Anglican Communion -- Apologetic works; Church of England -- Apologetic works
And in speaking thus, we mean not to abase the Lord's Supper, that it is
but a cold ceremony only, and nothing to be wrought therein (as many
falsely slander us we teach). For we affirm, that Christ doth truly and
presently give His own self in His Sacraments; in Baptism, that we may
put Him on; and in His Supper, that we may eat Him by faith and spirit,
and may have everlasting life by His Cross and blood. And we say not,
this is done slightly and coldly, but effectually and truly. For
although we do not touch the body of Christ with teeth and mouth, yet we
hold Him fast, and eat Him by faith, by understanding, and by the Spirit.
And it is no vain faith which doth comprehend Christ: and that is not
received with cold devotion, that is received with understanding, with
faith, and with spirit. For Christ Himself altogether is so offered and
given us in these mysteries, that we may certainly know we be flesh of
His flesh, and bone of His bones; and that Christ "continueth in us, and
we in Him." And therefore in celebrating these mysteries, the people are
to good purpose exhorted before they come to receive the Holy Communion,
to lift up their hearts, and to direct their minds to heavenward: because
He is there, by whom we must be full fed, and live. Cyril saith, when we
come to receive these mysteries, all gross imaginations must quite be
banished. The Council of Nice, as is alleged by some in Greek, plainly
forbiddeth us to be basely affectioned, or bent toward the bread and
wine, which are set before us. And, as Chrysostom very aptly writeth, we
say, "that the body of Christ is the dead carcase, and we ourselves must
be the eagles," meaning thereby that we must fly high, if we will come
unto the body of Christ. "For this table," as Chrysostom saith, "is a
table of eagles, and not of jays." Cyprian also, "This bread," saith he,
"is the food of the soul, and not the meat of the belly." And Augustine,
"How shall I hold Him," saith he, "which is absent? How shall I reach my
hand up to heaven, to lay hold upon Him that sitteth there?" He
answereth, "Reach hither thy faith, and then thou hast laid hold on Him."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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