An apology or answer in defence of the Church of England with a brief…An apologie or answere in defence of the Churche of Englande with a briefe…

Besides, where they say and sometime do persuade fools, that they are able by their Masses to distribute and apply unto mens commodity all the merits of Christs death, yea although many times the parties think nothing of the matter, and understand full little what is don, this is a mockery, a Heathenish fancy, and a very toy. For it is our faith that applieth the death and cross of Christ to our benefit, and not the Act of the Massing priest. Faith had in the Sacraments (saith Augustine) doth justify, & not the sacraments. And Origene saith: Christ is the priest;¹ the propitiation and sacrifice, which propitiation cometh to every one by mean of faith. So that by ⟨image 33⟩this reckoning we say, that the sacraments of Christ without faith, do not once profit those that be alive, a great deal less do they profit those that be dead.

Besides, where they say and somtime doe perswade fooles, that they are able by their Masses to distribute and applie vnto mens commoditie al the merites of Christes death, yea although many tymes ye parties thinck nothing of ye matter, and vnderstand ful litle what is don, this is a mockery, a Hethenyshe fansie, and a very toye. For it is our faith that applieth the death and crosse of Christe to our benefite, and not the Acte of the Massing preest. Faith had in the Sacramentes (saith Augustine) doth iustifie, & not the sacramentes. And Origene saith: Christ is the preest;¹ the propitiation and sacrifice, which propitiatiō cōmeth to euerie one by meane of faith. So that by ⟨image 33⟩this reconing we saye, that the sacramē tes of Christ without faith, doe not once profite those that be alyue, a great deale lesse doe they profite those that be dead.

1. 1•rigen. ad […] cap. 3.•rigen. ad 〈…〉 cap. 3.