And, where as M. Harding seemeth to warrant his multitude of Masses, by that in this Council of Antisiodorum there is mention made of sundry Altars, it may like him to understand, that before the time of that Council, there appeareth no such multiplication, or increase of Altars. One Altar was thought sufficient for the whole Church,1 and the same Altar placed in the middest of the Congregation, that all the people might come round about it.2 So saith Eusebius: Absoluto Templo, & Altari in medio constituto: The Church being finished, and the Altar, (or Communion Table) placed in the middest. S. Augustine likewise saith thus: Mensa Domini est illa in medio constituta: That is the Lords Table, that standeth here in the middest. In like manner, it is written in the Council of Constantinople,3 Tempore Diptychorum cucurrit omnis multitudo cum magno silentio circum Altar, 4& audiebant: When the Lesson, or Chapter was in reading, all the people drew together with silence round about the Altar, and gave attendance. If M. Harding will contend, for that hitherto there is no mention made of one Altar alone,5 and therefore will say, there might be many, he may also remember, that Eusebius saith in the place before alleged, Augustum, & Magnum, & Unicum Altar. The Reverend, the Great, and the One Only Altar. So Ignatius, Unum est Altare •o•i Ecclesiae. There is but one Altar for the whole Church. So S. Chrysostom,6 Baptismus unus est, & Mensa una: There is one Baptism, and one Table. So likewise Gentianus Heruettus describing the manner of the Greek Church, as it is used at this day, faith thus: In Grae•orū templis, unū tantùm est Altare, idque in medio Choro, aut Presbyterio: 7In the Greek Church there is but one Altar, and the same standing in the middest of the Queer. And the Queer also was in the middest of all the people. By these it may appear, that M. Harding is not able to find his plurality of Masses before the Council of Anti••odorum, which was without the lists of the first six hundred years, and therefore can stand him in little stead.
And, where as M. Hardinge seemeth to warrant his multitude of Masses, by that in this Councel of Antisiodorum there is mention made of sundrie Aultars, it may like him to vnderstande, that before the time of that Councel, there appeareth no suche multiplication, or increase of Aultars. One Aultar was thought sufficient for the whole Churche,1 and the same Aultar placed in the middest of the Congregation, that al the people might come rounde aboute it.2 So saithe Eusebius: Absoluto Templo, & Altari in medio constituto: The Churche beinge finished, and the Aultar, (or Communion Table) placed in the middest. S. Augustine likewise saithe thus: Mensa Domini est illa in medio constituta: That is the Lordes Table, that standeth here in the middest. In like manner, it is written in the Councel of Constantinople,3 Tempore Diptychorum cucurrit omnis multitudo cum magno silentio circum Altare, 4& audiebant: When the Lesson, or Chapter was in reading, al the people drew togeather with silence rounde aboute the Aultar, and gaue attendance. If M. Hardinge wil contende, for that hitherto there is no mention made of one Aultar alone,5 and therefore wil say, there might be many, he may also remember, that Eusebius saithe in the place before alleged, Augustum, & Magnum, & Vnicum Altare. The Reuerende, the Greate, and the One Onely Aultar. So Ignatius, Vnum est Altare •o•i Ecclesiae. There is but one Aultare for the whole Churche. So S. Chrysostome,6 Baptismus vnus est, & Mensa vna: There is one Baptisme, and one Table. So likewise Gentianus Heruettus describing the manner of the Greeke Churche, as it is vsed at this day, faithe thus: In Grae•orū templis, vnū tantùm est Altare, idque in medio Choro, aut Presbyterio: 7In the Greeke Churche there is but one Altar, and the same standinge in the middest of the Queere. And the Queere also was in the middest of al the people. By these it may appeare, that M. Hardinge is not hable to finde his pluralitie of Masses before the Councel of Anti••odorum, whiche was without the listes of the first sixe hundred yéeres, and therfore can stande him in litle steede.
- 1Ignatius ad Philadelphien.
- 2Eusebius li. 10. ca. 4. In Encaenijs.
- 3Augustinus de Verbis Domin•
- 4Secundum Johā. Ser. 47.Secundum Iohā. Ser. 47.
- 5Concil. Constantino. 5. Actione. 1 Eusebius, li. 10. ca. 4.
- 6Ignatius ad Philadelphienses. Chrysost. in. 2. Corin. hom. 18.Ignatius ad Philadelphiēses. Chrysost. in. 2. Corin. hom. 18.
- 7Gentianus Heruettus.
