Tricoenivm Christi in nocte proditionis suæ The threefold svpper of Christ in the night that he vvas betrayed / explained by Edvvard Kellett.

PAR. 5.

COncerning the blessed Eucharist, it cannot be certainly knowne, on what speciall Table it was administred; or what was the forme or fashion of That Table. Two points are considerable; The first seemes more than probable to me; That it was administred, or celebrated on a Table. Secondly, I hold it likely, it was administred on a Table distinct from the Paschall, and ordinary-Supper Table.

Concerning the first:

In the Temple at Hierusalem, they had a Table of Shittim wood; two cubits the length thereof, and a cubite the breadth thereof, and a cubite and an halfe the height thereof, Exod. 25.23. And thoushalt set upon the Table Shewbread before me alwayes, vers. 30. There was no Long-square Table of Incense; but the Al∣tar to burne Incense upon, was also of Shittim wood, foure-square. A cubit the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, Exod. 30.1. And it was two cubits high. The former Table, allegorically did signifie the Table of the body and blood of Christ, as Cornelius à Lapide on Heb. 9.2. avoucheth from Cyrill, Hie∣rome, Damascene: Therefore the Substance of the Type, was also a Table: and Christ celebrated the I ords Supper on a Table.

Secondly, 1 Corinth. 11.20. it is called the Lords Supper.

The Administring and Receiving of the Eucharist, is called the Supper of the Lord. Augustine ad Januarium Epistolâ 118. cap. 5. affirmeth, that the Apostle calleth the very Receiving of the Eucharist, the Dominicam coenam, the Supper of the Lord; So Ambrose, Pelagius, Glossator, Lombardus, Hervaetus, Aquinas, Ric∣kelius, (saith Estius on the 1 Corinth. 11.) Theodoret and Oecumenius call Do∣minicam coenam The Lords Supper, Domini Sacramentum, The Sacrament of the Lord: though Estius minceth the point.

But they were wont in those times, to eate their Suppers on Tables, Ioh. 12.2. Lazarus was one of them who sate at the Table with Christ, when Christ said; Luk. 22.30. Yee may eate and drinke at my Table in my kingdome; he draweth the Metaphor, from the Tables, on which he and others were wont to feed on in those dayes. Ioh. 12.2. &c. Matth. 15.27. The dogs eate of the crummes which

fall from their Masters Table. Therefore there was a distance betweene the Tables and the Ground. S. Mark. 7.28. varieth it thus; The dogs under the Tables eate of the childrens crummes. Therefore the Tables were not On the ground; when dogs could be under them. The rich man had a Table, from whence such crummes fell, as would have fed Lazarus, Luk. 16.21. Therefore the Table was not On the ground, floore, or pavement, but Above it; and from it the crummes fell lower. So, Tables being in viridi observantiâ, in ordinary use among the Jewes in those dayes: and Christ avoyding factious singularity, and running fairely with the streame of those times in things indifferent, we may conclude, Christ fed not from the pavement at any time, for ought that is recor∣ded, or involved; But it is very likely, our Saviour on a Table did celebrate the holy Eucharist. Tables were principally ordained to be eaten and drinkt upon, whether at sacred or common Feasts: Take this and eate it (as from a Table) and Christ tooke the cup (as from the Table) and gave thankes (as they used to doe at the Table) and gave it to them (as they were at Table) Drinke yee all of this (as was wont to be done at the Table) Matth. 26.27. Act. 6.2. It is not reason we should leave the Word of God, and serve Tables. And these Tables were for the poore, or for their holy feasts of charity; if not for the receiving of the most holy Eucharist also.

For it may be well observed, Men were chosen to serve Tables, full of the ho∣ly Ghost; of honest report and wisdome; as Stephen was a man full of faith, and of the holy Ghost, verse 5. full of faith and tower, verse 8. consecrated to that worke by prayer, and imposition of hands, with as much ceremony and solemne maje∣sty, as others were chosen to be Presbyters; nay more, viz. with the generall con∣sent, and joynt action of all the Apostles. To serve at Common Tables alone, such worthy Heroes were not fittest to be destinated, or appointed, that I may use the Scripture phrase; meaner people might, and would have served the turne. But these sanctified Deacons, did not onely take care of the poore, but admini∣stred at the most holy Tables, on which the Eucharist was celebrated. Ignatius Epistol. ad Trallenses, almost in the beginning; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: Yee ought to please the Deacons, the mini∣sters of the mysteries of Christ in all things; for they are not the servitors of meats and drinkes, but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Ministers of the Church of God: doe you reverence them as Jesus Christ, whose Vicars they are.

My collection is; Sacred things, yea the most holy Eucharist was celebrated Then on Tables. And in all likelihood, from the example of Christ, who conse∣crated the blessed Sacrament on a Table. Nor doe the Apostles think it unreaso∣nable to serve Tables, either common, or sacred, simply and absolutely: (for the works were devout) but comparatively, and referentially. They would not neglect the preaching of the Word of God, nor exclude themselves from It to serve Tables: In this sense, S. Paul said, 1 Corinth. 1.17. Christ sent me not to Baptize, but to preach the Gospel: yet both Baptising, and Serving at Tables, especially the Sacred Ones, were divine offices.

