The answere that the preachers of the Gospel at Basile, made, for the defence of the true administration, and vse of the holy Supper of our Lord Agaynst the abhominatio[n], of the popyshe Masse. Translated out of Latin into Englyshe by George Bancrafte. 1548.

FOr asmuche as God hath commaunded vs by his Appostle i. Pet. iii. Peter ( Oh ye fathers of oure countrie ) in wysdome grauitie and godlines to be readie at all tymes to gyue an answere to euery man , that as●eth vs a reson of oure fayth it is met● that we should more gladly answere to a question proponed beinge requirede of you oure moste Soueraigne Magistrates to whome we knowe also what is oure dutie in other thinges . We haue affirmed and vpon sure grounde , and reason proued , in oure publike sermons , that the popishe Masse , is not an offering for the quicke and dead but a moste detestable abomination before god And therfore a man wyll not belyue how glad we are , which loue the truthe , that you oure moste prudent senatours require of vs an answer to thys question for we conceyue greate hope that God whyche moueth you to desire to atteine the knowledge of the light and truth , wil of his infinite mercye encrese hys grace in you that after the example of the godlye kinges , Ezechias and Iolias when the trueth diligently serched out and truly knowen , you wyl take awaye , abolishe and vtterlye distroye all such tradicions of man as are repugnante to the worde of God . And al suche thynges as are taught and set fourth contrarie to the ordinaunce of god and holsome doctrine of Christe , whiche thinges stire vp the anger and griuouse displeasure for God agaynste vs miserable creatures for in so doinge , you shall norishe confirme and establishe peace vnitie and concorde in thys noble citie of Basell , and bringe your subiectes to a sincere & godly fourme of lyuinge , that at the daie of Iudgement the bloud and condempnacion of moste detestable sinners shall not be required at your handes being oure Magistrates and gouerners but rather you shal be rewarded of God and receyue in thys worlde prayse and glorye boeth of your subiectes & of straingers for nothinge can rather win the fauoure of subiectes to their Maiestrates and rulers & bringe them to obedience then the worde of God , and his commaundementes frelye preachede and wythout daunger of ponishement , as you may euidently perceyue by Iosue Ios. ● . and the people of God committed to hys gouernaunce . And strayngers are moued wyth nothynge so much as when the●se the truth , the glorie of god and an honeste order of lyuinge magnified & had in reuerence , for God doeth kepe the citie that seketh his glorie .

Fyrste of all we proteste that in our puklyke sermones and in thys writynge we nothere speake nor write against the most holye ordinaunce of Christ or the Apostles in the administracion of the Lordes supper , but we both speake & write against the abuses the be crept into the church , & are obstinatli defended , bi continuaunce of time without the hollie scriptures , to the great hinderaunce of the fruites of christes passion & craftle deceiueinge of the vnlerned people contrarie to Christes ordinance & administracion of the apostles the common rumor is through the malicious enuie , & faulse forgid lies of some popish preachers & of some other the are euen against vs which know the truth , the we goo about to let abolishe , and bringe to nought all good workes , they fayne this on ther owne heade , as they do al other thynges for nethynge , can be more greauouse to vs then , to here that men do not lyue after the commaundementes of God . And we know through the grace of God . What ceremonies , & what part of the cerimonies is profitable & mete for christen men & our purpose , maintained with a good conscience , is to vse well , sincerly , & without any fau●sly deuised traditi●s , so muche of this sacrament of oure Lordes sit per , as was most perfectly begon , and ordiened of Christ our master and there can no man proue that our intent was other wise at any time and thys by the assistaunce of gods grace , we wil affirme by the onely scriptures of God . Now we wil in godes name declar , & shewe furth our reasones , for this questi on proponed . Vndoubtely al such as do not regard & care for the only glory of god , teach nothing that is godly , true , or in aniwise profitable . Math. i● For god saith by Malachi . the prophet . And now , Oh ye priestes this commaundement toucheth you if you wil not heare it nor regard it my name , sayeth the Lorde , of hostes ● wyil sende accuisse vppon you , and wil Curss● your blessing yea ●ursse them wil I if ye do not take hede It is therfore manifest that God beynge griuousely displeased cursseth them that regarde not his name and glorie , for God is gellouse and a consuming f●er . He wil haue hys name magnified ●eut . v. and pray●sid the Iues and gentiles dyd fall into lewde myndes Rom , i. and corrupte Iudgementes because they knewe God , and dyd not glorifi him as God . The lord ●sa . i. 42 hym selfe sayeth , I wyll g●ue my glorye to none other . Finallye ●ath , 12. he that seketh not goddes glorye doeth nother desire to encrease it nor doeth speake , lyue , nor is of God out is abomination before God . For whosoeuer is not wyth 1. Cor. ● . Christ as who sayth the God may be glorified , he is a●ominaciō before God and is hys enemye , when the ●a● . ●3 . naturall man perceyueth not the thynges that pertayne to the Ro. ●● . spirite of God . And hys thought is ●s fare in sunder , from the wyl of God , as the earth from heauen for in dede man touchinge hys owne knowledge , doeth knowe nothing lesse than the wyl of God . Who therfore Luc. xvi . can tell what is the wyll of God and hys true glorye Christe sayeth , that whiche is highly estimede , amonge men is abominacion before God , for men are euer prone and readye to fall , and forsake the truth , to folo●e & cleaue to there owne profite , and inuencions whereof Idolatrie & othere abominacions , come vp and haue Proue . ●●● there begynynge wherefore the wise man sayth , truste in the lord Deut. xi● . wyth all thyne herte , and not in thyne owne , wisdome . And Moyses sayth , you shall not do after al thinges that we do here this day eueri man what semeth hy●n good in his owne eies , it is therefore folishely spoken to saye , what thing soeuer that a man doeth for gods sake is a good worke , and worthey to be rewarded , for then eueri man myght haue knoledge sufficientli without any teaching or doctrine of the worde of God . But howe shoulde a man be then of an vndoubting conscience or wyth what hope , myght a man lyue to please God . Wher the knoledge of the wyl of God wantethe , there moste also hope and fayeth want ▪ namely in trouble and affliction what so euer truely is not of fayeth is sinne where Syne is there is abominaon before God . Therfore god hath declared hys wyll and mynd , by th apostles . And Christe hym selfe ( that our knowledge may be sure , and our oppinion vndoubtfull ) howe god ought to be truely worshiped . Moreouer he hath gyuen vs astrayght commaunde ment to kepe his law , that we shal tourne nother to the right nor yet to the Deut. xvii l●ste hande that we shall nother adde nor take awaye any thynge from it , he that wyll not herken to the prophet that I wil raise vp sayeth the Lorde , I wyl require it of hym , after the lawe was gyuen and the trueth was knowen , God would be worshipped , as his word teacheth and the offence was then much more greuouse . Albeit king Saull dyd kyll and offer fat Oxen , i. R. xv . to the true liuing God whiche was a good worke in apparaunce : yet because the scripture of God dyd not teache hym so to do , God therfore was griuoslye displeased wyth hym . For althoughe he offered his sacrifice to God , yet that accompted he to him for Idolatrie . ii . Re. ●● Oza died sodenly because he tuched , the arke againste the Lordes commaundement , yet h●● hought it had ben agood dede . Dyd not the earth swallowe vp Corah and his adherentes because thei would ●ume . xvi . take vppon them the office of the priests . The Israhelites , did think it a godlye and goodlye thynge to ●eut . xvi . haue pleasant groues night vnto the aulter of God , but hym dyd it not please . Thei though it agoodly ●acte at Tophet in Ierusalem , ●ome . vii . to kyl and offer ther owne sounes but the more they did so the greater was ther abominacion before god For god sayth he neuer commaunded them nether came it euer into his Iose . ● . thought . God commaunded Iosue to be stronge and bolde , that he myght obserue , and do accordinge to al the lawe , which Moyses commaundyd hym , and that he should turne ther ●rom , nither to the ryght nor to the lefte hand that he myght do wisely in al thynges Esa. xxx . he toke in hande , god by hys prophet Esaias saith , alas for the disobedient children , that wyll take counsayle wythout me and wyll take , asecerete aduise , and not out of my spirite , therefore adde they Math. ● sinne vnto sinne , and Christ saith in vaine do they serue me , teachinge the doctrines and preceptes of men , the proude herted Iewes did stande so well in there owne conceite for their tradicions and inuentions , that for loue thei had to them , they dispised hated , and at last killide oure maister Christ Iohn . xxi our aduersaris dare saye that Christ and the apostles taught manye thynges , whyche are not wryten in the scripture , and that Christe sayed hys Disciples coulde not beare awaie al that he had taught thys cauil repungnaunt to the true vnderstandinge of the scripture maye be an occasion , and cause of greate errours for there wyth all lyes and herisies maye be confirmed they will saye albeit it is not written , yet the appostles taught it by worde of mouth , and also the scriptures of God , shoulde be an vnperfecte doctrine , which thyng to offirme , is blasphemie agaynste the holy gost considering that then all the doctrine of our fayth should be put in question . Therefore surely so muche is contayned in holye scripture as is necessary vnto saluacion to eueri one that beleueth They saye coulde the churche erre so longe time as it hath ? If youre doctrnie be true , the ▪ true churche hath not errede , whiche hath the word of god only . The church verely must be tried by the worde of God , and not the worde of god by the churche , whether the churche that beleueth be of manye or of fewe , for the churche is knowen by the frutes , and not because , it consisteth of many , and hath her begynynge of the worde of God , and her frutes , are tried by the worde , whether the tr●e christan churche brought them forth or no if it be the true christen churche Iohn . ● . she heareth no nother voice but Christes her shepherde and bryde gro●e , whiche the appostles preached to the church , and if an angel came out of heauen teaching any other doctrine then thys , let hym Gala. ● . be accurssed , if we loue and folow the doctrine that Christe taught and beinge hys disciples , we shal not be excluded , frome the true churche so longe as we kepe wyth vs the worde of God . But he is puffed vp wyth pryde and doeth i. Timo. ● knowe nothinge at al that wil not obey the word of God , he therfore which doth knowe nothinge , can not teache vs religion , and the true worshippinge of god , if the Masse be vsede as it hath ben hitherto , it can in no wyse agree wyth , the worde of God , but is so muche repugnaunt as what thing is most . The Masse therfore is a diuilishe Idolatrie , and detestable abominacion , against God , and the maynteners therof , shal incurre , his displeasure ▪ for euer thys thyng we wil proue two waies first because the popishe Masse , is vsed in nothinge lyke the supper that Christ orde●ned , and differeth nolesse from it then blacke to white they synne therefore so grinouslye as dyd Achas that made an aultar at Ierusalem eg●● . ●vi . lyke that which was at Damascon , and caste the aultare of god out of the temple so they haue , left the true vse of oure Lordes supper , And in stede of it haue instituted and ordeinede the Masse of theyr owne folishe deuise , and oppinion which is a great and blasphemouse abominacion before god . Moreouer we wyll proue by ther erroures and abusinge of the masse , whyche they call an offeringe for the quicke and deade , that it is an horible abominacion , for if the Masse were ordeined of Christe , which is faulse , yet by there abusinge of it they woulde make it a blasphemouse , & hemous abominacion before god , vndoubtedly we ought to folowe truely , and sencelye , that thynge whiche is absolutly Deut. vi . sufficient of it selfe alredie .

