tutours Agayne the fathers and mothers whych haue yong folkes apte to mariage are circumspecte not suffringe theyr sonnes and daughters to go longe beyonde theyr tyme vnmaryed but both for the auoydynge of vncleanly coÌ„uersacyon in theyr children also for theyr owne discharge they prouyde them honeste mariages mete for them Which thynge to do they are not only in the dayly sermons that they heare but also by the olde Godly practises of suche holy men as was Abraham Isaac c. Nâ—ther do the two yong persones come together after a lyght or vndyâ—cret maner but euen at theyr handfastynge whan the knot of holy wedolke is fyrst â—â—yt ther are present the father and mother of the partyes or els yf they be dead or absenâ— theyr nyest kynsfolkes and tutours and so is also some honest discrete preacher or curate of theirs who to the edifienge of them maketh a Godly collacion out of Gods worde for thyr enâ—aÌ„ple lerninge coÌ„fort in holy wedlocke So whan the time approcheth that they shalbe maried openly in the face of the church the curate in the presence of the whole congregacion geueth warninge certeyne dayes afore and requyreth that yf anye man knowe some lauful impediment to hindre the sayd mariage he wyll notifie it at his monicion Yf no hinderaunce be made then at the day appointed the brydgrome hauynge a company of honest men with him and lyke wyâ—e the bride hauinge an honesâ— company of women wyth her come to the sermon in the mornyng whych as I sayd afore is euery deye at .vii. of the clocke in SoÌ„mer and at .viii. in wynter and after that the preaching is done the sacrament ministred in maner afore saide they come both before the preacher and in the meane tyme the whole churche in their mother toÌ„ge do sing the Cvi psalme Beati omnes qui timent dominuÌ„ c. ¶ Then the preacher speaketh to them both by name and asketh them sayinge N and N are ye mynded to lyue togyther in holye wedlocke and to testify and coÌ„firme the same purpose here in the presence of the coÌ„gregagicion They answer yea then sayth he I take you all here that stande by to wyines requirynge you to recorde the same and to remeÌ„bre it and sayeth moreouer Yf there be any maÌ„ here that knoweth lawfull impediment by Gods worde that these two persones may not procede togither in maryage let hym speke nowe So yf there be none to make impedimente then the preacher sayth For asmuch as here appeareth no hynderaunce to the contrarye but that ye maye go forth togyther in holye wedlocke I praye God establyshe the thynge that he hath wrought in you Seynge also that both your consentes are knyt in holy wedloke and ye coÌ„fesse the same here openlye before God and the world I declare and pronounce you to be maryed togither In y â— name of the father of the sonne of the holy goste And in so sayinge he ioyneth their haÌ„des togither addeth moreouer let no man therfore seperate theÌ„ a sundrr whoÌ„ god hath coupled togither This done he erhorteth theÌ„ to remeÌ„bre how y â— god hath ioytheâ— in holy mariage according to y e coÌ„mauÌ„dement of god to loue one an other so to kepe their houshold to bring vp their childreÌ„ wheÌ„ God sendeth theÌ„ in the feare of god that theyr whole liuing may redounde to the glory of his holy name and edifiyng of the comâ—n wealth ¶ Then rehearseth he this or suche another prayer in the name of the whole churche and congregâ—cion O Almighty God father of heauen for as muche as it hath pleased the to call these new maryed folkes vnto holy wedlocke lyke as at the begynnynge thou sawest it not good for a maÌ„ to be alone for the which cause thou mâ—deste hym an helper lyke to hym selfe and so ordeynedest that they two should be as one persone we beseche the y â— vnto these newe maryed folkes thou wylt graunt thy holy spirite whereby they lyuynge in holye wedlocke maye styll truste in thy goodnes ouercome all temptation leade an honest godly lyfe to the edifying of euery maÌ„ Blesse them also thaâ— in the fruite of theyr bodye they maye prayse the and so brynge vp the same y â— it maye be to thy glory and profyt of the comon wealth Amen Then the churche syngeth a Psalme of thaÌ„kes gyuyng and so departeth ¶ The conclusion of this lytle boke THou seest nowe what order is kepte in the ministracion and vse of the forsayd thre holy ordinaunces of God coÌ„cernynge the whyche I wrytte here nothyng of had I wist nor of vncertentie but euen as I knowe as I haue not onely sene with myne eyes heard wyth myne eares but bene present also longe and many a day at the execution practise experience therof whiche thinge as I wryte to gyue al good hertes occasion of feruent prayer to God that he wyll grauÌ„t his worde to grow lykwyse amonge vs euen so in the vertue of Gods holy name and for that precious bloud sake of his most deare sonne I admonish and exhorte al subiectes to be pacient to auoyed all kynde of sedicion to coÌ„mitte the refourmation of all errours supersticions ceremonies vayne tradicions wicked lawes vniuste statutes of men Euen vnto God the authour of peace to the workynge of his spirite in those princes and rules whome he hath called to office for the same purpose lette no maÌ„ be slacke in his duetie but gyue god that whiche is his and to the king the thing y â— beloÌ„geth vnto hym acordynge as Christe coÌ„maundeth Math .xxii. as saynt Paule exhorteth Roma .xii. ¶ This I saye to stoppe the mouthes and the blasphemous tonges of suche as wyll not ceasse to rayle on me and to slaunder me yea euen to the kynges maiestie as though I were a peruerter of comon order or toke vpoÌ„ me to chaunge the lawes and to make new statutes Naye ye vngodly hypocrites not so but as I am sure that there is heauy dampnacion layed vp for al such subiectes as rebel or make sedicion against theyr Prince or disobeye the least coÌ„mauÌ„dement of god in theyr soueraygne eueÌ„ so I am assured that there is no lesse dampnacion prepared for those rulers or heades that make vniuste lawes cruell statutes to maynteyne theyr owne lustes and opresse the poore I reporte me to the .x. chapiter of Esaye the .ii. and .iii. of Micheas and to the later ende of the .v. chapter of the prophet Hieremy Let all rulers threfore beware that they make no actes of parliament nor statutes agaynste gods worde and let al subiectes learne of S. Peteâ— i. Pe .ii. to be obedient c. And not onely that but yf they be coÌ„maunded any thynge then let them learne of the same S. Peter Act .iiii. to obeye god more then meÌ„ In the meane time tyll gods blessed worde onely be ruler amonge vs tyl all wicked inuentions of men
