Instituted this Sacrament saith This is my Body which is broken for you this do in Remembrance of me 1 Cor. 11.24 Q. Do you believe that Jesus Christ when he says This is my Body changed the Bread substantially into his true Body and was pleased that as often as the Pastors should pronounce these words they should Transubstantiate the Bread and Wine into his Body A. No for since Reason and Faith teaches me that there is no change of substance in those signs sight tast touch and smell assure me that it is true bread and wine reason tells me that a human body cannot be inclosed in breads accidents and that accidents cannot subsist without their subject and when it is destroyed that it implies a contradiction that one body can be in heaven and in earth at the same time and not in the middle space that it can have all its parts and dimensions in one small point and be more spiritual than a spirit Briefly faith which teaches me that Jesus Christ hath an human nature like to ours in all things Sin only excepted permits me not to believe that Jesus Christ hath a body invisible impalpable without dimensions without voice or motion faith persuades me that Jesus Christ is in Glory at the Fathers right hand permits me not to believe that his body is on earth subject to be trodden under foot by Infidels taken away by Thieves eaten by mice and suffer now he is in Glory more Reproach than ever he suffer'd during his humiliation here below in a word faith which teaches me that the heaven must receive him untill the restitution of all things Acts 3.21 And that we have the Poor always with us but that we have not him always Matth. 26.11 That he hath left the World that he is gone to his Father John 13.1 and 16.17 and 14.3 hinders me from believing that he is here again on the Earth shut up in a Pix Matth. 24.26 If any shall say Behold he is in the secret Chambers believe them not the Greek word signifies Ciboires i. e. the Boxes wherein the Sacrament is kept Q. But yet he hath said himself of the Bread This is my Body and of the Cup This is my Blood Matth. 26.26 A. Yes but he said likewise that it was Bread He took bread and said this is my Body and he said of the Cup that it was the Fruit of the Vine Matth. 26.29 And St. Paul 1 Cor. 11.26 27 28. says that we break and eat Bread I am then obliged to believe that it is Bread and the Body of Jesus Christ Q. How can one and the same thing be Bread and the Body of Christ which are two Natures so different A. It is Bread in substance but the Body of Jesus Christ in figure and signification according to the nature of Sacraments which take the name of the things signified as likewise the things signified take the names of their figures even as the Rock in the Desert is called Christ the Paschal Lamb a Passover Circumcision the Covenant of God Jesus Christ the Bread which came down from Heaven the Vine the Door the light c. Q. How know you that these words This is my Body ought to be taken Figuratively A. First Since Jesus Christ by these words instituted a Sacrament they must be understood Sacramentally and Jesus Christ instituting this Sacrament instead of the Passover in which a Lamb is called a passage it was reasonable that in the Sacrament of the New Covenant the sign should take the name of the thing signified even as the other did Secondly Jesus Christ himself would have us to understand it figuratively for he commands us to do this in remembrance of him he would not then have us to Eat his Body really and corporally for we are said to remember only things corporal when absent Thirdly Besides our Saviour gives us this Body as broken and delivered for us now he is not really broken in the Sacrament but only in Figure Fourthly The bread is the Body of Jesus Christ as the Cup is the New Testament of his Blood now a Cup cannot be a New Testament but figuratively neither can the Bread be Christs Body any other way Q. What can you answer to these words of our Saviour where he so plainly says That his flesh is meat indeed and his blood drink indeed John 6.55 A. I say First That in this sixth Chapter of St. John Jesus Christ speaks not of the Lords Supper for it was not then instituted Secondly That the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ is truly the meat and drink of our Souls but not of our Bodies that his Body is spiritual meat and not material and by these words Jesus Christ teacheth us that as truly as Bread and Drink nourishes our Body his Body crucified for us his Blood shed for our Redemption nourishes comforts and fortifies our Souls for what Nourishment is to the Body that Consolation and instruction is to the Soul Q. But this word indeed seems to exclude all Figure A. Not at all but only all doubt or untruth for doth not Jesus Christ say that he is the true Vine John 15.1 and yet he is so only Figuratively Q. How know ye that Jesus Christ speaks of a Spiritual meat and drink in the sixth of St. John A. Because his disciples murmuring at the the hardness of that saying concerning eating his Flesh and drinking his Blood he tells them what if you shall see the Son of Man ascending up where he was before verse 62. insinuating to them that when they should see him ascend into Heaven they should not have such gross apprehensions as to imagine they could corporally eat him on the earth And that they might understand those words spiritually he adds It is the spirit that quickneth the flesh profiteth nothing the words that I speak unto you they are spirit and they are life vers 63. Q. How then can you eat Christ's flesh and drink his blood as he commands us in this Chapter A. Spiritually and by faith which is the mouth of the Soul according to Christ's exhortation in this Chapter vers 35. He that cometh to me shall never hunger and he that believeth on me shall never thirst And it appears that he speaks not of a corporal eating of the Sacrament of Christ's body in this Chapter since he says vers 54. that Whosoever eateth his flesh and drinketh his blood hath life eternal And on the contrary Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood ye have no life in you vers 53. Now it is certain that many of the Elect are dead and could not have this Sacrament And vers 56. he says that He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me and I in him Then the Manducation of Jesus Christ and his dwelling in us must be understood spiritually for if it be necessary that we eat Jesus Christ corporally that he may