Firste let vs consyder and expende the maner and order that Christe vsed at the institucion of thys holly and sacrede supper , and then we wyll confer the abuse with the truth . But we ought to learne all these thynges of the Euangelistes , and of Saynte Paule , and of none other . Verely the true Masse , which is worthy al kindes of praieses , is the Masse which Christe ordeyned , at hys laste supper before he shoulde suffere , Luk. ●● for when the houre was come , he sate downe and the twelue appostles wyth hym , and he sayed vnto them , I haue inward ly desired to eate thys passeouer wyth you , before that I suffer , for I say vnto you hence furth I wil not eate of it any more vntyll it be fulfilled in the kingdome of God and he toke the cup and gaue thankes and saied , take this a●d deuid it amonge you , for I saye vnto you , ● will not drinke of the frut of the vine , vntyll the kingdom of god come , and he toke breade and when he hadde giuen thankes he brake it , and gaue it vnto them saying , this is my bodye whiche is giuen for you , thys do in remembraunce of me . Like wyse also when he had supped he toke the cup sayinge , thys cupe is the newe , testament , in my bloude whiche is shed for you .

These wordes Sainte Luke ●●●it . ●h . xxvi . writeth , the other euangelestes wrytte the same , but they differ in some wordes , as Math sayed , Drinke all of thys , for thys is my bloude , whiche is the newe testamente that is shed for manie , for Mar. ● the remission of synnes , and saint Marke sayth , they al dranke of it meaninge the cup . Saint Paule doth expounde Christes wordes sayinge thys doo as ofte as you drinke it in remembraunce of me for as often tymes , as you shall eate thys breade and drinke thys cup ye shall shewe furth the Lordes death tell he come , but let a man examyne himselfe , and so let hym eate of the breade and drinke of the cup , Saint Iohn doeth not declare the ordinaunce of thys sacrament .

● . But he teacheth , from the .xiii. Iohn , ●●●v . xvii . x Cap. to the ▪ xviii . how Christ did vse his supper and what he did at it , he washed hys disciples , fete , he preached to them and commaunded them to be in charitie he exhorted them to pacience , he strengthend confirmed , and establyshed their fayth towarde god and praied for them to hys father , but especially he rebuked Iudas the traitor .

S. Paule sayth we beinge many are one breade , and one bodye in so muche we all are partetakers , of one breade and the Euangelistes , reporte that Christe dyd finishe hys holy supper wyth thankes geueyng . The some and grounde of the hole matter proponed , consisteth in the sentences of scripture nowe rehersed , but because Christ sayth , serch the scripture we therfore wil are counsaile , of the word of God in other plases and debate howe the Lordes supper ought to be vsede let vs first deuide thes questions into foure partes , firste some thinges are common , both to the ministre , and receiuour of the Sacrament , moreouer some thinges belonge only to the ministers thyrdly some thynges perteyne to the receyuer onely , and finally some thinges must be obserued in the sacramente alone . First let vs expende and consider what is the dutes of the ministers and laitie together at this holly supper . Christ was the minister and the .xii. aposteles , were the receyuers & laitie Luke . xx for S , Luke sayth when the houre was come Christ and the. ru . apostles i. ●o . xiii● sate downe to be an example to vs to do all thynges in the congregacion wyth comlynes and order . For we se , that Christ , obserued boeth tyme & place but yet those ought not to be vnderstanded that we shall leaue the true meanynge , and folowe the bare letter , that tyme and place was most myte , for hym to go about that godly worke , and thankes giuinge , boeth because the easter lamb ought to be eaten in the euening , & the night of Christs passion was at hand but it is most mete , to vs to minister that sacrament , before dinner that the laitie shall receyue it standyng and not sittyng , & also that it be broken in two pieces , before the administracion to the laitie & not when it is ministred , for the euangelistes , commau●ded and decrered nothynge in these externe thynge , but an honeste order , for it is vnpossible that we shoulde do and obserue , the selfe same order of receyueinge the sacramente that the apostles dyd for them no mo then . xii . should receyue it at once And ●hat of one minister it should also be recyued in the euening . Moreouer Christ did eate the easter lambe with his disciples , and refused that bodily meat and drinke saying be would eate nomore , of that , vntyl it were ● , xx●● . fulfilled , in the kingdome of God , nor dryncke of the fruite of the vine , vntyl the kingedome of God come , that we after hys example shoulde neythere seke , for a carnall supper to fyll the belly , nor be addicte & giuen to the obseruaunce o● the Iuishe cerimonies and shadowes of the truth , but that with an vnfayned fayth we shoulde with thankes giuing receyue the spirituall fode in the worde and promisses of God . Also both the minestres and receiuers ought to come to the Lordes table , in charitie , & proteste true mutuall loue , one to an other , for Saint Iohn sayeth Christe dyd ernestly preache , charite Iohn . 〈◊〉 xiiii . x● . x● xvii . to his disciples and loued them to the ende , for we beinge one congregacion are membres of one body & bretherne in dede , by Christ . For as saint Paule sayth though 1. Cor. ● . we be manie , yet are we one bodie when we are partakeres , of one breade , finally it is mete that one , tarie for anothere , excepte some matter of greate importaunce let vs , and that we continue in praier to th ende Iudas alone , departied awaye before the other to his own destruction . Saint Paule saieth , bretherne when you come together ●or●● , to eate , let one tarie for annother and if any man be hungrie let hym ●th . xxvi . ●●e . xiii● . eate at home . Say●te Mathewe and Saint Marke saye that after they had sayed grace , thei went vp into the hyll of Oliues Nowe let vs learne what is the function and office of the minister , and stua●d of the mi●●eries of God thys we are ta●ght of Christ himselfe in the admini●tracion of the sacrament to hys disciples wherein dyuers and sūdrt thinges are to be diligently noted & obserued . First howe he dyd gyue hym selfe to al hys disciples and ministers and in especially to the preachers , beinge an example in washinge of theyr fete , that they should do the same and be prompte and redy at all tymes to minister , and do seruice to eueriman . Moreouer here is to be noted that Christe dyd willingelye and of purpose shone and abhorre al externe and outwarde pompes and solemne sightes , that he might printe in oure hertes thynges of greater importaunce , also when he had washed theire feete ▪ he went agayne to the table and put on Iohn . xi● hys accustomed rament teaching hys disciples by thys example to go about suche thinges as ought to be most chifflye regarded , for he then ernestly preached the Gospell admonished and rebuked Iudas the teaytoure , and taught his disciples , to be in charitie pacience , and hope of thynges to come , so Iohn . xv plainely & manifestlie , that they sayd you speake not nowe in parables .

