I have before me a somewhat scarce volume of Theological Tracts (small
8vo.), ranging between the years 1533 and 1614. With the exception of
one relating to the Sacraments, by John Prime (Lond. 1582), the most
curious treatise is that entitled "The Supper of the Lorde, after
the true meanyng of the sixte of John, &c.... wherunto is added,
an Epystle to the reader, And incidentally in the exposition of the
Supper is confuted the letter of master More against John Fryth." To
a motto taken from 1 Cor. xi. is subjoined the following date, "Anno
M.CCCCC.XXXIII., v. daye of Apryll," together with a printer's device
(two hands pointing towards each other). This Tract was promptly
answered by Sir Thomas More (A.D. 1533, "after he had geuen ouer
the offyce of Lorde Chauncellour of Englande"), and is described by
him as "the poysoned booke whych a _nameles_ heretike hath named the
Supper of the Lorde" (_Works_, pp. 1035, seqq., ed. Rastell). From
the following passage of the reply, we learn that this offensive
publication, like so many others of the same class, has been printed
abroad:--
"And in thys wyse is ther sent ouer to be prynted the booke
that Frythe made last against the blessed sacrament answering
to my letter, wherewyth I confuted the pestilent treatice that
he hadde made agaynst it before.
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