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 â–ª Agaynst the abhominatioÌ„ of the Paâ—yshe Masse Translated out of Latin into Englyshe by Geoâ—ge Baâ—crafte 1548 ⧠Imprinted at London by Ihon Day and William Seres dwellyng in Sepulâ—hres Parish at the signâ— of the ResurrectioÌ„ a litle aboue Holbourne Conduite ☞ Cum gratia priuilegio adimprimendum solum ¶ To the right worshipfull and his singuler good Master Siluester Butler George Bancrafte Wishethe prosperitye and healthe boeth of bodye and soule WHen I considered wyth my selfe the greate dauÌ„gerous abuses in the administracion of such sacramentes as our sauiour Iesus Christe left to his misticall bodie the churche of the fayethfull to be externe signes and tokens of suche giftes as God hath and doth dailie worcke in vs to his own glorie and saluacion of oure soules I can fynde perceiue and proue none to be somuche abused as the holy and sacred supper of our Lord. For wher as he ordined that holy sacrameÌ„t of his bodie and bloud to he eaten and dronken in remembraunce of his passion whose frute they taste therin which haue ther stedfaste fayth in hym And thereby shewe furth the Lordes death vntyll he come and as brede is made of many graines wyne of many grapes so the membres of the congregacion of Christes churche Haueinge one God one fayeth and one Baptisme are put in remeÌ„brauÌ„â—e in eateinge and drinkinge yâ— tâ—â—y are one bodie whereof Christe is yâ— hed The beally bishopes of Babilon yâ— Romishe Antichrist haue anullyd extripate cleane abolished yâ— ordinaunce of Christ and vse of thappostelles in the administracion therof And haue of their owne brayne excogitated deuised and brought in to the churche a newe and straynge ordinaunce for the same whiche is as coÌ„trarie to christes wil and purpose touching that blessed supper as heaueÌ„ to earth lyght to darknes lyfe to death and they call it the blessyd Masse but it maye be truely callyd a diluesh Masking for menes eies are masked there with yâ— thei cannot se the trueth but through that detestable abominacion haue bene brought to moste miserable perdicioÌ„ for they applie it to souldyoures in war for faire weather and rayne for the plage pockes aâ—â— suche other diseases for beastes sicke of that morren for preseruacion of health and for remissioÌ„ of synnes boeth for the quicke and deade I wyl not speake how God is mocked therin and Christe had in derision they pley booe pepe wyth seste me or seste me not My pene abhoreth to write what duckinge knellenge lickinge kissing or Crossing and breathing these diuilles apes haue deuised in thys whorishe Masse ther desguisinge In apparell at Masse hath picked manye a pore mannes puts and hath robbid theire soules of the true frutes of the spirite for al suche somes of monie that men shoulde haue bestowed on theire poure parentes childreÌ„ and nedie neighbours was to litle for their vestimeÌ„res albes stoles chalices corporaces aulter clothes Massbockes and suche other wherein Christe hath no delite for Christe and the Appostelles vsede none suche disguisynge in the admininistracion of thys blessid Sacrament of Christes bodie and bloud but were contenâ—â—d with such ramente as they were accustomed daylye to were so these shameles Idolaters shewing them selues of what generacion they are dare so bouldlye face out such manifeste lyes agaynste gods glorye yâ— plaine truth and ordinaunce of christ â–ª What shal I speake of these holi mumers I would haue saied holy Masse mongers that whan they here of any rich manes death they stocke together lyke rauennes to a dead CarreÌ„ Not to conforte them that mourne for the deade wyth hope of yâ— resurrection of the fleshe not to gyue thankes to God for them that are departed in the fayeth of Christe nor to praye that we departinge in the same fayeth maye wyth them receyue like rewarde but to get money with Requiem eternaÌ„ and pro quorum memoria corpus Christi simuter with censinge dashing of holy water such other lyke Iuglinges so that the ryght vse of it is cleane altered as thoughâ— christ had neuer ordeined it in remembraunce of his death and passion and for as much as in thys treatise folowinge the true vse of the Lordes supper and alâ—o the deuelishe patchinge of the popishe Masse is in fewe wordes liuely declared I haue thought it good to traÌ„slate the same into the englishe tonge to the edifinge of my dere bretherne in Christ praiinge God the father of oure sauiour Iesus Christ that these thinges may shortlie be reformed that the pore stocke of Christ be nomore deceyuede wyth suche craftye conueiaunce to kepe them in coÌ„tenual blindedes for lucres sake to yâ— great daunger of their soules and pernicious derogacioÌ„ of gods glorie to whome be honour and glorye for euer AMEN 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 maÌ„ that asâ—eth vs a reson of oure fayth it is metâ— that we should more gladly answere to a questioÌ„ 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 abominatioÌ„ 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 ordinauÌ„ce 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 yâ— 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
