Trent Council What was become of the Unity of the Spirit and the Spirit of the Prophets which is subject to the Prophets Some said Ebrius Infantes Erroneus atque furentes Cum pueris domini non debent sumere corpus Of giving the Sacrament so called to Dead People From the before-mentioned Scripture Except ye eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood ye have no Life in you John 6. â—3 the Fathers in the Degeneration from the primitive Faith Doctrine Worship and Practice fell into the Gulf of that Conceit That none but Communicants should partake of the blessedness of Salvation upon which they not only gave Sacramental Bread c. to Infants but put it into the Mouthes of Dead Men There were some saith Sparke the Kings Chaplain pag. 127. that baptized the Dead and put the Sacramental-Bread in their Mouths as their Viaticum judging it better to have such a necessary Ordinance by Proxy then altogether to go without it That such a thing was in use in the Church may be certainly concluded from the sixth Canon of the third Council of Carthage 't is there apparent that that Council condemned certain Hereticks who thrust the Sacramental Bread into the Mouths of Dead Men yea and the sixth general Council at Constantinople was concerned to eradicate the Tares of that Delusion and smoky Conceit saying Let none give the Encharist that is sacramental Bread to the Dead for it is written Take and eat but the Dead are neither in a Capacity to take nor to eat Summa Concil et Pontif. Thus the Cup of Blessing being lost they received at the old Serpents hand the Cup of Abomination Fornication Delusions and Conceits and they were drunk therewith Of Time and Times of taking the Sacrament As the Churches in the Apostles days and primitive Ages grew up in the sanctifying Faith in the purifying Hope thorow the Cross of Christ the Life of Jesus came to be manifested in their mortal Bodies they were true and living Witnesses of Fellowship with the Lord thorow the Leadings and Teachings of the Anointing they knew Christ supping with them and they with him without outward Bread and Wine being in the Heavenly Banquetting House in the End and Substance of all Types Figure and Shadows but as the Serpent seducing Eve brought in a world of Wickedness so the same by little and little wearing the Church from the Simplicity that is in Christ Jesus brought in a flood of Confusion an earthly Mind within turned to earthly Figures and Shadows without Elements and Rudiments losing the Life of Communion within they placed it in Shadows without and much Confusion and Uncertainty hath been in the Church about the Times of taking it as appears in the Writings of Men. Very anciently saith Polydor Christians took the Eucharist that is the sacramental Broad every day in the Morning and Fasting Polydor lib. 5. After this Augustin said This daily taking of the Communion of the Eucharist I neither Praise nor blame yet my Perswasion is that men take it every Lords Day his Perswasion very likely took place hence it came to be called Panis hebdomadarius Weekly Bread Polydor lib. 5. Zephyrinus afterwards appointed That all Christians who were come to sutable years should once a year at least take the Sacrament namely at Easter Once every day now once a year will serve either much of Zeal was in the one or much of Coldness was in the other Polyd. lib. 5. Fabian afterwards established That men should take the Sacrament thrice in the year if not oftner at Easter Pentecost and Christmas Polyd. lib. 5. Summa Concil et Pontif. Anacletus commanded That they that would not take the Sacrament should be excommunicated as Prophane Persons Polyd. lib. 5. Several are of another Disposition in this our Age who shew not much dislike at peoples Refusal of the Sacrament provide they give them the same Price as they do who take it but refusing that War is prepared Concerning the Communion Cup. In the primitive Times the Church of living Stones was under the Rule and Government of the blessed Spirit in and thorow which the Cry and living Soul-breathing was Abba Father here the Cup of Salvation of Consolation of Blessing full of Righteousness Peace Joy Assurance Heavenly Riches was plentifully drunk of this being lost thorow the Smoke Inchantments Delusions pompous Shew bewitching Splendor Misleadings Muzlings and enfatuating Sleights of Antichtist and men fast bound in the Dungeon of spiritual Servitude and toiling in the Entanglements of Will-worship Self-righteousness Traditions Conceits in this condition the Cup of Abomination and spiritual Fornication got entrance making Nations drunk and in the barren Wilderness of this State there hath been no little jangling about the Sacramental Cup