A68658:71
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.
Likewise this author in his first book against the same heretic Marcion, writeth thus: God did not reject bread, which is his creature: for by it he hath made a representation of his body. Now I pray you, what is this to say, that Christ hath made a representation (by bread) of his body, but that Christ had instituted and ordained bread to be a sacrament, for to represent unto us his body? Now whether the representation of one thing by an other, requireth the corporal presence of the thing which is so represented or no, every man that hath understanding, is able in this point (the matter is so clear of it self) to be a sufficient judge.
Lykewyse this autor in his furst boke agaynst the same heretike Marcion, wryteth thus: God did not reiect bread, which is his creature: for by it he hath made a representaciō of his body. Now I praye you, what is this to saye, that Christ hathe made a representacion (by bread) of his body, but that Christ hade instituted and ordayned bread to be a sacrament, for to represent vnto vs his body? Now whether the representacion of one thing by an other, requireth the corporal presence of the thing which is so represented or no, euery man that hathe vnderstanding, is hable in this point (the mater is so cleare of it self) to be a sufficient iudge.
The second doctor and writer of the latin church (whose sayings I promised to set forth) is S. Augustine:1 of whose learning and estimation I need not to speak. For all the church of Christ both hath ⟨image 36⟩and ever hath had him for a man of most singular learning, wit, and diligence, both in setting forth the true doctrine of Christs religion, & also in the defence of the same against heretics. This author as he hath written most plenteously in other matters of our faith, so likewise in this argument he hath written at large in many of his works, so plainly against this error of transustanciacion, that the papists love least to hear of him, of all other writers: partly for his authority, & partly because he openeth the matter more fully, than any other doth. Therefore I will rehearse mo places of him, than heretofore I have done of the other. And first, what can be more plain, than that which he writeth upon the 89. psalm, speaking of the sacrament of the Lords body and blood: and rehearsing (as it were) Christs words to his disciples, after this manner. It is not this body, which ye do see, that ye shall eat, neither shall ye drink this blood, which the soldiers, that crucify me, shall spill or shed. I do commend unto you a mystery, or a sacrament, which spiritually understanded shall give you life.