Report on Whether Secular Authority Should Suppress the Writings of Enthusiasts

...stand firm against such fanatical spiritsThe German term Schwarmgeister (literally "swarming spirits") was a derogatory label used by Martin Luther and his followers for reformers who rejected the physical presence of Christ in the bread and wine, accusing them of being led by erratic, "swarming" inspirations rather than the literal Word of God.. Their soul-murdering, lying chatter shall be publicly overcome, for it is contrary to the truth—regardless of which of the Evangelists’ or teachers’ writings they might wish to use, confuse, or obscure. In the Holy SupperOriginal: Abendmal., the true, essential Body and Blood of Christ are received—the same which was taken from the body of the Virgin MotherOriginal: Gebererin, literally "the one who gives birth.", nailed to the Cross, and now sits [at the right hand of God], etc. For He does not have two kinds of bodies, but one natural one, which He gives and bestows in the SupperOriginal: Nachtmal..

And thus two things are present together in the Sacrament: an earthly and a heavenly. The earthly is the element—the bread and wine—which the eyes see. But the heavenly is the Body of Christ, etc., which faith alone sees, the soul perceives, and the heart tastes. And though such food and drink is invisible and intangible, it is nonetheless the right, natural, essential Body, etc. Yet it is not eaten in a crude, fleshly way with the teeth and belly like other food. No; this food is no "belly-food," but a food for the Souls. And yet, it is not in every way merely a spiritual food enjoyed only in spirit and faith, but is also received and enjoyed orallyThis refers to the doctrine of manducatio oralis (oral eating), the belief that even though the eating is not "crude" or "digestive" in the usual sense, the physical mouth truly receives the Body of Christ..

THEREFORE, the fanatical spirits shall have no excuse; they abandon the simple and correct words of Christ and, spurred on by their own human reason, refuse to believe that the true body is present in the Supper. But if they were to be helped, they ought to prove their cleverness here (if they truly wish to be wise and clever): by not allowing their understanding to wander outside of God’s Word...