are to be vnderstande wherin Christe calleth his bodye breade and hys bloude wyne Whiche wordes maye easely be opened yf we kepe in memorye those principles whyche I haue before set forth that is to saye that all the fruite we seke for in the supper is brought to noughte onlesse Christe be gyuen vnto vs therin as the foundacion and substance of all the whole matter And yf we ones graunt this thynge then no doubt we shall grauÌ„t also that there is gyuen vnto vs nought els but an vnprofitable vayne SacrameÌ„t â–ª yf we deny that in it is gyueÌ„ vnto vs the very participacion of Christ whiche thynge were execrable shame full blasphemye Forthermore yf the maner of the communion with Christ be suche that we be partakers of all the mercies and benifites which he gate for vs by his death then are we not partakers w t the spirite onely but w t y â— maÌ„boode also wherin he perfourmed perfit obedience to God the father to the intent he mighte paye oure det es Althoughe to saye the truth the one can not be wythoute the other For wheÌ„ he geueth him selfe vnto vs he doth it to the intent we shoulde possese him whole And therfore as I haue sayde that his spirite is oure life euen so doth he his owne mouth declare that hys fleshe is oure foode and his bloude oure verye drynke Yf this be not spoken in vayne no remedy oure life must neades consiste in him and oure soules be nourished wyth hys fleshe and bloude as wyth theyr proper and peculyar foode Of that thynge haue we testimony in y â— supper wheÌ„ it is sayd of the breade that we should take it and eate it and that it is his bodye and of the cuppe that we drynke it and that it is hys bloude here are the bodye and bloude named to the intent we should learne to seke the substaÌ„ce of our spirituall lyfe therin Now yf any man woulde demande of me whether the breade be the bodye of Christ the wyne his bloud therto woulde I answer that the breade and wyâ—e are visibâ—l signes representynge vnto vs the bodye bloude of Christe and that they be called the body and bloud bycause they be as it were instrumeÌ„tes wherby the lorde Iesu Christ distributeth them vnto vs. This forme of speaking agreeth very well wyth the thynge For not wythstandynge that oureeyes 〈◊〉 nor oure wyttes can not comprehende the communion that wee haue in the bodye of Christe yet is it there openlye shewed before oure eyes We haue in a lyke thynge an example verye fytte for the purpose When the lorde woulde that his spirite should appeare in the baptisme of Christe he shewed him vnder the shape of a doue â–ª Iohn the Baptyste recytyng that hystorye sayeth that he sawe the holye Gost descen dynge But yf we marke it well we shal fynde that he sawe nought els but a Doue For the substance of the holy Gooste is muisible But for that he knewe that vision to be no vayne figure but the mooste sure token of the preseÌ„ce of the holy goost he doubted nothyng at all to affirme that he sawe him because he was represented vnto him vnder soche sort as he was able to abyde Euen so must we say as concernynge the communion that we haue in the bodye and bloude of Christe It is a spirituall misterye whyche can neyther be sene wyth the eyes nother comprehended with the wytte Therfore as the weakenes of oure nature requireth it is set forth wyth visible figures and signes but yet vnder such sort that it is not a bare and simple figure but ioyned vnto his verite and substance The bread therfore is not vnworthylye called the bodye for as moch as it doth not onelye râ—present it vnto vs but also brynge vnto vs the same thynge I can be ryght well contente therfore â–ª to graunt that the name of the body of Christ be transferred vnto the bread because it is the sacrament and fygure therof But thys one thynge wyll I adde That the sacrametes of the Lord oughte by no meanes to be separate frome his substance and verytye And yet is it not onely mete but also very necessâ—ry so to set them a sunder that they be not confouÌ„ded But to deuide them so that the one shoulde be made perfyt without the other is moste vnsemley WheÌ„ we therfore do beholde the visible signe we muste consider what it representeth and who gaue it vs. For the bread is geuen to the intent that it shoulde be y â— figure of the bodye of Christ â–ª we are coÌ„maunded to eate it It is geuen I say of God the certayne vnchaungeable veritie Yf so be y â— God can neyther disceyue nor lye it foloweth y â— he doth in verye dede performe and fulfyll al that he doth there signifye No remedy therfore we must neades vnfaynedlye receyue the bodye and bloude of Christe in his supper for as muche as the Lorde offereth vnto vs herin the coÌ„munion for them both For what shoulde this meane that we should eate bread drynke wyne to the inteÌ„t that they shoud declare vnto vs that hys fleshe is oure meate and bys bloude oure drynke yf he letteynge the spirituall veritye passe shoulde gyue vs nought elles but breade and wyne had he not then instituted thys misterye faynedlye and in vayne