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THus far hath beene rea∣soned against the opi∣nion of those who hold Sitting to be a necessa∣rie Ceremonie. Now let vs come to their opinion, who e∣steeme it more proper for the Sacra∣ment, then Kneeling, because it is an vsuall Table-gesture; and because Kneeling being abused to Idolatry in this Sacrament, ought in their iudge∣ment vtterly to be abolished in that
action. Then to begin at the first, and try what gesture is most proper for the Sacrament: Doubtlesse, if neither Lying, nor Sitting, nor Stan∣ding, nor Kneeling be necessarie, but all be indifferent, that gesture is most proper, which is most agreeable vn∣to the rule wherby things indifferent should be determined: that is, the rule of Pietie, Charitie, and Decen∣cie. And to enter this tryall vvith Decencie: To sit at a common Ta∣ble, beeing in our times most vsuall, must also be most decent for a com∣mon Table; but that it is a gesture most decent to be vsed at the Lords Table, cannot be well affirmed, ex∣cept we first consider what the Lords Table is; whether it be the same, or like, or different from a common Table. For vnderstanding this point the better, wee would try, how the Lords Table is taken in Scripture, whether for the materiall, whereon the elements are set and consecrate,
and where-at, and where-from they are distributed and giuen. For if thereby the materiall bee onely and chiefly vnderstood, it may seeme that there is little or no difference betwixt it and a common Table, and that the Gestures and Manners that are pro∣per for the one, may well agree and be vsed at the other. In the 10. chap. and 1. Epist. of the Corinths. vers. 21. mention is made of the Lords Table, in these words, Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and of deuils: yee can∣not bee partakers of the Table of the Lord, and of the table of deuils. As the Table of the Lord is taken in this place, so shall we finde it vsed, I hope, in all other parts of Scripture. But here neither by the Cup can be properly meant, the materiall Cup, nor by the Table, the materiall Ta∣ble, because it is certaine, that hee who is partaker of the table and cup of deuils, may be partaker both of the materiall Cup of the Sacra∣ment,
and sit at the materiall Ta∣ble, whereat it is giuen: Yea, more∣ouer may drinke the Sacrament of the bloud of Christ, out of the one, and eate the Sacrament of his Bo∣die at the other; and yet the Apo∣stle affirmeth, that they cannot bee partakers of the Lords Table: where∣by it is euident, that by the Table of the Lord another thing must bee meant, then either the materiall Ta∣ble, or the symbolicall externall part of the Sacrament onely. What is that? The Bodie and Bloud of the Lord, the Bread that came downe from heauen to giue life to the world, which by a certaine colour of speech is called a Table. So that speech set downe by Moses, in the II. chapter of Numbers, and the fourth verse, Who shall giue vs flesh to eate? is thus expressed in the 78. Psalm. Can God prepare a Table in the Wildernesse? Which words are presently inter∣preted, ver. 20. Can hee giue bread,
and prouide flesh for his people?* 1.1 When our Sauiour promised to his Disci∣ples that in his Kingdome they should eate and drinke at his Table; neither did he meane by his Table any materiall Table, or any naturall Food, but that blessed, eternall, glorious life, communicated with him by the Father, which he would communicate with them in his King∣dome: according to that which hee saith in Iohn, chap. 6. vers. 57. As the liuing Father hath sent mee, and I liue by the Father, so hee that eateth me, shall liue by mee. Then to bee short, the Lords Table, whereof we are par∣takers here, and that whereof wee shall be partakers in heauen, at the great Supper of the Lambe, is the Lord Iesus himselfe, his Bodie, his Bloud, his Righteousnesse, his Life, and the satiety of pleasures and ioyes that are in him for euermore.
This then being the Table of the Lord mentioned in the Scriptures,
Luk. 22. 30