without as of what Mettal it should be made of some have been for Wood some for Glass some for Pewter some for Gold some for Silver as may be assuredly concluded by the Canons and Constitutions of Popes Kings Arch-Bishops Provincial Councils c. It is very clear saith Polydor that the Cups used in the consecration of divine Blood was at the first made of Wood de Invent. lib. 2. cap. 12. Zepherinus afterwards commanded That Glass Cups should be used not Wood Cups as before Polyd. lib. 2. cap. 12. Succeeders skrewed a Peg higher the former Decree by little and little vanished and it was constituted That Golden Silver or at the least Pewter Cups or Chalices should be used Polydor lib. 2. Bonifacius Martyr and Bishop said Formerly Golden Priest did wake use of Wood Cups or Chalices but now on the contrary Wood Priests use Golden Chalices As the Apostatical Pomp and Splendor increased so the simple and homely use of Wood Cups came to be generally hissed at and sleighted so that the Provincial Triburiensian Council decreeed thus We decree that henceforth no Priest may by any means presume to make the sacred Mystery of the Body and Blood of our Lord in Wood Cups or Chalices Summa Concil et Pontif. Our King Edgar put out a Canan to this purpose saying We teach that every Chalice or Cup wherein any one shall consecrate the Eucharist shall be of Molten Mettal and not at all consecrated in a Wood Cup or Chalice One Remigius an Arch-Bishop appointed these his Verses to be set on the side of the Sacremental Cup Haurit hinc populus vitam de sanguine sacro Injecto aeternus quem fudit vulnere Christus c. Hence People drink Eternal Life that 's good For in this Cup contained is Christ's Blood Thus you see what a stir hath been about Invention after that the Simplicity and Stability of the Truth as it is in Jesus was turned from and after that credens was given that Bread and Wine by the Priests consecration was transmuted that is changed into the real Body and Blood of Christ How Communion in both Kinds was forbidden That Christ gave Bread and Wine unto his
Professors of Christianity as hereafter may be seen This is my Body that is this betokens denotes signifies or shadows out my Body the word is is often so taken as by several Scriptural Instances it may appear Joseph said unto Pharaoh The seven good Kine are seven years and the seven good Ears of Corn are seven years that is signifieth or betokeneth seven years Gen. 41.25 26. The seven Stars are the Angels of the seven Churches Rev. 1.20 that is denotes betokens or signifies them And the seven Heads are seven Mountains on which the Woman sitteth and the ten Horns are ten Kings that is signifies betokens or denotes these things Rev. 17.1 12. And Zech. 5.3 The flying Rell is the Curse that is signifies or betokens the Curse The Shadows of the Old Testament are said to expiate because they were Types of Expiation by Christ So 1 Cor. 10. That Rock was Christ that is signified betokened or held out Christ a Figure or Type of him As in the Flower saith Ludolphus the Fruit is foreshown so by the Shadows of the Law Christ to come was signified But the word is is never put for changed into Poole So this is my Body that is betokens or signifie my Body the outward Bread was a Figure or Shadow of Christ who is that to the Soul which outward Bread is to the Body thorow outward Bread the Body grows is strengthned comforted refreshed satisfied this Christ said should be fulfilled in the Kingdom of God in the Church how thorow his spiritual Return who is the Heavenly Bread Bread of God living Bread life-giving Bread in by and thorow which the Churches grew were strengthned comforted refreshed satisfied Moreover Christ took the Cup and gave it to them saying Drink ye all of it for this is my Blood signifies and denotes my Blood Wine quenches the Thirst increases Strength banishes Sorrow causeth Mirth gladdens the Heart adds Courage Christ said it was to be fulfilled in the Kingdom of God in the Church the primitive Churches washed in the Blood of the Lamb were Witnesses hereof thorow Draughts of the Cup of Blessing in pourings of the Quickening Spirit they made Melody in their Hearts to the Lord this Cup of Blessing made Paul and Silas sing Praises unto God though in an inner Prison and their Feet fast in the Stocks Acts 16. Further Paul put the Corinthians who were jangling and in Disorder in mind of Christ's Institution saying I received of the Lord that which I delivered unto you he informs them how he took Bread and the Cup and bad them eat and drink in remembrance of him for as often as ye eat this Bread and drink this Cup ye de shew the Lord's Death till he come 1 Cor. 11.23 c. Christ though he departed as