M. Harding. The .2. Division.M. Hardinge. The .2. Diuision.

M. Harding. The .2. Division.

M. Hardinge. The .2. Diuision.

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)