God who gave his Son to die for us) he brake it," &c. "In like
manner also, after supper, he took the cup, and, when he had given thanks
(as we also give thanks to God who gave his Son to shed his blood for us),
he gave it," &c. Which form (we conceive) may be construed to be an
imitation of the example of Christ.

2. Though we did not observe such a form; yet there were two reasons to
move Christ to give thanks severally, both at the giving of the bread, and
at the giving of the cup, neither of which concerneth us: 1. The
eucharistical supper was one continued action with the other supper which
went before it; for it is said, "That whilst they did eat, he took bread,"
&c. Wherefore, for more distinction of it from that supper which
immediately proceeded, it was fit that he should give thanks severally at
the giving of each element. 2. He had to do with the twelve apostles,
whose hearts being so greatly troubled with sorrow, John xvi. 6, and whose
minds not well comprehending that which they heard concerning the death of
Christ, John xvi. 12, much less those mystical symbols of it, especially
at the first hearing, seeing, and using of the same, it was needful for
their cause distinctly and severally to bless those elements, thereby to
help the weakness of their understanding, and to make them the more
capable of so heavenly mysteries.

_Sect._ 4. Now, having heard that which the Bishop had to say against our
rule, let us examine his own. He holdeth,(1217) That in the actions of
Christ's apostles, or the customs of the church, there is nothing
exemplary and left to be imitated of us, but that which either being
moral, is generally commanded in the decalogue, or being ceremonial and
circumstantial, is particularly commanded by some constant precept in the
gospel.

_Ans._ 1. This rule is most false; for it followeth from it that the
example of the apostles' making choice of the element of water in baptism,
and requiring a confession of faith from the person who was to be
baptised; the example also both of Christ and his apostles using the
elements of bread and wine in the holy supper, a table at which they did
communicate, and the breaking of the bread, are not left to be imitated of
us; because these things are ceremonial, but not particularly commanded in
the gospel. So that according to the rule which the Bishop holdeth, we sin
in imitating Christ and his apostles in those things, forasmuch as they
are not exemplary,