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The subsequent proceedings were no longer of a formal kind, but it is to be observed that the Prætor took security for the Sacramentum, which always went into the coffers of the State. Such was the necessary preface of every ancient Roman suit. It is impossible, I think, to refuse assent to the suggestion of those who see in it a dramatisation of the Origin of Justice.
Thus it is with every Christian: he is a professed soldier of Christ, he hath taken press-money, he hath sworn and taken the sacrament upon it to become the Lord's, he is miles per sacramentum, and miles per conjurationem: and if he forsake his captain and break covenant, the great Lord of Hosts will be avenged of him, as it is written, "Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of the covenant."
'For, continued he, 'although it has been justly held in all nations a matter of scandal and dishonour to infringe the SACRAMENTUM MILITARE, and that whether it was taken by each soldier singly, whilk the Romans denominated PER CONJURATIONEM, or by one soldier in name of the rest, yet no one ever doubted that the allegiance so sworn was discharged by the DIMISSIO, or discharging of a soldier, whose case would be as hard as that of colliers, salters, and other ADSCRIPTI GLEBAE, or slaves of the soil, were it to be accounted otherwise.
The next he was lifted to his feet. All that had gone before was as nothing to this volume of praise that shook, it seemed to him, the very carven roof above and swept the ancient walls in waves of sound. Adoremus in aeternum Sanctissimum Sacramentum, cried men on earth, and, as it seemed to him, the very angels of God. But outside he collected his thoughts. "Well," he said.
"Verbum caro, panem verum, Verbo carnem efficit; Sitque sanguis Christi merum " Always blood and always blood! The carpet stretched before him like a red river; the roses lay like blood splashed on the stones Oh, God! Is all Thine earth grown red, and all Thy heaven? Ah, what is it to Thee, Thou mighty God Thou, whose very lips are smeared with blood! "Tantum ergo Sacramentum, Veneremur cernui."
The 'sacramentum' appears there as the deposit or pledge, which in certain suits plaintiff and defendant were alike bound to make, and whereby they engaged themselves to one another; the loser of the suit forfeiting his pledge to sacred temple uses, from which fact the name 'sacramentum, or thing consecrated, was first derived.
Cordelarij. Indi. Nubij. Nestorini. Alij Syrij, Isti in fermentato pane conficiunt Sacramentum altaris ritu Graecorum. Alij Indi, Nubij, Nestorini, et Arriani.
'For, continued he, 'although it has been justly held in all nations a matter of scandal and dishonour to infringe the sacramentum militare, and that whether it was taken by each soldier singly, whilk the Romans denominated per conjurationem, or by one soldier in name of the rest, yet no one ever doubted that the allegiance so sworn was discharged by the dimissio, or discharging of a soldier, whose case would be as hard as that of colliers, salters, and other adscripti glebes, or slaves of the soil, were it to be accounted otherwise.
The following may serve as an example:— “Tantum ergo sacramentum Veneremus cernui, Et antiquum documentum Novo cedat ritui. Suppleat fides complementum, Sensuum defectui.”
The total number received into the membership of this church during this time has been 4,223. Of this number 1,920 have united by a confession of their faith in Jesus Christ. An army, you see, an army of nearly two thousand souls, have enlisted under the banner of King Jesus, and taken their "sacramentum," or vow of loyalty, before this pulpit. What is our crown of rejoicing?
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