Be they not vtterlye corrupted and poysoned with diuers kindes of horrible idolatrye with shameful supersticious with daÌ„nable sectes and false religions and with the dotyng doctrynes of men Is the Church of the Ephesians yet still light in the Lorde and not rather barckenes in Mahomet Hath the Church of the Philippians this present day felowship stil in the Gospel and not rather in the fylthy doctryne of the Turke Both the church of the Collossians continewe yet styl grouÌ„ded and stablished in the fayth of the word of God and not rather blinded in infidelitie and in such horrible idolatry as is taughte by the false doctrines of men Is the churche of the Tessalonians nowe conuerted still from images to serue the liuynge God or contente to suffre trouble and losse of their goodes for the truthes sake and not rather turned back agayn to their idols as the dogge to hys vomyte and become cruel persecutors of Christes gospel What sound doctrine theÌ„ caÌ„ be had in a church or coÌ„gregation y t is so corrupted Yea is the churche of Rome it selfe nowe obedient vnto the faith of Christ as it was in S Pauls time and not rather to the Popes ordinaunces and decrees Wherfore inconsideration of the premisses and for auoydinge of suche stormes as must needes ouerthrowe the house that is builded vpoÌ„ the saÌ„de we are fully resolued in maner aboue written concerning the sayd holye Apostolicke and Catholike or vniuersal church of Christ. Of the ministery of the word of God VUe are fully perswaded and do sted fastly beleue that the same almighti eternal most gracicious God who in times past diuersly and many waies spake vnto the fathers by the Prophetes hath in these last daies not only spoken vnto vs by his owne deare sone our onlye Sauiour Iesus Christ but hathe also by him ordained appoynted in hys Churche the ministerie of hys holye word willing his Gospel to be preached vnto al creatures to the intent y t al Nacions might become his disciples be taught to obserue al thinges whatsoeuer he hathe commaunded For in consideracioÌ„ of this most gracious purpose he did not onlye geue vnto his Apostles and Disciples the holy Ghost and opened theyr wittes that they might vnderstand the scriptures but also coÌ„mitted vnto them to theyr succession in his Church the office and charge of preaching repentaunce and remission of sinnes in hys name among al nacions For this intent also hath it pleased him to constitute and ordaine diuers and sondrye Ministers some hauyng one charge some another that the Saintes holy members of his mistical body and Church myght haue all thynges necessary to worke and minister wythall for the edifying thereof for the increase also and conseruatioÌ„ of his true doctrine and Religion This holy office which the Apostle calleth y e stewardship of the misteries of God the ministracion of the spirit the ministracion of rightuousnes the preaching of the attonement and the embassage of Christ though the blind se it not and the vnthankefull worlde regard it not is a noble and precious treasure which the ministers haue in earthen vesâ—els that the excellent power therof may appeare to be of god and not of them yea of suche worthynes is it that the true ministers thereof are Messengers in the roume of Christ as if God himselfe did â–ª beseche â—s thorowe them to be at one wyth him So that who so heareth theÌ„ heareth him who so despiseth them despiseth him and he that receaueth whom soeuer the Lord sendeth receaueth the Lord himself When we consider this as we are bound to do it moueth vs to haue the holy ministracion of gods blessed woorde the more in reuerence And euen so are we occasioned to doe when we cal to remembraunce how worthye Apostles Euangeliâ—tes and Disciples it pleased him not onlye to appoinâ—e at the fyrst in hys primatiue Church chiefly for the excecutinge of thys holy office but also to descrybe by hym selfe and them how vpryght Ministers hys wyll was to succeede them what good qualities and giftâ— they ought to be endued withal hoâ—â— wel learned and exercised in the scriptures how apt to teache other howe true shepheardes how painful worke men in Gods vynâ— yarde how dylygent labourers in hys housbandry haruest how faithful stewards of his misteries how honest keepers of hospitality how voyde of fylthynes and corrupcion how discrite vertuous faâ—teles they ought to be how sober honest and faithful wyues howe wel ordered housholdes how obedient godly brought vp children they shuld haue how wel esteemed also and regarded and how worthely prouided of nessary liuinges they ought to be Of these and such like thinges testifyed in the scriptures we ar out of dout concernyng the ministerye of Gods holye woorde Of the Sacramentes YF it be