The displaying of the Popish masse vvherein thou shalt see, what a wicked idoll the masse is, and what great difference there is between the Lords Supper and the Popes Masse: againe, what Popes brought in every part of the masse, and counted it together in such monstrous sort, as it is now used in the Popes kingdome. Written by Thomas Becon; and published in the dayes of Queene Mary. Becon, Thomas, 1512-1567. 1637 Approx. 175 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 166 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2005-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A06744 STC 1719 ESTC S115076 99850295 99850295 15486 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A06744) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 15486) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 653:08) The displaying of the Popish masse vvherein thou shalt see, what a wicked idoll the masse is, and what great difference there is between the Lords Supper and the Popes Masse: againe, what Popes brought in every part of the masse, and counted it together in such monstrous sort, as it is now used in the Popes kingdome. Written by Thomas Becon; and published in the dayes of Queene Mary. Becon, Thomas, 1512-1567. [4], 331, [1] p. Printed by A. G[riffin] for the Company of Stationers, London : 1637. Printer's name from STC. At foot of title page: Cum priuilegio. Reproduction of the original in the Cambridge University Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO. EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor. The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines. Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Mass -- Controversial literature. 2003-06 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2003-06 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2004-12 Ben Griffin Sampled and proofread 2004-12 Ben Griffin Text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-01 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion THE DISPLAYING of the Popish Masse : wherein thou shalt see , what a wicked Idoll the Masse is , and what great difference there is between the Lords Supper and the Popes Masse : Againe , what Popes brought in every part of the Masse , and counted it together in such monstrous sort , as it is now used in the Popes Kingdome . Written by THOMAS BECON ; and published in the dayes of Queene MARY . Psalme 73. They that forsake thee ( O Lord ) shall perish : and all them , that commit whoredome against thee , thou shalt utterly destroy . Ier. 15. Fly away from Babylon , let every man save his life , that yee be not rooted out with her wickednesse . For the time of the Lords vengeance is come . Apocalyps 18. I heard a voice from heaven saying : Come away , &c. Matth. 15. Every plant that my heavenly Father hath not planted , shall be plucked up by the roots . LONDON , Printed by A. G. for the Company of Stationers . 1637. Cum privilegio . R. P. D. D. IOANNES PARKHURSTUS Episcopus Noruvicensis ad Thomam Baeconum . Vidi & perlegi doctos Baecone libellos , Quo tua nonpridem sancta Minerva dedito Dispercam siquid legi unquam sanctius , aut si Quid potuit populo tradier ut liu● . Auspice perge Deo tales vulgare libellos , Variloquax sed nec lingua timenda tibi est . Sic Christum possis avido iaculare popello , Sic possis nomen condecorare tuum . The displaying of the Popish Masse . IF I were not led ( O yee MASSING Priests ) with a naturall and fervent affection toward this our common country , which as a most tender mother , hath tenderly brought me forth , and as a most loving nurse , hath hitherto sweetly embraced , kindly fostered and carefully kept me up , whose destruction and utter desolation ( if provision betimes be not made ) I see unfainedly to be at hand : againe , if I were not moved with very pitie and tender compassion towards you my country-men , greatly lamenting and even from the very heart bewailing the miserable and wretched state wherein at this present yee stand , perceiving also your dreadfull damnation , besides the corporall plagues , which with other ye shall suffer , not to be farre off , except yee shortly repent , turne unto the Lord our God , and leave your abominable Idoll service : I would chuse rather quietly to goe forth in giving my minde to the studie of the holy Scriptures according to my profession , and in calling on the Name of God by fervent prayer for the redresse of the great abominations , which now of late dayes as most fierce & outragious flouds have violently burst in , overflowed and utterly deformed the Christian Common-weale of this our Realme of England , than breaking off my present studies to take upon me at this time to write unto you , and especially of such a matter as some brainsicke persons straightwayes will condemne as hereticall , but all wil judge it superfluous , seeing the matter whereof I entend to write , doth but a little agree with the common opinion of religion , yea rather superstition , that is now received among us against the which to strive , who will not count it a thing of great folly , being so defenced not onely with Lawes and Statutes , but also with the power of the head rulers , with the wily subtilties of the fleshly hypocrites , and with the consent of the grosse multitude : as I may speake nothing of the untowardnesse , yea , rather frowardnesse and malicious madnesse of a number of you Masse-mongers , to whom these my Letters bee directed , which have been so rooted from the beginning of your greasie Priest-hood in this wicked kinde of massing , taking it for most perfect , pure , true , sound , godly and Christian Religion , and have found so great ease , quietnesse , lucre , gaine and advantage in it , that it shall be more easie , except God setteth to his helping hand , to make a man of Inde white , than to plucke many of you from your old accustomed and cankered trade , so hard a thing is it to use an old dogge to the reine , or to cure that disease that is bred in the bone . But notwithstanding , having a good opinion , although not of all , yet of some of you , which sinne not of obstinate malice against the truth , but of simplicitie , ignorance and blindnesse , offend for lacke of better knowledge , whom also peradventure God hitherto hath suffered to remaine in errour , that he now at the last thorow the riches of his mercy , might bring you into the glorious light of his blessed Gospell , and make you of Sauls , Pauls ; of ravening wolves , faithfull Shepheards ; of cruell persecutors ; Christian Preachers , of abominable Idolaters , true worshippers of God : that by this meanes ye may beleeve and be saved : I will attempt even for your sakes , even to the uttermost of my power , as time shall serve , to declare unto you my minde concerning the great abuse , yea , the abominable Idolatry , which ye commit in the most wicked and Divellish Masse , while yee take upon you contrary to the Word of God , to defile the blessed Sacrament of Christs body and bloud , to minister it in your Masses unto your selfe alone ; contrary to Christs institution , to offer it for a sacrifice unto God for the sinnes of the quicke and dead , to avouch it to bee of no lesse excellencie , price , dignitie , efficacie , might , vertue and power , than the sacrifice , which our Saviour Christ offered on the altar of the Crosse , and to make a shew of it to the people , that they may fall downe and worshippe it as a god , yea , God himselfe Creator and maker of all things , that yee having the knowledge of these your errors may from henceforth cease to offend the Lord our God , give over your Idolatrous massing , repent you of your former life , and become godly Ministers in the Church of Christ unto the glory of God , and the profit of his holy Congregation . And that wee may the better discerne the truth from the falsehood and the prophanation of the Sacrament from the true ministration thereof , I will compare Christs doing in this behalfe and yours together , that when ye shall perceive how farre ye dissent and swarve from the truth , ye may forsake your errour , and follow no more the trifling traditions of Antichrist , the Bishop of Rome , and of his adherents , but rather embrace that Godly and faithfull order , which our Saviour Christ hath set and appointed in his holy Word for the due Ministration of his blessed Communion . It is not unknowne to you , that the Lord Iesus after he had eatē the Paschall Lambe , with his Disciples , according to the Law of Moses , that same night wherein hee was betrayed , knowing that the time appointed of his heavenly Father frō everlasting , wherein he should offer himselfe a sweet smelling sacrifice to God for the sinnes of the world , was at hand , and willing to leave behinde him a memoriall of his glorious Passion and precious death to his holy Congregation , that the fruits , commodities and benefits , which the faithfull penitent sinners have by the offering up of his blessed bodie , should not be forgotten , but had in an everlasting remembrance , first of all preached a most fruitfull and comfortable Sermon to his Disciples , and afterward as he sate at the table with them , hee tooke bread into his hands , and after he had given thankes to his heavenly Father ( as his manner was ) for his corporall gifts , but specially for the deare love , that hee of his owne meere mercie and free heartie good will bare toward mankind , he brake bread , and gave bread unto his disciples , saying : Take yee , eat yee , this is my body , which is betrayed for you . Doe this in remembrance of me . And as hee tooke the bread and made it a Sacrament , that is to say , an holy signe , figure , token , and Memoriall of his Body breaking , so likewise he took the wine , and made that a Sacrament , holy signe , figure , token , and Memoriall of his bloud shedding , and after thankesgiving to his heavenly Father for the benefits aforesaid , he delivered the Cup unto his Disciples , saying : Drinke of this all ye . This Cup is a new Testament in my bloud , which is shed for many for the remission of sins . Doe this so oft as yee shall drinke it , in the remembrance of me . And this heavenly banket once done , they said grace , that is to say , they praised God , by saying either certaine Psalmes of David , or some other thankesgivings , and so departed . Here is the whole institution of the Lords Supper . Now let us compare Christs Supper with your Popish and Idolatrous Masse , and see how well Christs doings and yours agree together . If ye be the Ministers of Christ , and not of Antichtist , the servants of God , and not of the Divell , then will you follow your Master Christ , which saith , I have given you an example , that as I have done , so likewise yee should doe . Let us now then goe in hand with the matter . First , we reade , that Christ before hee fed his Disciples , with the mysticall food of his body and bloud , made a Sermon unto them , wherewith , as with a certaine most wholesome preparative , hee made meet the minds of his Disciples , unto so worthy a banket , giving all faithfull Ministers an example , that whensoever they with the congregation doe come together to celebrate the Lords Supper , there should be some Sermon or exhortation made unto the people , that they might the better examine themselves , and the more deepely consider the thing that they goe about . And according to the example of Christ , not only the Apostle , but all the holy Fathers also of the Primitive church used the trade , and so did it continue in the Church of Christ , till Antichrist , the Bishop of Rome , had driven Christ out of place , and set up himselfe as God : Againe , till hee had expulsed the Supper of the Lord , and set up his owne peevish , yea theevish Idolatrous Masse , as wee may see in the monuments of the ancient Writers . They continued , saith blessed Luke , in the Apostles doctrine and fellowshippe , and in breaking of bread , and in prayers . And Saint Paul saith , As often as ye shall eat this bread , and drinke of the cup , shew , set forth , declare and preach the Lords death till he come . A practise hereof have we in the Acts of the Apostles , where wee reade ; That upon one of the Sabbath dayes , when the Disciples , came together for to breake bread ( so termeth S. Luke the receiving of the Sacrament of Christs body and blood ) blessed Paul preached unto them , and continued the preaching unto midnight . And the Sermon ended , they brake bread , ate , thanked God and departed . For if the Sacrament of Christ be never so comfortable , yet if they bee not known what they are , to what use they were instituted , what joyfull promises are annexed unto them ; what they signifie and preach unto the faithfull receivers , &c. What other things are they to us , thā the pretious stone was to Aesops Cock ? A Sacramēt ministred without preaching of the word is but a dumb ceremony , a glasse offered to a blind man , and a tale told to one that is deafe . The Apostles before the ministration of any Sacrament preached , and so did the holy Fathers of the primitive Church . Saint Iohn Baptist the sonne of the Priest Zachary , preached unto the people before hee baptized them . Our Saviour Christ a little before his ascension , said to his Apostles ; ●oe and teach all nations , baptizing them in the name of the Father , and of the Sonne , and of the holy Ghost . Here is Baptism & the preaching of the word joyned together . And as concerning the blessed Sacrament of Christs body and blood did not our Saviour Christ preach at the institution and ministration of it ? Are we not also commanded by the holy Apostle , that whensoever wee come to receive the blessed Communion , the death of the Lord should be preached , declared , and set forth ? Did not the Apostles of Christ , and all the godly Bishops of the primitive Church , observe the same order ? They considered right well how little the ministration of the Sacraments availeth , without the preaching of the Word : For as S. Paul saith , how shall they believe without a Preacher ? Faith commeth by hearing , and hearing commeth by the Word of God. None therefore of the Lords Sacraments ought publickely to be administred without preaching of the word ; yea , & that not in a strange tongue , but in such a speech as the people understand or else it were as good to speake the words unto a s●rt of sheepe or geese as unto them that are