touching his outward Manifestation yet he comforted them with Promises of returning so though he departed in the Flesh yet he returned in Spirit I will pray the Father and he shall give you the Comforter that he may abide with you forever Again I will not leave you comfortless I will come to you Again The Comforter which is the Holy Ghost he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your Remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you John 14.16 18 26. Again Christ said unto his Disciples It is expedient for you that I go away if I go not away the Comforter will not come but if I depart I will send him unto you and he will guide you into all Truth and shew you things to come John 16.7 13. So their eating the outward Bread and drinking the Cup was in Remembrance of him till he came and when he was returned in Spirit and revealed in them their Comforter their faithful Remembrancer their Guide into all Truth then they had that in them which the Bread and Wine represented Paul writing to the Corinthians took them from the Outward to the Inward saying Christ is in you except you be Reprobates 2 Cor. 13.5 And We have this Treasure in Earthen Vessels 2 Cor. 4.7 And The Mystery hid from Ages and Generations was Christ in them the Hope of Glory Col. 1.27 Thus Christ being in them what need was there of Bread and Wine to keep them in Remembrance of him till he came Now John a Witness of his spiritual Appearance bare record saying We know that the Son of God is come and hath given us an Vnderstanding to know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ 1 John 5.20 Paul travelled in birth for the Galatians until Christ was formed in them Gal. 4.19 in the Apostles dayes and while the Church kept the Faith and primitive Order the Life of Jesus was manifest in their mortal Bodies the Heavenly Birth was brought forth in them Christ the Bread of God Bread of Life Living Bread which who eat of live forever John 6. the redeemed Churches washed in the Blood of the Lamb witnessed this so had the thing in them signified by outward Bread and Wine Further Paul writing to the Corinthians sanctified by Faith in Christ Jesus called to be Saints said I speak as to wise men judge ye what I say the Cup of Blessing which we bless is it not the Communion of the Blood of Christ the Bread which we break is it not the Communion of the Body of Christ we are all Partakers of that one Bread 1 Cor. 10.15 This Cup and this Bread know none but who follow Christ in the Regeneration the outward mind feeds on Husks drinks the Cup of Abomination but in the Cross a renewing is known a Hungring after the Bread of Life is known the immortal Seed is known in which the Families of the Earth are blessed he spoke of a Cup of a Bread which only the Wise in the Wisdom of God had knowledge of Now the primitive Christians living Stones being come to the the End of Shadows testified against the Shadows and did not stick in them not jangle about them the Kingdom of God stands not in Meat and Drink but in Righteousness Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit Rom. 14.17 not in Bread and Wine but in the second Adam the quickening Spirit the End of Shadows Paul wrote to the Collossians saying Let no man â—udge you in Meat or in Drink c. which are a Shadow of things to come but the Body is of Christ Col. 2.16 17. Bread and Wine are Shadows as well as the outward Passover and Christ is that in his People which the Shadows pointed at To him that overcomes saith Christ will I give to eat of the hidden Maenna Rev. 2.17 He promises a Food of a more spiritual nature then outward Bread Wine a Food hidden from the wise and prudent yea and from that Mind that sticks in the Shadows Further said the true and faithful Witness Rev. 3.20 Behold I stand at the Door and knock if any man hear my Voice and open the Door
I will come into him and will sup with him and he with me This is the Gospel-communion here was no outward Bread nor Wine Cup nor Chalice but here is that which the bread and wine pointed at the cup of blessing If we walk in the Light as he is in the Light we have Fellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin 1 Joh. 1.7 In the Light Fellowship with the Lord is known and Fellowship one with another and the Word is known which became Flesh and tabernacles in man this the Redeemed eat feed on discern and though it be said The Flesh profitteth nothing Joh. 6. and that Flesh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 15. yet 't is said Except ye eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood ye have no Life in you and he that eateth my Flesh and drinks my Blood dwelleth in me and I in him Joh. 6. And Paul said We are Members