The same Author speaking of the Lords Supper, has these Words, This Food is with us called the Eucharist, which is lawful for none others to partake of, but for him that believeth these things to be true, which are taught by us; and is washed in the Laver for the Remission of Sins, and for Regeneration, and that Liveth as Christ has commanded. Now I ask, Were not such Christians real converts so far as men can judge? Origen who lived in the next century, says, That in those Days (s)Christians did initiate none but Converted ones in their Mysteries, & that they did all that possibly they could do, that their Churches might consist of none but such as were Endued with Spiritual Wisdom, and that therefore they that joined to them submitted to severe Examinations. It is evident from the Writings of Tertullian & Cyprian, that in their Time the Churches were exceeding careful not to admit Unregenerate Persons to the Sacrament: They would keep them as Competentes, & enquire into the sincerity of their Repentance, & this a long time before they ⟨p. 40⟩would so much as receive them to Baptism. There was in the more Primitive Times of Christianity, when the Temple of God was measured, and the Altar and them that Worship therein, were according to the Divine Rule; and before the outer Court was given to the Gentiles, […] between four and five hundred years of the Christian Era, a very great strictness in Admitting to Sacraments. Not only Protestants, but some Popish Authors have acknowledged this. That very Learned Bishop Gabriel Albaspineus (who dyed when he was but thirty years old, has (t)Elaborately cleared this. And Durandus (u)acknowledgeth, That there was wont to be a Proclamation in the Church when the Sacrament was to be Administered, the Proclamation was, Sancta Sanctis, Holy Mysteries are only for holy Persons: If any is not holy let him not come to the Table of the Lord. How does this agree with Mr. S. his Doctrine, that Sanctification is not a necessary Qualification to partaking in the Lords Supper? Debasing the matter of particular Churches, and Laxness in Admission to all special Ordinances will unavoidably bring in great Corruption. Dr. Owen has evinced that ⟨p. 41⟩the letting go this Principle, That particular Churches ought to consist of Regenerate Persons; brought in the great Apostasy of the Christian Church, therefore let the Churches in New-England beware of it.
The same Author speaking of the Lords Supper, has these Words, This Food is with us called the Eucharist, which is lawful for none others to partake of, but for him that believeth these things to be true, which are taught by us; and is washed in the Laver for the Remission of Sins, and for Regeneration, and that Liveth as Christ has commanded. Now I ask, Were not such Christians real converts so far as men can judge? Origen who lived in the next century, says, That in those Days (s)Christians did initiate none but Converted ones in their Mysteries, & that they did all that possibly they could do, that their Churches might consist of none but such as were Endued with Spiritual Wisdom, and that therefore they that joyned to them submitted to severe Examinations. It is evident from the Writings of Tertullian & Cyprian, that in their Time the Churches were exceeding careful not to admit Unregenerate Persons to the Sacrament: They would keep them as Competentes, & enquire into the sincerity of their Repentance, & this a long time before they ⟨p. 40⟩would so much as receive them to Baptism. There was in the more Primitive Times of Christianity, when the Temple of God was measured, and the Altar and them that Worship therein, were according to the Divine Rule; and before the outer Court was given to the Gentiles, 〈…〉 between four and five hundred years of the Christian AEra, a very great strictness in Admitting to Sacraments. Not only Protestants, but some Popish Authors have acknowledged this. That very Learned Bishop Gabriel Albaspineus (who dyed when he was but thirty years old, has (t)Elaborately cleared this. And Durandus (u)acknowledgeth, That there was wont to be a Proclamation in the Church when the Sacrament was to be Administred, the Proclamation was, Sancta Sanctis, Holy Mysteries are only for holy Persons: If any is not holy let him not come to the Table of the Lord. How does this agree with Mr. S. his Doctrine, that Sanctification is not a necessary Qualification to partaking in the Lords Supper? Debasing the matter of particular Churches, and Laxness in Admission to all special Ordinances will unavoidably bring in great Corruption. Dr. Owen has evinced that ⟨p. 41⟩the letting go this Principle, That particular Churches ought to consist of Regenerate Persons; brought in the great Apostacy of the Christian Church, therefore let the Churches in New-England beware of it.
- (s)Centra Ce•juna. I. 3. p. mihi. 142, 147.
- (t)De ritibus Veteris Ecclesioe
- (u)Rational. Divin, I. 2. cap. 55. Num. 1•.
