Two treatises. 1. The holy exercise of a true fast, described out of God's…

2 Secondly, I would have this to be remembered, that seeing all confess these words to be spoken of the Sacrament, we must not gather, that the word Body, is otherwise attributed to the Bread, then the nature and quality (as it were) of Sacraments will bear; for then if we should grant that, we should easily destroy and overthrow all Sacraments of the Church whatsoever; because in this behalf, or respect, there is a like proportion to be observed in one, as in all: And if one be defaced in respect of a wrong sense, the least can hardly, or not at all stand upright.

2 Secondly, I would haue this to be remembred, that seeing all confessr these wordes to be spoken of the Sacrament, we must not gather, that the word Body, is otherwise attributed to the Bread, then the nature and qualitie (as it were) of Sacramentes will beare; for then if wee should graunt that, wee should easily destroy and ouerthrow all Sacramentes of the Church whatsoeuer; because in this behalfe, or respect, there is a like proportion to be obserued in one, as in all: And if one be defaced in respect of a wrong sense, the least can hardly, or not at all stand vpright.

3 Thirdly, that this is the nature of all sacraments, ⟨p. 48⟩that the elements and rites used in the same, be true and effectual, not signs only, but testimonies and pledges of these things, for the signifying and subjecting of which unto our senses they were ordained: and yet when I use the word, Sign, I would not be taken as though I meant that they are bare, vain, or unprofitable Signs, such as Painters commonly use to make, but even thus far-forth effectual, that it is no more true & certain, that we see the same with our eyes, touch them with our hands, receive them with our mouths & eat them; then that is also as true and certain, that the Lord exhibiteth and offereth unto us, what ⟨p. 49⟩so ever they represent unto us; that is, the very body and blood of our Saviour Christ. These rules being thus then observed, I gather and put down this true & holy sense of these words: This is my body: that is to say, This Bread which Christ took, blessed, brake; & gave unto his Disciples, and appointed to be the element of this action, is sacramentally & spiritually, being received & eaten by Faith, a sure sign & an effectual pledge, that Christs body is become the spiritual food & nourishment of our souls. And I use these words, sacramentally & spiritually, that thereby I might meet with their gross slander, who when they