A Clear and Simple Treatise on the Lord's Supper

by Theodore Beza

It really should put us to shame that for so many years the advance of the gospel has been slowed down by such lamentable arguments as these. Let us grant that to this point (even as our sins well deserved) the contest has been waged with hatred. Why do we not rather fight with charity? We definitely have common enemies, we have a common God and Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We have a common doctrine and religion when it comes to original sin, the office of Mediator, faith, good works, the Word of the Lord, the church, and the magistrate. Whatever our difference in sacramental perspective, is it really, I ask, of the sort that ought to divide us and give our common enemies such entertainment? We do not equate the preaching of the unadorned Word with that proclamation which is, so to speak, dressed in the sacraments. We are in agreement on the true communication of the true body and blood in the Lord’s Supper. We confess that Christ is so very present that He truly feeds us on His own flesh and own blood unto eternal life. The only dispute is over the mode of communication because we