The Cathedral, or the Catholic and Apostolic Church in England Second edition [by Isaac Williams] |
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The Skreen.
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 | The Cathedral, or the Catholic and Apostolic Church in England |  |
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The Skreen.
DISCIPLINA ARCANI.
The Disciplina Arcani, which is made to stand for the Skreen, is the term used to designate the practice of the early Church, in withdrawing from public view the Sacraments and higher mysteries of our Religion. These were carefully kept from the knowledge of the unconverted, till they were duly prepared for the reception of them. This primitive custom was probably rather derived than invented. But the reasons given for its observance were partly founded on a reverence for the sacred mysteries themselves; partly as considering it conducive to the advantage of those who were thus excluded. See Bingham's Antiq. b. x. c. 5. and Newman's Arians, c. l. sect. 3.
Nature withdraws from human sight
The treasures of her light;
In earth's deep mines, or ocean's cells,
Her secret glory dwells.
'Tis darkly thro' night's veil on high
She shews the starry sky;
And where of beauty ought is found,
She draws a shade around;
Nor fully e'er unveils to sense
Steps of bright Providence.
The treasures of her light;
In earth's deep mines, or ocean's cells,
Her secret glory dwells.
'Tis darkly thro' night's veil on high
She shews the starry sky;
And where of beauty ought is found,
She draws a shade around;
Nor fully e'er unveils to sense
Steps of bright Providence.
When out of Sion God appear'd
For perfect beauty fear'd,
The darkness was His chariot,
And clouds were all about.
Hiding His dread sublimity,
When Jesus walked nigh,
He threw around His works of good
A holier solitude;
Ris'n from the grave appear'd to view
But to a faithful few.
For perfect beauty fear'd,
The darkness was His chariot,
And clouds were all about.
Hiding His dread sublimity,
When Jesus walked nigh,
He threw around His works of good
A holier solitude;
Ris'n from the grave appear'd to view
But to a faithful few.
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Alone e'en now, as then of old,
The pure of heart behold
The soul-restoring miracles
Wherein His mercy dwells;
New marvels unto them reveal'd,
But from the whole conceal'd.
Then pause, and fear,—when thus allow'd
We enter the dark cloud,
Lord, keep our hearts, that soul and eye
Unharm'd may Thee descry.
The pure of heart behold
The soul-restoring miracles
Wherein His mercy dwells;
New marvels unto them reveal'd,
But from the whole conceal'd.
Then pause, and fear,—when thus allow'd
We enter the dark cloud,
Lord, keep our hearts, that soul and eye
Unharm'd may Thee descry.
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