The Gofpel of the Brazen Altar. 373 3. When they ufe4 this Phrafe ofSpeech, theSacrifice of the Mafsg. and Priefts, and much other Idolatrous PopifhTraíh was not known, nor heard of in the World, neither were there any to be fcandalized with thofe Phrafes, and to ufe them to fuch ill Ends and Purpofes, as the Papifts and other Superftitious Perlons have improved them.: Therefore fuch Language is worfe now then it was then. 4.. Others of the Fathers have teftified againíf Al- tars, even in the primitive Times ; as Origen, who origin contra Cep lived about two hundred Years after Chrift ; Cbjicit no- fum, lib. 4. bus Cells quod non hob: mus imagines, ant Aras, aut Templa. He ( that is Celfus ) cbargeth the Chriflian ,Religion with thv that we have neither Images, nor Altars, nor Temples. In anfwer to this Origen doth not deny theCharge,. but /hub. 1.6. apud confefi'eth the Matter of Fa& to be true, and defends it Quencbcole, pa, . from the very Fundamental Grounds of Religion, and 7r. 72. fo doth Arnobius and others. 2. Confider the many other Evils that follow and ,flow from this, and go along with it ; from this blind Conceit that the Lord's Table is an Altar, hence follows, I. Calling it an High Altar, and making Reps to go up unto it, which is the very fame thing with thofe High Places fo often condemned in the Scripture, which were indeed Altars, fituated in High Places, or, as our Men Phrafe it, High Altars. 2. The placing thefe High Altars (as they call them ) clofe to the Wall, like Drell'ers or Side-tables ; this is a piece of ignorant Devotion and Superftition ; for the Situation of Altars was ever fuch as that they might be compaffed round about. The Prophet Elijah made a Trench round about the Altar, i Kings r 8. 32, 35. I will wafh mine Hands in Innocency ; fo will 1 compafs thine Altar, OLord, Pfal. 26. 6. and allu- ding to this Situation of Altars, the Lord threatens, Lzek, 6. 4,'5'..J will Ratter your Bones round aboutyour Altars, So the Heathens had a Cuftom (as force Antiqua- ries obferve) ut facrificantes Arcs circum çurrerent --- Alex. ab Alex. Geó- Miftique Altana circum, Virgil. /Eneid. lib. 4. There- nïat Vier. 1. 4, C. fore how. it came into the Heads of our late Innova- 17, fol. 226. 227 . tors to think that fetting a Table withone fide clofe to the Wall like. a Dreffer, is to fet it Altar-wife, I mutt confefs, I have often wondred, and I think thebeft Account that can be given of it, is. the profound Ignorance of the Prelates andPapifts. 3. The letting their Altars, at the Eaft-end ofthe Church is another piece of fuperftitious Devotion ;. this is a fymbolizing with thofe old Idn>
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