A10170:1029
The other part of Christian questions and answers which is concerning the sacraments, writ[n]…The other parte of Christian questions and answeares which is concerning the sacraments, writte[n]…
The other part of Christian questions and answers which is concerning the sacraments, writ[n] by Theodore Beza Vezelian: to which is added a large table of the same questions. Translated out of Latin into English by John Field.The other parte of Christian questions and answeares which is concerning the sacraments, writte[n] by Theodore Beza Vezelian: to which is added a large table of the same questions. Translated out of Latine into Englishe by Iohn Field.
London: printed by Thomas Dawson for Thomas Woodcocke, 1580
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
246. Question.
But wouldest thou admit all unto the Lords Supper.
But wouldest thou admit all vnto the Lordes Supper.
Answer. That were more and time, which in very deed no man would admit, all boasting themselves for household servants into his house: which even the very Idolaters have not done, crying out in their services, away away, be ye far of, O ye profane people: which thing also the Lord in times past so severely forbade, that he took it impatiently that strange fire should be occupied in his holy services: who also with so many outward laws commanded that even they which were unawares defiled, should first be purged before he admitted them into his house, & specially before he admitted them to the ceremony of the Passover: & shall that be thought now to be done lawfully under this colour, that every one shall be believed to come worthily to the Lords table, which having ⟨image 166⟩heard the Sermon shall rush thither? But I suppose that the Pastors ought necessarily to know the sheep even by the same order that reason it self hath appointed. First therefore for avoiding of profanation, I think that with a good conscience strangers are not to be admitted, altogether unknown to the Pastor: Moreover those whom age it self showeth not to be fit to make examination of them selves, indeed not as unworthy, but to be warned as yet not fit, least they heap upon them selves damnation. But of those that are grown in years none to be admitted, unless he have first after a sort rendered a reason of his Faith, as one not only borne in the Church of God, but as such a one of whom the Pastor may probably conjecture, to be a Christian, who must render account of all his sheep before the Lord. Last of all, I would account those for strangers by the word of God, whose hypocrisy by the just and lawful judgement of the Ecclesiastical presbytery shall be convicted to be such, that for a time they shall be inhibited from