And as we saye in the Frenche tonge vnder disceyuable signes And therfore muste we neades graunte that yf the representation whyche the Lorde gyueth in the supper be no sayned thynge that then the inwarde substaunce of the Sacramente is annexed to the visible signes and that in lyke maner as the breade is distributed in the hande so is the body of Christ coÌ„municate vnto vs to the enteÌ„t that we shoulde be partakers thereof And doubtlesse yf there were no more but thys one thynge yet oughte it to satisfye vs aboundantlye for as muche as we vnderstande that in the supper Christ gyueth vnto vs the very substaunce of hys bodye and bloude that we maye wyth full tyghte possesse hym and in possessynge hym be called into the societie of al hys good thynges For in that we possesse hym all the treasures and heauenlye goodes whyche be secretelye layed vp in hym are set out vnto vs to the intent that they shoulde be oures and that we shoulde enioye them wyth hym Brefely therfore to defyne the profyte of the supper we maye saye y â— in it Iesus Christ is offered vnto vs that we may possesse hym hym selfe and in hym aboundaunce and plentye of all the mercyes and benefytes that the mynde can desyre Whiche thynge is an exceadynge great helpe vnto vs in stablishynge our consciences in that truste whyche we ought to haue in hym An other vtilitie is that by it we are more steared and admonished to acknowledge the benefytes which we haue and do day lye receyue of the Lorde Iesu Christe that we maye
remembraunce An other signe to declare thys misterye by Thys cuppe of wyne is but one body and yet is it made of many grapes and so are you but one bodye althoughe you be manye so longe as you be ioyned together by fayth It comforteth the herte and the lyuely spirites of the bodye and so doth my bloude shed on the crosse comforte the soule By thys action haue I declared vnto you the misterie of the paticipation you haue in me by fayth Use you the same that thys your delyueraunce by me may neuer slippe out of your mynde We haue eaten the lambe whyche putteth vs in remembraunce of the wonderfull delyuerauÌ„ce out of the captiuitie in Egypte whyche was done more then a thousande yeares paste So shall you eat thys bread and drynke this cuppe in remembruance of your redemption and deliuerauÌ„ce our of the spiritual Egipte and from the spiritual Pharao the dyuell And when you shalbe demaunded what you meane by this eatynge drynkynge you shall saye We where through the synne and transgression of the fyrst man AdaÌ„ made bonde meÌ„ and captynes to the dyuel out of whyche bondage we could by no meanes be delyuered tyll it had pleased God the father to sende hys onelye begotten sonne to take oure nature vpon hym that he myght dye and be an acceptable sacryfyce to pacyfye the fathers wrathe Wherfore the night before he suffered he declared vnto vs by these visyble sygnes what coÌ„munyon we haue in hym of all that euer he deserued for vs. And then he coÌ„mauÌ„ded vs to vse the same bycause we shoulde be alwayes put in remembraunce of that our redemption and delyueraunce none other wyse them Moyses dyd to the Israelytes the nighte before he dyd by the wonderfull myght of God brynge them out of the greate captiuytie wher in they were holden in Egypt The wordes of saynt Paule to the corhinthians do teach no lesse them I haue here wrytten For he sayeth so often as you eate thys breade and drynke this cup you shal declare the death of the lorde tyll he come And therfore who so euer eateth of thys bread or drynketh of thys cup vnworthely doth eate and drynke hys owne dampnation Here is a playne declaration of the ende purpose of Christ when he instituted this most sacred sacrameÌ„t Forsoth to kepe in remeÌ„braÌ„ce hys mooste dolorouse death preciouse bloude moste pleÌ„teously shed vpoÌ„ the crosse And who so euer eateth drinketh it vnworthly that is to saye for any other purpose theÌ„ for the same it was ordeined for the same eateth drinketh hys owne daÌ„pnation I thynke not contrarie but y â— moste men wyl thynke this a strauÌ„ge interpretation of this place for as moche as the moste auncient yea all y e doctours that make any mencion of this place and Caluine hym selfe in this boke whyche I haue translated do applye the vnworthynesse in receyuynge of thys Sacrament to the vnpenitent hert of the persone whiche receyueth it And in very dede such one is farre vnworthy to receyue so worthy a Sacrament for as much as he is not the membre nor seruaunt of Christ but a membre of the deuyll and seruaunt to synne And thys interpretation is no lesse godly then fruitfull For therby are the membres of Christe put in feare to presume to come to the table of the lorde vnlesse they haue fyrst examined found them selues the trewe membres of Christe indued and adorned with perfyt faith hope and charitie But yf we wyl go to the natyue sence of the text we shal perceyue that in this place Paule speaketh of the small regarde the Corhinthians had to thys mooste sacred Sacrament not vsyng it wyth so much reuerence as they ought to do For he addeth these wordes Puttynge no difference of the Lordes body As he shoulde haue sayed esteamyng it nothing better then the coÌ„mune bread wherwyth they fedde theyr bodyes The phrase of speakyng gyueth this interpretation for yf I say This man was not worthely enterteyned I meane not that the partie whiche enterteyned him was not worthye to enterteyne so noble a man but that he was not vsed as was beseamyng for such a maÌ„ to be vsed So that to receyue the SacrameÌ„t vnworthely is to receyue it otherwyse or for an other purpose then it oughte to be receyned for y â— is after any other forme or for any other purpose then y â— wordes of y â— first institutioÌ„ do declare For wheÌ„ y e vse of good