gathered together at the ministration of any Sacrament . And this meant Saint Augustine , when hee said , Take away the Word , and what is Water but water ? But let the word bee added to the Elemēt , & it is made a Sacramēt . Whence hath the water such a power that it should touch body , and wash the heart ? but by the vertue of working of the word , not because it is spoken , but because it is beleeved . The word signifyeth here not only the speaking of Ego baptizote , &c. or Hoc est corpus meum , &c. pronounced by the Priest in a strange tongue , but the preaching of the word of God uttered by the mouth of the Ministers in such a language as the people understand , or else how shall they beleeve ? It is not the utterance of Gods word in an unknowne speech that bringeth faith , but when it is so spoken , that it is understood of them that heare it , and that faith through the operation of the holy Ghost ensueth , which otherwise is cold , lyeth idle , and worketh nothing in the heart of the hearer : for as S. Augustine saith , Take away the Word , and what is Water but water ? that is to say , take away the preaching of Gods word from the Sacramēt of Baptism , which declareth what Baptisme is , who instituted it , to what use it was ordained , what fruits and commodities wee receive by it , &c. And what doth the water of Baptisme profit , I speake concerning such as are come to the use of reason , or such as are present at the ministration of Baptisme . And so likewise may wee say of the Sacrament of Christs body and bloud . Take away the word , and what is Bread but Bread ? What is wine but wine ? that is to say , Take away the preaching of the Lords death from the holy Cōmunion , and what doth it profit to eat & drinke the Sacramentall bread and wine ? seeing the mystery is not knowne nor understood . But put the preaching of the word to the Elements , water , bread , and wine , and so are they made holy and honourable Sacraments , full of singular joy and great comfort , as Saint Augustine saith , Let the word be added to the Element , and it is made a Sacrament . Therefore where the Lords Supper is rightly ministred , there is declared the death and passion of Christ , there is shewed forth the misery of man , from the which hee could have beene no otherwise released , but only by the death of Christ ; there is taught what the Sacrament is , what it signifyeth , and to what use Christ our Saviour did institute it , there are the people exhorted not rashly , nor with unwashed feet , as they use to say , to come unto the Lords Table , but to prove , trie , and examin themselves , whether they come with such faith and love unto that most worthy mystery , as they ought , least they eat and drinke their own damnation , there are they stored up unto the workes of mercie toward the poore , and unto hearty thankesgiving to God the Father for the death of his Son Christ , there also are they put in remembrance that after they have tasted those heavenly mysteries , & have spiritually fed upon the body & bloud of Christ , which through faith are present , and truly received in spirit of faithful Cōmunicants , and are become one body with Christ , they ought no more to returne unto their old sinfull & wicked conversation , but from henceforth to serve their Lord God in holines & righteousnes all the daies of their life . Is there any such thing done in the popish Masse ? Who preacheth ? Who maketh the exhortation ? Who moveth the people to repentance , faith , love , and amendment of life , mutuall recōciliation , workes of mercie , or unto thankesgiving to God the Father for the death of his Sonne Christ ? Who playeth the Schoolmaster , and giveth the people such exhortations , that they goe home from your Masses better learned than they came thither ? What theese ever lest his theft ? What false lawyer gave over his bribing ? what whore forsooke her whordome ? what wicked man at any time repented him of his wickednesse , by comming unto your Masse ? Yea , rather they goe from your Masse so well instructed , that they thinke that now they have heard a Masse , they may doe all the day after what they will. Amends is made beforehand If they bribe , poll , pill , steale , lye , slander , blaspheme , kill , murder , runne on whoring , play the harlot , fall to drunkennesse , to dicing , to carding , and doe all other unlawfull things ; it maketh no matter , for they have heard Masse . They have satisfyed for the sinne , before it be committed . The hearing of masse hath dispatcht al the matter aforehand . And what marvaile is it , though such abomination followeth of your massing , seeing the people heareth no goodnesse at it , but rather are confirmed in all kind of ungodlinesse ? The chiefest jewell of all , I meane the preaching of Gods word , is utterly exiled from your Masse , as all goodnesse is besides . There is none of you all , that stand up in the pulpit , that lift up your voice to declare unto the people either their wickednesse , or preach unto them the most joyfull , pleasant , and comfortable Gospel of our Saviour Christ. If there bee any preaching at all , the Bells make it , when the popish Clark ringeth to Masse . The Bells being hanged up tell the people somewhat which they understand , namely , that there is a popish masse ready at hand , come heare it who list , and be never the better when yee have done . But ye speake nothing at all that the people understand , and so are yee worse than the Bells . Oh how often have I seene here in England at the ministration of the holy Communion , people sitting at the Lords table , after they have heard the sermon , or the godly exhortation set forth in the Booke of Common prayer , read unto them by the minister , bitterly weep , heartily repent , and sorrowfully lament their too much unkindnesse and unthankfulnesse toward the Lord God for the death of his Sonne Christ , and for his other benefits ; againe , their negligence in doing their duty toward their poore neighbours ? what free and large gifts also have I seene given to the poore mens boxe ? what laying aside of al enmity , and renewing of unfained mutuall reconciliation ? what loving embracing and holy kissing of one another ? What assurance of heartytty friendship for ever to continue , where immortall hatred was before ? what godlinesse also of life have I seen afterward practised by them , that were the Communicants ? what alteration of manners ? What newnesse of conversation ? The covetous man to abhorre his covetousnesse , the Adulterer to leave his adultery , the Whore to defie her whoredom , the Proud man to detest his pride , the Vsurer to give over his usury , and so forth , by hearing the word of God preached , and by the worthy receiving of the holy Communion , hath full oft bin seen in England , when the doctrine of the Gospell flourished among us . Never saw I one point of like godlinesse practised of any man by hearing your popish Masses , but as they have come thither wicked and ungodly , so have they departed againe with the same ungodlines , and wickednes , rather being the worse than the better by hearing that your Idolatrous masse , and yet ( Oh God be mercifull unto us , and forgive us our sinnes ) the glorious and blessed Cōmunion is now through the craft and subtilty of the devil , and through the wilinesse of his sturdy & stout champions , that filthy Synagogue of Sathan , utterly banished out of this Realme , unto the great dishonour of God , and unspeakable sorrow of all true Christians , and that most vile , most stinking , most pestiferous , most abominable , most wicked , most devillish & most idolatrous popish private Masse received again , set up , and magnifyed above the starres , yea , and above God and his holy ordinance , when indeed of all Idols , the Masse is most to be abhorred of such as feare and love God. But though your Masse were never so good , as indeed it is starke naught without comparison , yet forasmuch as it is done without the preaching of the word , and in a strange it is altogether unprofitable , yea , and abominable . Notwithstanding , behold the hypocrisie and counterfeit holinesse , yea , rather your double dissimulation and devillish deceiving of the simple people : when yee have stood awhile pattering , like a sort of asses , yee know not what at the lower end of the Altar , saying the Introite or office of the Masse , as they call it the Kyrrys , the Gloria in Excelsis the Collects ; the Epistle , the Graduall the Allelujah , the Tract , or the Sequence , and all in Latine , because such as are there present should keepe counsell , and not bewray your subtill secrets ; yee remove , as men soone weary of a place , from the one end of the Altar to the other , and like prettie fellowes , you take up the Masse-booke in your hands , making the people beleeve that now yee will speake somewhat whereby they shall greatly be edified , and well grounded in the knowledge of Christ. And because like politicke and wise men , ye will not stumble in your doings but the better see what ye shal speake , ye have a candle lighted , though the day bee never so faire , and the Sunne shine never so bright . Besides this , that yee may bee in the better readinesse to doe some great nothing , yee pray to God or I know not to whom , in this manner : I 〈◊〉 Domine benedicere . O Lord command me to speak well . A prayer very necessary for your selves , which very seldome speake well , but nothing meet for the purpose that you goe about . For ye intend to speake nothing to the people , whereby they shal take any profit . Neither purpose yee , for all your bragging , any more to preach to your Masse-hunters , than yee intend with your bird bolt to shoot downe the weather-cocke of Pauls steeple . And because God is not at hand , but far enough from vour elbow , and very s●ldom commeth at such mens callings , ye your selves take the paines to answer on this manner : Dominus sit in corde meo , & in ●re meo , ad annunciandum populo sanctum Evangelium De● . That is to say , the Lord might be in my heart and in my mouth , to set forth , preach , and declare to the people the holy Gospell of God. Oh most vaine prayer . O wicked dissemblers both with God and man. Ye wished that the Lord God might be both in your heart , and in your mouth to set forth , preach and declare to the people the holy Gospell of God , and yee intend nothing lesse . For as God is neither in your heart , nor in your mouth ; so doe ye not preach the holy Gospell of God to the people , but onely yee rehearse a few Latine sentences out of the Gospel , which neither ye your selves , for the most part , nor yet the simple people understand . And notwithstanding , the silly sheepish simple soules solemnely stand up and give good eare , as though they should heare some notable thing , and goe home the better instructed , but all in vaine : For they learne nothing . Onely when yee rehearse the Name of Iesus , they learne to make solemne courtesie , and so a peece of the Gospell being once read , they stroke themselves on the head , and kisse the naile of their right thumbe , and sit down againe as wife as they were afore . And yee your selves , in the ste●d of your Petronilla , kisse the book , and turne yee to the people and say , Dominus vobiscum , God be with you , as though you could tarry no longer , but had some great journey to goe , and yet doe vee tarry there still till all good people be weary both of you , and of your popish Masse . Here is all your preaching . Here is the whole summe of your exhortations . Are not the people well taught ? Have yee not played the good Schoole-masters ? Have ye not wel deserved your Dirge groat and your dinner ? Have ye not followed Christ aright ? Tell mee of goodfellowship , whose disciples are ye masse-mongers ? Christs that preached , or Antichrists that preach not ? Looke whose order yee follow , his disciples are yee . But Christs order follow yee not , therefore are ye not the disciples of Christ , but the vile slaves of Antichrist . Here see yee then one foule fault , which you Masse-mongers commit in your wicked Masses . The best part ye utterly leave out , I meane the preaching of the Gospell , which our Saviour Christ his Apostles , and all true Ministers in all ages , chiefly practised at the ministration of the holy Communion . And in this behalfe yee agree not with Christ , neither is your Masse any thing like the LORDS Supper . After the Sermon Christ came to the Table , where he ministred the Sacrament of his Body and Bloud to his Disciples . Now compare your doings with Christs . Christ came to a Table to minister his holy Supper . You come to an Altar for to say your popish and Idolatrous Masse . Christ tabled the matter , and yee alter it . Oh , how well-favouredly ye agree ? even as Christ and Belial . God and the Divell , light and darkenesse , or as the use to say , Like Haroe and Harrow . Christ ministred his Supper at a Table , and so did it continue certaine hundred yeares after in the Church of Christ , who used no Altar at all , but at a Table at the ministration of the Lords Supper , following the example of Christ , which is the selfe truth , and example giver of all perfection and righteousnesse . But if you , following the example of Antichrist , like bloudie sacrificers , fall in hand with Altars , as though ye had sheepe and oxen to kil . Christ willing to declare that all bloudie offerings and sacrifices were come to an end , which were but signes , figures , and shadowes of him , being the true and alone acceptable sacrifice for the sinnes of the world , came not unto an Altar , but unto a Table , and there ordained & ministed his holy Supper , shewing thereby , that not onely the bloudie sacrifices , but also all Altars which were built for bloudie sacrifices sake , doe now cease , and are utterly abolished . But yee whose desire alwayes is to come as neere unto Christ , or unto his holy ordinance , as the Hare covets to come nigh unto a Tabret , refuse Christs order , and dispise the table , spitefully calling it an Oyster-board , and like heathenish and Iewish Priests , yee build Altars , and upon them you offer your vile and stinking sacrifice , not unto God , but unto the Divell , and unto Antichrist . Christ and his Apostles , with all the holy Bishops and reverend Fathers of the Primitive Church ministred the Lords Supper at a Table , and dare ye , O yee Massemongers , contrarie to Christs order , whose example in this behalf is , as it were , a commandement , and contrary to the practise of Christs Apostles , and of the Primative Church , minister it at an Altar ? The holy Scripture makes mention of eating the Lords Supper at the Lords Table , but at an Altar to have it ministred , not one word . Wee have none Altar but one , which is Iesus Christ the Lord , and he is in heaven onely concerning his humamanitie , and not here in earth ( as the idle brained Papists dreame ) upon whom , and by whom we doe offer sacrifice of praise alwayes to God , that is to say , the fruit of those lips , which confesse his Name . For he is our alone Intercessour , our alone Mediatour , and our alone Advocate . Besides this Altar ( CHRIST ) the faithfull congregation knoweth none , neither in heaven nor in earth . All other Altars , therefore , which ye have in your Churches , Chappels and Oratories , are Idolatrous and abominable , and by no meanes to be suffered , where God is truely honoured , and his holy Name faithfully called upon . And what other thing doe yee by maintaining your Altars , than shew your selves very Antichrists , and adversaries to GODS holy ordinance , and as much as in you is , declare that CHRIST is not yet come , or at the least have not offered himselfe a sacrifice to God the Father for the sins of the people ? All bloudie sacrifice for sinne , cease now in the New Testament , for the which Altars served , therefore Christ ministred unto his Disciples the Sacrament of his body and bloud , not at an Altar , but at a Table . But you , as though all bloudie sacrifices for sinne were not yet gone , have still your Altars , and offer sacrifice upon them , as the Heathenish and Iewish Priests did . They killed and sacrificed bruit beasts upon their Altars , and you take upon you to sacrifice the Sonne of God , and to make him me●t when it pleaseth you , If yee bee perswaded , that whatsoever Christ did at the ministration of the holy Communion , is best and most perfect , why then doe yee not follow him , and minister at a Table as hee did , are yee wiser than Christ ? Are yee better learned than the Wisedome of God ? Have ye gone so long to Schoole with that Romish Antichrist , that you dare take upon you to teach Christ the Master of all perfection ? And to find fault in his worke , as the Cobler played with Apelles picture ? I would have you to remember Apelles answer . Ne sutor ultra crepidam . Againe , if ye beleeve that all bloudy sacrifices be ceased , and that the LORD CHRIST by the once offering up of his bodie , hath paid a full , suffic●ent and perfect ransome for the sinnes of all them that repent and beleeve , why then doe ye stand at the Altars like Baals Priests , and take upon you to offer sacrifice for the sinnes of the people , as though all such things were not perfectly ended in the passion and death of Christ ? If your Altars be of God , shew it by the holy Scriptures . But this can you not doe , therfore are your Altars not of God , but of the Divell ; not of Christ , but of Antichrist . Is this to walke as Christ hath walked ? Is this to doe as Christ hath given example ? Is this to bee Christs Minister , or rather Christs controller ? God amend you , and once againe destroy those your Idolatrous and bominable altars . When Christ came to the Table to minister the holy Communion , he came in such comely apparell , as he used daily to weare . But how come yee in the name of God , that we may see how well yee follow Christ in this behalfe also ? Yee come unto your altars , as a game-player unto his stage . And as though your own apparell , or else a faire white Surplesse were not seemely enough for the due administration of the Sacrament , ye first put upon your head , an head-peece , called an Amice , to keepe your braines in temper , as I thinke , then put yee on also a linnen Albe in stead of a smocke , to declare how well ye love women , specially other mens wives , and that Albe you gird unto you for catching of cold , though it bee in the middest of Summer . After this you cast a Stoale about your necke in stead of an halter , which signifieth that ye wil persecute and strangle with an halter , or else burne with fire so many as speake against your abhominable apish Masse , and such other wicked traditions . Againe , upon your left arme ye put on a Fannell , much like to a manacle , or a fetter . And this hath also a solemne mysterie . For it preacheth , that so many as yee can come by , that unfainedly favour the truth of Christs Gospell , yee will man●cle , fetter , locke , stock , imprison , chaine , and doe them all the mischiefe you can . Last of all , come on your fooles coat , which is called a Vestment , lacking nothing but a coxcombe . this is diversly daubed . Some have Angels , some the blasphemous Image of the Trinity , some flowers , some Pecockes , some Owls , some cats , some dogs , some hares , some one thing , some another , and some nothing at all● but a crosse upon the backe to 〈◊〉 away spirits . This your fooles coat gayly gawded ▪ signifyeth your pleasant finenesse and womanly nicenesse , and your delectation in the varietie , or change of Venus pastimes , because ye will not be cumbred with one lawfull wife . Thus as men well harnessed for an Interlude , yee come forth to play Hickesc●rners part with your shamelesse , smooth , smi●ling faces , and with your lustie broad , bald , shaven crownes , Antichrists brood of Rome , to signifie unto such nice Nymphs as know your secret subtilties , and jolly juglings , that yee are beasts of that marke that will never faile Lady Venus , nor none of her kind kitlings ; but above all other , both for your idlenesse and belly-cheere , are most meet at all times , like stout , sturdie , stowre , strong stalents to play Priapu● part , and to furnish the place , Per alium , when Perse is out of the way , such is your unchast chastitie , O yee filthy haters of godly matr●monie . But whence have ye your game-players garments ? Of the heathen and idolatrous Priests ? But with such have the Christians nothing to doe ? Of the Iewish Ministers ? But that law is abrogated by Christs comming , of whose vertues the garments of the Priests were figures & signes , whereof ye have none at all . Had yee them of the Divell , and of Antichrist of Rome ? Send them thither againe betimes , lest ye goe to the Divell with them for company . Wheresoever yee had them , certaine am I that yee have them not of the authoritie of the holy Scripture . Christ and his Apostles used no such ●ond Coats at the administration of the Sacrament , Christ alloweth no pompe nor pride , but all simplicitie and plainenesse ▪ Therefore plainly and simply , without any such Hickescorners apparell , did Christ deliver the Sacramentall bread and wine to his Disciples . The more simply , so that it bee comely , the Sacrament is ministred , the neerer is it unto Christs institution . But I know not whether your gay , gawdie , gallant , gorgious game-players garments , w ch ye weare at the Masse , are more to bee disallowed , thā your blind and corrupt judgemēt is to bee lamented in the wearing of them . For the most part of you have such spiced & nice cōsciences in the use of them , that if ye lacke but the least of these fooles bables , ye dare not presume to say Masse for a thousand pound . The laudable order of our mother holy Church is broken . Yee cannot consecrate aright . Yee have not al your tools . Therefore can ye not play Cole under candlesticke cleanely , nor whip Master Winchard above the boord , as ye should doe . And gratiously considered . For what is a worke-man without his tooles ? God have mercie on you , and give you grace to bee better minded , and to lay aside such apish toyes , and to put on the Lord Iesus Christ , that yee may know him to be your alone Saviour , and garnish your life with his most godly vertues , practising that in your ministration , whereof ye have him a president in his conversation . And this is also to bee noted , that when CHRIST came in his owne usuall apparell unto the Table , he did not kneele as the Papists doe , nor yet stand as the Iewes did in the old Law , but hee sate downe at the Table . How do ye agree with Christ at your Masse in this behalfe ? Christ sate , yee sometime stand upright , sometime leane upon your elbowes , sometime crouch downeward , sometime kneele , but sit doe yee never , because ye will still contrary Christ , and bee one ace above him . And although gestures in this behalfe in some mens judgements seeme to be indifferent ; yet the nearer we come to Christs order , the better it is . For who can prescribe a more perfect trade for all things to bee done at and about the ministration of the Lords Supper , than the which Christ used himselfe ? Indeed , the Iewes when they received their Sacrament , I meane the Paschal Lambe , which was also a figure of Christ to come and to be slaine , as ours is a signe and token that hee is alreadie come , slaine and gone , stood upon their feet , with their loynes girded , and staves in their hands , to signifie not onely that they were strangers and pilgrims in this world , and had here no dwelling Citie , but also that there was a further journey yet to goe in the religion of God , and that other Sacramēts were to be looked for . But Christ and his Disciples did sit at their Supper to declare that all things afore figured in the Law , are now perfectly fulfilled in Christ , that Lambe of God , which was slaine from the beginning of the world , and there are no more Sacraments to bee looked for , nor none other doctrine to bee enquired for , neither the Iewes Talmuth , nor Mahomets Alkaron , nor the Popes Decretals , nor yet the Emperours Interim , but the doctrine onely , which Christ hath alreadie taught , and left in writing by the hands of his Apostles . The Christian religion both concerning Sacraments and Doctrine , is now by Christ brought to such a consummate perfection and perfect consummation , that nothing ought to be added as necessarie also for our salvation . Therfore doth Christ with his Apostles sit at the receiving of the Sacrament , and not stand ; after the manner of the Iewes , even as they , which travelling by the way , are come unto their journeyes end , are wont to sit downe and to take their rest . Here have wee an example of Christ to sit at the Lords Table , when wee receive the holy Communion , and not to kneele . But this doe ye Papists neither observe your selves , nor suffer other so to doe . Ye are like those lewd Lawyers , subtill Scribes , boysterous Bishops , sawcie Sadduces , fine Pharisees , pratling Priests , and hollow Hypocrites , against whom our Saviour Christ thundereth on this manner . Woe unto ye Scribes and Pharisees , ye Hypocrites , for yee shut up the Kingdome of heaven before men , ye neither goe in your selves , neither suffer ye them that come , to enter in . There may bee no sitting at your ministration , though wee have Christ for a president never so much . The servant may not follow his Lord , nor the Disciple his Master . Whatsoever Christ practised , we may not doe , but what Antichrist deviseth , that must we needs doe . Therefore doe ye Papists , which be alwayes enemies to Christ and to his holy ordinances , binde all your captives to kneel at the receiving of the Sacrament , and so makes them plain Idolaters in worshipping the bread for a god . O wicked soule-slayers ! But why binde ye the people rather to kneel at the ministration of the Lords S●pper , than at the ministration of Baptisme , seeing Christ is no lesse present at the one , than at the other , and by his holy Spirit worketh no lesse effectually in Baptisme , than he doth in the Supper ? Why doe yee not also compell the people to kneele at the preaching of Gods Word seeing it is of no lesse authoritie , than the Sacrament of Christs bodie and bloud . But I know your subtilties right well . Ye will say , the Sacrament of the Altar ( I use your own tearmes ) is God and man in forme of bread , and therefore it cannot have too much reverence , worship and honour given unto it . I answer : It is sooner said , than proved . As the old Idolaters in times past had gods of their own making , and worshipped them , so have yee a god of your owne devising , which ye your selves worshippe , and compell other so to do likewise . And as the old Idolatrous Priests by boasting the dignitie of their feigned gods , whom they served , lived an idle and voluptuous life , and were fed of the painfull labours of other mens hands , so likewise ye new Idolaters and Priests of Baal advance , set forth , and blow out at Paul● Crosse , and in all other places , the majesty , excellencie , dignity and worthinesse of your new baken little great god , that by this meanes yee may bee had in admiration among the foolish simple Ideots , and bee nourished of the sweat of other mens browes , you your selves like idle , lazie , loytering lubbers , and very pestilences of the Common-wealth , onely borne to consume the good fruits of the earth , going idly up and downe swinging with your long gowns , sarsnet tippets , and shaven crowns , like very caterpillers of Aegypt . A wonderfull God it is that yee set forth to the people to be worshipped . Not many dayes past , it was corn in the plough-mans barne , afterward the Miller ground it to meale , then the Baker mingling a little water with it , made dough of it , and with a paire of hot printing irons , baked it . Now at the last come you blustering and blowing , and with a few words spoken over it , yee charme the bread in such sort that either it ●rudgeth straightwayes away beyond the moone , and a faire young childe above fifteen● hundred yeares old come in the place of the bread , or else , as the most part of you papists teach , of the little thinne cake , yee make the very same body of Christ that was borne of Marie the Virgin , and dyed for us upon the Altar of the crosse , the bread being turned into the natural flesh of Christ , and the accidents of the bread onely remaining , according to the doctrine of Pope Nicholas , and Pope Innocent . O wonderfull Creators and makers ! O marveilous fathers , which beget a childe elder than the father ! and after yee have made him , yee teare him in pieces , yee eat him , yee digest him , and send him downe by a very homely place . O cruell and unmercifull fathers , so to