Christ was given for us, in the Sacrifice; was given to us, in the Sacrament. In the first, per modum victimae, as an offring; in the last, per modum epuli, (as Bi∣shop Andrews hath it) as in a Banquet. Who knoweth not, Banquets are com∣monly set on Tables? In the Feastings of our great Ones, you may perhaps, find out the Jewish fashion of Feastings. For as oft times our people arise, when the first and second courses are removed; and other meat, and messes carried away: and go to another Table, and Banquet of Sweet-meats, as the close of all: So very well may it be, that when Judas was excluded out of that room, and gone down staires, and forth of doores, Christ and his Apostles might arise from their former Feasting, and at another Table apply themselves to this Sacred banquet of the Holiest, Heavenliest Sweet-meat: since more devotion was required at this most Sacred food, than at their other repast: of which hereafter.

Besides, I desire to see one proofe where ever any of Christs Apostles, or any Jew of those times, did feed from the Ground, Floore or Pavement, when they did eat in any house well-furnished.

I cannot omit another place, 1 Cor. 10.21. Ye cannot be partakers of the Lords Table, and of the Table of Devils. That the Apostle speaketh of the sacred Eu∣charist in the first place, appeareth by the precedent verses. The Cup of blessing which wee blesse, is it not the Communion of the Blood of Christ? The Bread which wee breake, is it not the Communion of the Body of Christ? vers. 17. Here are both Species, both Kinds. Christ blessed the Cup, and so do we, before, and in the Consecration: and this is the Communion of Christs blood. Giving of thanks preceded consecration.

The Heathen had Altars, on which they made offrings to their Gods, the Devils: and they had also Tables, from which they did participate of things Offered.

It was lawfull to go to the Tables and Feasts of the Gentiles, and to eate whatsoever was set before them. 1. Cor. 10.27. But they might not approach to the Pagan Altars, to partake of them; Nor eat any thing in Idolio; in the Idols Temple: Nor, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, As a thing offred to Idols; no though a man did but say so, vers. 28. Yet Christians partaked even of the Sacrifices, which were upon, and taken from the Heathen Altars, on which they were Sacrificed, if they knew it not; as the Gentiles and Jews also: Deuteronomy 18.1. &c. though not Altars, but Tables were principally ordained to eat upon; Yet they, who waited at the Altar, are partakers with the Altar, 1 Cor. 9.13.

Christ could not expect an Altar in an upper chamber, of a private man. Al∣tars were no part of chamber-furniture. The Jews might have no other perma∣nent Altars, after their setting in Hierusalem, bu two; The Altar of Incense, and the Altar of Sacrifice.

Christ may be said, in a sort, to be the Altar, the Offring, and the Priest, when he was Sacrificed on the Crosse. Other than a Metaphoricall Altar he used not, he was not.

The poore mans box or chest shall be set neare to the high Altar. Injunction the 29.

But he consecrated the saving Eucharist on a Table; and therefore is it cal∣led the Lords Table. And because Christ did so, all other Christians were the apter to do so, and for a while called the Church-Altars, Tables, in reference to Christs first Institution upon a Table.

For in times of persecution, they could well use none, but Tables: and there∣fore doth the Primitive Church oft call them Tables: and seldome Altars; un∣to which they were not admitted, to administer the Sacrament of the body, and blood of the Lord. Nor did they carry Altar or Altars from house to house, from City to City, from Countrey to Countrey, as they Communicated in severall Houses, in severall Cities, and Countreys, and for a while, daily so communicated; but used the Tables such as they were, made by Art, wheresoever they came. Nor perhaps, did they stand on the particular consecration, either of Tables, or of Cups, and Vessels to hold the Body and Blood of Christ; but in the fiery furnace of persecution, were content sometimes to make use of such things as could be had, and rather made them holy, than found them holy.

But he who from hence will think that the name of Altar is unlawfull, or of a late invention: or that they were excluded from Christian Churches: or that there were Tables allowed, and every where set up in the Churches: Or that Al∣tars were destroyed generally, or for the most part: Or that even Altars them∣selves were not sometimes called Tables, with an eye to Christs first institution: Or that will cry-up Tables, to cry-down Altars: He knoweth not the different usances of the Church in times of persecution and cut of it; but taketh advan∣tage of words, to set asunder things, which well may stand together; and run∣neth

with a strong by as to his own works. Neither would I have my speciall friend to precipitate himselfe into the other extreame: or so to fix his mind on Altars, so to undervalew Tables, as to maintain, or publish that Christ did not celebrate the Heavenly Eucharist on a Table; and that he instituted it on a plain Floore, or pavement: which opinion I think was scarce ever heard off, a thou∣sand yeares after the first Institution of the Sacrament.

The extract, or exempt especially appropriated to our purpose, is this; Not on∣ly the Devils in a kind of imitation of God Almighty this worship, had by the Heathen, Tables erected, and consecrated to them, of which they took part, and were allowed their divident or portion, on which they fed sometimes in the Temples of their Idols, sometimes at home. But even the holy Christians in their best perfection, had diverse Tables, on which they did administer the Lords Supper, and partaked of the holy Communion, and they were called the Tables of the Lord. For the Lord himselfe, and his holy Ones, a long time after him, administred the blessed Eucharist on Tables.