The dying man's testament to the Church of Scotland, or, A treatise concerning scandal…

Secondly, We may also gather what might be the reason of this divided communicating, or, at least, what some might allege why they would not communicate jointly with others: For, it is like, they fell in this irregularity deliberately, as thinking they did well when they communicated apart, and not with others. So much is insinuated in the Apostles expostulation, ver. 22. What, shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. Now these reasons might be alleged, to justify their divided communicating, 1. That the Ordinances were not reverently administered, nor with that gravity and discerning of the Lords Body, as was fit. 2. That many unworthy persons were admitted to communion, even such as were drunken, ver. 21. &c. and therefore it might be alleged by them, that joint communicating with such was to be abstained.

Secondly, We may also gather what might be the reason of this divided communicating, or, at least, what some might alleage why they would not communicate joyntly with others: For, it is like, they fell in this irregularity deliberately, as thinking they did well when they communicated apart, and not with others. So much is insinuated in the Apostles expostulation, ver. 22. What, shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. Now these reasons might be alleged, to justifi• their divided communicating, 1. That the Ordinances were not reverently administred, nor with that gravity and discerning of the Lords Body, as was fit. 2. That many unworthy persons were admitted to communion, even such as were drunken, ver. 21. &c. and therefore it might be alleged by them, that joynt communicating with such was to be abstained.

Thirdly, It is evident also, That notwithstanding of these grounds▪ the Apostle doth condemn their practice, and presseth them to joint communicating, as appeareth from ver. 22. and 33. From which, this clear argument doth arise, If the members of the Church of Corinth, who did separate from the Ordinances, because of the sinfulness of these that did jointly partake with them, were condemned by Paul, and required to communicate jointly, and if it be made clear by him how they might do so and not be guilty, Then separation in such a case cannot be a duty but a sin: But the former are true. Therefore &c. I know nothing can be objected against this argument, but either to say, That the Apostles scope is in that eating together, to regulate their love feasts, and to condemn their practice in these; or, that he commends joint communicating simply, but not in such a case, because it is not clear whether any of them did scruple upon that ground or not: for, the removing of these, we say to the first, That the main scope of the place is to regulate them in going about the