meete and conuenieÌ„t as it is in dede that the circumstaÌ„ces of the scriptures as S. Augustine saieth be diligentlie obserued Then is it lykewyse expedient necessary that in medlyng with Gods holy sacramentes it be also râ—uerently and discretly considered by whom whaÌ„ wher after what maner â–ª for whom and for what intent purpose they were ordeined For the ignoraunce and not regardynge thereof hathe marred al the matter and is the verye occasion that as coÌ„cerning the true vnderstaÌ„ding vse of Gods holy Sacramentes men shute either to wide to shorte or to far of so that therby they loose the game and come not neare the marcke Now because we must nedes confesse as we do reuerently wyth al our hartes that the mistery of Gods holy Sacramentes is most comfortable most worthy to be tasted felt and vnderstand in euery Christen conscieÌ„ce And forasmuch as the Diuel with the cloud of blynd and wilful ignorauÌ„ce hath darkned theeyes of mani a mothers child so that they do not see nor perceiue the swetenes of this treasure what it is wher it lyeth nor the right vse of it Therfore albeit y e holy Gost him selfe hath broken the hard shel of the Nutte already yet seing there are sondry good peeces of the swete kernel caâ—t out and lye some troden vnder feete some shuffeled amonge the shels We mynde as sincerely faithfullye as we can to do our best in taking vp and laying forth such parcels of the said most swete kernell concerning the misâ—ery of Gods holye Sacramentes as the Lord himselfe bi his grace in this our humble confession shal helpe and teach vs to vtter Nowe as it is most requisite worthely to consider the sayde misterye whych is the CommunioÌ„ and felowshyp that we haue in eternal lyfe thorow the meâ—iâ—es of Christ EueÌ„ so we confesse and fynde it so by ecsperieÌ„ce that the verity and truth therof doth much the more comfortably appeare when Gods wonderful and most gragracious working for mankynde froÌ„ the beginniÌ„g is
duties one towardes another Wherfore beynge fullye perswaded that the eternal God hath appoynted the ministery of his worde to be continued in his churche or congregation and hath geuen giftes vnto meÌ„ to edifie it withal aswel bi teachyng of true doctrine and improuiÌ„g of false aswel bi planting of godlines and al vertues as by instructyng of the ignoraunt rebukyng of the â—uyll and refourmynge of thinges that be a misse We mynde therfore nowe to confesse what oure beliefe is consernyng the Church of Christ. Of the Churche THough this word church betakeÌ„ in diuers significatioÌ„s as for a perticuler congregation somtime of the good somtime of the wicked sometime for an assemble of both good and euyll together And other wise vsurped partly for an house of commen resorte and partly for the only state of the Cicargie yeâ— are we fullye perswaded and do stedfastly beleue that there is but oneonly Apostolicke and holy Catholicke or vniuersal Church and congregation of God which being moued â—aught and gathered together froÌ„ among al nations of the whole world by the operation of the holy ghost into the vnitie and truth of the faith and vndefiled Religion of the Apostles Is not onely sanctified clensed and purified in the bloud of our sauior Christ but specialli also endued with vnfained holines of life This Church hath the Lord Iesus builded vpon the sure stedfast and hard stony rocke that is to say vpon him self against whom the gates of hel cannot preuayle Nether hath this Church any other foundaâ—ion theÌ„ that which as the prophet sayth Almyghti God the father hath â—ayde alredy which the Apostle declareth to be euen Iesus Christ. This Churche is the house the dwellynge place and congregation of the liuing God the piller and ground that is to say the mayntainer and defendor the â—ure staye and vpholder of the truth This Church is the mistical bodye and beloued Spouse of Christe who is the head and Sauiour therof who also for the entire loue that he beareth therunto not only gaue him selfe for it to sanctifie it clensed it in the fouÌ„taine of water thorow the woorde to make it vnto him selfe a glorious coÌ„gregacion or church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing y t it should be holy and without blame But also after his ascencion when he led captiuitie captiue prouided ritchlye for it aswel with a most bewtiful diuersitye of offices and ministrations as wyth his owne worthy giftes meete conuenient for the same in a moste eccellent order vnitie agreement â–ª to the intent that his said church louinglye â—olowing his truth and in al thynges growyng in hym as an whole bodye coupled and knyt together in euerye ioynt wâ—erwyth one member ministreth vnto a nother according to the measure of his gift may helpe edify it selfe coÌ„stantly to increase in al godlynes and not to wauer therfroÌ„ neyther to be caried with euery winde of doctrine by the wilynes subtelty of men Of this Church are they whom the Apostle calleth Citizens wyth the Saints and of the houshold of God Which being built together vpon the same foundation that the Prophetes and Apostles were builded vpon are made an habitacioÌ„ of God in the spirite This Church and CongregacioÌ„ is the CoÌ„munion of Saintes the heauenly felowship and blessed compani of al Gods elect and chosen children that euer were from the beginning of the world be now or shalbe hereafter euen aâ—l true worshyppers that serue him in the spirit and in the veritye in such holynes righteousnes as is alowed in his â—ight they that vnfainedly feare y t Lord that walke not on styl in the counsaile of the vngodlye that stand not in the way of wycked synners and that remain not among the spiteful scorners but euer delite in the law of the Lorde alway study to obserue and kepe his coÌ„maundements his rules his ordinaunces hys actes and statutes Of this Churche are the poore in spirite the true penitent the meeke harted the mercifull the pure and cleane minded the peacemakers Here are they that being hongry and thyrsti for righteousnes do suffer persecution for the same and be reuyled troubled and falsly belied of men for the Lordes sake Of this Churche are they whom the Lord calleth the salte and seasoners of the earth the light of the world which so shine before men that they seing theyr good woorkes godly liuing do glorify praise theyr father whyche is in heauen Of thys Church are thei that both obserue the coÌ„maundements of Christ theÌ„ selues and teache others also to do the lyke who vnderstanding the law spiritually accordyng to the Lordes interpretacion declare them selues to be the perfect childreÌ„ of God in louing their enemies blessing those that cursse theÌ„ â–ª doing good to such as hate theÌ„ praying for those that do them wrong and persecute them Of thys Churche are they y t when they do almes let not y e left hand know what the right hande doth seke no vaine glory or to be sene of men And when they pray they enter into the priuye chamber of theyr conscience shutting the dore to them and praying to theyr heauenly father which is in secret And thoughe they babble not much in theyr prayers as the Hethen doo and are assured that theyr heauenly Father dothe knowe what thinges thei haue nede of afore they aske of him Yet being taught of the Lord how vnto whom and what to pray they most obediently folowe his order forgiuing others theyr offeÌ„ces as they them selues haue forgiuenes and desyre styll to be forgeuen of God These when they fast do it not to be sene of men but of theyr father which seeth in secret Of thys Church are they that gather them selues treasure together not vpon earthe but in heauen wher neither rust nor mothes corrupt wher theues nether breake vp nor steale These dependyng vpon the only prouidence of God though they â–ª abhorring idelnes do faithfully labour and trauaile euery one in their vocation the haÌ„des working the eies looking the mouth speaking the fote going c. yet take they no vnlawfull care or thought for this life but fyrste seke the kingdom of God the righteousnes therof and so enioye at his hand the rich prouision of al necessary thinges with a good conscience Of this Church are thei that geue not that which is holy vnto dogges nether cast their pearles before swyne These aske and haue Seke and fynde knocke and the dore is opened vnto them These doynge vnto others as thei would be done vnto them selues entre in at the streight gate and bi the narrow way which ledeth vnto lyfe Of this Churche are the good trees â–ª that oute of the good treasure of the heart bring furth good fruitfull thinges As thei that beynge ware of false prophetes and herkening onely
vnto Christes wordes do also practise the same in their life and cōuersaciō plaiing the partes of wisemen whiche against stormes for to come build their house vpon the rocke and sure foundation Of this blessed felowship are thei that endurynge stedfast vnto the ende and fearyng God more thē mē take vp theyr crosse and follow Christ beyng wel content to ieopard all that thei haue their life also for his sake These in al their aduersitie resorte vnto the Lorde takyng his yoke vppon them and lernyng of him to be meke and lowly in heart fynd ease and rest vnto their soules Of thys holy congregation and Churche are thei vnto whom it is geuen to knowe the misteries of the kyngdom of heauē whose eyes are blessed for they se and lykewyse their cares for thei beynge children of Gods kyngdome the good seede sowne in the fortunate grounde do not onely