THE ORDERS FROM THE house OF COMMONS FOR THE Abolishing of Superstition, and Innovavation, in the Regulating of Church affairs. 1. Concerning the Communion Table. 1. Concerning the Sabbath day. 3. Concerning Images. September, 1, 1641. C R central circle flanked by the English lion on the left and the Scottish unicorn on the right and containing the initials of King Charles, all of these figures enclosed within a rectangle flanked by angel on the left and right, used as a printer's device LONDON, Printed by B. ALSOP, 1641. ORDERS FROM THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. 1 Concerning the Communion-table. 2 Concerning the sabbath Day. 3 Concerning Images. I. THAT the Communion table should stand East & West( as formerly) & that the rails about it should be pulled down. II. That all Games, & liberty of pastime on the Lords day, should be prohibited, and that Notice thereof should forthwith bee given throughout the kingdom. III. That all pictures, and Images of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the like, in Churches, chapels, or Chancels, should bee taken away. So far the Orders. Now that these Orders are warrantable by the Touch-stone of Gods Word, and such as tend to the establishing of a glorious Church, may easily be proved. 1. Concerning the Communion Table. THat the Communion table should stand East and West,( as formerly) rather then North, and South, and should not be permitted to be Railed in, is an Order warrantable & becoming the Church of God. 1 Cor. 10. 21. The Reason whereof is so clear, that it cannot be denied: Namely, Because thereby is an abolishing of a Popish, superstitious Innovation ▪ Popish Altars standing North, & South, wherein Christ is sacrificed again in an unbloody manner; for sins of the quick in Earth, and of the Dead in Purgatory: these were creeping into our Churches; but the Lord hath prevented them by those wise Senators, whom God hath called to abolish such superstitious Innovations, knowing that wee have an Altar whereof such stubborn Ceremonists, is the former Canonists, have no right to serve. Heb. 13 ▪ 10. Even the Doctrine of free salvation by Christ crucified. again, we may argue thus. 1. That warrantable Discipline, used in the primitive church, being practised in our churches; it is a superstitious Innovation, to bring in any Popish ●●●te to frustrate the same thereby. But the Communion table, according to the Discipltne of the primitive church, is to stand not North, and South, nor to be railed in, but to stand open, East and West, as a table. Therefore it is an Innovation of Popish superstition, to cause the same to be turned Altar-wise, North and South. 2. I argue again. That custom which is used no where amongst the Protestant churches, but common amongst the Papists, to bring in any such Discipline into our churches, it is to bring in Popish Innovation, and superstition: But so to make an Altar of the Communion table, is a custom no where used amongst the Protestant churches, but common amongst the Papists. Therefore such superstitious Altars, is an Innovation, worthily rejected by that Honourable Assembly? Of which Reformation we may say with the Prophet Esay. By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged, and this is all the fruit, the taking away of his sin, when he shall make all the stones of the Altars, as chalk stones broken in pieces, that the Groves and Images may not stand up. Isay 27. 9. Where we see that God doth not onely condemn Images, and Idols( as Calvin saith upon the place) but whatsoever is invented without the prescript of Gods Word: whence it follows, that all such will-worship is rejected of God: a good Warrant to maintain this worthy Order. 2. Concerning the sabbath day. THat all Games, and liberty of Pastime on the Lords day should be prohibited, and that notice thereof should be given forthwith throughout the kingdom. To break the sabbath by pastime, or some servile work, or any thing forbidden, is a great offence against the Ordinance of God. Nehemiah 13. 17. The sabbath day, is a day of rest, a time set a part for holy practices, a time of cessation and rest from our own works, wills, ways, and words. Isay 58. 13. This Order is of great consequence; for the whole delight of our souls, ought to be referred unto God above, on the sabbath day; For there is nothing which pleaseth God better, or is more acceptable unto him, then the true observation of the sabbath, and his pure worship: And indeed the true observation of the sabbath depends on the renouncing of ourselves, and in the sanctifying of the whole man unto GOD; where it is worth the noting, that in the true observation of the sabbath. First, The will must be laid as the Foundation, which must be taken off from all earthly things, & be raised up to an higher motion, to serve the Lord in works of Piety. 2. The will having choose so good a part, passeth by such inferior things, raising up the soul to an higher pitch, then on the earth, and the glory thereof; and therefore those words & deeds, that now flow from him, are of the same Nature also; because it is uttered from the Conception of the understanding, as the manifestation of the will. 3. Lastly, then follow the actions, which doubtless, look higher also, then carnal respects; and therefore put off all the Concupiscence of the flesh, and renounce all inordinate affection, testifying a sincere obedience in the sanctifying of the Lords day. The Examples of Gods Judgments, on sabboth-breakers, set forth the wrathful displeasure of Almighty God, against such people who will not keep holy the sabbath day, Num. 5. 32. and many stories can testify. subtilely, therefore, have our Noble Senators done to reclaim such profaneness. 3. Concerning Images. THat all Pictures, and Images of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the like, in Churches, chapels, or Chancels, should be taken away. Exod. 20. 4, 5. To make a Picture for divine worship sake, either of God, or of Christ, of the Virgin Mary, or the like; this is diabolical, being made for Religion sake, and utterly unlawful, and where such Images are( as a father saith) there is no Religion. Let none therefore, be offended at this worthy Order, yet if any amongst us, shall be offended herewith, it is no wonder at all; for the People took offence many of them, at Christs own preaching. Joh. 6. But Christ preached still, until He perfected the work; whosoever doth the will of God, he needeth not to fear the peoples taking offence at it; But whosoever is offended at the full doing of the will of God, he sinneth both against God, and against his neighbour. It is not unknown unto Us all, if we will understand, what a number of weighty, and persuasive Reasons, did together move this Honourable Assembly, to pass these Orders, not at all any way purposed to compel any mans Conscience. For it is most true, which the Emperour Maximilian the second was wont to say: That Princes bear rule over their subjects Bodies, but not over their Consciences. But yet for all this, This royal Assembly will not have their own Consciences ensnared, and therefore desire to serve the Lord God, & have passed these Orders, according to that clear knowledge, wherewith God hath enlightened them, and according to that his will, which he hath revealed unto them. For it is certain, 1. That God will not be honoured, by, through, or before Images, 1 Joh. 2. 1. secondly, He will that men break down all Images; and wholly depend on Him, with all their hearts, Exod. 34. 13. Whosoever therefore now in the fear of God, doth rightly consider hereof, He will not at all be offended at the removing, and casting away of all Images, as before, but he will rather much praise the Name of God, that the public abomination, and great offence is in time removed, and taken away. FINIS.