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1. WE deny not, but that of ancient time, in hot Countries, especially where their wine was strong, they vsed to mixe water with wine, in their com∣mon drink, and thereupon they so vsed it in the sacrament: but it was neuer generally the practise of the East Countries so to do: for the Armenians and Ibe∣rians vsed not of ancient time to put water in the Cup in the ministration, Fulk. nnot. 1. Corinth. 1••. sect. 10.
Secondly, Be it that this mixture of wine were conuenient to be vsed: you cannot make such a matter of necessitie of it, as to charge them with heresie, and denounce damnation against them that keepe not that custome,* 1.1 especial∣ly seeing your Canonists and schoolemen do graunt that it is de honestate tan∣t••m, of decency onely, not of necessitie. And yet we are faine to drinke ming∣led wine many times against our willes: for the Minister need put in no water, it is mixed to his hands many times. The Vintners craft standeth very well with popish profession.
Thirdly, we holde it rather to be a superstitious custome and contrarie to Christs institution: for he in his last supper gaue wine, not water to be drunk, for he calleth it the fruit of the Vine, which is wine and not water.
Fourthly, the water and bloud which issued out of Christs side, signifie no such thing, but rather as S. Iohn expoundeth them: by water, is betokened our washing from our sinnes, whereof Baptisme is a pledge: by blood, the full satis∣faction that Christ hath made for our sinnes, whereof the other sacrament is a ••eale, 1. Iohn. 5.6. This is that Iesus Christ, that came by water and blood, not by water onely, but by water and blood. By the which words the Apostles mea∣ning is not, that by the water and blood, which were shed vpon the crosse, we should vnderstand the Sacraments of the Church: but those spirituall graces, whereof the Sacraments are liuely signes, namely the satisfaction and ransome of our sinnes by Christs blood, and our ablution and washing from the same.
Augustine picketh out no such fancie out of this mysterie as you doe, for the mixture of wine and water: but he doth more fitly apply it to the sacraments of the church. E Christi latere dormientis in cruce promanarunt sacramenta ecclesiae, in Psal. 138. Out of Christs side dying vpon the Crosse, issued the sacraments of the Church: namely, Baptisme, and the Eucharist. He draweth not both water and wine to signifie one sacrament, but applyeth them to both.