[P. 88] The Society of Friends believe, that the communion of Christ is not
an outward partaking of bread and wine, but an union of Spirit with God.
This they believe to be attainable, and have no doubt it is offered to all
and being satisfied that the Kingdom is within, that it does not consist
in meats and in drinks, but in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy
Ghost, we are concerned to draw the attention of all from those outward and
formal acts, to that which is spiritual; that they may open to him, who has
long stood knocking, and waiting for an entrance; and then they will experience
the fulfilment of the promise, that he will come in and sup with them, and
they with him, Rev. 320. Under those views of the heavenly union, which we
[P. 89] believe may be attained, our attention is directed to a Divine and
Spiritual communion; this we are satisfied cannot be supplied by any outward
ordinance to which men have recourse in their own will and time, and the
profane may partake of, as well as the professor. We therefore look for,
and at times enjoy, the inward and spiritual bread, which only can nourish
the soul up unto eternal Life; and have no confidence in any of those outward
ordinances. We desire not to speak harshly of those fellow professors of
Christianity, who believe in the necessity to perpetuate the outward sign;
but leave them where they may apprehend their duty leads them. But as we
are satisfied that the only strength, nourishment, and consolation of the
dedicated disciple of Christ must be the Light and aid of his Holy Spirit,
we wish not, by any outward act, to produce a dependence upon any other means.
Therefore, although we do not join with others in the outward sign, we are
nevertheless concerned that all may come to the living and eternal substance;
and in that, know for themselves, the whole man brought into subjection,
and the will of God so fulfilled in and upon them, that they may really partake
of the new [P. 90] wine of the Kingdom, and no longer remain in the old and
fallen nature, but in the new and spiritual Life, where the spiritual meat
and drink may be received, and where the Life of Christ becomes their Life.
Then shall they partake Spiritually of his body and his blood, and sit at
the heavenly communion table, in the unity of the Spirit, which is the bond
of peace.