A companion for communicants. Discourses upon the nature, the design, and the subject of…

Origen expressly tells us, That the Christians did most exquisitely search the Souls of those that asked a full Communion with them: elsewhere he says, When men have made such a proficiency that they appear sanctified by the Divine Word, then we call them to our mysteries. And elsewhere, The mysteries of the Religion of Jesus, are duly delivered only to those who are holy and pure. Lactantius tells us. That Bona mens purum pectus, vita Innocens, were in his days required of Communicants. In Justin Martyr, who lived in the second Century, writes, That they ⟨p. 47⟩did examine persons, not only about their Persuasion, but whether they had attained such a work of God upon their Souls, as would enable them to conform entirely unto the Word and Will of God. Cyprian, who lived in the Century after him, could say Vix pleba persuadec—He could not easily persuade the Brethren of his Flock to consent unto the Admission of such in whom Sincerity was questionable. Tertullian and others inform us how the Catechumens were dealt withal; and what a Serutinium or Trial they underwent; Whether they did indeed Renounce all their former vanities. It was the Rule, Fiant s•rutinia, an verba fide• Radicitus corde de fixerint. And Austin signifies unto us, That according to the ancient custom grounded upon the most evident Truth, none were Admitted into the Church of God on Earth, who were visibly such as the Scripture excludes from the Kingdom of God in Heaven. Moreover, the Agreement of the Pastors in the Days of Constantine about the Discerning of the sincere is very memorable.

Origen expresly tells us, That the Christians did most exquisitely search the Souls of those that asked a full Communion w'ith them: elsewhere he sayes, When men have made such a proficiency that they appear sanctified by the Divine Word, then we call them to our mysteries. And elsewhere, The mysteries of the Religion of Jesus, are duely delivered only to those who are holy and pure. Lactantius tells us. That Bona mens purum pectus, vita Innocens, were in his dayes required of Communicants. In Justin Martyr, who lived in the second Century, writes, That they ⟨p. 47⟩did examine persons, not only about their Perswasion, but whether they had attained such a work of God upon their Souls, as would enable them to conform entirely unto the Word and Will of God. Cyprian, who lived in the Century after him, could say Vix pleba persuadec—He could not easily perswade the Brethren of his Flock to consent unto the Admission of such in whom Sincerity was questionable. Tertullian and others inform us how the Catechumens were dealt withal; and what a Serutinium or Trial they underwent; Whether they did indeed Renounce all their former vanities. It was the Rule, Fiant srutinia, an verba fide Radicitus corde de fixerint. And Austin signifies unto us, That according to the antient custome grounded upon the most evident Truth, none were Admitted into the Church of God on Earth, who were visibly such as the Scripture excludes from the Kingdom of God in Heaven. Moreover, the Agreement of the Pastors in the Days of Constantine about the Discerning of the sincere is very memorable.