Gospel-Worship

And besides there is this in it more, and one would wonder that Ministers should give it in particular and not in general to the Church: for by this means Ministers might abundantly ease themselves of a great deal of charge and guilt; for upon this ground it will appear, that a Minister, though as an eminent officer he is to look to his Congregation that they be fit, yet the truth is, it concerns the Church as well to look who comes there, and likewise the Minister I say, to look about him that he ⟨p. 265⟩doth not say, The body of the Lord Jesus Christ was given to thee, when he knows they are profane and wicked; it concerns the Minister to look that he doth not tell a lie; but now when the Minister gives it generally to the Church, Take, eat, and Take drink, he gives it particularly to no body; Now then his charge is divided to the Church, and if there be any body that is unworthy, let the Church look to it as well as he: though he as an eminent Officer, its more especially in particular his duty then any others; heretofore the charge would lie much upon the Minister, but the Minister according to the institution, should give the Sacrament to no particular; but in general to the Church, and therefore if there were but any particular, that the Minister upon a particular knowledge did know to be naught, he might in great part discharge himself, as professing against this or that particular man; for it is not in his power alone to keep any from the Sacrament, but if so be that he shall profess against such and such men, the Church must join with him to labour to keep them from the Sacrament, and that is the next thing for the institution, Christ gave it not into any particular mens hands; but he gave it to all, saying, Drink, and eat ye all of it.

And besides there is this in it more, and one would wonder that Ministers should give it in particular and not in generall to the Church: for by this meanes Ministers might abundantly ease themselves of a great deale of charge and guilt; for upon this ground it will appeare, that a Minister, though as an eminent officer he is to look to his Congregation that they be fit, yet the truth is, it concernes the Church as well to look who comes there, and likewise the Minister I say, to look about him that he ⟨p. 265⟩doth not say, The body of the Lord Jesus Christ was given to thee, when he knowes they are prophane and wicked; it concerns the Minister to look that he doth not tell a lie; but now when the Minister gives it generally to the Church, Take, eate, and Take drinke, he gives it particularly to no body; Now then his charge is divided to the Church, and if there be any body that is unworthy, let the Church look to it as well as he: though he as an eminent Officer, its more especially in particular his duty then any others; heretofore the charge would lie much upon the Minister, but the Minister according to the institution, should give the Sacrament to no particular; but in generall to the Church, and therefore if there were but any particular, that the Minister upon a particular knowledge did know to be naught, he might in great part discharge himselfe, as professing against this or that particular man; for it is not in his power alone to keep any from the Sacrament, but if so be that he shall professe against such and such men, the Church must joyne with him to labour to keep them from the Sacrament, and that is the next thing for the institution, Christ gave it not into any particular mens hands; but he gave it to all, saying, Drinke, and eat yee all of it.