heare the word of God but also vnderstand it and bring furth plentiful fruit some more some lesse accordyng to the measure of such giftes as he hath geuen them These are the Lordes owne shepe whych knowing Hom their shepherd his voice folowe not a straunger but flye from him for thei knowe not the voice of strangers It is the Lordes only voice that thei herken vnto and hym they followe who knoweth them and geueth them eternal life so tha they shal neuer perish neither shal any manne plucke them out of his hand The father of heauen who hath geuen this holye flocke and Congregation vnto Christ his sone is greater then al and no man is able to plucke them out of his heauenly fathers hande Nowe is God the father and Christ his sonne all one to the endles comforte of this his vniuersal Church This flocke of Christ this holy congregation is that blessed Church whose vnrightousnes is forgeuen and whose sinnes are couered and not imputed Yea in this Church hath the Lord himself ordayned appointed the heauēly ministracion of continuall remission and forgeuenes of sinnes to al such as vnfainedly repente of their former wicked lyfe and truelye conuerte vnto hym ▪ For vnto this Church hath he geuen the keyes of heauen that whatsoeuer thei bynde vpon earth shalbe bounde in heauen and whatsoeuer they lose in earth shalbe losed in heauen Vnto this Church hath he geuen his holye gost ▪ so that whose synnes soeuer they forgeue the same are forgeuen And whose sinnes so euer thei retayne the same are retained In this church is the pure word of God and al the worthye exercises of his true Religion the holy Sacramētes praiers thankesgeuynge ecclesiasticall discipline c. duelye and faythfully ministred And thoughe the particuler members of this church maye erre as many both perticuler persons also perticuler churches haue erred and som do at this day while thei are compaced with fleshe and bloud Yet shall not one shepe perishe that is of this holy vniuersall flocke neither the fayth or foundation of this Catholike Churche fayle This holy vniuersall church as the sōne in brightnes hath beames of light whereof it commeth to passe that there be also particuler Churches or congregations Where thoughe there be but two or thre gathered together in y e name of Christe He is in the myddes amonge theim For thoughe we confesse and knowledge that the holy Catholike or vniuersal churche of Christ is inuisible suche as our Crede teacheth vs to beleue y t such a church there is Though no mortal man can se the regeneratiō of the spirit and the fayth of Christ in it selfe Yet a good tre mai be knowne by his fruts Like as the beames then that procede of the Sūne are testimonies and partakers of the lyght therof Euen so what church or congregation soeuer professeth the name Religiō of Christ hauyng and exercising the pure and sincere doctrine of hys Gospel of his Sacraments and of al his dissipline accordyng to his holye institutiō y e same do we take vndoutedly for Christs church For bi mās wordes and dedes we mai discerne to alowe or disalowe theim True Prophetes also from false may we know by their fruites The heart God only seeth and iudgeth Notwithstandyng to build vpon we are throwli perswaded that as the sayd blessed vniuersal Church and cōgregation of Christ is the pillor and ground of the truth for greate is the misterye of godlines that it teacheth Euen so in such wonderful deuersitie of doctrines sectes and sondry religions of the worlde we should neither haue com to the true knowledge and beliefe of the Gospel neither shoulde we be satisfied in our selues or surelye fixed to continewe and abyde still in in y e sayth therof as we be God haue the praise against al herisies and false opinions If the authoritie of the said holy vniuersal and catholike churche of Christ had not wholly fully moued stirred prouoked admonished and taught vs so to do But whan we considered with S. Augustine the estimation and dignitie the worthines and authoritie of the sayde vnyuersal church and howe vniformally the mēbers of that mistical body accordeth and consenteth together in the vnitie of the holy gost and in the ministracion of heauenly thinges our conscience with al thanful obedience with obedient thākfulnes doth most cherfully and gladli agree aswel to learne what the said church teacheth vs and to beleue gods word that it preacheth vnto vs. As to be warned by the coūsailes that it geueth vs and to folowe the instructions lessons and ensāples that it sheweth vs. For sure we be as we haue cōfessed alredy that the foūdation of this Church is fyrme fast Herein hath the Lord set vp his owne lyght that hath no darknes in it Here is the truth that desceiueth no man the lyfe that kylleth no man and