thinges is altred froÌ„ y â— purpose ende they were fyrste ordeyned for then are they vnworthely handled Al they therfore whyche do priuately receyue the SacrameÌ„t eyther to merite them selues or other other that do make it a sacrifyce for the redemption of synne or to pacify goddes wrathe in any coÌ„dition or after any other forme or for any other purpose theÌ„ is declared in the wordes of the fyrst institution do receyue it to theyr dampnation putting no difference of the Lordes bodye but vsynge it as a matter of marchaundyse or occupacion to get theyr lyuynge vpon They onely receyue it worthely which receiue it as a most worthy Sacrament and signe representynge vnto vs the coÌ„munion and partipacion we haue in all that euer Christe dyd or purchased for vs by taking our nature sufferyng therin al maner of moste miserable afflicions finally by hys mooste cruel and dolorouse death Therfore to hoyse it ouer theyr heades to daunce it ouer the cuppe to cary it in the stretes wyth a great pompe and glorye to bowe theyr knees and to knocke theyr breastes before it and to locke it vp in a pire to haue it ready to serue at al houres all suche chapmen as shall cal for it is but a polytyke caste of the marchauntes whyche displeye and set abrode to be sene suche marchaundyse as they woulde faynest sel As they do offende whiche neglecte and contemne thys moste holy mistery esteaming it no better then the comon breade wherewyth ouâ—e bodyes be fedde so do they also offende whiche honoure it wyth diuine honoure makynge it therby an ydol of all other moste to be abhorred both for that as they vse it it is a playne Antichriste spoylynge Christe of his victorye atchyued by the ones offeryng of hym felfe for all and alâ—o for that it pulleth the beleauers theron from the true adoracion of God the father and maketh them to hoâ—our for the inuisible immeÌ„se and eternall god that visible mensueable and corruptible breade wyne Yea as they vse it it is not the communion of Christes body and bloude at all but a fonde inuencion of theyr owne For Christe dyd not make so manye crossynges and blessinges and then eate it vp all him selfe But we must beleue that they receyâ—â— it for vs and in all oure names We must beleue that theyr receauynge of it is the application of Christes merites to vs. We must beleue that they can therby releue y â— soules in y
deserued for vs. For euen as we se that we beyng many are partakers of one loofe of breade by eatynge therof and of one cuppe of wyne by drynkyng thereof so are we certified by that participation that we beyng manye beleuynge in Chryst are by that belefe made partakers of Chryste and wyth Chryste in al that is his none otherwyse then all the membres of one bodye be partakers of all ioyes and pleasures that chaunce to the heade For as the lofe wherof we eate is made of manye graynes and the Cuppe of wyne wherof we drynke is made of manye grapes and yet is but one Cuppe of wyne and the lofe but one lofe euen so are we that beleue in Christe but one bodye wyth hym and he oure heade notwythstandyng we be manye in numbre and of diuerse nacions estates and condicions For as in the body be diuers meÌ„bers seruynge to diuers vses so are there in the congregacion of Christe whyche Paule calleth the bodye of Christe diuers estates Some Apostles some preachers and some teachers And as in the bodye is no membre wher vnto is not appoynted hys peculiare and necessarye office So in the congregacion of Christ is there none estate or condicion but it is profitable yea necessarye to the other Thys is a greate misterye sayeth Paule the misterye I saye of Christe and hys congregacion for it is hys bodye of hys fleshe and of hys bones Not that the congregacion or churche is that naturall bodye that dyed on the crosse nor we the members of the same churche the fleshe and bones of the same But for that it was that congregacion it was we the membres of thys churche that caused Christe to take oure nature vpon hym that therein he myghte satisfye for oure synnes makynge vs partakers wyth hym in thys satisfaction and so are we hys bodye and membres that is to saye hys bodye and membres were and are the pryce wherewyth we were redeamed out of the captiuitie and thrawledome that we were in â–ª Thys misterye is greate and farre aboue the beastelye mans capacitie But yf we wyll be geuen to the spirite the spirite shall minister vnto vs abundauntly the vnderstandinge therof For it is a comon phrace or maner of speakynge amongeste vs when anye hath bestowed his money vpon any kynde of marchaundyse we saye Lo here is my xx.li or here are his hundreth markes showynge forth the wares that were bought wyth my xx.li or his huÌ„dreth markes so that here the thynge boughte bearethe the name of the price In lyke maner doth Paule call the coÌ„gregacion redeamed by Chistes bodye his verie bodie his fleshe and his bones because it is the machauÌ„dice that was bought with his bodie his fleshe and his bones The mooste sacred sacramentes also of the bodye and bloud of Christ are called his body and bloude because they declare vnto vs what the bodie and bloude of Christ be vnto vs none other wyse then I call thys boke the suppet of the Lorde because it declareth the supper of the lorde so that here thou mayste se gentle readar wherin thou hast bene so farte and so longe deceyued Forsoeth in that thou haste not knowne nor consydered the causes why these moste holy sacramentes beare the names of that they represeÌ„t shew or declare vnto vs â–ª But haste grosselye persuaded thy selfe with the carnall and fleshly Iewes y â— Christe spake carnallye myndynge to tourne the substauncâ— of the breade and wyne into the substance oâ— his body and bloude when he sayed vnto hiâ— disciples thys is my bodye But