THis is therefore the fyrst blasphemy done vnto Christe by the masse . Christ , by the heauenly father , is consecrated and made high prieste or high bisshoppe , not for a tyme ( as we doe reade that they were made in the olde testament , whose priestehode , because that they them selues were mortall , could not be immortall , and therfore they hadde nede of successours , whiche alwaies shoulde be substituted and made in the rowme of them , that died ) but as he is immortall , so his priesthode is euerlastyng , and nedeth no successour . Therfore he was made by the father of heauen , a priest for euer after the order of Melchifedech , to execute and minister that priesthode that endureth for euer . This mistery was longe before prefigurated in Melchisedech , whom after that the scripture had ones named to be the priest of the liuing god , no more mencion at all , in the scriptures is made of hym , although he had neuer ended his lyfe . For this similitude is our Messias called a prieste after the order of Melchisedech . But now , they that vse this inuented sacritice of the Masse , must nedes daiely to make priestes , whom they doe substitute and subrogate vnto Christ , as plain successours . With the whiche subrogaciō or substituting they do not onely spoile Christ of his honour , and take from hym the prerogatiue of his euerlastyng priesthode , but also go about to plucke hym , frome the ryght honde of god the father , where he can not set immortall , except he remayneth a priest for euer . Nor thei can not thus excuse them selues , saiyng : that theyr massyng priestes are not subrogated or substituted vnto Christe , as vnto hym , that is still withholden with death , but ioygned onely to hym , as suffragans of his euerlasting priesthode , whiche for al them , remaineth with out ende . For the holy apostle sainet Paule concludyng them more narowly , saieth plainely that there was in the olde lawe many priestes made therefore , because that they were letted by death to continue , ergo syth that Christ can not be letted by death , be is that one onely priest and hath no nede either of suffragans , or successours . Reade the .v. vii . ix . and .x. to the Hebrues .

The .ii. bsaspbemie .

THe secande abhominacion of the Masse is , that it doeth vtterli deface , obscure , conculcate & treade vnder feete the crosse and passion of Christ . Whiche thyng is very euident , for if Christ did offer him selfe on the crosse a sacrifice , therwith to sanctifie vs for euer , & to pourchasse euerlastynge redempcion vnto vs : vndoubttyngly the streingth vertue and efficacie of this sacrifice , is with out any ende : Elles we shoulde iudge no better of Christe than of bulles and calues , which wer offered in the olde law . Whiche oblacions were therfore corrupted weake and of no effect , because that thei were oftentymes repeted , iterated and offered of newe againe . Therfore we must confesse , that ryther this sacrifice of Christe , whiche he did offer in the crosse , doeth lacke and wante the vertue of euerlasting purificacion clensyng and redempcion , or that it was ones sufficiently offered for euer .

