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.

ORDERS FROM THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

• 1 Concerning the Communion-table.
• 2 Concerning the Sabboth Day.
• 3 Concerning Images.

• I. THAT the Communion table should stand East & VVest (as for∣merly) & that the Railes about it should be pulled downe.
• II. That all Games, & liberty of pastime on the Lords day, should be prohibited, and that Notice thereof should forthwith bee gi∣ven throughout the Kingdome.
• III. That all pictures, and Images of Christ, the Ʋirgin Mary, and the like, in Churches, Chappels, or Chancels, should bee taken away.

So farre the Orders.

Now that these Orders are warrantable by the Touch-stone of Gods Word, and such as tend to the establishing of a glo∣rious Church, may easily be proved.

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.

2. Concerning the sabbath day.

THat all Games, and liberty of Pastime on the Lords day should be prohibited, and that notice thereof should be given forthwith throughout the Kingdome.

To breake the sabbath by pastime, or some servile worke, or any thing forbidden, is a great offence against the Ordinance of God. Nehemiah 13. 17.

The sabbath day, is a day of rest, a time set a part for holy practises, a time of cessation and rest from our own workes, wills, wayes, and words. Isay 58. 13.

This Order is of great consequence; for the whole delight of our soules, ought to be referred unto God above, on the sab∣bath day; For there is nothing which pleaseth God better, or is more acceptable unto him, then the true observation of the sabbath, and his pure worship: And indeed the true ob∣servation of the sabbath depends on the renouncing of our selves, and in the sanctifying of the whole man unto GOD; where it is worth the noteing, that in the true observation of the sabbath.

First, The will must be layed as the Foundation, which must be taken off from all earthly things, & be raised up to an higher motion, to serve the Lord in workes of Piety.

2. The will having chose so good a part, passeth by such infe∣riour things, raising up the soule to an higher pitch, then on the earth, and the glory thereof; and therefore those words & deeds, that now flow from him, are of the same Nature also; because it is uttered from the Conception of the understanding, as the manifestation of the will.

3. Lastly, then follow the actions, which doubtlesse, looke higher also, then carnall respects; and therefore put off all the Concupiscence of the flesh, and renounce all inordinate affecti∣on, testifying a sincere obedience in the sanctifying of the Lords day.

The Examples of Gods Judgments, on sabboth-breakers, set forth the wrathfull displeasure of Almighty God, against such people who will not keepe holy the sabboth day, Num. 5. 32. and many stories can testifie.

VVorthily, therefore, have our Noble Senators done to re∣claime such profanenesse.

3. Concerning Images.

THat all Pictures, and Images of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the like, in Churches, Chappels, or Chancels, should be taken away. Exod. 20. 4, 5.

To make a Picture for divine worship sake, either of God, or of Christ, of the Virgin Mary, or the like; this is diaboli∣call, being made for Religion sake, and utterly unlawfull, and where such Images are (as a father saith) there is no Religion.

Let none therefore, be offended at this worthy Order, yet if any amongst us, shall be offended herewith, it is no won∣der at all; for the People tooke offence many of them, at Christs own preaching. Joh. 6. But Christ preached still, untill He perfected the work; whosoever doth the will of God, hee needeth not to feare the peoples taking offence at it; But whoso∣ever

is offended at the full doing of the will of God, hee sinneth both against God, and against his Neighbor.

It is not unknown unto Us all, if we will understand, what a number of weighty, and perswasive Reasons, did together move this Honourable Assembly, to passe these Orders, not at all any way purposed to compell any mans Conscience. For it is most true, which the Emperour Maximilian the se∣cond was wont to say: That Princes beare rule over their sub∣jects Bodies, but not over their Consciences. But yet for all this, This Royall Assembly will not have their own Consciences ensnared, and therefore desire to serve the Lord God, & have passed these Orders, according to that cleare knowledge, wher∣with God hath enlightned them, and according to that his will, which he hath revealed unto them. For it is certain, 1. That God will not be honoured, by, through, or before Images, 1 Joh. 2. 1. secondly, He will that men break downe all Images; and wholly depend on Him, with all their hearts, Exod. 34. 13.

Whosoever therefore now in the feare of God, doth right∣ly consider hereof, He will not at all be offended at the re∣moving, and casting away of all Images, as before, but he will rather much praise the Name of God, that the publicke abomination, and great of∣fence is in time removed, and taken away.