they have this life, who approach his body, and receive the Eucharist." De Orat. Dom. p. 209.
He elsewhere laments, that some ministers of the altar dared, before the forms of repentance and confession were fulfilled, to distribute the Eucharist, and thus“ profane the holy body of the Lord.” Ep. x. p. 20.—“ At this time, peace is necessary not to the weak, but to the strong; that while we excite and exhort them to battle, we leave them not naked and unarmed, but fortified by the body and blood of Christ. N-For how can we urge them to shed their own blood, if we refuse them the blood of Christ? Or how do we fit them for the cup of martyrdom, unless we first admit them in the Church to partake of the chalice of the Lord ?” Ep. liv. p. 77, 78.-“ When the Lord called the bread his body, which bread is formed of many grains, he indicated the union of his people; and calling the wine his blood, which is pressed from many grapes, he signified the conjunction of his flock.” Ep. lxxvi. p. 153.
CENT. IV.
COUNCIL OF NICE, G. C. Condemning an abuse, which had crept in, that deacons, in some places, administered the Eucharist to priests, the Council says: “That neither canon nor custom has taught, that they (deacons), who have themselves no power to offer, should give the body of Christ to them that possess that power.” Can. xviii. Conc. Gen. T. ii. p. 38.
