The sick Man (having thus eased his Conscience, and received his absolution) may do well (having a convenient number of faithful Christians joined with him to receive the holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper; to encourage him in his Faith and to discourage the Devil in his assaults. In this respect the Council of Nice termeth this Sacrament,1 Viaticum, the Soul's provision for her journey. And albeit the Lord's Supper be an Ecclesiastical action, yet forasmuch ⟨p. 442⟩as our Lord (the first instituter) celebrated it in ab private house, and that cSt. Paul termeth the houses of Christians, the Churches of Christ, and thatd Christ himself hath promised to be in the midst of the faithful, where but two or three are gathered together in his Name: I see no reason, but if Christians desire it (when they are not, through sickness, able to come to the Church) but that they should receive, and Pastors ought to administer unto them the Sacrament at home. He showeth more simplicity than knowledge, who thinks that this savours of a Private Mass. For a Mass is called private, not because it is said in a private house, but because (as Bishop aJewel teacheth out ofb Aquinas) the Priest receiveth the Sacrament himself alone, without distribution made unto others, and then it is private although the whole Parish be present and look upon him. There is as much difference between such a Communion, and the Antichristian Idol of a private Mass, as there is betwixt Heaven and Hell. For at a Communion in a private Family upon such an extraordinary occasion, Christ his Institution is observed. Many faithful Brethren meet together, and tarry one for another. Christ his Death is remembered and showed, and the Minister together with the faithful, and the sick party to communicate. Mr. Calvin *saith, That he doth very willingly admit administering of the Communion to them that are ⟨p. 443⟩sick, when the case and opportunity so requireth. And in* another place he saith, That he hath many weighty reasons to compel him not to deny the Lord's Supper unto the sick. Yet, I would wish all Christians to use to receive often (in their health) especially once every Month with the whole Church; for then they shall not need so much to assemble their friends upon such an occasion, nor so much to be troubled themselves for want of the Sacrament. For as M.
The sick Man (having thus eased his Conscience, and received his absolution) may do well (having a convenient number of faithful Christians joyned with him to receive the holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper; to encourage him in his Faith and to discourage the Devil in his assaults. In this respect the Council of Nice termeth this Sacrament,1 Viaticum, the Soul's pro•ision for her journey. And albeit the Lord's Supper be an Ecclesiastical action, yet forasmuch ⟨p. 442⟩as our Lord (the first instituter) celebrated it in ab private house, and that cSt. Paul termeth the houses of Christians, the Churches of Christ, and thatd Christ himself hath promised to be in the midst of the faithful, where but two or three are gathered together in his Name: I see no reason, but if Christians desire it (when they are not, through sickness, able to come to the Church) but that they should receive, and Pastors ought to administer unto them the Sacrament at home. He sheweth more simplicity than knowledge, who thinks that this savours of a Private Mass. For a Mass is called private, not because it is said in a private house, but because (as Bishop aJewel teacheth out ofb Aquinas) the Priest reciveth the Sacrament himself alone, without distribution made unto others, and then it is private although the whole Parish be present and look upon him. There is as much difference between such a Communion, and the Antichristian Idol of a private Mass, as there is betwixt Heaven and Hell. For at a Communion in a private Family upon such an extraordinary occasion, Christ his Institution is observed. Many faithful Brethren meet together, and tarry one for another. Christ his Death is remembred and shewed, and the Minister together with the faithful, and the sick party to communicate. Mr. Calvin *saith, That he doth very willingly admit administring of the Communion to them that are ⟨p. 443⟩
- 1Concil. Nic. Can. 12.
- bMat. 26. 18. Luk. 22. 12.
- cRom. 16. 5. Philem. v. 2.Rom. 16. 5. Phil•m. v. 2.
- dMat. 18. 2•
- aJewel against Harding Artic. 1. of private Mass. fol. 4.
- bIn missis privatis sufficit si unus sit praesens, scilicet Minister, qui populi totius personam gerit. Aquin. part. 3 q. 38 art. 5.
- *De coenae administratione ita sentio, libenter ad•itt•ndum esse. hunc morem ut apud aegro•os celebretur communio, cum ita res & opportunitas •eret Ep. 51.
- *Cur coena• aeg•otis •eg•nd m•sse non arbitrer, mult•e & g•aves […] me imp•llunt. Ep. 31. 1.Cur coena• aeg•otis •eg•nd msse non arbitrer, multe & gaves me impllunt. Ep. 31. 1.