Note also that Christe gaue Math. x● thankes to God the father , before he gaue the sacrament to hys disciples , exhortynge them to remember i. Cor xii . and shewe furth thereby hys passion vntill he come . Finally he callyd vpon hys father wyth a feruent Iohn . ●● desire , and prayed for all them that beliue . Nowe touchinge the ● . xvii . receyuers , of oure Lordes supper , they gaue greate attendaunce , to the word & doctrine of Christ , and wyth obedience receyned the sacrament of the body and bloude , of Christe , Saynt Marke sayeth they al dyd drinke , by hys sayinge no man is excepted . Finally let vs ●● . x●ii● . expende & consider of what thing the sacramente is made , vndoubtedly it is made of breade wyne , & the worde , for there cannot be the sacrament of oure Lordes supper where any of these lacketh , Christ verely t●ke materiall breade and wyne , chosinge them for the vse of the sacrament , we reade not that he toke water grapes or any such other thynge , and he sayede these wordes . Thys is my bodie which ●e . xxi● . shal be gyuen for you , and thys cup is the newe testamente , in my blould whiche shal be shed for you by these wordes the bread , & wyne are made the sacrament , & holly tokens of Christes body & bloud , these wordes offer to vs the promesses of the Ioyful Gospel , which if we receiue , with a true faith , we eate spiritually in spirit the fleshe , & bloud of christ & therby obtainlife eternal .

The sacrament is like a writen Testament , that promiseth great gyftes and is sealed wyth two seales , that ought to be kepte hole & vnbroken if all these thynges afore rehersed , were obserued and kepte then the Lordes supper should be truely vsed , the Masse ( as they cal it ) should perfectlie be holy , for god praised therin , would regard it , & we should receyue of it , great frutes & goodnes , for therebye we are enstructed to beleue in god , & loue oure neighboure excludinge all-sedicion , and disobedience that peace pacience and concorde , may take place and rule , againste thys doctrine , nothinge can be proued , and debated by the holy scripture for it is grounded on moste sure principles , and fundacion , referringe , all thynges to fayeth and ●i . i. Iohn . i. ● . iiii . v. charitie , by the which two al thinges ought to be tried , paraduenture they wyll answere , that noman can finde faulte wyth oure sayeinge , but yet it is , expediente to Ioyne other ceremonies wyth the approued vse in the administracion of thys sacrament , of our Lordes supper as haue been , vsed hitherto , and so the hollye thynge shal be worthei the greater prais● . We aunswer that it is nomattex thoughe these ceremonies , were omited and left whyche were exco●itate , and found out by mans reason and a true christen man wil not be offended ther with , as lightyng of candeles singing , ringing of belles , deckinge of ault●rs gyltynge of Images , veluet and enbrodered ornamentes , reliques of sayntes , Organs pricksonge descant and such other , which do not edifie the congregacion that they maye encrease in godlines fayeth and charitie , for as Saynt Paul Art . xv . sayeth bodely exercise , is litel profitable , but rather when these externe thinges , are highlie estemed and defended with touth and naile , as we haue sene , by experience : these percepts of god , saith , humilitie charite and preachinge of the worde are lytle regarded , when these true good things that please God , & are taught vs of the scripture do wonderfully worcke in vs godlines , & Iustice . If thys multitude of ceremoneis had pleased God and ben thought profitable to bring men to godlines and vertuouse liuinge . No doubte but Christe woulde haue taught them , The apostles woulde haue obserued and kept them , and S Paul woulde haue greately magnified and praysed them and if god would that his noble workes shoulde haue ben had in reuer●ce , set furth and extolled , wyth sumptuouse ceremonies , he woulde haue thaught our fathers of the priuate church to vse them after a most gorgiouse facion , as they dyd , in Ierusalem when Solomons temple was dedicated ●egst . viii . where many fatte Oren , were slayne , and muche monye spente also when Aaron the high prieste was consecrated , and when the arke of couenaunte was made if god woulde that we shoulde do so , thys multitude of ceremonies had ben laufully instituted in the primatiue church but christ wuld that we shoulde be occupied with weightier maters , & lesse regarde ths ●rtern● pompe , then heauenlye and , celestiall for cerimonies , are nothynge but figurs , to shadowe and hyde the trueth frome the vnlearned . A man therfore can vse no better , order in the administracion of oure Lordes supper , then that whiche Christe him self vsed , but we are not pleased wyth Christe when we are not pleased wyth the order and waye , that he taketh . Naaman when he dispiced that playne waye to washe hymselfe in Iordan remayned alwayes a leper , and when he did washe him i. Cor. iii. selfe as the prophete commaunded hym he was healped . Verely mennes wysdome in maters of god , is folishnes we cannot set furth , and minister the Lordes supper , more purely then when we folowe ther in Christe , & his disciples for that whiche men put to of there owne brayne , without authoritie of s●riture is merlie faulce , albe it they ascribe the same to the holly goo●t . What fole hardines is this to adioyne their dremes to the spirit of God , doeth it of necessitie fol●we that when two or three Bishoppes are assembled together , that the holly gooste doeth decre and make lawes by them ? we must examine and trye there constitucions , and decres , whethere they agree with Christes doctrine , and do extolle teache and establishe fayeth , and charitie or no , for in so doynge a man maye easlye perceyue that the hollie gost is not the authour of such dirtie tradicions and lowsie lawes , but rather that it is blasphemie , to thynke that the office of the hollye gooste is to institute and ordayne suche supersticious , and vnprofitable cerimonies .

They that knowe the nature of the holye gost , by the word of God are assured that he commaunded not such trifles and superfluouse thinges , to be done , as haue ben constituted , and decreed , in mani general counsailes for he doth not renewe , the shadows , of the vnperfite olde law nor laith on christen mens shoulders , the yoke , that nother the apostles nor fathers of the old Math. ix . testamente coulde beare , for noman doeth put newe wyne into olde botteles , nothere soweth a piece of newe cloth into an old garment but our aduersaris most blasphemously affirme that although they constitute and ordayne manye ceremonies contrarie to the libertie of the Gospell and repugnaunte to Christes ordinaunces yet they are made and ordeined by the holly goste .

Now we haue declared the true doctrine of Christe , touchinge the administracion of the sacramente of oure Lordes supper we wyl also consider the popishe Masse wyth it . Let vs fyrst shewe and declare the abuse boeth in the function and office of the minister , and of the receyuer for thys is the chiefe erroure of the papisties , not because they do not obserue tyme & place but forasmuche they regarde not the libertie of a christen man whom Christe set at libertye wyth sheddynge of hys owne bloude . And laie snares for mens consience with preceptes in exte●ne thinges as in ornaments oyleing a supersticiouse auriculare confession , and in other like thinges innumerable , for both the ministers and receiuers of the sacrament thynke it a capital offence if they omite & leaue any of these beggerly tradicions of men behind and vndon desending them vnder pretence of good order , when ther can be nothyng more confuce and oute of order then to make the Lordes supper subiecte to mens constitutions and preceptes in extrene thinges from whiche Christ oure master made it free .

They Iudge it a muche more h●inouse offence , to omyte anye of the vayne tradicions of man vndon , then if a man should be a fornicator , a dicer a dronckeard a blasphemer of god , or in any other such vices , an abominable sinnercondeminge of heresie all such as neglecte these ceremonies and vngodly constitucions of theirs , and Christes ordinaunce beynge nothynge wourth or wythout there cererimonies inuented of theyr owne brayne , it muste therefore be a detestable abominacion , to trouble christen mens libertie after thys sorte , for if it myght continew styll free , men myghte let ornamentes passe and suche other externe thynges , for the holy goste doeth not teache , them whiche set thinges out of order , after thys sorte . The true honoure and seruice , of God is subiecte nothere to tyme place nor persone charitie in edefiynge thy neyghboure , in these thynges , oughte to rule all congregacions . For al christen congregacions vse not one kynde , and order in theyre cerimonies . Th emperoure Charles firste of that name dyd laboure to bryng al churches to agree in one kynde and order of ceremonies but he coulde neuer bring it to passe , for it was against god , and therefore it coulde neuer be brought to effect . If we should be compelled to obserue and kepe suche preceptes of men being profitable nother to fayth nor charitie , men may Iudge that we haue not yet eaten the easter lambe , that is to saye . That greater burdens , are leyde on oure neckes , them euer was on the Iues which thing is abominacion before God , and that they haue done so to vs , the deuersitie of ornamentes , and many other folishe cerremonies , whiche they haue borowed of the Iues , do manifestly declare and testifie as it shall appeare hereafter . Also they contemne theyre neighbours which beliue in Christ , and desire to be incorporate , to him by charitie and excommunicate , curse , and suspende them for not obseruyng some of theire vaine ceremonies wherein they breake charitie whiche ought chifely to remayne amonge them that , are pertakers of the Lordes supper . There is no true christen churche , where charitie is not , al that churche therefore wyth the Masse , is obominable before god .