handle your poore young old child ! And this is the goodly God whom the people may not receive sitting nor standing , but kneeling upon their marrow-bones . O false and subtil hypocrits , right cousens to the Idolatrous priests of Babylon ; For as they made the King beleeve , and his Nobility , with all the Commons , that Bel was a living god , and that there must bee prepared for him every day twelve cakes , forty sheepe , and sixe great pots of wine , to eate and drinke ; so doe yee make the Queene , her Counsell , the Nobility and commons of this Realme for the most part beleeve that the little thin round white cake , which ye hold up above your head , at your abominable Masse , after yee once said these five words over it , Hoc est corpus meum , and have blowed , blasted , and breathed over it , is straightwayes both a living God , and a very living man , even Christ God and man , as he was borne of Marie the Virgine . But full falsely doe ye lie , and dissemble with the Queene , with her Couunsell , and with the commons of this Realme , even as those Idolatrous priests of Babylon did with the King , and with hi● subjects . For as that Idol Bel was not a living god , but an Image made of clay within , and of metall without , so likewise for all your consecrating , blowing , blasting and breathing , your little Cake is neither a living God , nor a living man , but as it was bread before yee brought it to your Idolatrous Altar , so is it , when yee both hold it up and eat it . But as the Idolatrous priests of Babylon taught the people plainely , that Bel was a living God , that they by that meanes might live in wealth and idlenesse , so do ye likewise stoutly both at Pauls Crosse , and else where preach unto the people , that the Sacrament of the Altar is the true , naturall , reall , corporall , carnall , and substantiall body of Christ , God and man , even he was borne of Virgin Marie , & hung on the Altar of the crosse , flesh , bloud and bone , that ye by this meanes may maintaine your popish kingdome , and live idly and pleasantly of the labours of other mens hands . But if a Daniel might sit at the Queens Table , talke with the Nobility , and preach to the Commons of England , the jugling of the Papists should soone be espyed . God for his mercies sake & for the deare heart-bloud of his most deare Son , send us a Daniel , and open the eyes of the Queene , of her Councell , and of all the Inhabitants of this Realme , that they perceiving your subtle iugling and crafty daubing , may know you to be , as yee are , even very Antichrists , hisse you out of all honest company , and for ever after beware of your pestilent & damnable doctrine . Amen , Amen . After that our Saviour Christ was set downe at the Table with his Disciples , and had eaten the Paschall Lambe , willing to institute an holy memoriall of his passion and death , he tooke bread and gave thanks , saith the Scripture . Now let us see what yee doe . First ye come solemnly forth in your gay , galant and game players garments , which as Isidore and Polidore write , was the invention of pope Steph●nus about the yeare of our Lord two hundred fifty and six , borrowed , as it may seeme of the Iewish Priests . Ye come to the Altar with your Masse-book Corporasse ▪ Chalice , & Bread , with such other trinkets . Your altars brought into the Church first of all Pope Sixtus the secōd , about the yeare of our Lord two hundred threescore and five . And Pope Felix the first adioyned the hallowing of altars commanding that no masse should bee sung upon any altar , except it were first hallowed . In the yeare of our Lord two hundred seventy and sixe . And P. Boniface appointed white linnen clothes to be laid upon the altars about the yeare of our Lord 610. The Corporasse was the devise of Pope Sixtus ( as Platina and Sabellicus write , about the yeare of our Lord an hundred and twenty and five . The Cup wherein the Sacrament of Christs bloud was ministred , which wee now commonly call the Chalice , was in the time of the Apostles and the primitive Church made of wood ; but Pope Zepheri●us commanded chalices of glasse to be used in the yeare of our Lord 202. And afterward Pope Vrbanus enjoyned , that the chalices should be made either of silver , or of gold , in the yeare of our Lord 227. The bread appointed for the Communion was indifferent , whether it were leavened or unlea vened , till Pope Alexander came , which a● they write , in the yeare of our Lord III. commanded that onely unleavened bread should bee used at the Lords Supper . Notwithstanding the Greekes from the Apostles time unto this day , have ever used leavened bread in the ministration of the holy Communion , as they use also wine onely in their cup , whereas the Latine Church customably mingle water with the wine , which was also Pope Alexanders device . Now standing before the Altar , after yee have crossed your selves upon your forheads and breasts for feare of wicked spirits , ye say the Confiteor , and make your confession , which was the ordinance of Pope Dam●sus about the yeare of our Lord 370. But to whom do you make your confession ? To God alone ? none of that . But to blessed Mary , and all the Saints of heaven , and & v●bis , ye might say , & bobus , well enough . For many times besides the boy and Parish clerke that wait upon you , there bee in the Church as many white bulls and fat oxen , as there bee men and women . But where have yee learned to confesse your sinnes to the blessed Mary , and to all the company of heaven , which heare not one word that yee speake ? Ye have sinned against God , and you confesse your faults to Mary , Peter , 〈◊〉 , Th●mas , A●an , Abel , Ni●● , Abrah●m , Ioh● Baptist , And I know not to whom , not to how many . This is new Catholike Divinity , found in Portasse and M●ss●ll , but in no part of Gods blessed Boo●e . Divinity meete for such Divines . Again , whom doe you desire to pray for you ? Our S●viour Christ which alone is our Intercessour , Mediatou● , and Advocate ? Nothing lesse . Yee make no mention of him . He is utterly forgotten . Yee desire holy Mary and all the Saints of God to pray for you . But where learned ●ou this tyrologie ? For Theologie it is not . Even of your father Antichrist of Rome . But as Mary and the other heavenly citizens heare your confession , so pray they for you . But they heare not your confession , neither do they pray for you . O vaine bablers and talkers of trifles ! your Masse having so good a beginning , must have a glorious ending . It beginngth with lies , wee shall find it also to proceed with lies , yea , and to end with lies , that it may bee prooved a monster of lies . After that you have made your confession to God and to our Lady , and to all the holy company of heaven , and have given your selfe absolution for lacke of a ghostly father , yee approach to the Altar , and making a crosse upon it , yee kisse it in stead of some other , whom you love better . Then fall yee in hand with your Massing , and ye beginne the Introite , or office of the Masse , which Pope Celestinus brought in about the yeare of our Lord 430 That done , ye say the Kyry , which , as some report , Pope Gregorius the first put to the Masse about the