of his Body of his Flesh and of his Bones Ephes 5.30 And these are no contradictionâ— but fulfilled in the ground of Self-denyal in the cross to the mortal the Lords Death is shewed forth till he come who lives forever who abolishes Death and brings Life and Immortality to light thorow the Gospel 2 Tim. 1.10 yea and Joh. 3.13 The same that descended the same is ascended and is flesh and bone and nourishes the Soul to eternal Lise here the end of Shadows is known Augustin said truly if truly and livingly read To eat Christ is to believe in Christ why providest thou a Tooth and a Belly believe only and thou hast eaten Faith centers in the eternal Word in the quickning Word so that is revealed which fulfils outward Shadows other things as well as Bread and Wine were not of perpetual continuance nor needful to be practised in the Church after their bounds and season John 13.14 15. Acts 15.28 29. Jam. 5.14 Paul testified saying Henceforth know we no man after the flesh yea though we have known Christ after the flesh yet now henceforth we know him no more 2 Cor. 5.16 Paul was so spiritualized as that he centered in nothing below the eternal Substance he stickt not in Bread and Wine or any other Shadow but in fervency of spirit waited to be comprehended in the prefixed Life as a man that so looks for a lost Jewel that he overlooks all besides it outward things reach no further then fleshly Knowledge but a spiritual Understanding is revealed in by and thorow that which is spiritual Of Transubstantiation Though Israel saw the Wonders of the Lord in Aegypt the Execution of his Judgments for their Deliverance though the Lord went before them by Day in a Pillar of a Cloud and by Night in a Pillar of Fire though they passed thorow the Red Sea as upon dry Land and saw the Aegyptians drowned so that thorow a sense of his Power and mighty Acts they sang a Song of Praise and Thanksgiving unto the Lord saying He was glorious in Holiness fearful in Praises doing Wonders yet coming unto Mount Sinai on to which Moses was called and continued 40 Dayes and 40 Nights Israel fell into a spiritual Lethargy to forget the Lord and his Noble Acts and losing the sense of the pure living invisible eternal God they cryed for artificial Gods Gods of Mans making saying to Aaron Vp make us Gods which shall go before us for as for this Moses that brought us out of the Land of Egypt we wâ—â— what is become of him Exod. 32. Aaron made them a Calf and they said These be thy Gods O Israel which brought thee up out of the Land of Egypt thus losing the sense of the Living and Life-giving God they turned to cryed up and ascribed their Deliverance to a Molten Calf fashioned with a Graving-Tool In the Apostles days and primitive times while their Garments were undefiled being Branches of the Heavenly Olive kept their Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus they had the Bread of Life Water of Life Heavenly Manna the Word that became Flesh in the persumed Houses of sanctified Hearts they drank of the Cup of Salvation the Cup of Blessing they were come to Mount Sion they were Members of the New Jerusalem they were in the spiritual Worship they came to the Life Sum Substance of all Types Figures Shadows and all thorow the Operation of Christ Jesus in them who led them from the Aegyptian-Bondage of Hellish Pharaoh old Abaeddon the Destroyer they knew the Prince of Peace Christ Jesus and their Labour and living concern was that in all things he might have the Preeminence But in dayes succeeding the Apostles when the Mystery of Iniquity which the Apostle saw inwardly working in his day was more and more manifested the Star faln from Heaven Sun and Air darkned the Purity of the primitive Church spoiled through the Smoke of the bottomless Pit through the Darkness and Delusion of this Smoke they lost the bread of Life the cup of blessing within so came to reassume bread and wine without and let in a Sea of Confusion about the same some ministring it to all some to Believers only sometime to Young Children sometime to Dead People c. and the more the Smoke arose out of the Pit the greater Darkness entred the Professors of Christianity till at length like as Israel having lost the sense of the living God called for Gods without so had a Molten Calf and worshipped the same ascribing their Deliverances thereunto even so apostatized Christianity having lost the Bread of Life the Cup of Blessing Christ Jesus thorow the in-steamings of the bottomless Pit they must have an artificial Christ how is that since the Apostles dayes when the Life and Power of Godliness was lost then this Doctrine came to be preacht That Bread and Wine after it be consecrated by the Priest is no more