doubtlessâ— good christian brother oure mooste cruel eneâ—mye hath in thys poynt vttered euen the greaâ—test parte of his maliciouse practyse He hatâ— not faylled alwayes to beate into oure heades the omnipotencie of God who coulde by his worde make al thynges of nought his veritie whyche wyll not suffer hym to leaue oughte vndone that he sayeth is or shall be done and then his wordes at his laste supper Thys is my hody c. Here laboureth he wyth toeth and nayle as they saye to kepe vs in the playne letter that we measure not these wordes by the scriptures of lyke phrace The veritie it selfe sayeth he hath spoken it wherfore it can not be otherwise The onely almyghtye which created all thynges by his worde hath sayed it it is not therfore impossible that it shoulde be so Thou arte a christian man and hast professed to beleaue all the wordes of Christe to be trewe though thy reasone can not comprehende the maner howe And wylte thou wyth the carnal and fleshly Iewes doubt in the perfourmance of the wordes that thy Sauioure shall speake He sayed that a vyrgyne shoulde brynge forth a chylde and wylte not thou beleaue it bycause thou canste not by reasone be persuaded that it is possible for a vyrgyne to brynge sorth a chylde what coulde the obstinate Iewes do more then blyndely and obstinately saye Howe can thys man gyue vs hys fleshe to eate and hys bloude to drynke And wylte thou be as obstinate as they and thynke it impossible for hym to gyue the his fleshe yea hys very naturall fleshe and bloude vnder the fourme of brâ—ade and wyne Oh subtylle serpent Oh crafty dissembler Nowe chaungeste thou thy selfe into an angell of lyghte Thou â—adest the Iewes abhorre Christes wordes bycause the law whych they professed taught them that it was abominable to eate the rawe fleshe or drynke the bloude of any beast muche more of a man And bycause they shoulde not consyder and vnderstande the spiritual eating of his dodye and drynkynge of his bloude by fayth thou puttest them in mynde of the corruptible Manna that the fathers dyd eate in wyldernesse And that notwythstandyng that breade came from heauen yet was it not of suche lyuelye force that it myghte preserue the eaters therof from death Yea thou heldeste them in opinion that it was not possible for Christe to gyue them his fleshe to eate and his bloude to drynke after suche sorte that theyr stomakes myght awaye wyth all Wherfore they sayed Howe can this felowe gyue vs his fleshe to eate and his bloude to drynke But here thou commest vnto vs with the contrary Thou byddest vs beleaue that he was able to chaunge breade and wyne into his fleshe and bloude that we myght therby awaye wyth the deuouryng therof Thus thou playest on both handes wyth them bycause they shoulde not loke for any spirituall eatynge or drynkyng of Christes fleshe and bloude And wyth vs that we shoulde not regarde the spirituall eatynge and drynkynge but that we shoulde moste regarde the fleshely deuourynge of the bread and wyne So that neyther the Iewes nother weâ— can come to the trewe eating of Christes fleshe and drynkyng of his bloud by vnfayned fayth in hym and his merities Here mayeste thou playnely se most dearely beloued in the lorde by what meanes our gostely enemy hath spoyled vs of the vse of these mooste preciouse
gyue vnto hym honoure and glorye and that as mete is we celebrate hys moste holye name wyth continuall prayses For by nature we are very negligent and in remembrauÌ„ce of the goodnes of our god neyther do we thynke there on at any tyme onlesse he do awake our slougyshnesse and prouoke vs to our dutye And wyth sharper prickes caÌ„ we not be pricked then in that he compelleth vs as it were to se wyth oure eyes and to handle wyth oure handes yea openly to knowe and perceyue the greatnesse of the inestimable benefyt in that he feadeth and refresheth vs with his owne proper substance which thing he would should be declared made open vnto vs in y â— he byddeth vs declare his death tyll he come If so be that it be a thing so necessary to saluation not to be vnmindful of the mercies benefites that god hath shewed vnto vs but rather diligently to call them a gaine to memorie and to extolle theÌ„ greatly to other men that we maye by mutual admonicioÌ„s be stered vp we se therin a singulare coÌ„moditie of the supper whiche calleth vs back froÌ„ the vice of vnthankfulnes suffreth vs not to forget y â— great benefite which Christ shewed vs whan he died for our sakes but it bryngeth vs to this passe that wee geue thankes vnto him and do as it were with an open testimonie confesse how moch we are bounde vnto him The thrid kynd of vtilitiâ— consisteth in this thing that we be therby more vehemeÌ„tlie stered vp to sanctimonie and puritie of lyfe and are with more force of persuasions dryueÌ„ chieflye and before all other to kepe charitie freÌ„dship amoÌ„g ourselues For seing that we be made the members of Christe beynge graâ—ted into his bodye and are ioyned to gether with him as with oure head it is but mete that we chiefly be facioned after his puritie â—nnocencie that ther be especially such coÌ„cord among vs as ought to be among the membres of one bodye Although to haue y â— true vnderstaÌ„dyng of this vtilite we ought not to thinke that the lorde doth only exhorte and stere vs vp other inflame vs with an external signe For this is the chiefe thynge that he with his spirite worketh intierlye in vs to adde force and efficacye as his ordinaunce whiche he hath appoynted as it were an instrument seruynge hym to this purpose that he might accomplysh and finishe his worke in vs therfore because the power of the holy goste is coupled with the sacramentes whan they be receyued so as they oughte to be we ought to hope and truste that they be an helpe vnto vs that we maye go