A04924:53
The copy of a letter, sent to the lady Mary dowager, Regent of Scotland,…The copie of a letter, sent to the ladye Mary dowagire, Regent of Scotland,…
The copy of a letter, sent to the lady Mary dowager, Regent of Scotland, by John Knox in the year. 1556. Here is also a notable sermon, made by the said John Knox, wherein is evidently proved that the mass is and always hath ben abominable before God and idolatryThe copie of a letter, sent to the ladye Mary dowagire, Regent of Scotland, by Iohn Knox in the yeare. 1556. Here is also a notable sermon, made by the sayde Iohn Knox, wherin is euydentlye proued that the masse is and alwayes hath ben abhominable before God and idolatrye
printed by H. Singleton?, 1556
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
And first of this name, Missa, which we call the mas•e, would I ask at such as would defend that papistical abomination, of what spirit is it invented? That missa shall signify a sacrifice for y• since of the quick and the dead? Of the spirit of God? or of y• spirit of man? or of what original is it descended? Some will answer from the Hebrew diction, Missah, which after some doeth signify an oblation or a gift. Like as tribute, which the inferior offereth or payeth to the superior. In the Hebrew tongue I confess my self ignorant, but have (as God knoweth) fervent thirst to have some entrance therein, and so of the Hebrew diction can not contend. But men of great judgement in the same •unge say: y• no where in scriptures ⟨image 33⟩Missah, betokeneth an oblation. But admitting that so it did, what shall they be able to prove there by? My question is if the spirit of god hath invented & pronounced this diction Missa, to signify a sacrifice for the sins of the quick and the dead: which if they be not able to prove, than must they needs confess that it is of mans invention, and not of gods imposition. I cold give unto them a more apparent cause and der••acion of that diction Missa: but of y• name I am not greatly sol••. Secondly I desire to be certified what they call their mass: Whether the hole action with all ceremonies, used now of old, or a part thereof?
And first of this name, Missa, whiche we call the mas•e, wold I aske at such as wolde defend that papisticall abomination, of what spirite is it inuented? That missa shall signifye a sacrifice for y• synnes of the quicke and the dead? Of the spirit of God? or of y• spirit of mā? or of what originall is it descended? Some will answer from the Hebrew dictiō, Missah, whiche after some doeth signifye an oblation or a gifte. Lyke as tribute, whiche the inferior offereth or payeth to the superiour. In the Hebrue tunge I confesse my self ignorant, but haue (as God knoweth) feruent thirst to haue some entrāce therin, and so of the Hebrue dicion can not contend. But men of great iudgemēt in the same ūge say: y no where in scriptures