An anti-diatribe: or The apologie of some ministers and godly people, asserting the lawfulnesse of their administring the Lords Supper in a select company: proving also the necessity of examination in our congregations, in order to a more holy church-fellowship. Wherein a paper is answered, bearing this title, viz, A diatribe concerning the administration of the Eucharist and examination thereunto precedent. Together, with a vindication of the Lords Supper from its manifest abuse by a general admission; being an answer to Mr. Humphrey. By Humphrey Saunders Minister of Hollesworthy in Devon.

To the Reader.

Good Reader,

ONe great Duty of Christians is to be established in the present truths, 2 Pet. 1.12. that is, to be well versed in the matters that are ventila∣ted in their age and time, but usually the Orthodoxy of the generality of the world cometh an age too short, in all things already recovered from opposition, and sufficiently established, they hold ought, but in the truths which God bringeth upon the stage of the world in their time, they are to seek, being either blinded by interests, or discouraged by their own

weaknesse, and so dare not determine any thing, till parties be more agreed, or, which is worse, kept back by their own lazinesse from using the helps of Prayer, diligent searching and conference, whereby (through the blessing of God) they might come to the knowledge of the truth: and yet herein is our sincerity tried, 'tis no thank to us, to own what is already received upon sufficient evidence with publick consent and esteem, but to finde out the secret of the Lord, whilest the strife is depending; and the dust being raised by contention, casts a mist and darknesse upon the truth, that argueth most sincerity, because it costs most labour and self-denial.

The great truths now a foot, are those which concern the constitution and re∣formation of the Church, in these days of contention; other controversies are revived, but this was the first quarrel; and because of our darknesse, mistakes, and oppositions, herein, are other distra∣ctions by a just judgement continued up∣on us.

Reformation is a great blessing, but we are not worthy of it, assoone as doore of hope was opened, it was presently ob∣structed and shut up again by the inter∣position of many adversaries, yea, the differences among the friends of Refor∣mation have been no small let and hin∣drance to the progresse of it. A person li∣eth desperately sick, and the Physicians are not agreed about the means and way of cure; some would have the corruption taken away by degrees, lest the cure prove as bad as the disease; others, all at once, and so would make hasty work of it to the endangering of the body its self: or rather let me lay it thus, an house, if on fire, some are for pulling it quite down, others for quenching the flame; and whilest the differences of judgement con∣tinue, the body languisheth the flame in∣creaseth; just thus, and worse is the present state of things amongst us; we have been disputing about a remedy, and the disor∣ders by a long and sinful neglect of disci∣pline are much increased.

Among all others none have deser∣ved

worse of the Church of God, in my judgement, then those that plead for a loose way of receiving of all sorts of persons to holy things, and by promis∣cuous admissions prostitute the Ordinance of God to every comer; I will not say for handfuls of barley, and pieces of bread (though the opinion looketh as ex∣actly calculated for a worldly interest) but at least out of a judgement much mi∣staken in the matters which do concerne the glory of Gods house.

One great mischief of the collapsed e∣state of the Church, was this prostituti∣on of Church-Priviledges, and in the beginning of these contests not only com∣plained of as a grievance by the godly, but confessed as a disorder by them through whose neglect it first crept in; and 'tis strange, that after the matter hath proceeded thus far, any professing godlinesse, should interpose for the conti∣nuance of this dust and filth, which was in so fair a way to be swept out of Gods house; And holy communion is the glory of the Church, Holinesse becom∣eth

thine House for ever, Psal. 93.5. Christ would not be the head of an ulce∣rous body; yea, a monstrous body, like that of Nebuchadnezzars image, where the head was pure gold, but the mem∣bers were made up of brasse, iron, clay, &c. a thing the Lord cannot endure, and therefore by a just providence all down along he hath broken off the bran∣ches of the Covenant, when they began to run wilde, and cast off his people, when by the intermission of a vigorous and strict discipline they have suffered the Church to runne into the world, and the world into the Church: when the doore hath been too wide, and kept too open, only mischief hath entred in; such a practice may fill the Church, but heaven will be never the fuller. Carnal men are but hardened in their sensles∣nesse and security, whilest by mans cha∣rity they are suffered to enjoy Priviledges beyond Gods allowance; and so (as Salvian complained long ago) it falleth out, that whilest the Church is multi∣plied, the faith is lessened; and though

more professe it; yet with lesse vigour and power.

To prevent this abuse, it hath pleased God to stir up many of his worthy ser∣vants to plead the necessity of a well-tem∣pered Reformation; amongst others this eminent godly Minister in this book which is now presented to thee, a book which (if my love to the person and cause deceive me not) will contribute much light to the ending of this contro∣versy. The Answer to Mr. Humphreys was penned long since, before any had as yet appeared against him. The other dis∣course is in Answer to some Objections of a person of worth and quality in those parts where the Author liveth, concern∣ing the same matter; both might have seen the light much sooner, had they not beene kept private, first by the Authors modesty, since by some neglect and mis∣carriage here; but we hope they are not borne out of due time; the Controversie being returned every day, and men, ei∣ther tired with opposition, or out of o∣ther reasons, growing faint in the cause

of God, generally now enclining to some remissenesse, and carelessenesse in this weighty matter: if these labours of the Author finde acceptance, he will be en∣couraged (I hope) to go on with that which he hath been urged to, to wit, an Answer to Master Humphreys second Part. The Lord give us understanding in these and other truths.

I am thine in all Christian Bonds, Tho. Manton.

Notes

• Multipli∣catis fidei populis fi∣des immi∣nuta est.