THE SUPPER OF THE PREACHERS.
IN regard to the supper of the preachers we hold and confess, first, that it is a false and idolatrous consolation and sign of peace to all those who delight in walking upon the broad way, such as, greedy, covetous, avaricious, usurious, adulterous, lying, deceiving, proud, unrighteous persons. For, as it is represented to them, by their preachers, as being a means of the remission of their sins, they console themselves and think that if they partake of it they are the people of the Lord. O no. The ceremony makes no christian; for, so long as they do not convert themselves, and become new men, born of God, of spiritual mind, it is a vain baptism and a vain supper, even, if it were administered by either Peter or Paul. Paul says, "For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love," Gal. 5:6, the new creature; and the keeping of the commandments of God, 1 Cor. 7:19; Matt. 18:4; Jn. 3:3-5; 2 Pet. 1:3.
Secondly, we assert that it is openly a feigned work, although it is acknowledged by few. For Christ instituted it in remembrance of his death, as a sign of christian peace, and as a communion of his flesh and blood; while the common world partake of the supper in semblance, as if they believed thus and were thus minded; and, yet, they seek the remission of their sins and their salvation in infant baptism, absolutions, and in bread and wine, as is manifest.
Besides, their fruits openly show that they are not the body of peace; for they make use of such tricks and perfidy amongst each other in buying and selling; some, also, commit adultery, lie and cheat; the one slanders, defames and robs the other, that it may be truly said of them that they do not acknowledge christian peace which is of God, and that they are not in the communion of Christ, but that they are in the communion of him, of whom John says, "Little children let no man deceive you," "He that committeth sin, is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning," 1 Jn. 3:7, 8.
Thirdly, we say, that it is a horrible blasphemy, abomination and adultery, nay a new calf and Moaz; for the blind, reckless world sees plainly that it is a perishable fruit of earth which they have planted, cut, pressed and baked with their own hands, and which again returns to earth; that it must be taken care of by man lest the worms and age consume it - and yet it is called by many the imperishable precious flesh and blood of Christ, and worshipped and honored as the true Son of the living God, which we also with our ancestors have done these five hundred years, and which is yet done in many large kingdoms, principalities, cities and districts, as was in bygone times the case with Israel in the worship of the brazen serpent, which was afterwards broken in pieces by Hezekiah, king of Judah, 2 Kin. 18:4.
Behold, to such rude idolaters and deceivers has the apocalyptic Apollyon rendered the scribes of this world, that they have, by their own wisdom, doctrine and council, erected such a powerless, earthly cereal and fruit as being, or filling the place of the true Son of the Almighty and eternal God; behold, thus entirely has the noble Sun of righteousness lost its brightness and the Egyptian darkness covered the entire land, Rev. 9:2; Exod. 10:22.
Faithful reader, by this our exposition and confession of the preachers and their baptism, supper and envious hearts toward all the pious, learn the judgment of the finely attired woman, seated upon the scarlet colored beast, Rev. 17:3. Mark: The beast upon which the woman was seated, is full of names of blasphemy; understand the spiritual sense. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color - in celebrations, churches, bells, choirs, organs, baptism and supper. The cup in her hand was of gold. They boast of the word of God - but are filled with abominations and filthiness of their fornication and have made all the world drunk therewith; and the name was written upon her forehead and may be read by all who have spiritual eyes, and is called, "MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH."
And although she is so finely arrayed that all kings commit fornication therewith, yet she is called a whore by the angel, and of such an inhuman and wolfish nature that she is "drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus."
John, the holy man of God, saw this in the Spirit, and was astounded thereat. Yea, kind reader, whosoever rightly understands the abominable power, idolatrous array, spiritual enchantment and fornication, inhuman abominableness and fearful bloodthirstiness and tyranny of the woman may well be astounded thereat. Therefore, fear God and learn wisdom. We have, by the grace of God, thoroughly shown her, exposed her shame and diligently and in faithful love warned you against her.