The Case of the Protestant dissenters represented and argued

And what if we should make a determination, by the decision this way or that of any other disputed question that may be of as small concernment to Religion? Suppose it be that of eating Blood; for the decision whereof, one way, there is more pretence from God's Word, than for any point of the disputed Conformity. Would it not be a wise Constitution, that whosoever thinks it lawful to eat Black-Pudding, shall be capable of no Office, &c?

And what if we should make a distermination, by the decision this way or that of any other disputed question that may be of as small concernment to Religion? Suppose it be that of eating Blood; for the decision whereof, one way, there is more pretence from God's Word, than for any point of the disputed Conformity. Would it not be a wise Constitution, that whosoever thinks it lawful to eat Black-Pudding, shall be capable of no Office, &c?

But we tremble to think of the exclusive Sacramental Test, brought down as low as to the keeper of an Alehouse! Are all fit to approach that sacred Table, whom the fear of ruin, or hope of gain may bring thither? We cannot but often remember with horror, what happened three or four years ago: A Man that led an ill life, but frequented the Church, was observed not to come to the Sacrament, and pressed by the Officers to come; he yet declined, knowing himself unfit; at length, being threatened and terrified, came: But said to some present at the time of the solemn action, That he came only to avoid being undone; and took them to witness, that what he there received, he took only as common Bread and Wine, not daring to receive them as the Body and Blood of Christ. 'Tis amazing, that among Christians, so venerable an Institution should be prostituted to the serving of so mean purposes, and so foreign to its true end! And that doing it after the manner of the Church of England must be the qualification! as if England were another Christendom; or it were a greater thing to conform in every punctilio to the Rules of this Church, than of Christ himself!

But we tremble to think of the exclusive Sacramental Test, brought down as low as to the keeper of an Alehouse! Are all fit to approach that sacred Table, whom the fear of ruin, or hope of gain may bring thither? We cannot but often remember with horror, what happened three or four years ago: A Man that led an ill life, but frequented the Church, was observ'd not to come to the Sacrament, and prest by the Officers to come; he yet declin'd, knowing himself unfit; at length, being threatned and terrified, came: But said to some present at the time of the solemn action, That he came only to avoid being undone; and took them to witness, that what he there receiv'd, he took only as common Bread and VVine, not daring to receive them as the Body and Blood of Christ. 'Tis amazing, that among Christians, so venerable an Institution should be prostituted to the serving of so mean purposes, and so foreign to its true end! And that doing it after the manner of the Church of England must be the qualification! as if England were another Christendom; or it were a greater thing to conform in every punctilio to the Rules of this Church, than of Christ himself!