For the which matter of not ministring the sacraments in priuate houses, to the Authours of the Admonition, citing the cleuenth Chapter of the first epistle vnto the Corinthtans. M. Doctor answereth, that he reproueth the prophanation of the supper, by banquetting, and contempt of their brethren, and exhorteth to tarrie one for another.
But what is this to the purpose? we aske not M. Doctor the interpretation of this place, as we do not of all the rest which he interpreteth, where there is no occasion in the world to interprete* 1.1 them, being of themselues very cleare, and the interpretation which is brought neuer almost making any thing for the solution of that which is obiected: which I desire the Reader to marke through∣out his whole booke. For what if S. Paule reproue the prophanation of the supper of the Lorde, doth it follow therefore that he doth not giue to vnderstand, that the sacrament shoulde be admini∣stred in a common assemblie? What if he exhort to tarrie one for another, therefore doth he not de∣hort from celebrating of the sacrament in a priuate house?
And surely me thinke you cannot be so ignoraunte as you make your selfe, that you shoulde not vnderstand their argumente, and therefore I thinke you do rather dissemble it, as you do in diuers other places: for al men may easily perceiue, that as Saint Paule opposeth the supper of the Lord, to the cōmon supper: his banquet to the common banquet: so he opposeth there manifestly, the Churche and congregation vnto the priuate house: and declareth that as the common supper or banquet, ought to be kept at their houses, so the Lords supper, & his banquet, ought to be celebrated in the congregation.
I thinke indéede that M. Doctors interpretations, trouble you shrewdly: for they detect much of your vanitie, and make manifest the lacke of discretion and learning in the authours of the Admonition. I say lacke of discretion and learning, for other∣wise to euidently and so oft to abuse the scriptures were great dishonestie or rather impietie. If I haue missed in interpreting, or wrōgfully accused them, why do not you make it knowne as occasion is offered It stands you vpon, for it is much to your dis∣honestie, and a great discredite to your whole cause.
Touching this place of S. Paule. 1. Cor. 11. I say. as I said before: and I adde, that he only reproueth such abuses as were vsed among them in their publike assemblies, he speaketh not of celebrating the communion in priuate places.
S. Paule maketh no such opposition in that place as you speake of, neyther doth he speake any thing sounding that way, only he reproueth the abuse which was thē crept into the supper of the Lord, among the Corinthians, Quòd sacro & spirituali epu∣lo profana symposia permiscerent, id{que} cum pauperum contumelia, In that they mingled prophane* 1.2 banquetts with that holy and spirituall feast, and that with the contumely of the poore, as M▪ Caluine sayth. Wherefore it appeareth that either you are disposed to make good whatsoeuer they haue written be it neuer so absure, or else you wittingly dissemble the true sense and meaning of this place.