiastical writers understood the true meaning of Christ in this matter: and have both so truly and so plainly set it forth in certain places of their writings, that no man which will vouchsafe to read them, and without prejudice of a corrupt judgement will indifferently weigh them, & construe their myndes non other wise, than they declare them selves to have meant: I am persuaded (I say) that in reading of them thus, no man can be ignorant in this matter, but he that will shut up his own eyes, and blindfold him self. When I ⟨image 25⟩speak of ecclesiastical writers, I mean of such, as were before the wicked usurpation of the sea of Rome was grown so unmeasurably great, that not only with tyrannical power, but also with corrupt doctrine, it began to subvert Christs gospel, & to turn the state, that Christ & his apostles set in the church, upside down.
1Thus muche haue I spoken, in searching out a solucion for this principal questiō, which was, what is the material substaunce of the holy Sacrament, in the Lordes supper. Now least I shoulde seme to set by myne owne conceate, more than is mete: or lesse to regarde the doctrine of the olde ecclesiastical wrytours, than is conuenient for a man of my poore learning and simple wytte for to doo. And bicause also I am in dede persuaded, yt the olde ecclesiasticall wrytours vnderstode the true meanyng of Christ in this mater: and haue bothe so truly and so playnly set it furthe in certayn places of their wrytinges, that no mā which will vouchesafe to reade them, and without preiudice of a corrupte iudgement wil indifferently weighe thē, & cōstrue their myndes non other wise, than they declare them selues to haue ment: I am persuaded (I saye) that in reading of them thus, no man can be ignoraunt in this mater, but he that will shutte vp his owne eies, and blyndfelde hym selfe. Whan I ⟨image 25⟩