th a
necessary use. 3. When he saith that kneeling continueth always in a
necessary use, we must understand him to speak of kneeling in the act of
receiving the communion; else he runs at random; for it is not kneeling in
the general, but kneeling in this particular case, which is compared to
the brazen serpent. Now, to say that this gesture in this action is
necessary for our better expressing of our thankfulness to God, importeth
that the church of Scotland, and many famous churches in Europe, for so
many years have omitted that which was necessary for the better expressing
of their thankfulness to God, and that they have not well enough expressed
it. And, moreover, if kneeling be necessary in the Lord's supper for our
better expressing of our thankfulness to God, then it is also necessary at
our own common tables. Though we be bound to be more thankful at the
Lord's table, and that because we receive a benefit of infinite more
worth, yet we are bound to be _tam grati_, as well thankful at our own
tables, albeit not _tanta gratitudine_. If, then, the same kind of
thankfulness be required of us at our own tables (for _intentio et
remissio graduum secundum magis et minus, non variant speciem rei_,) that
which is necessary for expressing of our thankfulness at the Lord's table
must be necessary also for the expressing of it at our own. When I see the
Bishop sitting at his table, I shall tell him that he omitteth the gesture
which is necessary for the expressing of his thankfulness to God. 4. Did
not the apostles' receiving this sacrament from Christ himself well enough
express their thankfulness to God? yet they kneeled not, but sat, as is
evident, and shall be afterwards proved against them who contradict
everything which crosseth them. 5. God will never take a ceremony of men's
devising for a better expressing of our thankfulness than a gesture which
is commended to us by the example of his own Son, and his apostles,
together with the celebration of this sacrament in all points according to
his institution. 6. How shall we know where we have the Bishop and his
fellows? It seems they know not where they have themselves; for sometimes
they tell us that it is indifferent to take the communion sitting, or
standing, or passing, or kneeling, yet here the Bishop tells us that
kneeling is necessary. 7. I see the Bishop perceiveth that no answer can
take kneeling at the communion out of the compass of the brazen serpent,
except t