Bread and Wine but the very Christ that was born of the Virgin so to be worshipped that the Bread and Wine by the consecration of the Priest is transubstantiated that is changed into the very Body and Blood of Christ from this came the word Transubstantiation this Doctrine is grounded upon those words This is my Body for from these words Papists say Christ is present transuâ—stantially Lutherans say consubstantially Calvinists say He is present sacramentally Author of the Naked Truth Whether the Bread and Wine after consecration be transubstantiated or not hath been and is much controverted betwixt Papists and Protestants One said Corpore de Christi lis est de sanguine lis est Lis est de modo non habitura modum How Bread and Wine the living Christ should be 'T is controverted much men disagree The Council of Trent begun in the year 1545. and others taught That Bread and Wine being consecrated by the Priest is turned into the true real substantial Body of Christ Flesh Blood Bones c. even the same that was
is a great Mystery but I speak concerning Christ and the Church Ephes 5.32 their Translations render it This is a great Sacrament But true it is the English Translation is true herein and the Papists Translation is faulty and their number of seven Sacraments they have from Peter Lombard they are not mentioned in any Scripture but first devised by Peter Lombard Bellarmine's Master first decreed by Eugenius the fourth first confirmed in the Provincial Council of Senes after in the Council of Trent Leigh Chamier de luc lib. 4. cap. 1. And our English Translations have the word Sacrament in the Contents of the tenth Chapter of the first to the Corinthians but the Division of the Scripture into Chapter and Verse is not from the Authors thereof but of late time as also the inserting in of the Contents many Almanacks inform us of the Authors hereof Now as for the word Eucharist Luke and Paul speaking of the Institution mention how Jesus Christ took Bread and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eucharistesas that is giving Thanks Now from the Greek word Eucharistesas the Sacrament so called came also to be called Eucharist and after Christ had taken the Cup and given thanks and given it unto his Disciples after this Consecration as 't is called Christ called it the Fruit of the Vine now if the Wine had been really transmuted changed into the Blood of Christ then it had not been the Fruit of the Vine but saith he I will not drink henceforth of the Fruit of the Vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's Kingdom Matth. 26. Peter preaching Christ to Cornelius said That they did Eat and Drink with Christ after he rose from the Dead Acts 10. This Testimony I have given concerning Bread and Wine which Tertullian Origen Ambrose Augustine Jerom Chrysostom Basil and many others call Figures Types Shadows c. though their Writings be very uncertain and my Testimony is That Christ is the End of all Figures Types and Shadows as before true Union Communion and Soul-feeding is in the Light of the living God in Christ whose Life is the Light of Men the Soul's Food Now in citing the Testimonies of men who were since the primitive Times I do it not to build mens Faith or my own on the Authorities of Men but for the Conviction of such who plead that ancient Writers are Vnanimous yea and Harmonious in defending such and such things and who turn from divine Grace manifested such know not the Mouth nor the Stomach which feeds upon Heavenly Food Bread of Life the Word that became Flesh such discern not the Lord's Body but cleaving to that which is earthly are carnallized thereby made earthly-minded labouring for the Meat that perisheth and drink not the Cup of Blessing but become drunk with the Cup of Fornication from the Presence of the Lamb. Now to what hath been spoken I further add That the Jews Passover with its Appurtenances was ended and fulfilled by Jesus Christ Christ wa circumcised he taught in the Temple he said to the cleansed Leper Shew thy self to the Priest and offer a Gift according to the Law thus Christ the Substance the End of the Law the End of the Shadows owned them in their season before he was offered up or the Hand-writing nailed to the Cross and as Christ owned other Shadows in their season before he was offered up so he owned the Passover in which the Jews had their Bread and Wine blessed and consecrated it proving the same to be a Shadow so by Christ fulfilled and ended 1. The Jews in eating the Pascal Lamb took a Cup of Wine blessed and consecrated it so it passed round the Table this was called Bircath-hajajin the Blessing of the Cup in this manner Christ began his Supper Luke 22.17 18. 