The praires of that congregacion , are not harde of God whiche fereth not to come to the communion of Esal . ● . Christes bodie & bloud , wyth hertes ful of enuye malice & hatered , and with handes ful of bloud finally if any thyng be abominable before god it is the masse , for it oppresseth the christen liberte , it hath brough in a greate multitude of Iueshe Gala. iiii . ● cereimonies , and hath no regarde to christen charitie . s Paule speakeing of the consciens exhorteth vs to persiste , in libertie , and suffer not oure selues to be leade vnder the yoke of bondage . Also he teacheth vs , that oure workes are vnprofitable without charitie . Now let vs declare and open the abuses of the ministers We frely knoledg and confesse that al thoughe manye ministers of the sacramente be vnmete and reprouide of god , throughe theyr abominable and vicious liuing , yet the sacraments remayne sacramentes , throughe the ministracion of the worde , but thys we affirme , that the vertue and efficacie of the sacramentes is not like , neither the holy gost worketh like effect when a man receiueth the sacramentes of an vngodlye , and impudente sinner , and when he receyueth them of agodlye , and true christen man , for albeit the sacramente is present , yet ther is in it neither grace nor vertue for both the sinner & he that cōsētth are equallie punished as both the byeres , and sellers of Doues were driuen out of the temple : so both the minister of the sacrament , and the receyuer shal be gyltie of Christes Luke . xv● bodye and bloude . These minister is giltye because he doth minister vnwortheylye for truly i. Co. ii . hys seruice is abominable before god for if ther were , no worse thinges then the lyuynge of the ministers to make the Masse and an bominacion before God , yet theire impuritie of lyfe , is inoughe to make it vnpure and filthy before the face of God . By what place of scripture can they proue , that the Masse is holy , accepted of god , and a profitable worke for the quicke and deade of what ministrie so euer it be saied ? In dede by non for how can the deade helpe the dead , eithere a synner make a synner rightouse , euery man knowynge that synne pleaseth not god , maye perceyue what theye can do with God , for what so euer is not of fayeth is sinne . Their Masse therfore ●● . x●ii● is synne and abominable before God .

Nowe let vs consider what function and office Christe throughe hys owne example committed to the ministres ● stewardes of the sacrament when he washed his disciples fete , it was done to teach the ministers of goddes worde that they shoulde not exauite them selues as Lordes and maisters ouer the laytye , for Saynte Peter sayeth , the●ders , ought to be an example and mirrour to the stocke of Christ for pride is a greate abominacion before God Christe iruly can not be pleased wyth seruauntes that are puffed vppe wyth pryde . But where is ther any humilitie amonges them ? none at all . I wyll not speake of there shauen crownes , miters , siluer staues , by shoppes ringes , or other such costlye , and riche robes , and ornamentes , In deede thei are much more precious , then Christes poure simple garmentes but truely : the remembraunce of Christes passion , cannot be shewed furth after the ryght waye in such more than princelie aparell . For nother goulde nor siluer was sene at Christes death albeit they by this riche rayment haue inuented and deuised , a glisteringe pretence , of misticall vnderstanding , Saynt . i. P● . ●● . Peter coulde not , suffre excesse of apparrile in gentylwomen , much lesse in the administracion of our Lorddes Supper , and in them that should be an example to al othere in Godly conuersacion and lyuynge , theire prydde can not be hyd , for they beleue , and laboure to perswadde other that by the Byshoppes anoynetynge a marke is printed in their soules , whereby they are made of greater authoritie , than angels or s . Marye that virgin . yea , and this marke them say they , can by no meanes be put awaie They extole therfore , them silues , aboue al men and set them selues at libertye , frome all burdenes , and bondage , that other men are charged wyth all their wyl is to be Lordes ouer all men & all seruice due to them . Thei magnifi & extolle , ther prayers in there holly Masse and set the popes name before the , kynges in theyr canon , if a man yea a good , and godly man touche the Chalice nor the sacrament by chaunce , it is a Capitall offence , they iudge it an heinouse abominacion , to ministre the sacrament to the laitie vnder boeth kindes . And why because they are not anointede , and made popishe priestes . Their prid also is opened and shewed furth nothynge more then in their offring and sacrifice for they are fully perswaded that they offre to god , his sonne Iesus Christe , for remission of synnes , boeth for quicke and deade .

This presumptuouse arogancie , must nedes be an abomination before god , amam cannot find in these proud papistes , neither liberalitie in doinge of good dedes , or seruice to other where vnto they are chiffelie chosine . But it is theire propertie to serue dame Aueris , and their owne bealis . If rewarde be promised , they are redye to synge Masse , but if no reward come then wyll they nother synge nor saye . For no peny , no pater noster . Vndoubtedlye Eph. vi . euerie couetouse man is an Idolater . For where couetousenes reigneth , as Saynte Paule sayeth , there is Idolatrie , which is abominacion before god These couetuouse popishe priests are therefore , abominable before god . And another sorte of these papistes wyll synge Masse , not for monie , but for feare of losing their fate promocions But what great synne is thys to do these thynges against their conscience ? For they do it fearinge leaste other wyse they shoulde wante a liuing . Oh what mistrust haue they in God who fedeth and clotheth birdes , and other liuinge creatures , and thus haue they made a banket of the moste holly supper of our lord , for fylthy lucre and gaynes . If aman shoulde desier one of the laytie , which is a good and godly man , to receiue the sacrament , and he should haue for his laboure a couple of grotes or a testarne , he wold not onely refuse it , but greuously taking the mater , that any man should haue suche an opinion in hym .

Notwithstandinge these Masse mongers thynke it greate honestie to receyue money for their Masskinge , when it is to their greate shame and rebuke . Thys saing of Saint Paule , he that serueth the aulter muste lyue also therof : doth not make for them for S. Paulle i. Cor. ix . doth teach nothynge elses by thys sainge , but that the preachers of the Gospel may without groudge of conscience prouide of the godes of the churche , for suche thynges as they lacke . And this argument , is taken of the preistes of th olde lawe . That as they had there liuinge , for offringe of sacrifices , so the ministres , of the gospel should haue their liuinge , for preaching of the same . For Saynt Paul did no more meane by thys texte , that priestes shoulde synge Masse for the quicke and deade then he purposed , to teache men , howe to war Their entent , is not to serue Christ oure true aulter , but the god ther ●eb . iii. owne bealies wo be to them , that mayntayne , thys patched popishe Masse , either with rewardes counsayle or any other waye , for in so doinge they geue no lesse occasion to these papistes to commite moste heinouse offences then the Pharesies & rulars of the people , did to Iudas the traytoure . Here we omyte and passeouer theyr filthye , whoredome , continual hate maliciouse , enuie vnfruitful Idelnes , and suche othere abominacions whiche make them reprouable , both before god and man , and through thys theyr vngodlye conuersacion , all men for the most parte , are driuen from the true seruice of God a man therfore cannot think how much god aborreth them & theirdedes . If these proude impudent papistes , had neuer so little remorsse of conscience , they would abhorre , and be ashamed of them selues . Fayne these Masse mongers the popes creatures , to be godlie liberall , and that they are not proude in their ornamentes and ceremonies , but walke in christen libertie notwythstandinge the contrarie is playnly seene in them , yet they woulde men , shoulde haue suche oppinion in them . And let vs come to ther function and office wherin they can do nothing wel and truly , nether wyth good wyll , nor in knowledge . Our lordes Supper ought neuer to be ministred with out the remembraunce of Christes death , nor wythout a sermon , or exhortacion , and that in a language that the congregacion maye perfictly vnderstande , to theyr edificacion , ● . Co●. xii● as Christe also taught , his disciples . In the masse is nothing but mockes , and they make Idolatrie of the Gospel and Epistiles which the holy goste gaue vs for our consolacion correction and exhortacion But these popish , priestes haue made of them an externe pompe , extollynge them selues aboue the Iues and Gentiles , with there glistringe shewes , of vaine ceremonies the Ieues and Genttiles therfore laught them to scorne vsinge them as foles and mad-men . The Enangelestes require an other kynde of working , and exercise , then sensinge wastinge of candles , singing of pricksong and kissinge of golden bokes . It were more mete to preache the grace of our lord Iesus Christ , but Christ is not spoken of at al , amonges them and the lyght that shoulde be set vpon the candelsticke , is hide vnder the bushell . Nowe where the worde of God , is kepte vnder and hyd awaye ther is nothynge , but darknes and errour we haue therefore plainly declared and proued that thys hinderaunce of Gods worde is an heinouse abominacion in the syght of God . And thys is out of question that euerie Masse wher in the word of god is not preached and that in a language that the congregacion maye vnderstande it , is a moste pyuyshe Idolatrye . But as they folowe not Christ in there sermons and preachinge , so do thei not obserue his order & maner , of thankes giueinge , and prayer . For they haue suche a rable of vaine ceremonies , that deuoute prayer , can haue no place they haue also many collectes , that true christen men ought not to saye . Many reade , that which they vnderstand not . When they Masse for monye & other causes afore rehersed , how can it be possible , that they being whore mongers and al togither carnally mynded , shoulde praye and gyue thankes wyth a deuoute and pure conscience . Thoughe they also seme to them selues , to be deuoute Math. ● men yet in prayinge , they make much lip laboure and theyr Mal. ii . hertes are far of . Thei are therfor abominable before god . For as he sayeth , by Malachias , there blessinge shal be accursed . When they come to the distrubucion of the sacrament , they breake it , in there pieces one prece for the quicke , another for them that are in heauen and the thyrde for the deade beinge in purgato●ie , and at laste eate all them selues but it were more mete to fede others , and be without them selues . They ordeine a feast , and cal no gestes to it , nor wyll eate of one lofe , and one cupe amonge them selues : but euerye man wyll haue hys owne aultare his owne lof and cup . Wherin do these thynges agre with our Lordes supper .

