There was no ground of objection to this introduction. ‘It would be desirable,’ continued Calvin and his friends, ‘that the holy supper of Jesus Christ should be celebrated every Sunday at the least, since we are _made, in it, partakers of the body, the blood, the life, the spirit, and all the benefits of Jesus Christ_, and because it is an admonition to us to live as Christians in brotherly unity. It was not instituted for commemoration two or three times in a year, but for frequent observance. Such was the practice of the ancient Church, until the abomination of masses was introduced, the effect of which was the entire abolition of the Lord’s supper. However, as we foresee that by reason of the infirmity of men, there might be some danger of that sacred mystery falling into contempt through so frequent a celebration, we have judged it well that the holy supper should be observed once a month.’ It was natural that such good Christians as these reformers should desire frequent communion. But the lesser council was of opinion that, for the majority, the supper would be more solemn and more beneficial if it were less frequent. It was therefore resolved to propose to the Council of the Two Hundred that it should be celebrated not more than four times in the year.[459] The reading of the memoir of the pastors was continued. ‘But the main point is that the supper, which was instituted for the purpose of uniting Christians in one spirit with their head and with each other, should not be defiled and contaminated by any persons whose evil life shows plainly that they do not belong to Jesus Christ. We must not associate, says St. Paul, with those who are notoriously profligate, covetous, idolatrous, railers, drunkards, or thieves. Care must therefore be taken that only those come to the supper who are approved members of Jesus Christ. To this end, our Lord established in his Church the correction and discipline of _excommunication_. This discipline existed in the Church until wicked bishops, or rather say brigands assuming the title of bishops, converted it to an instrument of tyranny, and abused it for the gratification of their own evil lusts, to such a degree that, at the present day, excommunication is one of the most cursed things to be seen in the realm of the pope. It has therefore seemed to us expedient that this discipline should be restored in the Church, according to the rule laid down in Scripture. [Sidenote: EXCOMMUNICATION.]