Whiche thyng the apostle in the ix . and .x. to the Hebrues doeth testifie saiyng : This high bisshop Iesus Christe , did appere ones in the ende of the worlde , to put syn to flyght , by the offeryng vp of hym selfe . Againe we are by the wyl of god sanctified , by the offeryng vp of the bodye of Iesu Christe , ones . Item Christe did with one oblacion make them perfect for euer , whiche are sanctified : vnto whiche saiynges he doeth adde this godly sentence : and where remission of these thynges that is to saie , of sinnes , is , there remaineth no mo offeryng for synne . This thing did Christ , whan he did yelde vp the goost , signifie saiyng : Consummatum est , that is to saie : It is finisshed . With the whiche worde Christe doeth testifie , that with this one onely sacrifyce , he hath consummated perfourmed , and fulfilled , what so euer is necessary to our saluacion . But yet not withstandyng we doe daily , vnto this omni sufficient and moste perfecte sacrifice , as though it wer moste vnperfecte , patche innumerable sacrifices . Sith therfore , that the holy and sacred worde of god , doth affyrme proteste and testifye that the vertue of this sacrifice ones offered for euer , doeth euerlastyngly continue : doe not thei , that require any other moste blasphemously insimulate and accuse it of imperfeccion & weakenesse ? Now the masse , whiche for that entent was instituted , that euery daye .MMM. sacrifices might be offered , what other thyng , I praye , doeth it go about , but vtterly to drowne and burye the passion of Christe , wherin he did offer him selfe a sufficient sacrifice vnto his heauenly father ? Here euery man , except he be vtterly blynde , maie see , that this is the extreme boldnesse of Sathan the diuell , whiche repugneth to so manifeste and open truthe . But lette vs see , with what subtiltee this father of lies , doeth go about , to cloke his impietye and vngodly inuencion . We doe not , saieth he , offer sondry and diuers sacrifices , but that one sacrifice onely , suche myste , with the beames of the light sonne truthe and veritee , is sone discussed and driuen away . For Paule doeth not onely affirme , that there remayne no more sacrifices , but also that this one sacrifice ones offered for euer , can be offered no more . Some men woulde escape more subtilli and craftily saiyng : that thei do not offer it of new again but that thei doe apply the frutes therof vnto vs . This vaine sophistrie also can easily be confuted , for Christ did not offer hymselfe vpon this condicion , that his sacrifice shulde be euery daie confirmed and ratified , with newe oblacions , but that with the preachyng of the gospell , and ministryng of his holye souper , the profittes therof shulde be communicated to vs . For Paule saieth , that Christe our passeouer is immolated or offered , and therfore he biddeth vs to eate and drinke . &c. This I saie , is the right waie to applye this sacrifice of the crosse vnto vs , whan we fede vpon the bodye and bloud of Christ spiritually , either in the holy misteryes , or in the hearyng and receiuyng of his worde faithfully . here I thinke necessari , to touch a littell , what they dooe alledge for the chief foundacion of theyr masse . God in the fyrst chap. of Malachie , speaketh after this maner : From the easte to the weast my name is great emong the gentilles , and in all places encence is offered vp vnto my name , and a pure offeryng also , for my name is dreadful emong the gentilles . Here ye maie see , saie they , that the prophete , many yeres before the incarnacion of Christe , did prophecie of this holy sacrifice of the Masse . For what other sacrifice or offeryng shoulde he meane ? Thou shault therfore vnderstond , good christen reader , that ther be .ii. kindes of sacrifices . The one called Propitiatorium or expiatorium , that is to saie , a sacrifice , wherwith the wrath of god is pacified , full satisfaccion and amendes is made for all thesynnes of the worlde , & the sinners that flye vnto it by faithe , so reconciled , that thei be accoumpted iuste & rightuous before god . This sacrifice did Christ ones offer for euer in the altare of the crosse , as we haue shewed by the worde of god . And for this cause , were al the sacrifices of the olde lawe whiche did prefygurate that one onely sacrifice , called propitiatories . The other is called Eucharisticum , that is to saie a sacrifice of thankes geuyng , whiche comprehendeth all the partes of charitee and loue . For by it we honour god in his lymmes we doe offer vnto him our praiers , laudes and thankes geuynge , whiche by the strength of that other sacrifice are acceptable vnto god . That therfore Malachie did meane this sacrifyce , we wyll proue by strong scriptures , whiche the papistes shall neuer bee able to auoyde . Let my praier , O lorde , saieth dauid , ascend vp before thy sight as encence . C .xli. psalme . Againe Paule commaundeth vs to offer our bodyes , a liuely sacrifice , and reasonable worshyppyng . Item Paule doeth call the liberalitye of the Philipenses , wher with thei did refresshe hym , an offeryng of swete smell . Also Osee doeth call our thankes geuyng the calues of our lippes , whiche Dauid doeth call the sacrifice of laude and praise And Paule in the .xiii. to the Hebrues , the fruites of our lippes that confesse the name of the lorde . wherby any man may see , that Malachie did in the foresayd place vnderstonde this later sacrifice of thankes geuyng , as holy Hierome in his commen taries vpon the foresaide place , doeth testifie . Reade the place who will . Now haue I proued by the scriptures , that Malachi helpeth them nothyng , but that this sacrifice of the Masse , is a new inuencion of Sathan , to deface the crosse and passion of Christe .

The .iii. blasphemie .

NOw we will come to the thyrde blasphemye , and proue that the Masse doeth obliterate and driue away from the memory of al men , that precious and moste wholsome death of Christ . For as the approuyng of the testament or laste wil of a man , dependeth of his death : so the testament wherin our lorde Iesus Christ did be quest vnto vs fre remission of our synnes , and euerlasting rightuousenesse , was confyrmed and approued by his death . They that doe immutate , alter , or change any thynge in this testament , dooe denye his deathe , and accoumpt it for naught . But what is the masse but a new & cleane contrary testament doeth not euery one , of theyr masses , promesse a new remission of synnes , and a new acquisicion or pourchassyng of rightuousenes ? We haue now as many testamentes as we haue masses . Let Christe come therfore , & with an other death , yea with infinite deathes confirme the innumerable testamentes of the masses . That ther fore that I haue sayed , is very true . By the sacrifice of the masse , that one onely and true death of Christ , is obliterated and cleane blotted awaie . Would not these massarie priestes , if it laye in theyr power , slaye Christe againe of newe ? for Paule saieth : where the testament is , ther the deathe of the testatour or testament maker , muste be betwene . The masse is accoumpted to be the testament of Christ : ergo it requireth his deathe . Besydes that , the hoste , which is offered , muste bee slayne . If Christe is sacrificed in euery Masse : then he must be slayne , moste cruelly euery daie in a. M. places . This is not myne . but sainet Paules argument , whiche saieth , If he hadde nede to offer hym selfe oftener , then he shulde had nede to haue dyed many tymes , sens the begynnyng of the worlde . Now ye maie see what goodnesse is in this abhominable Masse .

