The fourth reason. In this booke we are enioyned to receiue the communion kneeling, whi∣che besyde that it hath in it a (& 1.1) shewe of Papistrie, doth not so well expresse the mysterie of this holie supper. For as in the olde testament eating the Pascall lambe standing, signified a ready∣nesse to passe, euen so in the receyuing of it now sytting (a 1.2) according to the example of Chryste, we signifie rest, that is, a full finishing through Christ (b 1.3 of al the ceremonial law, & a perfecte worke of redemption wrought, that giueth reste for euer. And so we auoyde also the daunger of idolatrie, which was in tymes past to common, and yet is in the heartes of many, who haue not as yet for∣gotten their breaden God, so slenderly haue they bene instructed. Against which we maye set the commaundement, Thou (c 1.4) shalt not bowe downe to it, nor worship it.
You say, sitting is the most meetest gesture, bycause it signifyeth rest, that is a full fini∣shing thorough Christ of al the ceremoniall law. &c. What? are you now come to* 1.5 allegories and to significations? Surely this is a very papisticall reason: nay then we can giue you a great deale better significations of the surples, of crossing, of the ring in marriage, and many o∣ther ceremonies, thā this is of sitting. I pray you in the whole scrip∣ture where dothe sitting signify a full finishing of the ceremoniall law, and a perfect worke of redemption that giueth rest for euer? If allegories please you so well, let vs haue eyther standing which signi∣fyeth a redinesse to passe (vsed also in the eating of the passouer) or kneeling, which is the proper gesture for prayer, and thanksgiuing, and signifyeth the submission and humblenesse of the mind. But you say, Christ sate at his supper, therefore we must sit at the receiuing of the supper. You may as wel say, Christ did celebrate his supper at night, after supper, to twelue, only men and no women, in a parloure, with∣in a priuate house, the thursday at night before Easter, therefore we ought to receiue the communion at night, after supper, being twelue in number, and onely men, in a parlour, within a priuate house, the thursday at night before Easter. But who seeth not the Non sequitur of this argument?