A Defence of the True and Catholic Doctrine of the Sacrament

But these private Masses sprang up of late years, partly through the ignorance and superstition of unlearned Monks and Fryers, (which knew not what a sa•ifyce was, but made of the Mass a sacrifice propitiatory, to remit both sin and the pain due for the same) but chiefly they sprang of lucre and gain, when priests found the means to sell Masses to the people, which caused Masses so much to increase, that every day was said an infinite number, and that no priest would receive the communion at an other priests hand, but every one would receive it alone: ⟨p. 115⟩neither regarding the godly decree of the most famous & holy counsel of Nice (which appointeth in what order priests should be placed above Deacons at the Communion,¹) nor yet the Canons of the Apostles,² which command that when any Communion is ministered, all the priests together should receive the same, or else be excommunicate. So much the old fathers misliked, that any priest should receive the sacrament alone.

But these priuate Masses sprange vppe of late yeares, partelye throughe the ignoraunce and supersticion of vnlearned Monks and Fryers, (whiche knewe not what a sa•ifyce was, but made of the Masse a sacrifice propiciatorye, to remytte both synne and the paine due for the same) but chiefely they sprange of lucre and gaine, when priestes founde the meanes to sell Masses to the people, whiche caused Masses so muche to encrease, that euerye daye was sayde an infinite numbre, and that no priest would receaue the communion at an other preestes hand, but euery one would receaue it alone: ⟨p. 115⟩neither regardyng the godly decree of the most famous & holy counsail of Nice (which appointeth in what order priestes should be placed aboue Deacons at the Cōmunion,¹) nor yet the Canones of the Apostles,²