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And althoughe it be cleare and plaine, that when it is sayde drinke ye all of this, and ta〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ie one for another, these sayings are ment of that particular congregation or assemblie whiche assemble themselues togither to be taught by one mouth of the Minister, yet I haue there∣fore
put this caution of (as much as may be possible) least any man shoulde cauill, as though I woulde haue no Communion, vntill all the godly through the world should meete togither. Like∣wise I haue put this caution (as much as may be conueniently) for although it be possible, that any particular Church may communicate at one table, in one day, and togither, yet may the same be inconuenient for diuerse causes. As if the number shoulde be verie great, so that to haue them all communicate togither, it would require such a long time, as the tary ng out of the whole action, would hazard eyther the life, or at least the health of dyuerse there. Againe forasmuch as other some being at the Church it is meete that other shoulde be at home vpon occasion of infantes and suche lyke things, as require the presence of some to tar〈1 line〉〈1 line〉e at home. In these cases and suche lyke the inconueniences do deliuer vs from the gilt of vncharitablenesse and forsaking the felowship of the Church, for that we doe not here seuer onr selues, but are by good and iust causes seuered, whiche gilt we shall neuer escape, if besydes such necessarie causes we pretende those that are not, or hauing not so much as a pretence, yet notwithstanding separate our selues, as the dayly practise through the Church doth shewe.
If you be content to admit so many cautions, and exceptions, then is the que∣stion soone decyded, and you make it no such commaundement, but that vpon occasi∣on it may be altered. In déede the wordes of Christ do signifie, that the cup of the Supper, and the whole Supper is common to all, as well of the laytie (as we terme them) as of the clergie, but it doth not prescribe what number shall be present at euery seuerall Communion. I doe not excuse those that withdrawe themselues from that Supper, except it be vpon necessarie and iust occasion, but I denie that the negli∣gence or lawfull occasion of some ought to hinder or stay other from communicating: this you should haue proued, but you do not, and your cautions, and exceptions (which I verie well allowe) declare the contrarie.