the kynges hye way that bringeth euery man righte to his iourneies ende As for a perticuler mā a perticuler church or Congregation as we sayd before they maye erre thei may be disceiued in one thyng or other at one tyme or other The consideration wherof as it appeareth did moue S. Augustine to haue most prīcipal regard to y e church vnyuersall although the particuler churches of Aphrica in his time were not defiled and poysoned as they be nowe O that mē were so circumspect this day as to builde vppon so sure a ground For though we maye safely geue credence to ani perticuler church whan it followeth the wholesome doctrine wherin the holy gost by his Apostle did stablish the Churche of the Ephesians of the Philippians of the Colossians of the Tessalonians c. Yet if any such Church do shute at another marke we shall but loose oure game in doyng therafter As for ensample what sound doctrine what wholsome religion what good and vpright discipline is there at this present day in any of the said particular Churches
the loynes of our forefather Adam to whom he was promised immediatly after his offence but opened vnto the worlde whan he became incarnate So that this felowship was entred with vs in that parte whyche was properli ours In respect wherof the father of heauen through fayth operation of his holy spirit vouchsafe to make vs partakers of that whiche was properly his namely the breade that came downe from heauen which is lyfe it self optained by Christes death whereby his merites are become ours So that then was this felloweship fully ioyned whan the heauenly mariage betwene our nature and his was made in the vnitie of persone in him not by coÌ„fusiuÌ„ of substance no more theÌ„ ether his deuine or humayn nature is confounded thoughe he be both very God and very man Thus thorow faith wherunto this heauenly matter is offered and by the workyng of the holy gost we haue our felowship with euerlastynge life in his body and bloud which he tooke of vs and which now sitteth in glory wher also our soule is present through faith so that we be one with him The fruitful knowledge and vnderstandyng of this heauenly mistery is euidently setfurth to the eyes of faith â–ª not onely by the fyrst institution and practise of y e Lordes holy Supper but also by his most comfortable wordes afore in the Gospel where he sayth it is God the father that doth grauÌ„t vs his true bread namely his owne soÌ„ne which came downe from heauen and geueth life vnto the world For he only deserued that the father should geue vs agayne this lyfe that was loste And like as the sonne sayth that the father should geue vs the breade that came from heauen that is to saye his owne sonne whoÌ„ he also calleth lyfe because he is the life it selfe Euen so the soÌ„ne saith that the bread which he wold geue shuld be his flesh which he would geue and offre to the father for the lyfe of the worlde Namely that the worlde by his death myght haue that lyfe whyche he sayde the father woulde geue and that is euen the very true breade that came downe from heauen So y t in the Gospel the soÌ„ne touchynge his deuinitie which came from heauen is called bread And like wyse his vmanitie whiche he offered vp vpon the crosse he calleth bread Thus through faythe we haue the perfourmaunce of that whiche was promised namely of y e deuine nature which is life after a more aboundauÌ„t sort then it was lost in Adam So that this is and may wel be called a verye felowship and so in dede both Saynt Iohn and S. Paule termeth it The worthy Sacrament of the body and bloude of the Lorde was instituted only by himselfe in the Parler wher thei did eate the Easter lambe the same night wherin he was betraied And as coÌ„cernyng the maner how the Lord and thei that receiued it with him did vse it Howe he also himselfe willed others his deputies and ministers of his congregation and church to do the same for whom like wyse for what intent and purpose he did institute ordayne it it is sufficientlye mencioned by the thre Euangelistes and by the Apostle Paule Touching the which we must consider that forasmuch as Christ did institute this to be a Sacramente and taughte by his most worthy worde and practife a ceâ—taine ordre in the ministration therof Therfore as the thynges therein contained ought Sacramentally to be vnderstand without anye absurditie or interruptynge either of the action or mistery So if the ordre and fourme by him prescribed and commaunded to be vsed by suche as are appoynted for the ministratioÌ„ therof be omitted Then is that no Sacrament of his For Sacramentes are as substancial couenauntes agremeÌ„tes whose nature is to declare vnto vs some righte title priuiledge or gifte that we haue or shal receiue thereby whether