Neither Iwe nor gentile , can mocke and delude Christes ordinaunces , more then these vngodly wretches , it is maruaile that the eareth openeth not to swalowe them quicke in to hell . Nowe touchynge the laytye it were agaynste reasone , to rebuke them but rather to be sorye , and beare wyth theire weaknes , and ignoraunce . Whosoeuer commeth to our Lordes table , oughte to heare the worde of God , as the apostles dyd . But howe can they here , when no man preacheth They ought to make an answere , and saye Amen to their prayer . But thei nother know nor vnder stande , what they saye and so they extol and magnifie noughtie and vaine tri●eles for frutfull and godli matters , and for the liuely word of God they beleue in fonde folish fables . It is necessarie the we praye to God that hys people maye be deliuered , from the hunger of gods worde , that they may knowe how miserabli , they haue ben deceiued by these faulse preachers . What shal the vnlearned people do , when lyes and erroures so muche preuaile , and thei being captiues , and prisoners vnder Antichrist , godes enemie . They receiue the sacrament but once in the yere , and in one kind contrary to Christes , ordinaunce . It muste therfore be vnthankfull , and abominable before God when hys churche is spoyled and distroyed after suche sorte . Finally there are some erroures and abominacions founde in the very sacramente . For the materiall substaunce of it ought to be bread and wyne , as it is in dede , as S. Paul Cor. xi . so calleth it both before the consecrati on & after . But the papistes , teach the , not her bread nor wyne remayne after the consecracion but accidentes only the is , collour sauour taste ruddines and such other . And which such manifest lies they blind mens eies to beleue that , the thing is in the sacrament whiche is not there , and that , that is not in the sacrament which his ther in dede .

Allexander first pope of the name decred and ordiened . That water shoulde be menglide , wyth wyne , whyche thynge is repungnaunie to Christes ordinaunce . For he commaunded no suche thynge to be done . If we wyll expend , and consider , the wordes of Christe oure Master , touching this sacrament we maye easly perceiue what Sathan goeth aboute . The papistes mumble in latine , & the belles make such ringinge that the heares , can not vnderstand what is sayde , or song . They haue put to also , in the consecracion wordes that are not in the Gospel as Enim trulie , & Eleuatis oculis in celsi lifting vp his eies to heauen . And Eternt Of the euerlasting . Also Misterium Fidel. The misterie of the fayeth . But these are maters of smal weight , thei leaue vnsaid wordes of grater importaunce which is Quod prouobis tradetur aut frangitur That shal be deliuered or broken for yon . And mens eares are stopped with plaing one the organs , & descante songes . When these wordes are spoken leaste , they shoulde doubte in any thynge that is saide . If the people remembre christes passion at the time the priestes are not thankes worthie , for they shoulde boeth remember the wordes of the passion , and also giue thankes to God for the same , but they shall not do so , if the priestes can let them . It is therfore , manyfest that the papistes folowe not Christes example in the supper at theyr popishe Masse yet they saye there Masse is holie when there is nothinge more vnhollye . They bragge that saynte Iames dyd vse thys Masse at Ierusalem Saynte Marke at Alexandria , and Saynte Peter at Antioche : but they haue no historie toucheinge thys matter worthy credite . Though they vsed our lordes supper , as Christe oure mayster dyd and as S Paule also at Corinth : yet they dyd not vse it as the pyuishe papistes do now the Masse . That Ignatius , Policarpe & Ireneus make mencion of , is not like this popishe masse . Thei confesse that Basilius Magnus Therōe & Ambros vsede another order , in the administracion of our Lordes supper , then is nowe vsed and that diuerse haue vsed , diuerse facions therin , by ther own wordes . Therfore it is manifeste , that this kind of massinge is not the ordinaunce of Christe , but inuented by mans wyt , and policie without the worde of God . And nowe I wyll declare by the testimonie of aunciente histories what popes , and when they patchilde together this beggerlye Masse of theires .

☞ Halowing of aultaces and temples .

¶ Felix , first pope , of that name , commaunded temples and aultars to be hallowed in the yere of oure Lorde God . cclxix .

☞ Aulters

¶ Sextus , firste of that name , ordeined aulters and Sayntes , in the yere of oure Lorde . Cxxiiii .

☞ Aultar clothes .

¶ Boniface commaunded aultares to be couered which fyne linnen cloth , in the yere of our Lord . cccx

Chalices .

¶ Vrban and Seuerine ordeined challices of goulde and siluer , in the yere of our Lorde . ccxv .

☞ Albes and corporasses

¶ Siluester dyd ordayne , albes and corporasses in the yere of our Lord . cccxiii .

☞ Candeles and ornamentes ,

¶ Gregory dyd ordayne , lyght at masse , & certaine Ornamentes in the yere of our Lord . ccccclxxxxii .

☞ Procession

¶ Agabecus dyd ordayne procession on Sondayes , aboute the churche in the yere of oure Lorde . cccccxxxii .

☞ Holly water .

¶ Alexander did ordeine water to be mingled wyth wyne vnleuened breade and holly water in the yere of our Lord . cxii .

☞ Confiteor and the office

¶ Pontianus ordeined Confiteor before masse in the yere of our Lord . ccxxv . And Selestinus the office in the yere of our lord . ccccxxiiii

☞ Kyrie eleison .

Gregori dyd ordayne , Kyrie eleson at Masse in the yere of oure Lorde . ccccclxxxxii .

❧ Gloria in excelsis

Telesphorus , made Gloria inexcelsis , in the yere of our lord . cxxix

❧ Collectes and grayle

Gelasius made the Collectes Preface , and graile , in the yere of our Lord . CCCC . lxxxx .

Anastasius ordeined that we shoulde stande , when the Gospell is read in the yere of oure Lorde . CCCCix .

Martine made the Crede in the yere of oure Lord cccxxxiiii .

¶ The canon is patched together of many , and therefore one sentence is repugnaunt wyth an other many superstouse wordes are in it they call vpon certayne peculiare Sayntes in it .

And offer for soules , in purgatorie thei blesse & crosse as if greate vertue and powere were therin , and reade nothinge so reuerently as this theyr clouted canon .

Gregory made the Offertorye & Damasus gloria patri . They can not therfore saye , that they minister , the sacramentes of oure Lordes supper as the apostles dyd when their doctrine is repugnaunte & contrarie , one to another . Thys is sufficiente to proue that the Masse should be abhorred because it doth laye for mens cons●ence , snares of mens tradicions . Thei wil haue the priestes to be as the priestes of the olde lawe & bring , shadows in tyme of light , stretching out the armes , deuidinge the hostes , and such other Ieuish customes It was therfore , the dyueles deuise 〈◊〉 brynge into the churche , suche lewde lawes for the true liuing worde of God . If circumcision , hurteth as S. Paule , witnesseth , who can denye that the priesthod of Aron , varietie of ornamentes , and anoyntynge , do nothinge auaile and profite in thys tyme of the newe law . Much lesse profite is therfore receyued of mans inuentions and vayne dreames , that kepe men occupied from the exercise of true godlines , & humilitie of minde . And excite mens hertes wyth singynge and organplayng to acertayne carnall delite and pleasure , rather than to the true glory of god as dyd the groue which was by the temple of Ierusalem albeit therefore these cerimonies are glisterynge in mens eis yet they are vile , and of no reputacion before Christ , who requireth not the visour and shadow of a thyng , but the veri thing it selfe the masse therfore which was ordiened and constituted of Antichrist , and maintayned of his most best assured adherentes is an abominacion before God , throughe this externe pompe and suche other thinges , afore rehersed Finally they fere not to saye , that Christes bodies is offered in the masse I wyll not contende , and stryue wyth them if they take , this word offer to signifie remembre , accordinge to the sence and meanynge of Christes wordes , albeit the ministers alone pronounce and speake their wordes . Yet such thankes giuing , and remembraunce belongeth not only to them alone , but also to the whole congregacion . We deny not that the Doctoures called the Masse an offeringe , whiche is the remembraunce of an offering once made as Sainte Augustine doeth playnely , declare sayeinge in thys offering is thankes giuing and remembraunce of Christes bodie , and bloude which he offered and shede for vs . But the papistes are not pleased wyth this offering for they wil haue , a greater offring which is an offering representatiue when Christe dyed once for euer , and can die nomore . They saye that these wordes ( do thys in my remembraunce ) signifie the consecracion , offering and remembraunce , but this is a faulsely deuised and forgide interpretation . For Christe at hys holly and Sacrete supper , Tooke breade and gaue thankes , brake it and gaue it to his disciples .