What think you of Stripes and Pilgrimages and such voluntary works by which the Roman Church think they make satisfaction to the Justice of God A. Not only that they cannot satisfie Gods Justice but that they deserve punishment because they are Superstitious Traditions of men and of which it shall be said Who hath required these things at your hands Q. What say you to the Counsel that Daniel gave Nebucadnezar to redeem his sins by Alms Dan. 4.27 A. That he doth not mean that the Alms of Nebucadnezar could be the price of his Redemption but that he would change his life in the presence of God and make up the time spent in unjustice and extortions by a serious amendment of life and giving liberally Alms to the poor and that in so doing God would be propitious to him who according to his mercy to repenting sinners hath promised Ezech. 18.21 22. That if the wicked turn from his sins they shall not be mentioned unto him and the word Translated by some Redeem signifies to break to tear and undoe what hath been done Q. If by our Works we cannot make satisfaction for our selves than we can far less do it for others A. That is certain therefore the Apostle Galat. 6.5 tells us That every man shall bear his own burthen and 2 Cor. 5.10 That we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his Body according that he hath done whether it be good or bad Q. Yet Colos 1.24 St. Paul tells us That he fills up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in his Flesh for his Body sake which is the Church A. St. Paul saying for his Body which is the Church answers this objection for this shews us that besides Jesus Christs Natural Body whose sufferings were accomplished on the Cross when he said it is finished John 19.30 he hath a Mystical Body viz. the Church whose Afflictions and Sufferings are called Sufferings of Christ because of the near Union with Christ who looks upon that which is done to any of his as done to himself Matth. 25.40 and who cried from Heaven to Saul who Persecuted the Churches Act. 9.41 Saul Saul why persecutest thou me and St. Paul saying that he suffered for his Body which is the Church doth not mean for her Redemption but for her Example and Edification SECT XVII If the Sufferings of Christ were accomplished on the Cross Quest YOur saying that the Sufferings of Jesus Christ were accomplished on the Cross seems to contradict that which they say you Teach of Christ's descending into Hell that the Soul of Jesus Christ did locally descend into Hell after his death and was tormented with the Devils till his Resurrection A. This Accusation is an impudent Calumny invented by the Monks to make us odious to the people for on the contrary we have always Taught that the Sufferings of Jesus Christ were finished in his death and we overthrow the Doctrine of Purgatory and of Limbo's and Christ's Local Descension into Hell by his own words to the Converted Thief upon the Cross Luke 23.43 This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise which words shew that his Soul was with our Saviours in Paradise that same day Q. What hath given occasion to this Calumny A. An Evangelical Doctrine plainly taught in the Word of God that Jesus Christ suffer'd not only in his Body but likewise in his Soul having been extreamly afflicted and grieved therein which made him sweat drops of blood Luke 22.44 and to say Matth. 26.38 My Soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death and upon the Cross Why hast thou forsaken me Matth. 27.46 Which also was very necessary for our Redemption for he being the Redeemer of our Souls as well as of our Bodies it was necessary he should suffer for us in his Soul as well as in his Body Q. Yet it will seem no Calumny to say That you Teach that Jesus hath been damned for these words are found in one of your Catechisms viz. in the French Section 10. How could Jesus be in such damnation A. The Author of that Catechism by that word damnation meaneth nothing but condemnation according to the primitive signification of the word and the word such which is added to that of damnation fully justifies that for being a relative word it must needs design the damnation spoken of before which is such as all Christians grant Jesus Christ hath suffered viz. That he drunk the Cup of the Wrath of God for Sin and suffered the Punishment that Sinners had merited and afterward the same Author explains himself so clearly that without much Malice he cannot be accused of teaching that Jesus Christ suffered the Punishment of the damned in Hell with the Devils for he put this difference betwixt Jesus Christs Suffering and the Wickeds Sufferings that the wicked continued therein but that the Anguish which Christ suffered was but a Sting for to prick him and that the wicked despair and are angry against God and blaspheme him whereas Jesus Christ never ceased to hope always in God in the midst of his distress SECT XVIII Of Pilgrimages Quest IS it lawful to go in Devotion to the Images and Relicks of Saints to be cured of any Distemper or for good success in our undertaking A. No For this is to leave the Creator and go to the Creature whereas we ought to have recourse to God only for Grace to help us in time of need Heb. 4.16 And the mercy of God being extended to all Nations he is not more accessible