A treatise of miscellany questions wherein many useful questions and cases of conscience are…A treatise of miscellany questions wherein many usefull questions and cases of conscience are…

That a Table ought to be so far used, as that the Elements of bread and wine ought to be set upon it, is not (I think) controverted; but whether there be so much light from Scripture, as that all the communicants ought to come to, and receive at the Table; This I conceive to be the question. For resolution whereof, I humbly offer these following considerations.

THat a Table ought to be so farre used, as that the Elements of bread and wine ought to be set upon it, is not (I think) controverted; but whether therebe so much light from Scripture, as that all the communicants ought to come to, and receave at the Table; This I conceave to be the question. For resolution whereof, I humbly offer these following considerations.

First of all it may easily appear, that the first guests whom our Saviour entertained at this Sacrament of his body and blood, received at the Table. Chrisostome de proditione Judae, Serm. 30. Comparing the Eucharistical supper with the passover, saith, that both of them was celebrated, [Greek or Hebrew] at or on the very same Table. The common Supper, the Paschal and the Eucharistical were all at the Table, Luke 22. 21. But behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me, is with me on the table. John 13. 28. Now no man at the Table knew, &c. Which Texts I do not understand of the Lords Supper (as some do) but of the common Supper. But I suppose no man did ever imagine, that the Apostles being before set at the Table, did ⟨p. 219⟩remove from it when they were to receive the Lords Table. Peradventure it will be replied (for so it hath been replied by some) that the first Communicants their sitting and receiving at the Table, was occasional, in respect that they had been sitting before at the common and at the Paschal supper, so that in this particular, we are no more bound to follow Christs example, then in the other occasional circumstances, the upper chamber, unleavened bread, after supper, &c. Beside, Christ had but twelve communicants, unto whom he was to give the Sacrament, and so might conveniently make them all sit at the table, which now in many Churches cannot conveniently be done. Finally, that it is as great a deviation from Christs example to have divers successive tables, without which innumerous Congregations, all the communicants cannot receive at the table.