2. The Jews in eating their Pascal Lamb took Break blessed and consecrated it and after consecration all were to eat thereof this consecration of the Bread they called Bircath halechem the Blessing of Bread thus Christ took Bread blessed it and gave it to his Disciples 3. The Jews at the end of their Passover took a Cup of Wine and blessed it and called it Bircath hamazon so after the Supper Christ took the Cup Luke 22.20 this saith Godwyn in his Iewish Antiquities Thus Christ the End of the Iewish Shadows the Life and Substance they pointed at owned the Shadows before he was offered up but being returned in Spirit the End of the Iewish Passover Bread and Wine was manifested and the Apostle preached Christ to be their Passover the Bread of Life Cup of Blessings the End of Iewish Figures THE END
a Representation consecrated Bread works not the Works of the true Christ the true and faithful Witness so is not Christ Christ called also Jesus by interpretation a Saviour such is his Name such is his Nature he saves his People from their Sins Mat. 1.21 thorow his inward Operation they become new Creatures God's Workmanship in a word of Beth-aven that is a House of Vanity or Iniquity they become Bethel that is the House of God Sharers in the Riches Peace of the Lords Family consecrated Bread effects not these things in the Receivers though a thousand times consecrated received so is not the Virgins Birth John testified saying The Blood of Jesus Christ clenseth us from all sin 1 Joh 1.7 this is the effectual remedy the Lords Candle finds many a foul Flaw in man such as believe are reduced into the Order of the heavenly Truth the Apostle further bare record saying He loved us and washed us from our sins in his own Blood Rev. 1.5 6. and hath made us Kings and Priests unto God Kings to reign in Truths Dominion over the Earth over the World over Lusts over spiritual Adversaries Priests to offer a Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving unto the Lord to this Dignity Bread and Wine though a thousand times consecrated cannot bring Again The true Christ the Virgins Birth is the same today yesterday and forever incorruptible perishes not immortal the Holy One sees not Corruption but Bread and Wine though consecrated corrupts perishes grows mouldy loses Vertues Taste Savour so is not the Body and Blood of Christ and the Disciples were not to labour for the Meat which perishes but for that Meat which endureth unto everlasting Life John 6.27 Again Thorow the Body of Christ the faithful become dead to the Law to be married to Christ to be fruitful unto God Rom. 7.4 dead to the Law dead to sin yea and the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus makes free from the Law of Sin and Death Rom. 8.2 10. but the consecrated Host hath not this Operation in man but leaves men alive in Sin dead to God so not Christs bodâ— not his flesh not his blood Christ said to the Jews Your Fathers did eat Manna in the Wilderness and are dead such Minds as stick in Visibles are dead in Sins and Trespasses though consecrated by Man they quicken not it is the Spirit that quickneth and he that eats of the Bread saith Christ that comes from Heaven the Word Christ's Flesh he knows a Vivification a Quickning he dyes not but lives forever John 6. and 't is the Lord that gives being and Vertue to all Creatures not mans Consecration which cannot keep Visibles from losing their Vertue Savour Taste 't is evident by their own Constitution that they were conscious of this who enjoyned That Priests on every eighth day should renew the holy Eucharist that is consecrated Bread c. lest thorow Oldness thereof some should be brought into Indevotion to have the Spark of their Devotion as I may say in measure extinguished Summa Concil et Pontif. but Christ is the same today yesterday and forever his Years fail not he waxes not old as a Garment Of giving Bread and Wine to the World for this it is alledged that Judas did eat of the Bread and did drink of the Cup. Answ That was that the Scripture might be fulfilled Mine own familiar Friend which did eat of my Bread hath lift up his Heel against me Psal 41.9 yea and Christ the Store-house of Wisdom and Knowledge said He that dippeth his Hand with me in the Dish the same shall betray me Matth. 