Conformity of the ecclesiastical discipline of the Reformed churches of France with that of the primitive Christians written by M. La Rocque ... ; render'd into English by Jos. Walker.

XIV.

Although in our Churches the Lords Supper is not wont to be celebrated above four times a year, yet it were to be desired it were celebrated oftner, the due Reverence thereunto be∣longing being observed, because it is very necessary that the

most upright may be Exercised, and Mercies in Faith by the frequent use of the Sacraments, as also the Example of the Primitive Church doth teach us: And therefore the Na∣tional Synod shall give Direction as the good of the Church shall require.

CONFORMITY.

The lukewarmness of Christians in Piety has been the cause that Communions have been less frequent than they were in the Primitive times. Therefore our Discipline has setled them at four times a year, desiring neverthe∣less that People were in a state fit to Communicate oft∣ner. The Council of Agde which I cited on the fore∣going Article, reduces it to Three times in the 18th. Cannon. That of Autun, * 1.1 in the Supplement of French Councils, doth the same in the Year 630. Atto Bishop of Verceil in the Tenth Century renews that of Agde, in its Capitulary. * 1.2 Ratherius of Verona in the same Century, speaks of Four times a year in his Synodal Epistle to the Priests of his Diocess, which is inserted by Don Luke De Achery in his second Spicilegium. Peter de Celles in his Treatise of Monastical Discipline, which is in the Third Spicil. writes, * 1.3 That 'tis sufficient for a Lay Person to communicate once a year. The Council of Trent in the Thirteenth Session under Julius the Third, Anno 1551, the 11th of October, Anathematises in the Ninth Cannon, * 1.4 all those that shall deny that Believers of both Sexes are obliged to communicate at Easter, at least once a year, although in the 22th Session, which is the Sixth under Pius the Fourth in the Year 1562, and the 17th of September, * 1.5 touching the Doctrine of the Sacrifice of the Mass, chap. 6. The Synod desires that all the Be∣lievers which are present should communicate, not only

by a Spiritual affection and desire, but also by a Sacra∣mental participation, which Cardinal Borrome has not failed to observe, and confirm, in some of the Councils which he held at Millan. * 1.6 I almost forgot the Fiftieth Cannon of the Council of Tours, assembled Anno 813. That Lay Persons communicate at least thrice a year, if they cannot receive oftner, unless that they were hindred by some great Sin; which is repeated word for word in the 45th. chap. of the Second Book of the Capitularies of our Kings. Theodulphus Bishop of Orleans, contented himself at the end of the Eighth Century, to warn Believers that they should not abstain too long from re∣ceiving the Holy Sacrament, and to procure the qua∣lities fit and necessary when they intended to approach to so great a Sacrament. * 1.7 Honorius of Autun observes in the Tenth Volumne of the Library of the Holy Fathers, pag. 1198. that 'twas agreed on by reason of worldly Men, that one should communicate either every Lords Day, or every Third Sunday, or on great Holy Dayes, or three times a year.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Can. 14. p. 71.
• * 1.2

  Tom. 8. Spicil. c. 73. pag. 27.
• * 1.3

  pag. 94.
• * 1.4

  Tom. 9. Co••c. p. 382.
• * 1.5

  Ib. p. 40••.
• * 1.6

  ••••. p. 453, 517, 549.
• * 1.7

  Ib. c. 44. pag. 223.