The worthy communicant, or, A discourse of the nature, effects, and blessings consequent to the worthy receiving of the Lords Supper and of all the duties required in order to a worthy preparation : together with the cases of conscience occurring in the duty of him that ministers, and of him that communicates : to which are added, devotions fitted to every part of the ministration / by Jeremy Taylor ...

SECT. III. An Advice concerning him who only Communicates Spiritually.

THere are many persons well disposed by the measures of a holy life to communicate fre∣quently; but it may happen that they are unavoi∣dably hindred. Some have a timerous conscience, a fear, a pious fear, which is indeed sometimes more pitiable than commendable. Others are advis'd by their spiritual Guides to abstain for a time, that they may proceed in the vertue of repentance fur∣ther yet, before they partake of the Sacrament of love: and yet if they should want the blessings and graces of the Communion, their remedy which is intended them would be a real impediment. Some are scandalized and offended at irremediable mis∣carriages in publick Doctrines or Government, and cannot readily overcome their prejudice, nor re∣concile their consciences to a present actual Com∣munion. Some dare not receive it at the hands of a wicked Priest of notorious evil life. Some can have it at no Priest at all, but are in a long journey, or under a Persecution, or in a Country of a dif∣fering perswasion. Some are sick; and some can∣not have it every day, but every day desire it.

Such persons as these, if they prepare themselves

with all the essential and ornamental measures of address, and eanestly desire that they could actual∣ly Communicate, they may place themselves upon their knees, and building an Altar in their heart, celebrate the death of Christ, and in holy desire joyn with all the Congregations of the Christian world, who that day celebrate the holy Commu∣nion; and may serve their devotion by the former Prayers and actions Eucharistical, changing only such circumstantial words which relate to the actual participation: And then they may remember and make use of the comfortable Doctrine of S. Austin;* 1.1 [

It is one thing (saith that learned Saint) to be born of the Spirit, and another thing to be fed of the Spirit: As it is one thing to be born of the flesh, which is when we are born of our mo∣ther; and another thing to be fed of the flesh, which is done when she suckles her Infant by that nourishment which is chang'd into food that he might eat and drink with pleasure, by which he was born to life: when this is done without the actual and Sacramental participation, it is called spiritual Manducation.

] Concerning which I on∣ly add the pious advice of a religious person;* 1.2 Let every faithful soul be ready and desirous often to receive the holy Eucharist to the glory of God: But if he cannot so often Communicate Sacramen∣tally as he desires, let him not be afflicted, but re∣main in perfect resignation to the will of God, and dispose himself to a spiritual Communion: For no man and no thing can hinder a well-disposed soul, but that by holy desires she may, if she please, com∣municate every day.

To this nothing is necessary to be added, but that this way, is to be used never but upon just necessity,

and when it cannot be actual: not upon peevishness and spiritual pride; not in the spirit of schism and fond opinions; not in despight of our Brother, and contempt or condemnation of the holy Con∣gregations of the Lord; but with a living faith, and an actual charity, and great humility, and with the Spirit of devotion; and that so much the more intensly and fervently, by how much he is really troubled for the want of actual participation in the Communion of Saints; and then, that is true which S. Austin said,* 1.3 Crede & manducasti; Believe and thou hast eaten. Adora Jesum.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Serm. 11. de verbi•• Domini.
• * 1.2

  Bles. in reg. Ty∣ron. Spi∣rit. sect. 4. n. 3.
• * 1.3

  Tract. 25. & 26. in Johan.