Calvin on Lay Presidency at Holy Communion

With people unable to meet with their pastors, Calvin's opposition to Lay Presidency may be an important text for our times:

The Council of Trent said: "If any one saith, that all Christians have power to administer the word, and all the sacraments; let him be anathema. "

Calvin responds:

"No sound Christian makes all men equal in the administration of Word and Sacraments, not only because all things ought to be done in the Church decently and in order, but also because, by the special command of Christ, Ministers are ordained for that purpose. Therefore, as a special call is required, no man who is not called may take the honour upon himself. Moreover, where do they [the Roman Catholic church] find the office of baptizing enjoined on women, as they permit them to do?"

Canon X, 7th Session

Antidote to the Council of Trent

Calvin's Tracts, Volume 3, p177