Animadversions on a treatise entitled Fiat lux, or, A guide in differences of religion,…Animadversions on a treatise intituled Fiat lux, or, A guide in differences of religion,…

This Reason plainly cuts the throat, not only of some other that went before, about the venerable Majesty of that, which is not understood, but of the whole cause it self. If to know what is spoken, be good; the clearer men understand it, I think, the better. This being the tendency of this Reason, we shall find the last of the three, jostling it as useless, ⟨p. 351⟩quite out of doors. Nor yet is there truth in this pretence; not one of a thousand of the people, do understand one word, that the Priest speaks distinctly in their whole service; so that this is but an empty flourish. He tells us, 2. Catholic people come together, not for other business at the Mass, but only with fervour of devotion, to adore Christ crucified; in that Rite he is there prefigured as crucified before them, and by the mediation of that sacred blood, to pour forth their supplications for themselves and others; which being done, and their good purpose of serving and pleasing that holy Lord, that shed his blood for us, renewed, they depart in peace: This is the general purpose of the Mass; so that eyes and hands to lift up, knees to bow, and heart to melt, are there of more use then ears to hear. For his Catholic peoples business at Mass, I shall not much trouble my self. Christ I know, is adored by faith and love; that faith and love, in the public worship of the Church, is exercised by prayer and thanksgiving. For the lifting up of the eyes and hands, and bowing, and cringing, they are things indifferent, that may be ⟨p. 352⟩used, as they are animated by that faith & love, and no otherwise. And, I desire to know, What supplications they come to pour forth for themselves and others. Their private devotions? They may do that at home; the doing of it in the Church, is contrary to the Apostle's Rule. Are they the public prayers of the Church? Alas, the trumpet to them, and of them, gives an uncertain found. They know not how to prepare themselves to the work. Nor can they rightly say Amen, when they understand not what is said. So that, for my part, I understand not what is the business of Catholics at Mass; or how they can perform any part of their duty to God in it, or at it. But what if they understand of it nothing at all? He adds, 3. There is no need at all for the people to hear or understand the Priest, when he speaks, or prays, and sacrifices to God, on their behalf.

This Reason plainly cuts the throat, not only of some other that went before, about the venerable Majesty of that, which is not understood, but of the whole cause it self. If to know what is spoken, be good; the clearer men understand it, I think, the better. This being the tendency of this Reason, we shall finde the last of the three, justling it as useless,