Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 1.djvu/60

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The following extract is from Bingham, Antiq. xv. 9.

In the primitive ages, it was both the rule and practice of all in general, both Clergy and Laity, to receive the Communion every Lord's day.… As often as they met together for Divine Service on the Lord's day, they were obliged to receive the Eucharist under pain of Excommunication.… And if we run over the whole history of the three first ages, we shall find this to have been the Church's constant practice.… We are assured farther, that in some places they received the Communion every day.

Is there any one who will deny, that the Primitive Church is the best expounder in this matter of our Saviour's will as conveyed through His Apostles?

Can a learned Church, such as the English, plead ignorance of His will thus ascertained?

Do we fulfil it?

Is not the regret and concern of pious and learned writers among us, such Bingham, at our neglect of it, upon record?

And is it not written, "?"

And, putting aside this disobedience, can we wonder, that faith and love wax cold, when we so seldom partake of the, mercifully vouchsafed us, of communion with our Lord and Saviour?