forward in holynesse of lyfe and especyally in charitie Nowe muste we come to the thyrde of the chiefe partes whyche we haue purposed in the begynnynge of thys lytle boke that is to saye to the ryght vse that we maye reuerentlye obserue the institution of the Lorde For who so euer cometh vnto thys sacrament wyth a certayne comtempte negligentlye or wythout regarde nothynge carefull to holde hys purpose and to perseuer in that where in the Lorde hath called hym he dothe frowardlye abuse it and in abusynge fylthyly contaminate it But to contaminate and pollute the thynge that god hath so holyly consecrated is a great and intollerable sacriledge Neyther is it in vayne that Paule declareth so greuouse and cruell dampnation to all them that receyue it vnworthelye For yf there be nothinge either in heauen eyther in earh that is more worthy then the bodye and bloude of the Lord it is no smal faute to dispice it and to receyue it wythout consyderation and to come thyther not well and diligentlye prepared Forthermore he dothe aduertise vs to proue our selues that we maye vse it euen as the thynge requyreth Yf so be that we vnderstande what probation that oughte to be we shall also perceyue what vse that is whych we loke for but great and wyse circumspection muste be had in this thynge For as we can not be to diligent in examinynge our selues as the Lorde hath commaunded euen so dyd the sophihical doctours whylâ—e they requyred I canne not tell what kinde of probation and diligeÌ„ce in examinyng of a mans selfe suche as neuer man coulde be able to performe holde the miserable consciences to muche peâ—plexe casting them into wonderfull daungerouse anxietie yea rather into horrible tormentes And to be delyuered from these inrollynges of perturbacions we muste as I haue sayde before reduce all thynges to the institution of the Lorde as to the rule whiche yf we folowe wee shall neyther slyde nor erre And folowynge it we ought to consyder whether we fele in our selues vnfayned repentaunce and fayth Whyche two are so ioyned betwene them selues that it is not possible that the one can by any meanes conâ—yste wythout the other For yf we do suppose that our lyfe remayneth in Christe then muste wee acknowledge that in our selues we are deade Yf we seke oure force and strength in hym then must we vnderstande that we destituted of all strength do faynte Yf we put all oure felicitie in his mercy we must neades perceiue howe great our misery is wheÌ„ that is a way Yf our quietnesse tranquilite be reposed in him theÌ„ must we feele nought els in our selues but vnquietnes troublesome eares and solicitudes And such affection can not be in vs but it wil ingender in vs a cartayne displeasaunce of our whole lyfe besydes the careâ—ulnes and feare at the laste the loue desire of iustice For he that knoweth the filthines of his sinne and the mâ—serie of his estate whilse he is exiled from God is so grâ—aâ—ly a bashed that he is coÌ„strayned to be out of conceyt with him selfe to condemne hym selfe and for very dolour of hert to weepe and syghe To these thynges is the iudgement of God obiected inconâ—mente whiche thrutcheth the conscience of the synner in wonderfull straites whan he perceiueth y â— he can by no meanes escape and that there is no place of defence remayning Whan we acknowledginge oure owne misery after suche sorte are able to taste of the goodnesse of God then do wee desire to directe all the order of oure lyfe vnto his wyll that abiectinge the thynges whiche we folowed before we maye in him be made a new creature Yf wee therfore wyll haue that communyon whiche is be seming for vs to haue the communion of the mooste holye supper of the Lorde Let vs with a frime coÌ„fidence of mynde take Christe for our iustice lyfe and health let vs embrace his promesses supposynge them be to certayne and coÌ„stant let vs renounce al succours to the contrarie whiche striue therwith and all confidence of the same that we distrustynge oure selues and al other creatures maye be quiet in him onelie and content oure selues with his onely mercie which thing bicause it can not be done vnlesse we know how moche neade we
besech the vnfay nedly so to illuminate our mindes wyth thy holye spirite that we maye dailye increace in strenght of faythe to the in assurednesse of hope in thy promyses and feruentnesse of loue towarde the and our neyghbours to the glory and prayse of thy holy name Amen ¶ Thus the priest concludeth and endeth the office of this present misterie and blesseth the peopell rehearsyng these wordes of scripture Numerâ— .vi. ¶ The Lord blesse you and preserue you the Lorde shewe his face to you and haue mercye on you the Lorde turne his contenaunce vnto you â–ª geue you peace Amen And so they departe ¶ The order taken for the due ministracion of the blessed Sacrament of Baptisme ON the sondaye at one of the clocke after none they haue a sermon of an houre longe wyth lyke ryngyng and singynge of Psalmes afore in theyr mother tonge as they had in the mornynge to the whiche preachynge the people come as thycke as they dyd then And as they signe a Psalme for grace to the holy goost in the mornyng so do they here also and at euerye sermon where or when so euer it be made And lyke as in the mornynge when the sermon is done the preacher exhorteth them to coÌ„fesse theyr synnes wyth hym in theyr hertes and there vpon doth absolue theÌ„ by the power of Goddesâ— worde so dothe he here also in lyke maner and in euery sermon Then synge they a lyke songe of thankesgyuynge as they dyd in the mornyng and as they â—e accustomed to do after euery preachynge ¶ In the meane season whyle thys psalme of thankes gyuyng is songe or â—ls afore the font is prepared the mydwyfe is theâ—â— present with the childe or no mydwifes yf