Commissioners Petitioning for Review of Book of Common Prayer, Commentary 2 · Topic 8
After Confirmation.
THere is no inconvenience that Confirmation should be required before the Communion,Sect. 8. Ex▪ when it may be ordinarily obtained; that which you here fault, you elsewhere desire.
Rep. We desire that the credible approved profession of Faith, and Repentance, be made necessaries: But not that all the thousands in England that never came under the Bishops hands (as not one of many ever did, even when they were at the highest) may be kept from the Lords Supper; for some cannot have that imposition, and others will not, that yet are fit for communion with the Church.
The Ring is a significant sign,Marriage the Ring. Sect. 1. p. 3… ▪ onelyonly of humane institution, and was always given as a pledge of fidelity and constant love; and here is no reason given why it should be taken away▪ nor are the reasons mentioned in the Roman Ritualits, given in our Common-Prayer-Book.
Rep. We crave not your own forbearance of the Ring, but the indifferency in our use of a thing so mis-used, and unnecessary.
These words,Sect. 2. Answ. In the Name of the Father, Son and holy Ghost, if they seem te make Matrimony a Sacrament, may as well make all sacred, yea civil actions of weight to be Sacraments, they being usual at the beginning & ending of all such. It was never heard before now, that these words make a Sacrament.
Rep. Is there no force in an argument drawn from the appearance of evil, the offence and the danger of abuses, when other words enow may serve turn.
They go to the Lords Table,Sect. 3. Col. because the Communion is to follow.
Rep. They must go to the Table whether there be a Communion or not Consecrated the estate of Matrimony to such an excellent mystery,Sect. 4. &c.) Though the institution of Marriage was before the fall, yet it may be now, and is consecrated by God to such an excellent Mystery as the representation of the spiritual Marriage between Christ and his Church, Eph. 5. 23. we are sorry that the words of Scripture will not please. The Church in the 25. Article hath taken away the fear of making it a Sacrament.]
Reply. When was Marriage thus consecrated? If all things used to set forth Christ's offices or benefits, by way of similitude, be consecrated, then a Judge, a Father, a Friend, a Vine, a Door, a Way, &c. are all consecrated things: Scripture phrase pleaseth us in Scripture-sense.
The new-married persons the same day of their marriage must receive the holy Communion.Sect. 5. p. 33▪ Rub. This enforces none to forbear Marriage, but presumes, as well it may) that all persons marriageable, ought to be also fit to receive the holy Sacrament: And marriage being so solemn a Covenant of God, they that undertake it in the fear of God, will not stick to seal it by receiving the holy Communion, and accordingly prepare themselves for it; it were more Christian to desire that these licentious festivities might be supprest, and the Communion more generally used by those that marry, the happiness would be greater than can easily be exprest, Unde sufficium ad enarrandum faelicitatem e…us Matrimonij, quod Ecclesia conciliar, & confirmat oblatio. Tertul. lib. 2. ad Uxorem.
Rep. Indeed! Will you phrase and modifie your administrations upon such a supposition, that all men are such as they ought to be, and do what they ought to do? Then take all the world for Saints, and use them accordingly, and blot out the Doctrine of Reproof, Excommunication and Damnation, from your Bibles: Is it not most certain, that very many married persons are unfit for the Lords Supper, and will be when you and we have done our best? And is it fit then to compel them to it? But the more unexpected, the more welcome is your motion; of that more Christian course, suppressing of licentious festivities, when shall we see such Reformations undertaken?