Ratio ineundae Concordiae inter Ecclesias reformatas, sive, quibus modis occurri possit mirificis artibus, quibus pontificii per quosdam imprudentes theologos universas Christi ecclesias potissimum autem et primum Germanicas pessundare conantur

source of many other pernicious quarrels. Namely, concerning the person of Christ, concerning his ascension into the heavens, concerning his session at the right hand of the Father, and certain others, by which the chief articles of our faith are shaken. But since the mysteries of our religion ought to be believed simply, and not acutely and subtly scrutinized: if Evangelical Kings and Princes do not interpose their authority for settling these contentions, there is no doubt that the Churches of Christ will be infected with many heresies, and finally their greatest desolation will follow, as we see to have happened in Asia, Africa, and Greece for similar causes. But if things necessary for salvation are distinguished from those not necessary, these contentions will easily be finished by pious and learned theologians.

FIFTH. Let some confession be proposed which can be approved by all the pious, and for everyone who believes it, let it be sufficient for salvation. For example. When I approach the sacred Supper instituted by his own ordinance, in the fear of God, and in faith, I believe and confess when I receive and eat the bread exhibited to me by the minister of the word, that I am truly eating that true body which hung for me on the cross, which suffered and died for me, and am truly fed by it. And when I drink the wine from the cup handed to me, that I am truly drinking the blood itself which was shed for me on the cross, and that through this food and drink, I may become bone of his bones, and flesh of the flesh of Christ: but how that may happen, I am not particularly solicitous: for it is enough for me to believe Christ, God omnipotent and truthful, performs and certainly fulfills in me by the power and efficacy of the Holy Spirit what he promises to all the faithful. This is my faith and confession concerning the Supper of the Lord, which I hope all the pious will easily approve. Or let some other simple and lucid confession be proposed, necessary and sufficient for salvation. This opinion of Eusebius Emissenus a pseudonym used in the medieval period for a collection of homilies often attributed to Faustus of Riez concerning the Supper of the Lord is praised by many pious and learned men: When you go to the reverend altar, approach to be refreshed by spiritual things; behold the sacred body of your God with faith, touch it with your mind, receive it with the hand of your heart, and assume the whole through a draught of the interior man.