I liked your post, Max.
And... call him an "Arch-Heresiarch" though you do (indeed, as a devout Traditional Romanist, you are required and expected to do) -- I like to think that Saint John Calvin himself is smiling down from Heaven, from whence he passes Judgment upon the World and upon even the Angels themselves (1 Corinthians 6:2-3), and nodding his agreement.
Calvin, descending from the pulpit, stood before the table. With drawn sword a Libertine cried, ‘Administer communion to us -- or you will die.’
His head thrown back and his arms extended over the Sacred Elements, Calvin responded that although they might cut off his arms, shed his blood, and take his life, they would never force him to give holy things to the profane and dishonour the table of his God.
The crowd was stunned, and a long silence followed the dramatic moment. Perrin, one of the city syndics opposed to Calvin, quietly ordered Berthelier not to approach the table.
After the crowd withdrew, Beza reports, communion was celebrated ‘in profound silence and under a solemn awe, as if the Deity Himself had been visibly present among them’” (The Banner Of Truth; “The Reformers: The Secret Of Their Greatness”; Eugene Osterhaven).
Sigh...
Nowadays, we Protestants must deal with Lay Women pulling out a can of Grape Nehi cola and a pack of Saltine crackers and inviting their shopping-circle to "celebrate the Lord's Supper" together at a picnic upon the Local Consumer-Mall's greenery park (true story, related to me by my Ortho-Presby Teaching Elder's wife)... while you Roman Catholics must deal with wayward Priests setting up Pagan Idols upon the Table of the Lord.
Eeeee-gads.
It almost makes one reminiscent for the days when Protestants were forcibly banishing Roman Clergymen from their beloved Parishes and Congregations, and y'all were burning us at the stake... whether or not such behaviors were in any way Christ-like, at least we all took this stuff seriously.
Humph.
Best, OP
This probably shouldn't make me feel better, but it does. Misery loves company, and all that. I have to say OP, that I learn an awful lot from your posts, and I never pass up a chance to read them, if I'm lurking about.
And the following is so great, that it really should be repeated:
His head thrown back and his arms extended over the Sacred Elements, Calvin responded that although they might cut off his arms, shed his blood, and take his life, they would never force him to give holy things to the profane and dishonour the table of his God.