See the cafe of kneeling, part I. by fome learned Men to the contrary.) And after the most humble Ministration in all probability it was, that the Blessed Sacrament was inftituted; but what the exact minute was, is uncertain; and what the Disciples posture was at the receiving of it, is uncertain alfo. That it was a fitting posture with their Bodies erect, there is not the least Colour to imagine. For though variety of gestures was used at the Pafchal Solemnity, yet I do not find that a fitting gefture was ufed then at all; rather, it was look'd upon then as an Irregular, Indecent, and Scandalous pofture. That the Difciples communicated in the ufual Table pofture, as they lay along upon Beds, is an Opinion that is fomewhat favoured by a Paffage in Joh. 13. where we read, that having washed his Difciples Feet, Chrift laid himfelf down the fecond time; and after that, we read of St. John's leaning by his Bofom; fo that fince this was St. John's pofture, 'tis reasonable to believe that 'twas the posture of the rest too; and then it may feem probable that they all received the Sacrament as they lay in that manner. But then on the other hand, all this is but bare Probabi lity; for it is uncertain what part of time it was, that the Difciples were leaning a gain in that pofture, whether it was before, or at, or after the Administration of the New Sacrament. For after the Paffover-Supper, our Lord fpent much time in the upper Room with his Disciples fome, in inftituting this Mystery; fome, in giving hints to Judas, and in difcovering the Treachery of his Heart by degrees: Some, in difcourfing upon the neceffary Virtue of Humility; fome in comforting the Spirits of his forrowful Retinue; fome in teaching them Love and Charity; fome in Prayer; and fome in finging an Hymn before they departed. Now we cannot certainly tell what particular point of time it was, yet St. John and his Fellow-Difciples lay upon their Pallets the fecond time; and therefore it is not evident, whether they communicated of the Symbols of their Master's Paffion, in that Recumbent posture or no. Some again are of Opinion, that the Disciples received the Sacrament in a standing pofture; because the Jews were wont to ftand when they Blessed, and gave Thanks to God; and they were acts of Worship which the Lord Jefus performed at the Inftitution of this Ordinance; and therefore he might perform them perhaps after the accustomed manner: but ftill this is only Opinion and Probability; it is not certain certain, because the Scripture gives us no account of it; 'tis altogether filent as to this matter; and therefore we dare not (we must not) define pofitively, or fubscribe to the truth of it. Upon the fame Cand poffibly better) reafons, what if fome fhould affirm, that the Difciples received in a kneeling pofture? I know the notion will seem to be new; but yet it feems to be built upon as fair an Hypothefis, as any of the former; at least that they communicated in an Adoring and Worshipping manner. This I am fure of, that there are as fubftantial and certain grounds for this opinion, as for any of the reft: This plainly appears, that divers Perfons being furprised with a fudden apprehenfion of our Saviour's dignity, of the greatness of his Power, did (after the accustomed manner in that Country) fall down before his Feet, fo that St. Peter himself did it, upon the miraculous Draught of Fifh, Luke 5. And why might not all the Difciples do this, at his institution of the Blessed Sacrament (which he told them was the reprefentation of his own Flesh and Blood) efpecially after he himself had Preached unto thema Lecture of Humility, when he had washed their Feet, Indeed, the Sacred Story gives us no Authority to affirm this pofitively pofitively and dogmatically; but yet there are probable Arguments for Mens Conje cture this way? And as far as I can fee, all other Opinions are but Conjectures; and I hope we may have leave to opine as well as other Men. BUT we cannot be fo confident, as to determine this matter, in regard that we want the Teftimony of Scripture, though Reafon may be on our fide. And herein we would give a Pattern to our Diffenting Brethren, to be modeft in Opinions, for which they have no folid Foundation; where, I pray, is the ground they go upon, touching the unlawfulness of Kneeling, as a thing repugnant to the Example of the Apoftles; fince it cannot be proved, what that Example was? It might be a posture of Kneeling and AdoSration, for ought they know. Sitting it was not (I dare confidently affirm:) In all probability, 'twas not a standing posture neither; perhaps it was the posture which we cuftomarily ufe; if not, it was a lean=ing posture upon Pallets: And no body I now infifteth upon that for an Example E to us. 3. AND yet, Thirdly, were the ExSamples both of Chrift's Difciples, and of 1 Chrift himself, apparently such, as fome Men conjecture, they would not yet be leading P leading and Authoritative Precedents to us in this point. For 'tis generally agreed by all Christian Divines, that the Example of Chrift is not univerfally to be followed (much lefs the Example of his Difciples.) In fome things 'tis not possible, in other things 'tis not proper, in many things 'tis not neceffary for us to follow that Copy. Where we have the Example and the Precept too, there indeed we are bound (and I wish Men would confider of those weighty things, rather than of Matters of lender importance.) But where we have no Command, there to take an Example for our Rule, is to make our felves guilty in fome inftances of Folly, and in fome of Superftition, and Prefumption. The Practice of our Lord and his Difciples is no Rule for us in Circumftantials and Rites, unless they are made neceffarily Practical by fome Pofitive Direction and Command. Now we have no Command in this Cafe, the one way, or the other (no, not evident Example) to direct us, and therefore they talk vainly and impertinently, who Condemn Kneeling at the Sacramént as an unlawful Pofture; fince no Law can be derived either from Chrift's Precept, or from His or his Difciples Practice, that doth evidently rife up in Judgment against it. THE |