The real Christian, or, A treatise of effectual calling wherein the work of God…

But as to the Lords Supper, I cannot see but they all agree in that; and Socinus acknowledges it to be, Sacramentum perpetuum & Universal. Now being this was the judgment of all of them, for ought I see, as to the use of it, however they are erroneous as to the end of it, I asked him what was the reason they did not administer that Ordinance: He answered: Though Socinus was of that Judgment, yet they would follow Socinus no further than they saw ⟨image 17⟩cause; But for the Sacraments, let those who feel the need of them make use of them. To wit, such a God as they make Christ, such Subjects they are to him. I thought the Institution and Command of Christ, with the worship and honour which is given to Christ, had been grounds sufficient to command our obedience, if we were attained to such a height of what I cannot tell, for Grace I must not call it, that we felt no need of his Institutions: but it seems his. Institution, Command, and worship in this particular are little with them, if they feel any need they may use them. Obedience good enough for a Dependent God. Now if men can thus dispense already with one part of his worship and throw it by, I doubt not but upon the same principle they may cast off the other part of his worship; and the Reasons urged by Francken and others of that party are so strong, that they will at last prevail with English unsound Christians, whom God for the abuse of his Gospel will (I fear) give up to their own Reason; and since Reason they will have, Reason they shall have: When the Religious worship of Christ is cast off, then the Turks will be every way as good Christians as these Socinians, for they speak honourably of Christ, and acknowledge him to be a great Prophet.

But as to the Lords Supper, I cannot see but they all agree in that; and Socinus acknowledges it to be, Sacramentum perpetuum & Universale. Now being this was the judgment of all of them, for ought I see, as to the use of it, however they are erroneous as to the end of it, I asked him what was the reason they did not administer that Ordinance: He answered: Though Socinus was of that Judgment, yet they would follow Socinus no further than they saw ⟨image 17⟩cause; But for the Sacraments, let those who feel the need of them make use of them. To wit, such a God as they make Christ, such Subjects they are to him. I thought the Institution and Command of Christ, with the worship and honour which is given to Christ, had been grounds sufficient to command our obedience, if we were attained to such a height of what I cannot tell, for Grace I must not call it, that we felt no need of his Institutions: but it seems his. Institution, Command, and worship in this particular are little with them, if they feel any need they may use them. Obedience good enough for a Dependent God. Now if men can thus dispense already with one part of his worship and throw it by, I doubt not but upon the same principle they may cast off the other part of his worship; and the Reasons urged by Francken and others of that party are so strong, that they will at last prevail with English unsound Christians, whom God for the abuse of his Gospel will (I fear) give up to their own Reason; and since Reason they will have, Reason they shall have: When the Religious worship of Christ is cast off, then the Turks will be every way as good Christians as these Socinians, for they speak honourably of Christ, and acknowledge him to be a great Prophet.