Commaundynge them to eate , and in like wyse the wyne . Then he preached to them hys death and passion that they shoulde do after hys example , wyth a sincere & true fayth , and there is not one Iotte , that can proue the administracion of this most blessed sacramente to be an offering representatiue of Christ his owne offering , and althoughe Christ woulde haue had , his bodie present , bodily in this breade , yet in nowise his wordes signifie that he offered him selfe in thys holie supper for he woulde haue gyuen hys bodie to them reallie , & not in the sacramente . It is not inoughe , for these piuishe papistes to offer christes bodie to God except they offer it also for remission of synne , for health of the bodie and for hope of eternal life . For other wise it shuld not be so highly estemed . If they continewe still in these errours , against the plaine trueth , they will The belefe of a true christian . Ro. iiii . deny Christ . For he that knoweth Christe , is certainely assured that he is god , and man the sauiour of the worlde , that in hym , as in the true sede of Dauid , al nacions are blessed and that no man can come to the father but by him . For the father G● . iii. Iohn . vi . doth so loue him , that for hys sake , his angre toward vs is pacified for he is our rightuousnes , holines Lor. i. and redempcion that noman is saued , but bi his name only that he alone fulfilled , the worke of our Act. iiii redempcion with out any helper . And finally , the he did sufficiently satisfie Esa c. h for our sinnes on the crosse if we beliue truely on him . This is the Heb. x. ground , of our christen faith , wher on christes church is builded . And Math. i he that denieth Christe to be hys perfecte , and sufficient redemer by once sufferinge death on the crosse maketh him an vnsufficient priest and vnable , redemer . And therfore they deny Christ in that they deni his ful power and vertue in our redemption . These Maskinge Masse priestes , in their often offeringe of Christe denye that we are Iustified by fayth only ascribinge part of oure iustificacion to good workes contrarie to the playne scriptures of Eph. 〈◊〉 God for we are saued by grace , and not of workes . And they magnifie and extolle the Masse aboue all other good workes , makeinge them selues fellowe priestes , wyth Christ wherin they shew , of what ●eneracion , they be euen as they sprynge of Lucifer , the father of pride , nowe let vs expende and consider , whether Christe commaunded his disciples , to make an offeringe of the sacrament , of his holy supper or whether he offered , hym selfe therein or no. Vndoubtedly , Christes wordes , diligently obserued and noted we maye perceyue easlye the Christ offred no sacrifice , therein . To take and breake bread doth not signifye to offre . To geue thankes is not to do sacrifice , for elles he hadde done sacrifice in fedynge , fyue thousand with the fewe barlye loues , to gyue his disciples to eate . And to say do this in remembraunce of me , in shewynge fuxth the Lordes death , vntyll he come , is not an offering . To belyue that Christ was giuen vs that he gaue his bodie to death for vs , that he shed his bloud , not at the supper , but on the crosse to redeme vs from syn , is not an offering . Finally to proue the testament & the beleue on that which was commaunded in the testament , doth not signifie to offre . How wyl you nowe proue your , offerynge in the Masse . We come to the Lordes table we take and eate , trusteinge in Christes promesses , howe do we then , gyue to him againe . If a king shoulde gyue a ringe to a pore man for a gage , not that he shoulde be heire of hys landes and goods , but that it should helpe hym , and that he thereby shoulde remember his liberalitye , & mercye , and the people myght commende , and prayse hym for that facte , the pore man receyueth it to giue it agayne , to the king thynkinge to do hym a great pleasure , to make hym riche wyth hys own gift , wer not this a madman . So may alsuch be Iudged , as offere to Christ agayne , that whych he gaue vs for our owne vse and profite , and that thereby we shoulde kepe in remembraunce his loue , and mercye towarde vs . Christ did not lifte vp the sacrament ouer his head as these proude papistes do . They obiecte and saye that God can giue some thynges , and receyue them agayne , as the sacrifices of th olde lawe . Thoughe they were the giftes Esal . x , of God , Yet they were gyuen to hym agayne , and thoughe a contrite herte is the gyfte of god , yet it is a sacrifice to God . If we were commaunded , to offer sacrifice as they were , then theire obiection shoulde be of some strength and efficacie . But wee haue no suche commaundemente neyther the scriptures make mencion of these popishe sacrifices . For Christ is of greater power and reputacion then that these proude popish prelates , other can or oughte to offer hym to hys father . Christe sitteth on the fathers ryght hande , and once satisfied for the synnes of the Atc. vil. true Christen church , with a most sufficient and perfecte sacrifice .

Dare we then moste miserable wretches enterprise , to do thys thynge agayne . He that doth offre vp sacrifice is better than the sacrifice . They therefore are better than Christe their sacrifice , he offred vs a sacrifice to God , and do we goo about to offer hyme He that offerreth vp sacrifice , ought to be as pure as the sacrifice . Oh howe pure they make Christ nowe . He as a testament maker , gaue his disciples the sacrament in his supper , none other wise than as a written testament , wherin by fayth in Christ , we receiue Christes bodie & bloude , the vertue and frutes of the same . If wee gyue hym hys testamente agayne as if he required it of vs , should not we haue the testament maker in a contempt ? And should Aba . ● not the promise in the testamente , be of effecte ? Who ahboreth not thys kynde of blasphemie , when we consider the hyghnes of Christes priesthod and what this worde sacrifice contayneth in it , we maye easlye perceyue what Iniury we do to thynke that we offer Christes bodye as the papistes do S. Paule declareth vnto vs the pristhod of christ saiing it is mete the we ● . v●●● haue suche a godly and vndefiled byshop , made higher then heaues whych nedeth not , to offre dayly . First for hys owne sinnes , and then for the synnes of the people as the byshop of the olde lawe for Christ dyd thys once in offeringe vp hys owne bodye , and in an other place he sayth Christe beinge the hyghe priest , of the good thinges to come came by a greater , and more perfecte Tabernacle , whiche was not made wyth handes that is to saye was not of thys kynde of bulding . Neither came he by the bloud of gotes and calues but by hys owne bloude , he entred once into thys holly place , and founde eternall : edempcion , for we are made hollie , bi godes fre mercie , through the offering of christes bodie done once for all . For Christe verely beinge one sacrifice , offred vp for our sinnes , sitteth on his fathers right hand , lokeing for the thing that remayneh vntil his enemise bemade his fotestole , for wyth one offring he made perfecte , those that are santified . Saynt Paule teacheth vs by Melchisedech . That Christ is king of peace & rightuousnes . By these places of scripture it is Manifest that Christ , ought to be offred no more . For Christes death is so perfect a sacrifice , the by the one offering we are made cleane from sinne for euer . And touchinge his bodie he is nomore in thys worlde . There is to be noted that Saynt Paule sayeth that Christe is once offered The papistes , saye often . He saieth all thinges are consummate & , made perfecte by one sacrifice . The papistes wil haue moneie masses . Note also that Christe offered hym selfe and so dyd not the churche bysho●es nor priestes , and thys worde consummate or made perfecte doeth blanke them , that they haue nothing to answere , for the holy gost confuteth theyr sophistrie and cauilacions , wyth so manifeste and playne argumentes as can not be denied .

