OPEN COMMUNION. [To ram Maros or raa aracraroa.1
SIR,—As supporting historically the views expressed in your columns on this subject, it may be of interest to quote from the "Statutes, Ordinances, and Constitutions, ordained, pub. lished and declared," January 13th, 1586/7, by the Bishop of London and (Alexander Nowell) the Dean of SE. Paul's for Colchester Grammar School, which was in the diocese of London. The Bishop was John Aylmer, so bitterly assailed by the Puritans as their opponent in the Martin Marprelate
controversy :—
" 4. Item that the school-master shall, one day in tho weeks, made unto his scholars, publiquely in the school, Mr. Nowell's Catechisme, appointed by the injunctions to be read in every schoole, either in Greek or Latin, according to the capacity of the scholars; and shall in such each examine them in it as they may, out of the same, be able to yeeld a good account of their faith., 5. Item that the school-master and usher shall, with son many of his scholars as shall, by the publick preacher of the town, if there be any, be so found able to yield a sufficient accompt of their faith and religion, the first Sunday of every quarter of the year,
present himself with them, to be partakers of the Lord's table, in that parish church which shall be appointed to the school."
Instruction in the faith is here the essential; the rite of con- firmation is ignored.—I am, Sir, dec., H. R.
Previous page