together at this holly supper Christ was the minister and the .xii. aposteles were the receyuers laitie Luke xx for S Luke sayth wheÌ„ the houre was come Christ and the. ru apostles i. â—o xiiiâ— sate downe to be an exaÌ„ple to vs to do all thynges in the coÌ„gregacion wyth comlynes and order For we se yâ— 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 yâ— euening yâ— night of Christs passion was at haÌ„d but it is most mete to vs to minister that sacrameÌ„t before dinner that the laitie shall receyue it standyng and not sittyng also that it be broken in two pieces before the administracioÌ„ to yâ— laitie not when it is ministred for the euangelistes commauâ—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 theÌ„ no mo then xii should receyue it at once And â—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 â— xxâ—â— 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 obseruauÌ„ce oâ— 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 xâ— xâ— xvii to his disciples and loued theÌ„ 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. â— 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 coÌ„tinue in praier to th ende Iudas alone departied awaye before the other to his own destruction Saint Paule saieth bretherne wheÌ„ you come together â—orâ—â— to eate let one tarie for annother and if any man be huÌ„grie let hym â—th xxvi â—â—e xiiiâ— eate at home Sayâ—te Mathewe and Saint Marke saye that after they had sayed grace thei weÌ„t vp into the hyll of Oliues Nowe let vs learne what is the function and office of the minister and stuaâ—d of the miâ—â—eries of God thys we are taâ—ght of Christ himselfe in the adminiâ—tracion of the sacrameÌ„t to hys disciples wherein dyuers and suÌ„drt thinges are to be diligeÌ„tly 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 soleÌ„ne sightes that he might printe in oure hertes thynges of greater importaunce also wheÌ„ he had washed theire feete â–ª he went agayne to the table and put on Iohn xiâ— 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 yâ— they sayd you speake not nowe in parables Note also that Christe gaue Math. xâ— thankes to God the father before he gaue the sacrament to hys disciples exhortynge them to remeÌ„bre i. Cor xii and shewe furth thereby hys passion vntill he come Finally he callyd vpon hys father wyth a feruent Iohn â—â— desire and prayed for all theÌ„ that beliue Nowe touchinge the â— 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 â—â— xâ—iiâ— 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 tâ—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 â—e xxiâ— shal be gyueÌ„ 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 sacrameÌ„t holly tokeÌ„s of Christes body bloud these wordes offer to vs yâ— promesses of the Ioyful Gospel which if we receiue with a true faith we eate spiritually in spirit yâ— 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 vnbrokeÌ„ 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 disobedieÌ„ce 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 â—i i. Iohn i. â— 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 praisâ— We aunswer that it is nomattex thoughe these ceremonies were omited and left whyche were excoâ—itate and found out by mans reason and a true christeÌ„ man wil not be offended ther with as lightyng of candeles singing ringing of belles
thinges are coÌ„summate made perfecte by one sacrifice The papistes wil haue moneie masses Note also that Christe offered hym selfe and so dyd not the churche byshoâ—es nor priestes and thys worde coÌ„summate 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 theÌ„ that beleue in it and shew it forth wyth thaÌ„kes giuinge for the same It is truely agreat vnthaÌ„kfulnes to say it is necessarie to offer christ againe an other waye for yâ— 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 wheÌ„ they are put to there answer theÌ„ thei fly to this euacioÌ„ afore reherssed Christe offeâ—eâ—h hym selfe therin we are notâ—ynge elles but ministers theyr cannon which they magnifie and eâ—toll aboue the gospell doeth manifestlie opeÌ„ and detecte theire vn godlines 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 froÌ„e 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 yâ— bread and wyne be of lyke efficacitye and power to redeme synne with yâ— bloud of Iesus Christe But they are muche more blasphemouse after yâ— 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 countenauÌ„ce and let them be as acceptable to the as yâ— reward of rightuouse Able sacrifice of our father AbrahaÌ„ Make theÌ„ an hollye cleane sacrifice that thei may be brought to thin altar by yâ— handes of yâ— angel These are the wordes of the caÌ„non If they speake of Christe as they coÌ„moÌ„ly vnderstaÌ„d it how caÌ„ 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 caÌ„ 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 derogacioÌ„ 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 ArgumeÌ„tes 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 theÌ„ 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 vpoÌ„ the fouÌ„dacions 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 yâ— 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 comparisioÌ„ The offeringe verely of Christe agayne is contrary to fayeth and good workes For they glorifye yâ— 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