26.23 his Fellow-commoner as I may say whereby the Indiguity of the thing was much aggravated as for Judas he was numbred with the Disciples and had obtained part of the true Ministry Acts 1. but fell by Transgression and became a Member of that sinful and unsociable Society which Christ testified against and for giving Bread and Wine the Sacrament as 't is called to the World have you no Example but Judas who sold Christ for Money as many sell Bread and Wine for Money now which after Consecration is truly and really Christ as many in Degeneration affirm Christ gave it to his Disciples only a Shadow of a more spiritual Bread of a more spiritual Cup after to be received Of giving Bread and Wine to Infants After the Primitive Times when thorow the inundation of Apostacy and over-spreading of that foul Leprosie the living Bread and living Cup was lost then streamed in a Sea of Confusion as I said before the Heavenly Key of pure Knowledge and Divine Understanding was lost things of God became as a Book sealed with seven Seals the Opener and Fulfiller of the Scriptures of Truth came in a high measure to be lost then a Cloud of Mis-apprehensions and Mis-interpretations of Scriptures involved the Professors of Christianity then thorow a Mis-apprehension and Mis-understanding of that Scripture of Christ Except ye eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood ye have no Life in you John 6.53 the Fathers fell into that Error that None but Communicants could be saved whereupon they gave the Sacrament so called to Infants and put it into the Mouthes of Dead Men c. Augustine Bishop of Hippo was thus minded as appears by this his following Conclusion tâ—at It is in vain to promise Salvation and Life Eternal to little Children unless they be baptized and receive the Body and Blood of Christ since the Necessity of them both is attested by so many so great and divine Testimonies This Practice of giving the Sacrament to Infants crept in the early Ages of the World became wonderful general and continued above six hundred years in the Church till the time of Charlemain some were so strict in it as that a Canon enjoyned That baptized Infants should receive the Communion before they sucked or received any other Nourishment the same is or hath been observed by the Greeks Aethiopians Bohemians Moravians and that this was enjoyned by Popes Bishops c. these following Authors testifie recourse being had to their Canons Constitutions c. Pope Innocent Paganinus Gaudentius Theol. de moribus seculi Nicephorus in Histor Eccles Johannes Langius Augustin Taylors worthy Communicant chap. 3. Alcninus Maldonate on John 6. Author of the Naked Truth Grotius Notwithstanding Pope Innocent had appointed the Sacrament to be given to Infants and it became in a manner universal of long continuance yet the Council of Trent put out this Canon If any one shall say that the Communion of the Eucharist that is consecrated Bread is necessary for Children before they attain unto years of Discretion let him be Anathema accursed Concil Trident. Sect. 3. Can. 4. Here the Pope who cannot err as 't is said came to be questioned his Doctrine Augustin's Doctrine and the Church Practice for above six hundred years came to be cast out as spurious by the
Disciples is undeniable Paul mentioning the Institution unto the Corinthians mentions both as 't is evident the Bread represented his Body the Bread of Life that nourishes the Soul to eternal Life the Wine his Blood which they came to witness to cleanse them from all sin as they kept to the Head thorow the Ligament of living Faith they came to the End of all Figures to partake of the one Bread one in all but in the dark reign of Apostacy they re-assumed the Shadows and divided Christendom into Clergy that is Teachers and Laity that is all others out of Holy Orders so called but all the Faithful are the Lord's Lot as Acts 26.18 translated there Inheritance but properly signifies Lot if the Greek Copies be consulted and makes nothing for but against the distinction of Clergy and Laity Leighs Crit. However the Distinction hath found continuance in the Church and in the year 1215. Pope Innocent the third did first of all as 't is recorded forbid that the Lay People should receive their Communion in both kinds he would allow them Bread but no Drink this kind of Communion as 't is said was not before the Council of Constance where in the thirteenth Session they deprived the People of the Cup yea and a Canon was put out saying in down-right and express terms If any one shall deny whole and entire Christ the Fountain and Author of all Graces to be taken under one Species of Bread c. let him be Anathema accursed Thus in this as in other things it appears that not only the Power of Godliness hath been lost but great Confusion hath followed Of Mixed Wine Alexander if I may use the Language of my Author the seventh Pope from Peter being about to consecrate was the first of all that mingled Water and Wine together Polydor lib. 5. Of taking Money for Bread and Wine I have shewed before how Pope Innocent the third and the Council of Constance denyed the Cup to the Laity so called one Eckius