Consider 2

Consider. II.

Suppose the Lords Table were an Altar, and whether it be an Altar or a Table, yet it ought not to be fastened to the Wall like a dresser, or side Table, but so to stand, as that it may be compassed round about.

For this as the learned have observed, has ever been the manner of the situation of Altars, both among the Jews and Heathens, for the Prophet Elijah made a Trench round about the Altar (1 Kings 18:32, 35). I will wash mine hands in innocency, so will I compass your Altar, O Lord (Psalm 26:6). And the Lord threatens Idolaters, I will scatter your bones round about your Altars (Ezekiel 6:4, 5). Yes, their Altars stood usually without the Temple, it being both a troublesome, unseemly thing to bring Oxen and other Beasts into the Temple, to kill and Sacrifice them there. Zecharias was slain between the Temple and the Altar (Matthew 23:35). By all which it is evident, that their Altars were not placed in the upper end, or against the East-Wall of their Temples, but in the Courts, the Entries, or midst of their Temples, that men might go freely round about them. And so among the Heathens, it was an usual custom, ut sacrificantes, aras circumcurrerent (Alex. ab Alexandro), and missaeque altaria, circum (Virgil). And therefore to imagine, that setting a Table with one side close to the wall like a dresser, is to set it Altar-wise, is nothing else but a foolish conceit arising from the profound ignorance of our late Prelates and Papists.

And Tables also to eat and drink at, were so placed as that they might sit round about them. From where their manner of sitting was termed, Mesibah, a sitting round from, [in non-Latin alphabet] circumivit, ambivit, and their phrase of inviting their guests to sit down, was sit round (1 Samuel 16:11): we will not sit round, (so the Hebrew and the margent render it, Lo Nasob, non circumsedebimus, Arias Montan.) till he come. Your children shall be like olive plants round about your Table (Psalm 128:3). And therefore to set the Lords Table close to the wall, as far off as may be from the people, and to rail it in, that so none may sit and receive near it, much less round about it, is without all reason, sense, or precedent, being contrary to the usage of all nations, ages, and our Savior's own example, whom we ought to imitate, not only in the substance of the Sacrament, but likewise in all decent and convenient circumstances. And it is clearly most convenient, yes, necessary, that the Table should be so placed, as may be most for the people's edification, and so as they may best hear, and see the Minister in all the sacramental actions and administrations, that are to be performed by him. And therefore it is but a slight and unadvised speech, to say, it is a thing indifferent, whether the Table stand this way, or that way, as some have said, in excuse of Altars.