PTER VII.

OTHER POSITIONS BUILT UPON THE FORMER GROUND.

_Sect._ 1. The third consequence which we infer upon our former rule of
following the example of Christ is, that it is not a thing indifferent to
omit the repetition of those words, "This is my body," enunciatively and
demonstratively in the act of distributing the eucharistical bread; and
far less is it indifferent so to omit this demonstrative speech in the
distribution, as in place of it to surrogate a prayer to preserve the soul
and body of the communicant unto everlasting life. Our reason is, because
Christ (whose example herein we ought to follow) used no prayer in the
distribution, but that demonstrative enunciation, "This is my body." But
we go forward.

_Sect._ 2. The fourth position we draw from the same rule is, that it is
not indifferent for a minister to omit the breaking of the bread at the
Lord's table after the consecration and in the distribution of it, because
he ought to follow the example of Christ, who, after he had blessed the
bread, and when he was distributing it to them who were at table, brake
it,(1257) _manibus comminuendo panem acceptum in partes_, but had it not
carved in small pieces before it was brought to the table. Hence G. J.
Vossius(1258) doth rightly condemn those who, though they break the bread
_in multas minutias_, yet they break it not _in actu sacramentali_. Such a
breaking as this (he saith well) is not _mystica_, but _coquinaria_.

_Sect._ 3. The fifth position, drawn from the very same ground is, that it
is not indifferent for a minister, in the act of distribution, to speak in
the singular number, _Take thou, eat thou, drink thou_; because he should
follow the example of Christ, who, in the distribution, spake in the
plural number, _Take ye, eat ye, drink ye_; and he who followeth not
Christ's example herein, by his speaking in the singular to one, he maketh
that to be a private action betwixt himself and the communicant, which
Christ made public and common by his speaking to all at one time.

_Sect._ 4. How idly Bishop Lindsey(1259) answereth to these things, it
cannot but appear to every one who considereth that we do not challenge
them for not breaking the bread at all,--for not pronouncing at all these
words, "This is my body," or for never pronouncing at all these speeches
in the plural, _Take ye, eat ye, drink ye_,--but for not breaking the bread
in the very act of distribution,--for not pronouncing demon