there be no chyldreÌ„ to be christened as there be comonly wyth a fayre company of honest sobre women And when the psalme is songe out the ministre beynge theyr ready at the font readeth a lecture of the Bible And when he hath declared it coÌ„pendiously to the edifiynge of the congregacion he exhorteth them that for asmuche as all men are coÌ„ceyued and borne in synne and that seynge it is vnpossible for a man to come into the kyngdome of God excepte he be borne a newe and regenerate they wyll shewe and declare theyr Godly â—oue and call vpon God the father thorow Iesus Christ and in his name that he wyll mercifullye baptyse that chylde or those chyldren wyth the holy goste and receyue hym or them to grace ¶ UpoÌ„ the same exhortacion they make their hertye prayer besechynge God to haue mercye on the chylde and then addeth he thys or suche a lyke peticion in theyr name sayinge ¶ O almyghty God whiche in coÌ„maundynge vs to praye hast assured vs that we beleuyng stedfastly in thy proâ—â—es shall haue all that we desyre specially concernynge the soule wherin we seke thy glory wealth of out neyghbours Our humble peticion to the O most deare father is that for asmuche as this chylde is not wythout originall synne thou wylt consyder thyne owne mercy and accordyng to thy promes sende thys chylde thy good spirite that in thy syght it be not coÌ„pted amonge the chyldren of wrath but of lyght grace become a membre of the vndefiled churche spoused to Christ thy deare sonne in fayth and loue vnfayned by the meanes of y â— same Iesus Chirst our Lorde Amen ¶ An other O Almyghty eternall God moste merciful father For asmuche as the iuste lyueth by fayth vnpossible it is any man w tout beliefe to please the we beseche the y â— thou wylâ— grauÌ„t to this childe the gyfte of fayth wherin thou wylt seale and assure his hert in the holy gost according to the promes of thy soÌ„ne that the inward regeneracion of the spirite may be truely represented by the outwarde baptysme and that the childe may be buried with hym in death and be raysed vp by hym frome deathe againe To the prayse of thy glory and edifyinge of hys neghboure Amen ¶ Somtyme also the priest readeth this parcell of the .x. Chapter of S. Markes gospel saieng ANd they brought lytle chyldren to hym that he should touch theÌ„ And his disciples rebuked those that broughte them But whan Iesus saw it he was displeased sayed vnto them Suffer litle chyldren to come to me and forbidde them not for of suche is the kingdome of god Uerely I saye vnto you who so euer receaueth not the kyngdome of God as a chyld shal not entre therin And he toke theÌ„ vp in his armes put his handes vpon them and blessed them ¶ Then the godfather yf it be a manchilde or the godmother yf it be a womaÌ„childe holding the chylde in his armes commeth and standeth by the prieste who asketh hym on the childes behalfe yf he forsake the deuel al his workes he saith yea and vpon the priestes interrogacioÌ„ he coÌ„fesseth his fayth in the face of the church So the priest taketh the childe in his left haÌ„de and w t his righthande he poureth water on his head calling him by his name as he did afore and baptisynge him in the name of the father and of the sonne aâ—d of the holy gooste ¶ Fynally the ministre committeth the chyldren to the prayers of the congregacioÌ„ exhorteth the godfathers and godmothers most ernestly to se that the children be brought vp and instruct in Christen knowledge vertue to the glory of God edifieng of the comen wealth ¶ Then synge they a psalme eyther that concerneth some thankes geuynge to God for his worde or els some necessary peticion And so they depart ¶ Now in lyke maner as thou seist thys blessed sacrament ministred on the sonday eueÌ„ so wyth lyke reuerence do they vse it at the same houre on those wyke dayes that the congregacioÌ„ w t the authoritie of their head rulers hath appointed to that vse And yf the children in y e meane time be in any dauÌ„ger theÌ„ y e mydwifes baptise theÌ„ And as the congregacion and multytude of people is greate at the ministracion of holy baptysme on the soÌ„day so is it also on the other appoynted dayes though they be worke dayes Wherby it is to be noted that y e institucioÌ„ and ordinaunce of God is in greate reputacioÌ„ amonge them for as it is ministred reuerently so is it heard with greate deuocion and feruentnes And though there be alwaye some vnthankefull lyuers yeâ— the flocke of Christe be euer bringinge forth good fruites folowe the worde of lyfe in theyr coÌ„uersacion ¶ The ordre taken for the due ministracyon of holy wedloke AS toutching Gods holy institucion of mariage thou shalte vnderstande that preuye coÌ„tractes are auoyded asmuche as may be And yonge folkes are so well broughte vp in the feare of God and instructe in the knowledge of his worde that they wel not lightly be entyced to ruÌ„ne on heade and mary without y â— honest consent of theyr parentes and
