But to speak of this matter more particularly, and more distinctly, the term, Mass, may be taken two ways. Either for the thing1 it self, which is offered, or for the act of the Priest in offering of it. If it be taken for the thing it self, that is offered, which is the Body of Christ, and is in this respect of the* Scholastical Doctors called Opus Operatum: no man can justly deny, but that it removeth,3 and taketh away sin.4 For Christ in his Flesh crucified is our only Sacrifice, our only Price, our only Redemption, whereby he hath merited to us upon the Cross, and with the Price of his Blood hath bought the Remission of our Sins: and S. John saith, he is the propitiation for our sins.5 So Oecumenius saithe, Caro Christi est propitiatorium nostrarum iniquitatum. The Flesh of Christ is the propitiation for our iniquities. And this not for that it is offered of the Priest in the Mass* specially, but for that he offered it once him self with shedding of his Blood upon the Cross for the redemption of all. Which Oblation done upon the Cross, is become a perpetual, and continual oblation, not in the same manner of offering, but in the same virtue, and power of the thing offered.7 For since that time the same Body of Christ appearing always before the face of God in Heaven, presenteth and exhibiteth it self for our reconciliation: And likewise it is exhibited and offered (237)8 by his own commandment here in earth in the Mass, where he is both Priest, and Sacrifice, offerer and oblation, verily and in deed, though in Mystery, and by way of commemoration, that thereby we may be made partakers of the reconciliation performed, applying the same unto us (so far as in this behalf man may apply) through Faith, and devotion, no less then if we saw with our eyes presently his Body hanging on the Cross before us, and streams of Blood issuing forth. And so it is a Sacrifice in very deed propitiatory, not for our act or work, but for his own work already done and accepted. To this only we must ascribe remission and removing of our Sins.
But to speake of this matter more particularly, and more distinctly, the terme, Masse, may be taken two waies. Either for the thinge1 it selfe, whiche is offered, or for the acte of the Prieste in offeringe of it. If it be taken for the thinge it selfe, that is offered, whiche is the Body of Christe, and is in this respecte of the* Scholastical Doctours called Opus Operatum: no man can iustely denie, but that it remooueth,3 and taketh away sinne.4 For Christe in his Fleashe crucified is our onely Sacrifice, our onely Price, our onely Redemption, whereby he hath merited to vs vpon the Crosse, and with the Price of his Bloude hath bought the Remission of our Sinnes: and S. Iohn saithe, he is the propitiation for our sinnes.5 So Oecumenius saithe, Caro Christi est propitiatorium nostrarum iniquitatum. The Fleashe of Christe is the propitiation for our iniquities. And this not for that it is offered of the Prieste in the Masse* specially, but for that he offered it once him selfe with sheddinge of his Bloude vpon the Crosse for the redemption of al. VVhiche Oblation done vpon the Crosse, is become a perpetual, and continual oblation, not in the same manner of offeringe, but in the same vertue, and power of the thinge offered.7 For since that time the same Body of Christe appearinge alwaies before the face of God in Heauen, presenteth and exhibiteth it selfe for our reconciliation: And likewise it is exhibited and offered (237)8 by his owne commaundement here in earthe in the Masse, where he is bothe Prieste, and Sacrifice, offerer and oblation, verely and in deede, though in Mysterie, and by way of commemoration, that thereby we may be made pertakers of the reconciliation performed, applyinge the same vnto vs (so farre as in this behalfe man may applie) through Faithe, and deuotion, no lesse then if we sawe with our eies presently his Body hanginge on the Crosse before vs, and streames of Bloude issuinge foorthe. And so it is a Sacrifice in very deede propitiatorie, not for our acte or worke, but for his owne woorke already done and accepted. To this onely we must ascribe remission and remoouinge of our Sinnes.
- 1Mass taken […]ways.Masse takē 〈…〉vvaies.
- *M. Harding should have showed, what Scholastical Doctors have taken it thus: Otherwise it may seem untrue.M. Hardinge shoulde haue shevved, vvhat Scholastical Doctours haue taken it thus: Othervvise it may seeme vntrue.
- 3• Cor. 6. & 7. Tit. 2. Apoc 14. ••oan. 2. […]. 3. cap. […]Roma••.• Cor. 6. & 7. Tit. 2. Apoc 14. ••oan. 2. 〈…〉. 3. cap. 〈…〉Roma••.
- 4Al these allegations utterly condemn the work, that is supposed in the Mass.Al these allegations vtterly cōdemne the vvoorke, that is supposed in the Masse.
- 5Al these allegations utterly condemn the work, that is supposed in the Mass.Al these allegations vtterly cōdemne the vvoorke, that is supposed in the Masse.
- *The work of the Priest is propitiatory, albeit not specially.The vvoorke of the Prieste is propitiatorie, albeit not specially.
- 7Heb. 9.
- 8The .237. Untruth. For God never commaū dead the Priest, neither to say Mass, as it is now used, nor to offer up the Body of Christ.