thei be grounded vpon a commen custome or commauÌ„ded to be obserued by such as haue authoritie to make a lawe or ordinaunce for the same For whi should the ordre prescribed in this holy SacrameÌ„t be worse kept or lesse obserued then was the rule that God appoynted in the Sacramentes of the olde lawe Their sacramentes had orders which wer kept and whi should not the rules of our Sacramentes be obserued likewyse Circumcision had a prescribed day what persons should be Circumcised and what part of the fleshe shoulde be cutte away c. The Lorde callinge it both his couenaunt and the token of his couenaunt The celebration of Easter had like wise of the Lorde a time appointed in the which euery houshold hauynge a lambe or a kydde of one year olde being a Male without blemishe should slaye him And not onely take strike the bloude of him vpon the two syde postes and on the vpper doorepost of the house but also eate the lambe or kydde the same nyght with vnleauened bread and with sower herbes nether rawe nor sodden in water but rosted at the fyre the head the feete and purtenaunce together with theyr loynes gyrded shooes on theyr feete staâ—es in theyr handes and to eate it in haist nothing remainyng ouer vntyll the mornyng The scripture callynge it the Passouer and the sacrifice of the Lordes Passoeuer And diligently is this to be noted Namely that lyke as y e fathers in olde time did faythfully obserue and kepe the sayde rules nether omyttyng any of them nor minishyng theim nether addyng ought vnto theÌ„ that the Lord himself had not appoynted Euen so albeit that the cuttynge awaye of the foresâ—ynne of the fleshe in Circumcision had the name of the Lordes couenaunt and though the other sacrameÌ„t was called the passeouer of the Lorde Yet were they neuer the lesse without any strife brawlyng or contention about the names obediently and thaÌ„kfulli in godli quietnes vsed obserued The Sacrament of Baptisme also hath his ceremonies and rule appointed of the Lorde as to putte water vpoÌ„ the childe or to dyâ—pâ— him in water to pronouÌ„ce him baptised in the name of â—he father the sonne and the holye gost c. The scripture namynge it the newe byrth the baptisme of remission of sinnes the fountayne of the newe byrth c. Where as is likewise to be noted that thei do horribly abuse the Sacrament of baptisme that ether mynishe from it anye of the rules prescribed by the Lord himselfe or adde ther vnto their owne rites and supersticions whether it be salt spittle creme oyle or any such thinges as may deface the worthines of Christ. Yet hath there no suche mischaunce happened vnto this holy sacrament as ether to teach or beleue that ther is any transsubstanciatioÌ„ of the water in baptism or that it looseth the nature of water though it be appointed and turned to a very holy vse Nowe to returne agayn to our purpose The worthy Sacrament of the â—ordes body and bloud hath his
prescribed order rule And so that thys holy sacrament be accordynge to the practise of his blessed institution both ministred and receiued to gether The election and appoyntmeÌ„t of the time thereof is referred and left to y e godly discression of Christes Church For y e Apostle saith Quotiescumque c. As oft as ye eate this breade and drynke of this cuâ—pe ye shal shew the Lordes death vntil he come Neuerthelesse omitted it may not be nor left vndone but vsed in due time accordingly and in suche sorte as is appointed by the word of God who saith ☞ Take ye eate ye drincke ye al of it Do this in the remembraunce of me And by his Apostle he hath geuen this ordre that we whiche mynde to be partakers of this holy Communion shall haue no contencion nor strife amoÌ„g our selues but refourme our abuses commynge here vnto not onely together but also after a better sort rather then after such euil wyse as we happlye heretofore haue done One to tarye for another without disdayne and afore we eate of this bread and drinke of thys cuppe to proue try and examine our selues our myndes and consciences our wordes and dedes callynge oure whole lyfe and conuersation earnestly to remembraunce lamentyng and confessyng our sinnes vnto God callyng vpon him for mercy conuerting vs whollye vnto him knittynge our selues together in the vnitie of fayth and godly loue and so to come to the holy Sacrament Where first the minister takyng the bread geuyng thankes breaking it ought by the Lords ensample to deliuer it vnto other willynge theim also to take and eate it in remembraunce of the Lorde whose wordes also he ought to repete accordingly And likewise takyng the cup to geue thanckes and to deliuer it to the communicantes willyng them al to drinke therof in remembraunce of the Lorde This is nowe the ordre appointed to be