Secondly, that this Act of Breaking of bread is such
a principall Act, that the whole Celebration of this Sacrament
hath had from thence this Appellation given to it, by the Apo∣stles,
to be called Breaking of Bread. Thirdly, that the Church
of Christ alwayes observed the same Ceremonie of Breaking the
bread, aswell in the Greeke as in the Latine (and consequently the
Romane) Church. Fourthly, that this Breaking of the Bread is a
Symbolicall Ceremonie, betokening not only the Crucifying of
Christs bodie upon the Crosse, but also (in the common participa∣tion
thereof) representing the Vnion of the Mysticall body of [ 10]
Christ, which is his Church, Communicating together of one loafe:
that as many graines in one loafe, so all faithfull Communicants are
united to one Head Christ, as the Apostle teacheth, 1. Cor. 10. thus,
[The bread which wee breake, is it not the Communion of the bodie
of Christ? for we being many are one bread.]
Wee adde, as a most speciall Reason, that this Breaking it, in
the distribution thereof, is to apply the representation of the Bo∣die
Crucified, and the Bloud shed to the heart and soule of every
Communicant: That as the Bread is given Broken to us, so was
Christ Crucified for us. Yet, neverthelesse, your Church contra∣rily [ 20]
professing, that although Christ did breake bread, yet (BE∣HOLD!)
she doth not so; what is it else, but to starch her face, and
insolently to confront Christ his Command, by her bold Coun∣termand
(as you now see) in effect saying; But doe not this.
A SECOND CHALLENGE.
AS for that truly-called Catholike Church, you your selves
do grant unto us, that by Christ his first Institution, by the
Practice of the Apostles, by the ancient and universall Custome [ 30]
of the whole Church of Christ, aswell Greeke as Latine, the Cere∣mony
of Breaking bread was continually observed. Which may
bee unto us more than a probable Argument, that the now
Church of Rome doth falsly usurpe the Title of CATHO∣LIKE,
for the better countenancing and authorizing of her
novell, Customes, although never so repugnant to the will of
Christ and Custome of the truly-called Catholike Church.
Howbeit wee would not bee so understood, as to thinke it
an Essentiall Ceremonie either to the being of a Sacrament,
or to the Sacramentall Administration; but yet requisite, for [ 40]
the Commandement and Example-sake.
In the next place, to your Pretence of Not-breaking, because
of Reverence, Wee say; Hem, scilicet, Quanti est sapere! As if
Christ and his Apostles could not fore-see that your Necessitie,
(namely) that by the Distributing of the Bread, and by Breaking
it, some little crummes must cleave sometimes unto the beards
of the Communicants, or else fall to the ground. Or as though