The .iiii. blasphemie .

THe fourth detriment or harme that cometh by the masse , is that it taketh awaie from vs , the fruites of the death of Christe . For who will acknowlage or thinke , that he is redemed , by the deathe of Christe , when he seeth , a newe redempcion in the masse ? Who will truste that his synnes are forgeuen , when he seeth euery daie a newe remission afore his eyes ? And surely thei that saie , that in the masse we doe obteine remission of our synnes , onely because that it was before pourchassed by the death of Christe , can not this escape . For this is none other thyng , but to saie , that we are therfore bought and redemed of Christe , because that we shoulde redeme our selues . This is the doctrine set forth by Sathan , whiche with fier and swerde , they dooe so stiffely defende , and vpholde . We doe ( say thei ) offer Christ in the masse , that by this oblacion , we maie obteine remission of sinnes , and bee partakers of the passion of Christe . What is then the passion of Christ , but an exaumple , wherby we shulde learne to bee our one redemers .

The .v. blasphemie .

NOw I come to the fyft abhominacion , howe by the masse , the holy souper , in the whiche the lorde left vnto vs the remembrance of his passion , is vtterly cancelled and put awaie from vs . For the souper of the lorde , is a gifte which , with thankes geuyng shuld be receiued , where as the sacrifice of the masse , is a price or rewarde offe red vnto god to bee receiued of hym , for a satisfaction and amendes . Loke what difference is betwene geuyng & receiuing , that same is betwixt this word sacrament , and this worde sacrifice . And surely by this , doeth the wretched vnthankefulnesse , and ingratitude of man declare it selfe . For where man shoulde haue acknowlaged the gratuit benignitee of the liuyng god , & geuen thankes vnto him , in that he maketh god his debter . The sacrament did promyse , that we were by the death of Christ , not for ones restored to lyfe , but styl continually viuified , because that then our saluacion , was fully accoumplisshed . But the Masse singeth an other songe , that is to saie , that Christ must be daiely offered for vs , therby to obteine restitucion of lyfe . the souper of the lorde , was distributed in the congregacion emong the faithfull , to aduertyse vs , that we shuld be al one in christ Iesu . This communion the sacrifice of the Masse , hath cleane banisshed awaie from the congregacoin and hath brought in , in stede therof , a very excommunicacion , as I haue sufficiently shewed before , in the preface of the masse . Do not now the very blynde see , the deaf , heare , & the very infantes vnderstond , that this is the abhominacion , which beyng reached for the in a golden cuppe , did inebriate and made dronken , al the kinges and people of the yearthe , from the hyghest to the lowest , cam singyng as brute beastes , and vnreasonable creatures , to put their whole hope & confidence in this pernicious puddel of idolatry , & spiritual fornicacion ? For this is the adulterous Helene , for whose sake , al the enemies of the trueth , do so rageously contend , striue & expugne the kingdom of Christ , his true doctrine and gospell . This I saie , is the adulterous Helene , with whom all the papistes thorough out al the worlde , doe committe deadly fornicacion and adultery . But blessed be that puyssaunt lorde of hostes , whiche of his tender loue and mercy , hath preserued our most soueraine lorde and prynce Edwarde the syxt , from the flatteryng lyppes of this adulterouse harlotte , whiche hath so by the space of these .v. hundreth yeres and more deceiued all nacions , alluryng them from their true spouse & housband Iesu Christ , to all kyndes of abhominacion and filthynesse : Oh how muche bounde are we all , whiche haue any zeale to the gospel of Christ to laude and praise that almighty and mercifull father , whiche hath prouided such a noble protectour and defendour , not onely of all the kynges dominions & realmes , but also of all truthe and veritee , whiche at this present tyme Sathan dooeth not ceasse with his ministers to expugne and assaile on euery syde : calumniatynge the true preachers therof , as though in this matter , thei shulde renne before the kyng & his honorable counceil surely is nothyng els , but which to accuse their prince & gouernour , with all his honorable counseilours of playne blasphemy against god and his worde , whiche to dooe is no lesse , than deadly treason , as I haue saied before , Beware therfore , and ceasse to beare your selues , in this your abhominacion , by your prince or any of his honorable counseill , whiche all doe deteste , abhorre and hate , all suche idolatrous blasphemye , being alwaies ready with all theyr myght and endeuoure to seke , set forthe , & promote , the glory of almighty god , to whom with the soonne and the holy goost , bee prayse glory and honour for euer . So be it .