obserued at the ministration of this holy sacrament which the scripture calleth ☞ the Supper of the â—ord the Communion or felowship of the body and bloud of Christ. CoÌ„cerning the which if the Lorde had authoritie to make a lawe or to set an ordre for the due ministration and vse thereof Then we also that be his subiectes ar bouÌ„d to obserue the same and nether to ad ought therto coÌ„trary vnto it nether to minish or take away froÌ„ it ani thinge that he hath wylled vs to vse Or els we playnly disapoynt our selues of the ryghte title and possession of such comfortable commodities as we by vertue of this heauenlye couenaunt and bargayne shoulde elece be sure of For as this is a special gift appointed by the last wyl and testameÌ„t of our Sauior Christ who in the true ministration of this his holye sacrament by the operacion of this blessed spirite hath promised to make iust deliueraunce of the thing promysed So is it by him condicioned afore hand that we shal duly receiue and vse the same and not to eate of the breade or drincke of the cup of the Lord vnworthely to our owne damnation In Ciuile causes the like order taketh place Where a leace is made it must not only be signed sealed deliuered but also receiued and the partie put in possession Not deliuered I say by euery man but only by hym or his deputie that hath authority to make or geue the leace neither maye euery man receiue and eÌ„nioye it saue only he to whom it is made or geueÌ„ or that hath ryght thereto Agayne a leace coÌ„monly is not made wythout condicions whych if they be broken doth not y e farmer theÌ„ forfeit his leace And what meane we els by thys but euen to shew that it is an horrible thing farre out of order that whyle the Lord in this hys holy SacrameÌ„t offreth vs so large a couenauÌ„t of mercy we shal thincke scorne to kepe the condicions therof and the rules that he hath prescribed vnto vs No man doubtles no not in Ciuile matters would be so serued wher like as it is no bargaine til both parties be agreed so coÌ„meth it to no perfect effecte neither can it stand vnlesse the duties coÌ„dicions promises be kept Neuertheles this thing shal appeare muche more euident if we compare the practise of these present miserable dayes â–ª to the order of the â—ord and his Apostles in the primitiue church lay the one agaynst the other As for the perfourmauÌ„ce of the condicions on hys party ther is no doubt For wher as he couenanteth with vs in thys holy Sacrament so to feede nourish coÌ„fort our consciences that he wyl euen seale vs vnto him selfe set hys marke vpoÌ„ vs and take vs for hys own He certifâ—eth vs assuredly that vpon such condicions as we also vpon our allegiaunce are bouÌ„d to kepe whych we must either do or els become vnworthy Receauers to our damnatioÌ„ we haue felowship with him and are partakers of the same eternall lyfe that he hym selfe hath purchased for vs in hys body and bloud But how now How kepe we our touche with him By his order there should be no â—cisme nor discencion among vs about this matter And yet Lord what a busines is ther about the defence of a new found transubstanciaâ—ion to proue y t bread is not bread and that after the recityng of a fewe wordes of the Lord ther remayneth the substaunce neither of breade nor wyne And what a doo is ther about the maner of Christes presence in the Sacrament Lord what tossing turnyng what detorting and wrestinge of the Scriptures is there to proue the carnal natural presence of Christes flesh and bloude yea that in the fourme of bread ther is contained the only natural substaÌ„ce of Christ God and man flesh bloud bone to the vtter confounding of the two natures in Christ though both the circuÌ„staÌ„ce of Christes action the propertyes of hys humaniti the nature of a SacrameÌ„t the Articles of y e Christian faith the euident testimonies aswell of the scripture as of those that are estemed the best and moost worthye auncient wryters declare the contrary Men should refourme al abuses about thys mater and come to it in a better sorte then they haue done And do they not wilfully kepe maintaiâ— theyr abuses styl Yea are they not eueri dai in their doings wors wors â–ª Men shoulde come to the Sacrament together and the wole godly assemble to coÌ„municate as brothers sisters in y e Lord. But Alas thei make a massing matter of it where on man alone taketh vpon hym to receyue y e thinge that the whole congregacion ought to be partakers of where one shoulde rather tarye for another then that any disorder shuld be committed about so worthy a Sacrament Men ought fyrst to proue and eramen wel theyr consciences to cal theÌ„selues theyr thoughtes woordes and deedeâ— iustly to accompt earnestly to repent them of theyr sinnes to lameÌ„t