The nullity of church-censures: or A dispute written by that illustrious philosopher, expert physician, and pious divine Dr Thomas Erastus, publick professor in the University of Heidelbertge, and Basil. Wherein is proved by the holy Scriptures, and sound reason; that excommunication, and church-senates or members, exercising the same, are not of divine institution; but a meere humane invention.

XXXV.

In the following Chapter he commandeth nei∣ther the contentious persons, and Sectaries, nei∣ther them that were made drunke in the very ce∣lebration of the Supper it self, nor them that were polluted with other sins to be kept back from the use thereof: indeed he doth not mention, so much as in one word this interdiction: when as he correcteth farre less faults, as that every one should eat at home. How could he in this place not have mentioned this matter, if he had ap∣prov'd thereof, or thought it necessary in the Church? The Apostle knew the Law command∣ed otherwise, and that there was another use of the Sacraments in the Church: then that by their deniall corruptness in life should be punished. Therefore he commandeth, that every one should examine himself: but he doth not command that

they should examine and approve of one ano∣ther; he moreover exhorteth them all, that they should strive to eat worthily, least any should eat judgment to themselves: he doth not command them that eat unworthily to be kept back there∣from, but he threatneth them with the Lords chastisement. He divideth the generall sort of eaters into two kinds, by their opposite differen∣ces, to wit, in them that eat worthily, and them that eate unworthily: he commandeth neither of them not to eat, but he desireth that all should eat worthily.