in one place than in another as Christ says to the Samaritan upon the contest between them and the Jews about the place of Worship which the one would have to be in Jerusalem the others in Mount Garizim John 4.21 23. Woman believe me the hour cometh when ye shall neither in this mountain nor yet at Jerusalem worship the Father but the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth SECT XIX Of Monkish Vows and first of that of a Single Life Quest MAy one lawfully Vow a single life to God A. No For a single life is only fit for those that have the gift of Continence for those that have it not God commands to Marry 1 Cor. 7.9 If they cannot contain let them marry for it is better to marry than to burn Q. But may not perpetual Continency be Vowed to God A. No For it is the gift of God and not in our power St. Paul speaking of this gift 1. Cor. 7.7 says I would that all men were even as I my self but every man hath his proper gift of God one after this manner another after that Q. Who are then they that make themseves Eunuches for the Kingdom of Heaven Matth. 19.12 A. Those that finding that God hath granted them this gift have taken up a firm resolution in themselves to abstain from Marriage that they may serve God
dwell in us by the same reason Jesus Christ should eat us and we should enter into his body that we might dwell in him Q. How is it then that Jesus Christ dwelleth in us and we in him A. Jesus Christ dwelleth in us by his Spirit and we receive him by faith Ephes 3 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith and John 1.12 As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God even to them that believe in his Name To believe in Jesus Christ then is to receive him and 1 Joh. 3.24 And hereby we know that he abideth in us by the Spirit which he hath given us Q. If you take only the figure and not the true body of Jesus Christ in the Lord's Supper what advantage have you more than the wicked and prophane who often take the figure as well as you A. Very much for the wicked only eat the exterior part of the Sacrament with their bodily mouth but Believers together with the Sacrament and Sign eat the thing signified by faith which is the mouth of the Soul viz. the body of Jesus Christ which was crucified for us and drink his blood which was shed for the Redemption of our Souls Q. This eating with the mouth of the Soul seems to be an imaginary thing A. Not at all for as the Soul is as real a thing as the Body so the Operations thereof are as certain and real as those of the Body or rather more certain and if the Body is really nourished by Bread and Wine in the Sacrament the soul is not less nourished and strengthned by imbracing by Faith Jesus Christ our Saviour who died for our sins and rose again for our justification Q. Do you not believe that the eating of the Sacrament of Christs Body doth put into the Body a Seed of immortality as Jesus Christ says John 6.54 Whoso cateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day A. This saving effect doth not accompany the corporal eating of the Sacrament but the effectual working of the Holy Ghost which by Faith produceth a new life in the Elect giveth them an assurance and even beginning of a glorious immortality as we are taught by St. Paul Rom. 8.11 If the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his spirit that dwelleth in you SECT LII Of Communion under both Kinds Quest MAY one lawfully partake of the Sacrament under the sign of Bread only as it is practised in the Church of Rome at this time A. No For Jesus Christ hath said Matth. 26.27 Drink ye all of it Q. But he speaks to his Disciples who were Priests and not to others A. The Apostles did not appear there as Pastors but as the Lords Disciples obliged to obey his Commands and if this Command Drink ye all of it oblige none but Pastours no more doth the other take eat both commands being made to the same persons and consequently then the people must be deprived of the whole Sacrament Q. Have ye no other passage where the people are commanded expresly to partake of the Cup A. St. Paul 1 Cor. 11.28 commandeth all without exception to examine themselves and so Eat of that Bread and Drink of that Cup whoever then are obliged to examine themselves are also obliged to drink of this Cup and since they of the Church of Rome understand the words of Jesus Christ John 6. to be spoken of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper what can they answer to words so express verse 53. Verily verily I say unto you except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood ye have no life in you Q. But what need is there of drinking since under the Species of Bread or of Wine Jesus Christ is wh lly contained A. This evasion comes from a false Supposition that Jesus Christ is corporally and wholly contained in each Crum of Bread even as it is usual for one error to produce more whereas we should mark this that since Jesus Christ hath commanded the Cup to be taken as well as Bread he would not have us believe this pretended Concomitance and Real Corporal substantial presence of his Body but would have us believe that the participation of the Cup is as necessary as the the partaking of the Bread Q. Notwithstanding there are examples of Believers in the Scripture who have taken Bread only in this Sacrament Acts 2.46 It is said that the Lords Disciples continued in the breaking of Bread A. The consequence is most absurd that the Disciples broke Bread therefore consequently they did not partake of the Cup as if we should say there they have eaten consequently they have not drunk but were not the Lords Disciples Priests and Pastours They were certainly obliged then to drink the Cup as well as to break the Bread according to the Opinion of these of the Roman Church that it was to Pastors that Jesus Christ gave this command Drink ye all of it THE END