Repl. There is no condition mentioned in the Rubric, but that he (be desirous to receive the Communion in his house) humbly is not there: And why may not a man disturbed in his wits desire the Communion? you deny things that ordinarily fall out, and yet lay the weight of your Cause on that denial. But why must we give the Sacrament to those that have lived in gross ignorance, Infidelity, and profaneness, and never manifested credibly, that they repent? You say that (whosoever desireth the Sacrament, according to the Rubric, must in charity be presumed to be penitent.) But where hath God commanded or approved so blind & dangerous an act as this, under the name of Charity? the ordinary observations ⟨p. 144⟩of our lives, is not to be confuted by mens Assertions: we know by sad experience, that there's abundance of the worst of men among us, that are desirous to receive this Sacrament when they are sick, that give no credible evidence of true repentance; but some in the ignorance, & deceit of their hearts; & some as conscious of their impiety, for which they seek any shifting remedy to quiet their Consciences, for the time, are much more eager for this Sacrament in their sickness, then many better and more penitent persons. And must we judge all these penitent, and give them the Sacrament as such? we must needs profess that we think this Course would not be the least effectual service unto Satan, to deceive poor sinners, and keep them from knowing their misery, and seeking aright after the true remedy in time. Pardon us, while we lay together the parts of your Doctrine, as we understand it here delivered; and leave it to your Consideration, what a Church, and what a Ministry it would make. 1. All Infants of any Parents in the world that we can baptize, are undoubtedly regenerate, and in a state of life, and shall be saved, if they so die. 2. The Holy Ghost, and Forgiveness of sin, being then given them; it is charitably presumed that they have not totally lost this, notwithstanding the frailties and slips of their Child-hood; and so when they can say the Catechism, they are to be confirmed. 3. Being confirmed, they are to be admitted to the Lords Supper. 4. All that marry, and others, thrice a year must receive the Lords Supper (though unfit.) 5. The Minister must absolve all the sick, that say they repent:
Repl. There is no condition mentioned in the Rubrick, but that he (be desirous to receive the Communion in his house) humbly is not there: And why may not a man disturbed in his wits desire the Communion? you deny things that ordinarily fall out, and yet lay the weight of your Cause on that denial. But why must we give the Sacrament to those that have lived in gross ignorance, Infidelity, and prophaneness, and never manifested credibly, that they repent? You say that (whosoever desireth the Sacrament, according to the Rubrick, must in charity be presumed to be penitent.) But where hath God commanded or approved so blind & dangerous an act as this, under the name of Charity? the ordinary observations ⟨p. 144⟩of our lives, is not to be confuted by mens Assertions: we know by sad experience, that there's abundance of the worst of men among us, that are desirous to receive this Sacrament when they are sick, that give no credible evidence of true repentance; but some in the ignorance, & deceit of their hearts; & some as conscious of their impiety, for which they seek any shifting remedy to quiet their Consciences, for the time, are much more eager for this Sacrament in their sickness, then many better and more penitent persons. And must we judge all these penitent, and give them the Sacrament as such? we must needs professe that we think this Course would not be the least effectual service unto Satan, to deceive poor sinners, and keep them from knowing their misery, and seeking aright after the true remedy in time. Pardon us, while we lay together the parts of your Doctrine, as we understand it here delivered; and leave it to your Consideration, what a Church, and what a Ministry it would make. 1. All Infants of any Parents in the world that we can baptize, are undoubtedly regenerate, and in a state of life, and shall be saved, if they so die. 2. The Holy Ghost, and Forgivenesse of sin, being then given them; it is charitably presumed that they have not totally lost this, notwithstanding the frailties and slips of their Child-hood; and so when they can say the Catechism, they are to be confirmed. 3. Being confirmed, they are to be admitted to the Lords Supper. 4. All that marry, and others, thrice a year must receive the Lords Supper (though unfit.) 5. The Minister must absolve all the sick, that say they repent:
