nd publication of the decrees
of the same; and sundry other things which the word hath commended unto us
by examples,--should all be things indifferent, because there are not in
the word of God either particular precepts for them, or particular
prohibitions against them. But if they speak of general precepts and
prohibitions, then are those things commanded in the word of God for which
we have the allowed and commended examples of such as we ought to follow
(for, in the general, we are commanded to be followers of such examples,
Phil. iv. 8, 9; 1 Cor. xi. 1; Eph. v. 1), though there be no particular
precept for the things themselves thus exemplified.

_Sect._ 2. To come, therefore, to the ground which shall give us here some
footing, and whereupon we mind to rear up certain superstructions, we
hold, that not only we ought to obey the particular precepts of the word
of God, but that also "we are bound to imitate Christ, and the commendable
example of his apostles, in all things wherein it is not evident they had
special reasons moving them thereto, which do not concern us:" which
ground, as it hath been of a long time holden and confirmed by them of our
side, so never could, nor ever shall, our opposites subvert it. It is long
since the _Abridgement_ confirmed and strengthened it, out of those places
of Scripture: Eph. v. 1, "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear
children;" 1 Cor. xi. 1, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of
Christ;" 1 Thess. i. 6, "And ye became followers of us and of the Lord;"
Phil. iii. 17, "Brethren, be followers together of me."

This ground is also at length pressed by Cyprian, who showeth(1215) that,
in the holy supper of the Lord, Christ alone is to be followed by us; that
we are to do what he did; and that we ought not to take heed what any man
hath done before us, but what Christ did, who is before all.

_Sect._ 3. But Bishop Lindsey(1216) asketh of us, if we hold this rule,
what is the cause why, at the celebration of the sacrament, we bless not
the bread severally by itself, and the cup severally by itself, seeing
Christ did so, yet having no cause to move him which concerns not us.

_Ans._ 1. Beside the common blessing of the elements, in the beginning of
the action, we give thanks also in the several actions of distribution,
saying after this or the like manner: "The Lord Jesus, the same night he
was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks (as we also give
thanks to