Yet for clearer answer unto M. Hardinges blind guesses, it appeareth by the plain words of the same Council of Agatha, that in those days the people ⟨p. 74⟩received the holy Communion together with the Priest, and not the Priest by him self alone: The words are these,1 Lapsi in haeresim agents paenitentiam, cùm Catechumeni egredi commonentur, discedant. They that have fallen into some Heresy, and do penance for the same, when the Novices (that be not yet Christened) be commanded to depart out of the Church, let them depart also. They were commanded forth, not to the intent they should not hear Mass, but that they should not Communicate with the rest. For it is well known both to M. Harding, & also to others, that all such as were newly entered into the Faith of Christ, but were not yet Baptized, and were called Catechumeni, after the Sermon was ended, were commanded out of the Church before the Distribution of the holy Mysteries: and so likewise were the Penitents, that they should not Communicate with the rest of their brethren. Which is a manifest and undoubted proof, that the rest of the brethren that remained still, did communicate altogether. And so it followeth in the same Canon, Hoc si obseruare voluerint, constituto tempore admittendis ad altare obseruatio relaxe•ur. If they will do thus, after a time appointed their penance shall be released, and they shall be admitted again unto the altar (which was the Communion table) there to receive together with the congregation, and no more to be commanded forth.2 Hereunto agreeth an other Canon set forth in the name of Siricius touching the same case by these words: Certain, that after their penance have gone back again like dogs unto their vomit, we decree that they shall join in prayer only, with the faithful within the Church: and that they may be present at the celebration of the Mysteries, although they be not worthy: but that they be kept of from the banquet of the Lords Table, 3to the intent that by this advertisement being corrected, they may both amend them self, and also show example unto others. Here we may plainly see, that the rest received, and these that had offended sate by, and received not, for Example unto others. But what Example could that have been, if they had abstained altogether?
Yet for clearer aunsweare vnto M. Hardinges blinde gheasses, it appeareth by the plaine woordes of the same Councel of Agatha, that in those daies the people ⟨p. 74⟩receiued the holy Communion togeather with the Prieste, and not the Prieste by him selfe alone: The woordes are these,1 Lapsi in haeresim agentes paenitentiam, cùm Catechumeni egredi commonentur, discedant. They that haue fallen into some Heresie, and doo penance for the same, when the Nouicies (that be not yet Christened) be commaunded to departe out of the Churche, let them departe also. They were commaunded foorthe, not to the entent they shoulde not heare Masse, but that they shoulde not Communicate with the reste. For it is wel knowen bothe to M. Hardinge, & also to others, that al suche as were newly entred into the Faithe of Christe, but were not yet Baptized, and were called Catechumeni, after the Sermon was ended, were commaunded out of the Churche before the Distribution of the holy Mysteries: and so likewise were the Penitentes, that they should not Communicate with the rest of their brethren. Whiche is a manifest and vndoubted proufe, that the reste of the brethren that remained stil, did communicate altogeather. And so it followeth in the same Canon, Hoc si obseruare voluerint, constituto tempore admittendis ad altare obseruatio relaxe•ur. If they wil doo thus, after a time apointed their penance shal be released, and they shal be admitted againe vnto the altare (whiche was the Communion table) there to receiue togeather with the congregation, and no more to be commaunded foorthe.2 Hereunto agréeth an other Canon set foorth in the name of Siricius toutchinge the same case by these woordes: Certaine, that after their penaunce haue gonne backe againe like dogges vnto their vomite, we decree that they shal ioyne in praier onely, with the faithful within the Churche: and that they may be present at the celebration of the Mysteries, although they be not woorthy: but that they be keapte of from the banket of the Lordes Table, 3to the intent that by this aduertisement beinge corrected, they may bothe amende them selfe, and also shewe example vnto others. Here we may plainely sée, that the rest receiued, and these that had offended sate by, and receiued not, for Example vnto others. But what Example coulde that haue bene, if they had absteyned altogeather?
- 1Concil. Agathe•. Can. 60.Cōcil. Agathe•. Can. 60.
- 2Epistola D• cretal. Sirici••
- 3Offenders kept from the Lords Table.Offēders keapte from the Lordes Table.