THE THIRTEENTH PROPOSITION — THE FOURTEENTH PROPOSITION.

Concerning the Communion, or Participation of the Body and Blood of Christ.

The communion, of the body and blood of Christ is inward and spiritual,
[19] which is the participation of his flesh and blood, by which the inward man [20] is daily nourished in the hearts of those in whom Christ dwells; of which things the breaking of bread by Christ with his disciples was a figure, which they even used in the church for a time, who had received the substance, for the cause of the weak; even as abstaining from things strangled and from blood; the washing one another's feet; and the anointing of the sick with oil; all which are commanded with no less authority and solemnity than the former; yet seeing they are but the shadows of better things, they cease in such as have obtained the substance. [21]

[19] 1 Cor. x. 16, 17.
[20] John vi. 32, 33, 35., 1 Cor. v. 8.
[21] Acts xv. 20., John xiii. 14, James v. 14

Concerning the Power of the Civil Magistrate, in matters purely Religious, and pertaining to the Conscience.

Since God hath assumed to himself the power and dominion of the conscience, who alone can rightly instruct and govern it, therefore it is not lawful for any whatsoever, by virtue of any authority or principality they bear in the government of this world, to force the consciences of others; and therefore all killing, banishing, fining, imprisoning, and other such things, which men are afflicted with, for the alone exercise of their conscience, or difference in worship or opinion, proceedeth from the spirit of Cain, the murderer, and is contrary to the truth; provided always, that no man, under the pretence of conscience, prejudice his neighbour in his life or estate; or do any thing destructive to, or inconsistent with human society; in which case the law is for the transgressor, and justice to be administered upon all, without respect of persons. [22]

[22] Luk ix. 55, 56., Mat. vii. 12, 29., Tit. iii. 10.