The orders from the House of Commons for the abolishing of superstition, and innovavation [sic], in the regulating of church affaires. 1. Concerning the communion table. 1 [sic]. Concerning the Sabbath day. 3. Concerning images. September, 1, 1641.

1. Concerning the Communion Table.

THat the Communion table should stand East and West, (as formerly) rather then North, and South, and should not be permitted to be Railed in, is an Order warrantable & becomming the Church of God. 1 Cor. 10. 21. The Reason whereof is so cleare, that it cannot be denyed: Namely, Be∣cause thereby is an abolishing of a Popish, superstitious Innova∣tion▪ Popish Altars standing North, & South, wherein Christ is sacrificed again in an unbloudy manner; for sinnes of the quick in Earth, and of the Dead in Purgatory: these were creeping into our Churches; but the Lord hath prevented them by those wise Senators, whom God hath called to abolish such superstitious Innovations, knowing that wee have an Altar whereof such stubborne Ceremonists, is the former Canonists, have no right to serve. Heb. 13▪ 10. Even the Doctrine of free salvation by Christ crucifyed.

Againe, we may argue thus.

1. That warrantable Discipline, used in the primitive church, being practised in our churches; it is a superstitious Innovati∣on, to bring in any Popish ••••••te to frustrate the same thereby. But the Communion table, according to the Discipltne of the pri∣mitive church, is to stand not North, and South, nor to be railed in, but to stand open, East and VVest, as a table.

Therefore it is an Innovation of Popish superstition, to cause the same to be turned Altar-wise, North and South.

2. I argue againe.

That custome which is used no where amongst the Protestant churches, but common amongst the Papists, to bring in any such Discipline into our churches, it is to bring in Popish Innovati∣on, and superstition: But so to make an Altar of the Commu∣nion

table, is a custome no where used amongst the Protestant churches, but common amongst the Papists.

Therefore such superstitious Altars, is an Innovation, worthily rejected by that Honourable Assembly? Of which Reformation we may say with the Prophet Esay. By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged, and this is all the fruit, the taking away of his sinne, when hee shall make all the stones of the Altars, as chalke stones broken in peeces, that the Groves and Images may not stand up. Isay 27. 9. Where we see that God doth not onely condemn Images, and Idols (as Calvin saith upon the place) but whatsoever is invented without the prescript of Gods Word: whence it followes, that all such will-worship is rejected of God: a good War∣rant to maintaine this worthy Order.