Here is to be noted, where as Chrysostom saith, the daily Sacrifice was celebrated in vain, and the priests stood at the Altar in vain: it is not to be understanded of the Sacrifice in it self, as though it were in vain, and frustrate: but this is to be referred to the people: it was in vain for their part, that should have received their Communion with the priests, who waited daily for them, and cried out as the manner was, Sancta Sanctis, Holy things for the Holy: and after that they had received the bread them selves, showing the Chalice to the people, saide: Cum timore dei, & fide, & dilectione accedite. Come ye up to receive with the fear of God, with faith, and charity. But all was in vain. 421 For none came: so cold was their devotion in that behalf. Now if Chrysostom had cause to complain of the peoples slackness in coming to the Communion, in that great and populous City of Antioch, where the Scriptures were daily expounded and 432 preached, where discipline and good order was more straitly exacted, where in so great number some of likelihood were of more devotion then others: what is to be thought of many little towns and villages, through the world, where little preaching was heard, where discipline slaked, where the number of the faithfuls being small, and they occupied altogether in worldly affairs, few gave good example of devotion to others? Doubtless in such places was ⟨p. 88⟩much less resort of the people at the Mass time, to receive the Sacrament with their priests. And where as least this place might seem plainly to avouch the having of Mass without a number Communicating with the Bishop, or Priest, for avoiding of this authority, the Gospellers answer by way of conjecture, that in Chrysostoms time the Priests and Deacons Communicated together daily with the party that offered the Sacrifice though none of the people did: we tell them that this poor shift will not serve their purpose. For though they say, some sufficient number ever Communicated with him, that celebrated the Daily Sacrifice, in that great and famous Church of Antioch, where many Priests and Deacons were,3 which neither being denied, they shall never be able to prove:
Here is to be noted, where as Chrysostome saithe, the daily Sacrifice was celebrated in vaine, and the priestes stoode at the Aultare in vaine: it is not to be vnderstanded of the Sacrifice in it selfe, as though it were in vaine, and frustrate: but this is to be referred to the people: it was in vaine for their parte, that shoulde haue receiued their Communion with the priestes, who waited daily for them, and cried out as the manner was, Sancta Sanctis, Holie thinges for the Holie: and after that they had receiued the breade them selues, shewinge the Chalice to the people, saide: Cum timore dei, & fide, & dilectione accedite. Come ye vp to receiue with the feare of God, with faithe, and charitie. But al was invaine. 421 For none came: so colde was their deuotion in that behalfe. Nowe if Chrysostome had cause to complaine of the peoples slackenesse in comminge to the Communion, in that greate and populous Citie of Antioche, where the Scriptures were daily expounded and 432 preached, where discipline and good order was more straitely exacted, where in so greate number some of likelihoode were of more deuotion then others: what is to be thought of many little townes and villages, through the worlde, where little preachinge was hearde, where discipline slaked, where the number of the faithfuls beinge smal, and they occupied altogeather in worldly affaires, fewe gaue good example of deuotion to others? Doubtlesse in suche places was ⟨p. 88⟩muche lesse resorte of the people at the Masse time, to receiue the Sacrament with their priestes. And where as least this place might seeme plainely to auouche the hauinge of Masse without a number Communicatinge with the Bishop, or Priest, for auoidinge of this authoritie, the Gospellers answeare by way of coniecture, that in Chrysostomes time the Priestes and Deacons Communicated togeather dayly with the partie that offred the Sacrifice though none of the people did: we tel them that this poore shifte wil not serue their purpose. For though they say, some sufficient nu•ber euer Communicated with him, that celebrated the Daily Sacrifice, in that greate and famous Churche of Antioche, where many Priestes and Deacons were,3 whiche neither beinge denied, they shal neuer be hable to proue:
- 1The .42. Untruth. There came many, both of the people, and also of the Clergy.The .42. Vntruthe. There came many, both of the people, and also of the Cleregie.
- 2The .43. Untruth. There was no such daily preaching: As shall appear. M. Hard. seeketh up his Mass in little towns and Villages.The .43. Vntruthe. There vvas no such daily preachinge: As shal appeare. M. Hard. seeketh vp his Masse in litle tovvnes and Villages.
- 3Private Mass proved by a simple Collection.Priuate Masse proued by a simple Collection.
