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…

I do not doubt, but they in the wilderness lusted after a perfect furnished Table, and not merely after flesh, though that was the chief thing they desired▪ and I make as little question, but there were both Tables and beds in the wilderness, such as might be had, and such as Armies use when they encamp and pitch their Tents. But I ask, ought there to be a material Table in the Lords Supper, or ought there not, or is it indifferent? I never yet read it, or heard it doubted by any, but there ought to be a material Table. All that have been zealous for throwing down Altars, would yet have a Table. If so, by virtue of what warrant ought there to be a Table, and for what use? First by virtue of what warrant? Is it by virtue of Christs example, or any other Scriptural warrant; or is it because of a natural conveniency and decency? If by a Scriptural warrant, I have what I desire. The same Scriptural warrant which will prove that there ought to be a Table, will also prove that the Communicants ought to come to it, and communicate together at it. For the Scripture alloweth not a greater honour to be put upon some Communicants, that they eat of the Kings meat, and at the Kings Table too, and a lesser honour to be put upon other communicants, that they eat of the Kings meat, but not at the Kings Table. If it be said, that a material Table hath not its rise from any scriptural warrant, but from natural conveniency or decency, then it shall be no trespass against the word of God, to have no material Table at all, otherwise then as a natural indecency. And beside, I still urge the same argument which I was even now hinting, be it by virtue of a scriptural warrant, or be it by virtue of a natural conveniency, the argument is the same, how ever▪ all the communicants should come to it, or none at all, for if some come to the Table, and some come not, this is ⟨p. 227⟩not agreeable to that [Greek or Hebrew], or equal honour and dignation, which all the communicants ought to have. Natural decency a's well as Scriptural warrants are of equal concernment to all the communicants. The second Quaere was, for what end and use ought there to be a material table? Is it merely to be a cupboard for holding the vessels and cups which contain the Elements, and that the Minister may carry them from the Table to those who are to receive?

I do not doubt, but they in the wildernesse lusted after a perfect furnisht Table, and not meerly after flesh, though that was the cheife thing they desired and I make als little question, but there were both Tables and beds in the wildernesse, such as might be had, and such as Armies use when they encampe and pitch their Tents. But I ask, ought there to be a materiall Table in the Lords Supper, or ought there not, or is it indifferent? I never yet read it, or heard it doubted by any, but there ought to be a materiall Table. All that have been zealous for throwing down Altars, would yet have a Table. If so, by vertue of what warrant ought there to be a Table, and for what use? First by vertue of what warrant? Is it by vertue of Christs example, or any other Scripturall warrant; or is it because of a naturall conveniency and decency? If by a Scripturall warrant, I have what I desire. The same Scripturall warrant which will prove that there ought to be a Table, will also prove that the Communicants ought to come to it, and communicat together at it. For the Scripture alloweth not a greater honour to be put upon some Communicants, that they eat of the Kings meat, and at the Kings Table too, and a lesser honour to be put upon other communicants, that they eat of the Kings meat, but not at the Kings Table. If it be said, that a materiall Table hath not its rise from any scripturall warrant, but from naturall conveniency or decency, then it shall be no trespasse against the word of God, to have no materiall Table at all, otherwise then as a naturall indecency. And beside, I still urge the same argument which I was even now hinting, be it by vertue of a scripturall warrant, or be it by vertue of a naturall conveniency, the argument is the same, how ever all the communicants should come to it, or none at all, for if some come to the Table, and some come not, this is