complying with this Doctrine gives an irrational Reason for it The Laity saith he ought to content themselves with the Bread only because equi donation sunt inspiciendi dentes that is a gift Horse is not to be looked in the Month Apud Manlium in loc com He though belike that Lay Men could not claim any Right to the Bread neither Bellarmine grants that they have Right to the Bread but adds that in eating the Bread transubstantiated by the Priest into the Body of Christ they drink his Blood also But Lombard his Master contradicts this his Doctrine saying That the Bread is not turned but into Christs Flesh nor the Wine but into his Blood Let him that is crowned with Heavenly Wisdom judge whether these Contradictions bespeak them to be Builders of Sion a City of Unity the Joy of the whole Earth or Builders of spiritual Babel a City of Confusion The Council of Constance acknowledged that Christ instituted and administred both Bread and Wine tamen hoc non obstante yet notwithstanding the Authority of the holy Canons and the Custom of the Church hath and doth deny the Cup to the Laity But to return Neither did Christ take Money for the Bread and Wine which he gave to any but as the spirit of Selfishness entred the Temple of the Church it produced other Effects surely there was occasion why the six the general Council of Constantinople decreed That no Bishop Priest or Deacon administring the Communion to people should take any Money whatever of them for the same and that who as did should be deposed Summa Concil et Pontif. Yet notwithstanding the Constantinopolitan Canon in Protestant Churches now the Parish buyes Bread and Wine and the Priest sells it them again that the Priest may have an Offering at Easter so that many otherwise zealous for the established Ministry blame their Ministers their spiritual Hosts as they call them that first the Parish must buy Bread and Wine and give it to the Minister and then the Minister give it to the People and after call for a Reckoning yea and force such as neither bite nor sup thereof to reckon and pay Let us hear the Lord's Proclamation Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters to the Water of Life the Cup of Salvation Consolation and Blessing a spiritual Thirst is called for neither Money nor Price And further He that hath no Money come ye buy and eat yea come buy Wine and Milk without Money and without Price Here is Bread and Wine and Milk at the Lord's Hand without Money or Price Isa 55.1 2. but such as are made Ministers by the will of man through the strength of Arts Sciences Natural Parts Abilities Qualifications Endowments Acquisitions they have another Language so another Spirit forcing Money and Price not only from Receivers but from Non-receivers also so that the Practice of many I say not all bespeaks them saying We preach the Gospel tantum ut nos pascat et vestiat meerly for Food and Rayment to pick a living by Trap on 1 Pet. 5. Yea and Revel 22.17 The Spirit and the Bride say come and let him that heareth say come and let him that is athirst come and whosoever will let him take the Water of Life freely Here is Communion Royal Communion Water of Life Bread of Life the Cup of Blessing freely without Money or Price But their Voice is not the Voice of the Spirit nor of the Bride nor of him that heareth nor of him that is athirst who forces Money and Price for Bread and Wine the Shadow not only from the Receiver but the Non-receiver also for where Christ's Doctrine and the Apostles is transgressed his Institution for Gospel-Maintenance violated their Voice is the Voice of Balaam who was for Gifts Rewards Wages of Unrighteousness filthy Lucre who have nothing but the Shadow which maketh not alive they make Gain of it sell it but who are Members of Christ's Body of his Flesh of his Bones as freely they have received the Bread of Life so they freely give Of the Kiss of Peace and of the Pax. David the sweet Singer of Israel exhorted Kings and Judges of the Earth to kiss the Son lest he be angry Psal 2.12 These are Greetings cordial Embraces not known but in the operating Virtue of the Seed of Regeneration and in spiritual Submission to his Heavenly Will Let him kiss me saith the Church with the Kisses of his Mouth Cantic 1.2 In the sense-restoring Life these are felt as Seals and Assurances of divine Favour and Acceptance Earnests and Fruits of the Spirit like Balm to the Wounded Paul writing to the Romans said Salute one another with an Holy Kiss Rom. 16.16 This Peter called The Kiss of Love 1 Pet. 5.14 In after Ages as Fellowship with the Lord and with one another in the Light in a high measure came to be loft then the Observation of Shadows more and more got entrance then their