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 repungnauÌ„t 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 theÌ„ 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 â–ª 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 knoweÌ„ by the frutes and not because it coÌ„sisteth of many and hath her begynynge of the worde of God and her frutes are tried by the worde whether the trâ—e christan churche brought them forth or no if it be the true christen churche Iohn â— she heareth no nother voice but Christes her shepherde and bryde groâ—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. â— 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. â— knowe nothinge at al that wil not obey the word of God he therfore which doth knowe nothinge can not teache vs religion and yâ— 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 yâ— maynteners therof shal incurre his displeasure â–ª for euer thys thyng we wil proue two waies first because the popishe Masse is vsed in nothinge lyke the supper that Christ ordeâ—ned and differeth nolesse froÌ„ it then blacke to white they synne therefore so grinouslye as dyd Achas yâ— made an aultar at Ierusalem egâ—â— â—vi lyke that which was at DamascoÌ„ 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 abominacioÌ„ before god Moreouer we wyll proue by ther erroures and abusinge of yâ— 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. â—â— for when the houre was come he sate downe and the twelue appostles wyth hym and he sayed vnto theÌ„ 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 yâ— kingdome of God and he toke the cup and gaue thaÌ„kes and saied take this aâ—d deuid it amonge you for I saye vnto you â— 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 theÌ„ saying this is my bodye whiche is giuen for you thys do in remembrauÌ„ce of me Like wyse also wheÌ„ 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 â—â—â—it â—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. â— 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 â— But he teacheth from the .xiii. Iohn â—â—â—v xvii x Cap. to the â–ª xviii how Christ did vse his supper and what he did at it he washed hys disciples fete he preached to theÌ„ 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 yâ— Euangelistes reporte that Christe dyd finishe hys holy supper wyth thankes geueyng The some and grounde of the hole matter proponed coÌ„sisteth 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 yâ— ministers and laitie
churche therefore wyth the Masse is obominable before god The praires of that congregacion are not harde of God whiche fereth not to coÌ„e to yâ— coÌ„munioÌ„ of Esal â— Christes bodie bloud wyth hertes ful of enuye malice hatered and with haÌ„des ful of bloud finally if any thyng be abominable before god it is the masse for it oppresseth yâ— christeÌ„ liberte it hath brough in a greate multitude of Iueshe Gala. iiii â— cereimonies and hath no regarde to christen charitie s Paule speake ing of the consciens exhorteth vs to persiste in libertie and suffer not oure selues to be leade vnder the yoke of boÌ„dage Also he teacheth vs that oure workes are vnprofitable without charitie Now let vs declare and opeÌ„ 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 sacrameÌ„ts remayne sacramentes throughe the ministracion of the worde but thys we affirme that the vertue and efficacie of the sacramentes is not like neither yâ— holy gost worketh like effect wheÌ„ a maÌ„ 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 yâ— sinner he yâ— coÌ„seÌ„tth 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 xvâ— 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 â—â— xâ—iiâ— is synne and abominable before God Nowe let vs consider what fuÌ„ction and office Christe throughe hys owne exaÌ„ple coÌ„mitted to the ministres â— stewardes of the sacrament wheÌ„ 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 theâ—ders ought to be an example and mirrour to yâ— 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 amoÌ„ges them none at all I wyll not speake of there shaueÌ„ 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 passioÌ„ cannot be shewed furth after the ryght waye in such more theÌ„ princelie aparell For nother goulde nor siluer was sene at Christes death albeit they by this riche rayment haue inueÌ„ted and deuised a glisteringe pretence of misticall vnderstanding Saynt i. Pâ— â—â— 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 theÌ„ angels or s Marye yâ— virgin yea and this marke theÌ„ 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 meÌ„ are charged wyth all their wyl is to be Lordes ouer all meÌ„ all seruice due to theÌ„ 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 maÌ„ 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 presuÌ„ptuouse arogancie must nedes be an abomination before god amaÌ„ 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 theÌ„ 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 maÌ„ 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 yâ— mater that any maÌ„ should haue suche an opinion in hym NotwithstaÌ„dinge 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 argumeÌ„t is taken of the preistes of tholde 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