these offerings aright. For your punishment will be great, if knowingly you suffer any wicked person to partake of this table; for his blood shall be required at your hands. Wherefore, if any general, any provincial governor, or the emperor himself, be not worthy, repel him; for thou hast a greater power or authority than he." I am sensible, it may be objected, that the same laws that oblige persons to receive the holy sacrament as a qualification for an office, do oblige the clergy to admit them. But then it must be considered, that the power which Christ has invested His Church with, of admitting persons into her communion and excluding them from it, no human laws can deprive her of; and therefore when the laws require men to receive this holy sacrament to qualify themselves for offices, they always suppose that they must first qualify themselves according to the holy laws of the Church, which are founded on those of the Gospel. So that it would be a great injury to our legislators to imagine, that if an unbaptised or excommunicate person, a deist, or a notorious sinner, should happen to obtain an office, that they intended to oblige the Church to admit persons under these bad dispositions to be partakers of the blessed eucharist. Sixthly, I shall add some directions as to the manner of performing this duty of receiving H the holy sacrament, with suitable devotions on such occasions. Catec. mys tag. v. § 18. As to the reverence of our bodies; our outward behaviour ought to be governed by such measures as the Church directs. For this reason, as well as because it is the humblest posture, we must receive the holy sacrament upon our knees; which is most proper, when we are at the same time making our addresses to the great Majesty of heaven and earth. The ancient Christians, in the time of St. Cyril of Jerusalem, received the consecrated element of bread into the palm of their right hand, which being supported by their left was so carried to their mouths, that no portion of that divine nourishment could fall to the ground. I am not certain that the Church means this, when she orders her officers to deliver the sacrament to the peoconsecration. ple into their hands: but I think the expression sufficiently justifies it; and therefore every communicant may take the liberty of making use of it. And as we are to kneel or stand, as the Church directs, so, I think, it is fit we should not deviate from some devout customs that are established by ancient and general practice, which in time come to have the force of a law. It is by such rules that a beautiful uniformity is created in our deport Rubric after ment, as well as in our petitions. And all our different postures ought to be used with such gravity and seriousness as may demonstrate how intent we are when engaged in this Christian sacrifice; and yet without such affectations and particularities as are apt to disturb those that are near us, and give occasion to others to suspect us as acting a formal, hypocritical part. To this end, when we put our bodies into a praying posture, with which I think leaning and lolling seems very inconsistent, we should do well, when upon our knees, to fix our eyes downward, that we may not be diverted by any objects near us; at the same time resolving not to suffer them to gaze about, whereby they do but fetch in matter for wandering thoughts. A farther help to this attention is great silence; therefore we should never join aloud with the minister but where it is enjoined, endeavouring to make the rest our own by a hearty amen. The same care should be taken about those private prayers we make use of at the altar, which ought to be pronounced so softly, that they may not disturb the devotion of our fellowChristians that are near us. We must particularly remember not to repeat after the minister what peculiarly relates to his office; which I mention the rather, because I have frequently observed some devout people following him that officiates in the exhortation and absolution, as well as the confession, which, if thoroughly considered, must be judged a very absurd and improper expression of the people's devotion, because a distinguishing mark of the priest's office. As to the reverence of our minds; it ought to consist in such intenseness and application of thought as may engage our hearts as well as our lips in this solemn service; in such fervency of affection, and in such a measure of importunity, as may shew how desirous we are of the mercy which we request, and how highly we value and esteem what we ask for. To this end we ought with great attention to accompany the man of God that administers throughout the whole office, which is admirably framed and composed to express all those pious dispositions and devout affections which well-prepared minds ought to exercise upon such occaour repentance, in the confession and absolution; our charity, in relieving our poor brethren by a liberal offering, in praying for all conditions of men, and in forgiving those that have offended us; our humility, in acknowledging our own unworthiness; our resolutions of better obedience, in presenting ourselves reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifices unto God; our praises and thanksgivings, in the hymns and sions: |