Note also thys worde euerlastinge . Christe is an euerlastynge prieste , for he made satisfaction , for all the synne of the whole worlde , and this sacrifice hath a continuall efficacitie , and vertue in all them that beleue in it , and shew it forth wyth thankes giuinge for the same It is truely a great vnthankfulnes to say it is necessarie to offer christ againe , an other waye for the sinnes of the worlde . They seke manye euations to defende their often offring . One is thys they say Christ of freth hym selfe Sacramentally , & thei are but ministres . But thei declare not this worde sacrament what thyng it is , leste they should vtter the truth . The sacrament is no nother thynge then a token , for vs to remembre , that Christ being an only sacrifice , toke awaye oure synnes once on the crosse . If they woulde declare it after thys sorte , we shoulde sone agre . But when no man doeth resiste them herein they maye doo wyth there Masse what so euer pleaseth them . They rule fortune at theyr owne pleasure . Victorie in battaile is optained bi their Masse , satisfaction for sinne , & what thinge is it that the Masse cannot do . And they make theyr bostes , that they deserue by this holi worke what thing so euer is needful . But when they are put to there answer them thei fly to this euacion afore reherssed Christe offe●e●h hym selfe therin , & we are not●ynge elles but ministers theyr cannon which they magnifie and e●toll aboue the gospell , doeth manifestlie open and detecte theire vngodlines , and blasphemi , for before they come to the consecracion thei saye I offre presente and gyue to God an holye and vndefiled sacrifice , for the peace of the whole congregacion of holly churche , when as it is nothynge but breade and wyne . And it is named the sacrament And albeit they beliue , that it is not then oure Lordes bodye , yet they offer it fore all the world . This must nedes be plaine Idolatrie to gyue to breade and wyne , the honour and glorie of Christe who gaue hymselfe for the church to reconsile and make hys father , atone wyth vs . Howe can Christe offre himselfe in the sacrament before he is ther ? I thinke men maye nowe easlye perceyue howe muche their lies , and answere differ frome their dedes and masses . What an heinouse offence is thys to offre , a peice of breade , & a litle wine , for the onely Sacrifice of Christe the highe prieste . And shal the bread and wyne be of lyke efficacitye , and power to redeme synne with the bloud of Iesus Christe ? But they are muche more blasphemouse after the consecracion sayng , that the bread and wyne are tourned into the naturall bodye , and bloude of Christ for they saye , we offre to thy holly maiestye , an holly offeringe , holy breade of lyfe euerlasting , and cup of euerlastynge health , whiche we praye the vochsafe to regarde and loke vpon , wyth thy moste merciful eies , and cherful countenaunce , and let them be as acceptable to the as the reward of rightuouse Able & sacrifice of our father Abraham Make them an hollye & cleane sacrifice that thei may be brought to thin altar by the handes of the angel . These are the wordes of the cannon If they speake of Christe , as they commonly vnderstand it , how can their Imaginacion take place , where they saye , that Christe offred hymselfe in the sacramente . For they praie for Christe , and desire of god that he maye be in suche fauoure wyth God as Abel and Abraham and that the Angell maye brynge hym to the aultar of god . For they can not take bread of eternal life to signifie the people , although christ were in the breade bodelye , yet he shoulde not be offered to God for that were great , derogacion , to the honour of hys priesthod . Great in conuenience doeth folowe to saye that the Masse is a sacrifice for sinnes . For saynt Paule sayeth , forgiuenes of synnes is not without sheddinge of bloude . Howe is Christ then offered in the Masse when there is no offeringe wythout bloude , for if there be any sacrifice , that suffereth not and is without bloude . Saynt Paules Argumentes are folishe , and of no strength or vertue , saying . Christ offreth hymselfe no more or elles he muste necessarily dye once agayne , and must haue died often tymes sens the begininge of the worlde . But vndoubtly , S Paul doeth knowe the true sence and meaneinge of holly scripture better than any of al the papistes . For a sacrifice for sinne is neuer offred without bloud . This saying therfore , that some thing was offered in the olde lawe , as breade wythout bloude , maketh nothinge for there purpose . For when the bodyes of lyuinge creatures are slayne , and sacrifice is offered for sinnes , bloude must be shed . Thei cannot therefore proue , by scripture that Christes bloude is offered in the Masse , otherwyse then in remembraunce , and thankes giuing . And thys is done both of the ministers and receiuours . For as prayer , so thankes giuing also belongeth , to al men . He that geueth thankes , sayeth not I offer any thing more than a thanfull herte and prayse to God . If the people were taught thys doctrine . They woulde not bestowe somuch monie on masses and vpon the foundacions of chauntries , and fraternities as they haue done , throughe persuacion , that remission of synnes , is obtayned in the Masse , not by grace promised to them that beleue , but by offering of Christe the sonne of God and by prayeinge for hym . Phie , I am ashamed , to rehersse thys abominable balasphemie of theirs in maters of God . The papistes in as muche as in them lyeth , kill and crucifie Christe agayne in there sacrifice of the Masse , doinge no other wyse then if Christe as yet were not ascended into heauen , to hys father he that doeth thys , maketh Christe subiecte to death and crucifieth hym agayne . For Christe entred not nor entreth in to the hollye place of heauen , but by his bloud . Let vs labour , that Christ maye dwell in oure hertes They obeicte , that if it be derogacion to Christes honour , and dignitie , and that the merite of hys passion be not perfecte because we offer Christe agayne : fayeth , Baptisme and kepinge of godes commaundementes maye diminishe the dignitie of Christe , and full merites of his passion , and therefore it should not nede to do any good workes . This is a folish and an vnmete : comparision . The offeringe verely of Christe agayne , is contrary to fayeth and good workes . For they glorifye the merittes of Christes passion , when the offeringe of him agayne is greate derogacion to the same . They do as a man that lyghteth a candle , in a bright sunnye Daye , saynge all thoughe the sunne giueth a light cleare inoughe it of selfe : yet it is necessarye , and profitable that more lyght be put thereto . But a man maye answere sayeing why do you mocke your selfe ?

You haue the bryghte daye in derision , as if the sunne were not sufficiente wyth out your lyght . So although the merites of Christes passion , are sufficient to forgyue synne as the sonne is to make a light daye yet , the popishe massmongers wyll offer him vp , againe The sacrifice of the Masse , for remission of synnes ( thoughe there be none such ) is like a candel lighted in a bright sunny daye , and so slander the true sacrifice , to be vnperfect . But as we se , by the brightnes of the daye , so by the knowledge of Christes merites we perceyue the goodnes of God towardes vs and fayeth is profitable to vs as a gifte of God , and throughe faith we do good workes , wyilinglie as obediente childerne , but no other good workes . then suche as are commaunded by God .