thys so precious treasure is vnhalowed and wyckedlye abused Thys holy Sacrament shall for the necessarye causes nowe rehersed be to vs also a testimonye of thys presente tyme before god and the worlde that we do vtterly both in worde and dede refuse and forsake all the disâ—eatfulnesse of the papistrie and that we fayth fully wyth all our hertes submitte oure selues vnder the gospel of Iesus Christe ¶ Wherfore ye dearely beloued in the Lorde for as muche as thys matter is so wayghtye euen Gods owne institution and ordinaunce yea and his coÌ„mauÌ„demeÌ„t also that we shoulde do it And lykewyse seynge the necessite which shoulde cause vs to accomplishe the same is so great specially on our behalfe towardes God to whom we owe a longe Deo gratias and thankes we ought in no wyse to refrayne our selues from it neyther suffer oure selues to be kepte backe there froÌ„ but oftymes wyth repeÌ„tant hertes to seke this our soules medicine coÌ„fort of our coÌ„scieÌ„ce beleuinge what Christ sayth to vs herin doing as â—e coÌ„mauÌ„deth vs ¶ And as for those that seke no suche repentant hertes fayth and comfort herein but lyue in open blasphemy continuynge in synne and wycked lyfe They shall knowe that they are vnworthy of thys holy supper and shal be excomunicate tyll they amende ¶ But to the intent that the vnrepeÌ„tant may thorow the grace of god be lightened and that we our selues may frutefully enioye this supper to the ameÌ„dmeÌ„t of our liues also that all Chrystendome generally maye be the beter and be edified Therfore let vs hertelye make our prayer to god the father of al mercye beleuyng assuredly that he wyl graciously here vs thorow our Lord Iesus Christ who coÌ„maunded vs to praye and promised vs saynge Aske and ye shall haue seke ye shall fynd knocke â–ª and it shalbe opened to you ¶ Wherfore in consideracion of the same conmaundement and promes lyft vp your hertes and saye thus wyth me in youre prayer O Lord god our father in heaueÌ„ we thy miserable childreÌ„ vpon earth beseche the that thou wyll mercifully loke on vs lend vs thy grace ¶ That thy holy name maye be sanctifyed among vs and in all the world thorow the pure and syncere teachynge of thy worde through ernest charite in our daylye lyuynge and oure conuersacion Seâ—lude thou graciously al fals doctrine and euell lyuinge wherby thy worthi name myght be blasphemed and slaundred ¶ O let thy kyngdome come and be greate All synfull blynd people and suche as are holden captyue of the deuell in hys kyngdome â–ª those bryng thou to the knowledge of the true fayth in Iesus Christe thy sonne ¶ Strength vs Lorde wyth thy spiryte to do and to suffre thy wil both in life and death in well and woo that our wyll maye all waye be broken offred vp and mortified ¶ And geue vs oure dayly bread Preserue vs from couetous desire and carefulnes of the bealy that of the we may be assured to haue abundaunce of al good thynges ¶ Forgeue vs oure trespace as we forgeue them whyche offende vs that oure hert maye haue a sure and glad conscience and that wee neuer feare nor be afrayed for any synne ¶ Leade vs not into tentacyon but helpe vs through thy spirite to subdue the flesh to despise the worlde with his vanities and to ouercome the deuel wyth all hys craftie assaultes And finally delyuer thou vs froÌ„ all euell both bodely and gostly temporal eternall Amen ¶ They that ernestly desyre al thys let them say AmeÌ„ beleuyng without any doubte y â— it is grauÌ„ted hearde in heaueÌ„ according as Christ ê“mised vs saying wheÌ„ ye pray beleue assuredly y â— ye shal haue it it shal come to passe AmeÌ„ ¶ Then reherseth he the wordes of the holye supper out of thre EuaÌ„gelistes Mathewe Marke and Luke and also out of S. Paule Cor. xi saying THe lorde Iesus the same night wherin he was betrayed toke bread gyuynge thaÌ„kes brake it sayed Take ye eate this is my body whiche shall be gyuen for you Thys do in the remembraunce of me In lyke maner when supper was done he toke the cuppe also saying This cup is the new testameÌ„t in my bloud As ofâ—e as ye drinke this do it in remembrauÌ„câ— of me This done the whole churche in maner aboue sayd do syng a psalme or two of thaÌ„kes gyuing for this blessed SacrameÌ„t And in the meane saeson they y â— are appoynted theÌ„ to suppe with the Lorde and come soberly and wyth greate reuerence one after another the men fyrste and then the women to the table of the Lorde where they knelynge one I saye after another receyue at the hande of one of the priestâ—s the Sacramente in fourme of breade And then goeth he wyth lyke reuerence to the other ende of the table and at the hande of an other of the priestes which staÌ„deth there ready for the same purpose he knâ—leth downe and receyueth it also in the fourme of wyne and all the other folowe reuerently and do the same Yf one of the priestes or both be disposed lykewise as theÌ„ to suppe with the lorde he kneleth downe his companion â—erueth hym And euen so doth he also to his felowe in lyke maner and reuerence ¶ Yf the coÌ„municantes and they that receyue then the Sacramente be many they synge the moe Psalmes of thankes gyuyng elles synge they the fewer ¶ When thys holy supper is done the partakers therof y â— were appointed therto serued one of the ministers staÌ„deth vp exhorteth the people to gyue earnest thankes to God wyth thys or suche a lyke prayer ¶ O almyghty God moste mercifull father thou that openest thy gracious hande wherby al thinges lyuyng haue theyr foode in due season we gyue honoure prayse and thankes vnto the for all thy benefites both gostly and bodely which thou hast rychely poured vpon vs wythout any of our deseruynge but specially we thanke the for thys worthy memoriall of our redemption wherin thou haste nouryshed and fedde our soules with the body and bloud of thy deare sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ blessed for euer Amen ¶ An other O Lorde Iesu Christe oure redemeâ— honour and prayse be all waye geuen vnto the for feadyâ—g our soules w t this spiritual and heauenly foode And we besech the for thy tender mertye that as thou hast geueÌ„ it vs for a sacramente of continuall thankfulnesse of daylye remembrauÌ„ce and of charitable vnyte EueÌ„so most merciful sauiour lend vs al way thy grace to be thankful vnto the for it and not onely by it to be continually myndeful of our redeÌ„ption purchaced thorow thy death bludsheding but also in coÌ„sideracioÌ„ therof to increace in loue towarde the and al mankynd for thy sake An other O Lorde God allmyghtye we thanke the wyth all oure hertes that thou hast fed our soules wyth the bodye and bloude of thy moste deare sonne And we