Chap. 2. the first Diuision.
The eleuenth. They shut men by reason of their (g) sinnes, from the Lords supper: we thrust them in their sinne to the Lords supper.
The place that you alleage out of the fifte chapter of the fyrst to the Corinthians, whiche is this (But novve I haue vvritten vnto you that you companie not togither: if any that is called a brother be a forni∣catour. &c.) dothe not particularly touche the secluding of men by reason of their sinnes from the Communion, but generally prohibi∣teth true Christians to haue any familiaritie or frendship with any suche notorious offendour.
If you were not with malice blynded, you mighte easily vnder∣stande, that by the order and rules of this Church of Englande, all notorious and knowne offendours, euen suche as S. Paule heere speaketh of, are secluded from the Lordes supper. But peraduenture your meaning is, that no man should be compelled to the Commu∣nion at any time, wherein you greatly gratifie the Papistes, and shewe your selfe a good patrone of theirs. When you shewe any reason why men may not be compelled to come to the Communion: then you shall be answered: In the meane time you are worthy of your fee.
If the place of the. 5. to the Corinth. do forbid that we should haue any familiaritie with noto∣rious offenders, it doth much more forbid that they should be receyued to the Communion.
I will Answere you as M. Caluine answered the Anabaptists obiecting the same place of S. Paule. 1. Cor. 5. in effect to the same ende and purpose, that the Authors of the Admonition doe, & vsing the like collection that you doe in this place. But wheras (sayth he) Paule doth forbid to eate, with those that lyue dissolutely, that perteyneth to priuate conuersation, not to the publike Communion, but some will saye: if it be not lawfull for a Christian man to keepe company with him that is wicked for corporall meate, much lesse may he receyue with them the Lords bread. I answere that it is in our power, whether we will be familiarly conuersant with the wicked, or no, and therefore euery one ought to flye from them: But it is not so in our power to receyue the Communion, or not to receyue it, therefore the reason is not all one, we must therfore note, that if the Churche do tollerate and suffer an vnworthy man, he shall do well, that (knowing him to be suche a one) doth abstayne from his companie as muche as he can: so that his dooing make no schisme or separation in the Churche. This I speake onely touching the true vnder∣standing of that place of S. Paul to the Corinthians: and not bicause I would haue the Churche to suffer any suche notorious offendours to receyue the Communion.