We haue nowe declared the sacrifice of the Masse , to be agaynst godes commaundement , the wordes of God and hys glorie . And nowe we wyl proue these argumentes and assertions to be dreames of scriptur preposterously vnderstanded & playne lyes , which not onely cannot proue and affirme the Masse to be a sacrifice but also whollye make againste it It is therfore euidently perceyued that thys popishe Masse is an horrible abominacion , before God . That they ought to dispute proue and affirme , by Christes ordinaunces wyth sure demonstracions , and plaine textes , of scripture , that the Masse is a sacrifice . But there is not one worde or example , that maketh for them , as I haue before declared . They woulde wrast and turne thys sayinge ( Do thys in my remembraunce ) to mayntayne there lyes as who say God would these wordes , shoulde signifie to offre , or do sacrifice . When they muste be this vnderstanded , what so euer you haue seene hearde or done , do it in remembraunce of me but they cannot fynde , in all the supper . That Christe dyd offre vp sacrifice . They obiecte , that euerie byshop chosen of men and appointed for men ▪ touchinge these thinges , that belonge to god : doeth offer gyftes and sacrifices firste for hymselfe and then for the people . Thys assercion is of no vertue or strength , for here Saynte Paule speaketh of the priestes of the olde lawe , whiche were a figure onely of Christ as ye may easly perceiue by these wordes folowing the same texte saying . No man muste take vppon hym , the dignitye of priesthode cxcepte he be called of God as Aaron , and thei which were of the lymage of Aaron . But what is be come , of these priestes ? Al thei wer deposed , and abolished by Christes death , and Christe become a priest in their sted , not of the order of Aaron but of Melchisedeche a man therefore , maye knowe that thys place , of Paule maketh nothynge , for their Maskinge sacrifice . And if they wyll haue it to agree , both to the priestes , of the olde lawe and newe Testamente : they most proue whether they be , priestes or no. As the name of prieste maketh not a prieste , but his dedes , like as a begger , named prince , heringe princes to be rulers of people , and countreis . If he cleime a people , and countrie which he maye rule , and gouerne shal he therfore haue a people , and countrie to rule ? So the popishe priestes that are priestes in name onlye , hearinge that the priestes of the olde lawe did offer sacrifice for synnes after godes commaundemente , if they cleime the same authorite shal thei therefore haue it ? But thys is a harde sayinge , to saye there are no priestes nowe in the newe law . Let no man be offended ther wyth , for vndoubtedlye , there be no priestes nowe appointed of God to offer for synnes , but euerie christian man is ordeined of Christe , to be a prieste to praye , to gyue thankes and prayse to god and to of●re vp them selues in sacrifice Saynte Peter sayeth you are a chosen generacion , a royall priesthode and a holly people meaninge therbye al christen people , as by al christian men . The holy gost teacheth the priestes of the newe testamente , that is to saye al christen people are of muche more honoure and dignitye then weare the priestes of the olde lawe , but none of these priestes , can offre for synnes , Yet they obiecte , how can the churche continewe , if we shall haue no priestes to teach correcte rebuke , and exhort the people . We answere that God wyll euer raise vp some in the congregacion , to do these thinges . And Christ hath ordeined in a● congregacions a shepherde , and preachers , but no massmongers whiche haue brought in to the churche manye errous , by theyr vaine ceremonies and maskynge . Also where Saynt Paule sayeth , if we synne wyllinglye , after we knowe the trueth there is no sacrifice left to purchese vs remission of sinnes these papistes gather of this saing that ther is no sacrifice to helpe them , that synne , wylfullye , but that there is a sacrifice yet remayninge for the fayethful , which is their masse . They ●au●sely vnderstande the texte . For S. Paule sayeth a litle before , that there is nomore sacrifice remayning for them whose synnes are forgyuen al readye , and therefore one place expoundeth another , and plainly declareth , that there is lefte no more sacrifice for them , that sinne of set purpose or for the that haue obtayned remission of sinnes alredie , for Christ offered himselfe for the syn of those that beleue in him , & wil not offer him selfe againe , for them that beleue not , but wilfully remayne in their sinnes . They obiecte that we haue an aultar , whereof it is not leaful for them to eate which minister in the tabrenacle , meaninge by thys aulter a heape of stones ioyned together , whiche they call an aulter , but Christe hym selfe is oure aulter wher on we laye oure prayers whiche are oure spirituall sacrifices , for no prayers are accepted of God the father , but by Christ . For he sayth if you aske my father any thynge in my name , he wyll gyue it you . And saynt Paulle expoundeth , his owne sainge . Let vs offer sayth he at al times by him a sacrifice of prayse whiche is the frutes of our lippes confessing his name . We lye therfore , when we call the masse our Lords aulter for Christ is our onely aulter and S Paule , in all his Epistle to the Hebrues , doth knoweledge none other sacrifice for sinnes , but Christ once offred on the crosse . The papistes haue no place of the newe testament to make wyth them and therefore , they seke helpe of the olde testamente . And firste of the boke of Genesis they saye Melchisedech . Was the Genes. ● fygure of Christe , for he was the prieste of the hygheste . And as Dauid sayeth Christe is an eternall prieste after the order of Melchisedech And therefore he offered breade and wyne vndoubtedly Melchsedech was the figure of Christe but Saynt Paule manifestly declareth in what thynges , he was the figure of Christ . In the rehersinge of the honours and dignitye of Melchisedech whiche is that he was an eternall prieste , and kynge of peace , and ryghtuousnes . Ther is not one worde , of the offeringe of bread and wyne . They cannot finde in the boke of Genesis that Melchisedech dyd sacrifice to God , but that he offered breade and wyne to Abrahame , for sustenaunce of his people , as Christe offered to vs hys worde . Melchisedeche broughte breade and wyne and Abrahame payed hym tythes Christe after the same sorte gaue vs the sacrament of his bodye and bloude , but he dyd not offer it to God . The scripture shewith forth Melechisedech vnder the figure of an eternal an only prieste . But the papistes appointe othere priestes to be Christes viccars after his ascencion in to heauen . If a man shoulde agre wyth them that Christe offered to God breade and wyne , yet they cannot proue , that he killed hym selfe in sacrifice vnder bread , and wyne . Also if Christ offered nothyng but breade & wine : the priestes of the olde lawe dyd muche better in kyllinge of liuing creatures , to offer them in sacrifice The papistes cannot , tell what to saye , and whan they brynge authoritie of scripture it maketh agaynste them and are confuted wyth there owne sayinges as one that is slayne with his owne weapon . Moreouer they brynge suche places of scripture as speake of mele and vnleuened breade , as of the breade , that was euer standinge one the table of the vnleuened bread and two loues of the first fruites Also where they are iudged holye , because they offer to the Lorde , an host of bread , & chiefeli thei make great bragges of the sayinge of Malachias a cleane host is offered to my name in all places , for my name is magnified , among the gentiles . And in what place so euer they fynde the offering of breade and wyne , they apply it to signifie , the bodely offeringe of Christe in the Masse . They beleue that they cannot er , and that these dreames , are ▪ confirmed by the law , prophesiyng therby as they did of purgatorie , that wher soeuer they found this word fiere written in the byble , they applyed it to signifie purgatory , as they do in thys mater when they can bring no probable reason , that Christes bodye ought to be offerd in the Masse . And when , they find any mencion of bloude and other sacrifices they wraste than to Christes bodie takynge witnesse of the olde doctours when thei no better vnderstande them , then they doo the byble . Nowe we wyll briefely make answer to theyr allegations and declare the true maintenaunce of such places as they alledge to make for theyr purpose . And firste we wyl declare , the saiyng of Malachia● whereby it maie be perceiued , what the other places signifie . He rebuked the Iwishe priestes who gaue them selues all together to couetuousnes , when they shoulde haue occupied them selues to offer a pure people to the Lorde , and to fassion there maners after gods commaundementes as the Chap●ter folowinge doeth testifye . They oughte to haue taught the people godlines , and all kyndes of vertue but they fed the people with foleshe , and vayne tradicons of men & offered to the Lord an vngodly people & folishe herted Here is named the filthye breade , the blind , lame , and broken sacrifice . They maye perceiue that the vncleane bread can not signifie , the pure bodie of Christ that breade and sacrifice therfore doeth signifie , the people as saynt Paule sayeth we are one breade and one bodye , and that he doeth seruice to God in preachinge the Gospell , to make the Gentiles an acceptable sacrifice to God . When the priestes therefore made an vngodlye and sinfull people by there doctrine and euill example , God rebuked them and thretneth , that he woulde ordeyne other priestes , in theyr stead that shoulde offer a pure Sacrifice , not only amonge the Iewes , but also a monges the gentiles , that is to saye , they should enstructe , the people wyth true godlines and wyth true honoure and worship of god . He ther fore ▪ dyd prophesy of the priestes whiche shoulde come to offer sacrifice of iustice , that is to say , the holye apostles and all other faythful ministers of gods word . And therfore the people of God whiche is Christes spiritual bodie , is brough and offered by their doctrine to God as S. Paule sayeth I haue spoused the Corinthi , to Christe , meaning no other thinge by these words , but that by his preaching and miracles , he hath brought and offered in sacrifice to god the Gentiles whiche were before carnal and fleshly mynded . And therfore Ro. xi● . he exorteth the Romains thorowe the mercie of God to gyue theyr bodies to be aliuely facrifice Iohn . iiii . holly and acceptable to God . The people of God is spirituallye the meate which Christe desired most and are the twelue loues of swete breade , whiche beinge conuerted by the preachinge of the twelue apostles doeth continually appere before the face of God . These are the true preistes . And that they maye bringe to effecte there enterprice , it is mete , that they be holly that is . That they absteine srome all thynges , that pluckethe them from the true worshipping of god . This breade is called somtyme vndefiled . For christen men ought to walke in the trueth wythout Hypocrisie and fayned lies , and to be anoynted with oyle , that is to saye wyth the grace of the hollye goste , true charitie , and mercie this is the true sence and meaninge of thys texte of scripture , declared and proued by other plases of scripture . But the papistes thoughe they alledge the doctors yet they can proue the meaning & vnderstanding of this text by no place of al the scripture Beade in the scripture betokneth the word of God . For Christ saith , man doth not lyue onely by bread but euery word that procedeth , from the mouth of god The priests ought sincerly to minister this breade to the people , and in thys significacion the spirituall bread is not a sacrifice , but the administracion of the word , & of the ministres of god . This is the true manna & angelles fode which was giuen to men , from heauen to be their sustenaunce . By these thynges a man may easly perceiue what offeringe the Apostles and true priestes made . Undoubtly a faithful people whom they brought to god with holsome doctrine , but they offered not the natural bodie of Christ after the opinion of these fleshly minded papistes , for that were done to crucify christ againe . Thei beleue Daniel his saying maketh muche for there purpose where he sayth that their daylie sacrifice , called in greke Endethismos . shoulde cease for a time , by this they vnderstand their Dayly sacrifice . The Masse that nowe beginneth to cease this application is falsely deuised . For the sacrifice that Daniel speake of was offered eueri day at two seueral ●od , xxix . times which was in the morning and euening , & that sacrifice with other Iwyshe sacrifices ceassed when Christ the only true sacrifice offered himselfe on the aulter of the crosse . You may therfore easly perceiue y● , that was not the sacrifice of the mas , for it is not done , both in the morning & th euening , as that other was . and Eusebius saith our lords supper vnder some byshopes was ministred but once or twyse , in the yere , the history of the dayelie sacrifice , that Daniel speaketh of , was fulfilled vnder Antiochus the tiran , for in hys tyme there was no sacrifice offered in the temple of god for the space of thre or foure yeres In dede this is true . Antiochus , was the figure of Antichriste for he toke a waye the true worshiping and honour of god . And truste in god , & faith is extingnished , when men truste more , in theyr owne power & workes than in gods grace they haue certayne other dreames and assertions but of no vertue or strength . One is , thei say the easter lambe was offered euerie yere , so Christe the true Easter Lambe ought to be offered often tymes nothinge can be more folishe then this Argument . For the easter lambe , was not offred for sinnes but only was slayne and eaten in remenbraunce of the deliueraunce of the Israelits out of Egipte . But nowe the papistes offer for sinnes the sacrifice of the masse . For they are not co●tented with th only remembraunce of Christes death Other sacrifices wer offered agayne , for they were vnperfecte , but Christ being a perfecte & sufficient sacrifice ought to be offered once , for euer . Thei obiect that whan the preachers & doctours did sacrifice at the election of Paul & fasted , the holly gost sayed &c: the greke word the they translate to signifie to do sacrifice , hath in this place the signification that it hath in y● . ●iii . Cha. to Ro. xiii . the Romaines , that is to minister as a magistrate in the comon wealth . And therfore after the translacion of the papistes euerie maiestrate is apreist . But thei that wil be estemed , to be wittie and learned amongeste them reason after this maner when Christ offered himselfe ) the church also which is his spowse , may offer hym for synnes in the Masse . For Christ & hys church so agree and so consente together . That what so euer the one doth the other agreeth to the same . But thys is a lye . For if Christe died for vs , then the church must do the same . Christ is the bread & highe prieste . Ergo we are the bread and highe priest also . Christe was offered say they wyth payne , and sufferinge of the bodie . Ergo he can be offered & suffer not . He was once a sacrifice , ergo he can be a sacrifice againe . But this ther talke is vayne and foleshe . For we seke not what Christ might do but what he dyd . And what the scripture teacheth . Also they obiecte that it is better to gyue , then to take . In sacrifice we giue , & in our Lordes supper we take it is therefore better to offer . But let them first proue who gaue them authoritie to do sacrifice after thys man . It is better to be a sauioure than a creature and seruante . Therfore as it is a greate blasphemie , a man to saye he is a god , and sauiour , so it is great blasphemy that sinners shall go a bout to offer Christ for remission of sinnes . So thus it cometh to passe , that the more thei defend their errourres the more vngodli thei shew them selues againste Gods maiesti● Some of the papistes doubt not to say that we sin dayly , therfore dayely sacrifi●e is necessary . And they say Christ toke away the sin past only which is called original sin & that satisfacion for other sinnes , muste be made other wise , that is by workes and sacrifices And thei put to many other thinges that differ so much from the doctrine of fayth as any christen man hearing them may easly perceiue . For then it were consequent that Christe is neither God nor a true sauiour . Now we haue declared , what the Masse is . Not a sacrifice for sinnes but an horible abominacion before God . Al Christen men ought therfore to shone and ●●e frome it and tourn to the true vse of oure Lordes Supper accordynge to hys moste holy ordinaunce . To whome be honoure and glorie for euer AMEN

Fines