According to Horton Davies — the *The Worship of the English Puritans* — Although they differed from congregation to congregation, the Independents mostly preferred weekly communion, and it was never less frequent than monthly. The Presbyterians preferred quarterly communion, probably due to the influence of the Scottish Presbyterians, who often had it less frequently than that. A few Presbyterians urged more frequent communion, even weekly, but the general Presbyterian custom was quarterly communion. I think that Davies is regarded to be generally reliable, but if anyone can supplement or correct that, I’d be grateful.

What I find striking is that the Assembly also included this provision — “Where this sacrament *cannot* with convenience be frequently administered, it is requisite that publick warning be given the sabbath-day before the administration thereof: and that either then, or on some day of that week, something concerning that ordinance, and the due preparation thereunto, and participation thereof, be taught; that, by the diligent use of all means sanctified of God to that end, both in publick and private, all may come better prepared to that heavenly feast.” In other words, “frequent” communion was to be the rule. Infrequent communion with preparatory services was to be the exception when it was not possible to follow the rule. Ironically, what was intended to be the exception became the rule in actual Presbyterian practice.

It is interesting that Calvin argued for “at least weekly” communion, but I think he was saying on the Lord’s Day and during the week. As well, in my preaching through the book of Exodus I am more and more convinced that a weekly celebration is a biblical pattern. Basically, whenever there is sacrifice and covenant renewal there is a meal in the presence of God.

That said, the question of why not in both services on the Lord’s Day is an interesting question.

My answer is that while both services on the Lord Day are of the genus of “service” they are of different “species.” A communion service is a covenant renewal while for us in the Dutch Reformed tradition, the second service is public catechesis.