yeare of our Lord 600. Some ascribe it to Pope Silvester , which lived about the yeare of our Lord 330. But it seemeth to bee borrowed of the Greeke Church , forasmuch as the words are Greeke , and sound in English , Lord have mercie on us . After these things ye goe unto the midst of the Altar , and look up to the pixe , where you thinke your God to be , and making solemne curtesie , like womanly Ioane , ye say the Gloria in excelsis , a godly both thankesgiving & prayer , & very fruitfull and comfortable , if it were spoken in the English tongue . The Author hereof some affirme Pope Stephanus to be , who lived in the yeare of our Lord seven hundred and seventy . Some ascribe it to Pope Telesph●rus , which was in the yeare of our Lord one hundred and thirty . Some to Pope Symachus , who lived in the yeare of our Lord five hundred . Some to Saint Hilarie Bishop of Pict●ve , about the yeare of our Lord three hundred forty and five . These things dispatched out of the way , yee have a pleasure to see who is in the Church , and how well your Masse is frequented , and therfore yee turne yee to the people , if any bee there , and bid them God speed in Latine , with Dominus vobiscum , because they understand nothing but English. Turning againe to the Altar , yee say certaine Collects , wherof although some of them bee good , yet many of them bee very superstitious and starke staring naught . For in them yee set foorth before God the intercessions and merits of Saints , and yee desire for the nity and worthinesse of them to be heard , to have forgivenesse of sinnes , and everlasting life . O blasphemous Idolaters ! what is it to robbe Christ of his Priesthood , if this be not ? What spoileth Christ of his merits , if this doe not ? What treadeth under foot the pretious bloud of our Saviour Christ , if the saying of such abominable blasphemous Collects doe it not ? The Authour of the Collects some make Pope Gelasius , which lived in the yeare of our Lord three hundred & ninetie . Some P. Gregorie , of whom ye heard before . The Collects once done , yee reade the Epistle , but in such a tongue as the people understand nothing , as yee doe all other things . Some say that Pope Telesphorus , of whom wee spake before , added the Epistle to the Masse . Some make Hierome the Authour of it , which lived about the yeare of our Lord three hundred eighty seven . Then doe ye say the Grayle , whereof they make Pope Gelasius the Authour , of whom wee spake before . Immediately followeth the Allelujah , which they say , pope Gregorie brought in , of whom also wee spake before . Some say , it was borrowed of the Church of Ierusalem , and so brought into the Church of Rome in the time of pope D●masus . It soundeth in English , O praise the Lord. Here is Latine , Greeke , and Hebrew , in your popish Masse , wherof the people understand nothing , but as for English , which the people understand yee meddle nothing with-all , because you will make them your riding fools , and keep them still in blindnes . Then followeth the Tract , or the Sequence , one brought in by pope Telesphorus the other by Abbot Nothg●rus , who lived in the yeare of our Lord 845. After that yee have mumbled over all these things , yee take up your Masse-booke , and away ye goe to the other end of the Altar to reade the Gospel . But first of all yee uncover the chalice , and look whether your drinke bee there or no , least you should chance to bee deceived , when the time of your repast come . If it bee there you make solemn curtesie to your little Idoll , that hangeth over the Altar , and so goe in hand with the Gospel . And all in Latine , because it shall doe no man good . The Authour of adding the Gospel to the Masse , some make pope Telesphorus , some Saint Hierome , of whom wee spake before . Pope Anastasius , who lived in the yeare of our Lord 404. ordayned that the people should stand up when the Gospel is read , that they might heare and understand the Doctrine of the Gospell , and frame their lives according to the same . This use is observed at this day in the popish Masses , I meane the people st●●d up and make courtesie , when they heare the name of Iesus , but they understand not one word . It were as good in such sort to bee read to Swine and Dogges , as to the Christian people , seeing they understand it not . The Gospel ended , with another kisse upon the Booke , yee say the Creed , which as they write , Pope Marcus made , about the yeare of our Lord 335 & cōmanded that the Clergie & the people should sing it together for the confirmation of their faith . After the Creed upon solemne Feasts ye use to Cense the Altar , which was first brought in by Pope Leo , about the yeare of our Lord 876. These things done with all solemnitie , ye turne you again into the Church , to see whether your customers bee come or no , and so bidding them God-speed , yee turne again to the Altar , and goe forth with your businesse . Then doe you say your Offertory , which Pope Eutichi●●● brought in , who lived about the yeare of our LORD 285. After the Offertory is said , yee take the Chalice up in your hands with the little round cake , lying upon the p●tine or cover of the Chalice , and lifting up your eyes , yee pray on this manner : Suscipe sancta Trinit●s , &c. Take O holy Trinitie this oblation , which I unworthy sinner offer in the honour of thee , of blessed Mary the Virgin , and of all thy Salu●s , for the salvation of the living , and for the rest and quietnesse of all the faithfull that are dead . The Authour of this prayer I cannot finde . It is so good , that I thinke hee was ashamed to tell his Name . But what thinke yee of this prayer ? Bee judges your selves , whether any thing may be uttered more unto the dishonour of GOD , and the utter defacing of CHRISTS bloud , than this your popish , and blasphemous orison . First of all , what offer ye ? Yee must answer , either the little round cake , or else the Chalice , or the wine and water that is in it . To whom doe yee offer it ? To Mary the Virgin , and to all the Saints of heaven , because yee will lacke no company , but gratifie a multitude with a thing of nought . Wherefore doe ye offer that oblation ? For the salvation of the living , and for the rest or quietnesse of all the faithfull that are dead . Ah , who ever heard of such a sacrifice or oblation ? A wafer cake , which is yet but meere bread , and no Sacrament , and a Chalice with a spoonefull of wine mingled with two or three drops of water to be offred for the salvation of the living , and for the rest or quietnesse of all the faithful that are dead ? O abomination ! O intollerable blasphemie ! If Adams Posteritie might have beene saved by such trifling oblations , what needed the Son of God to have died for us ? If a morsell of bread and a full of wine offered up of an idolatrous Priest bee of such vertue , that it may obtaine salvation for the quicke and the dead : was not Christ greatly overseene to suffer so great paines for the redemption of man ? If thousands of great oxen , bulls , kine , calves , goats , sheepe , lambes , doves , &c. in the old Law could not take away the sinnes of the people , although they were offered at the commandement of God , is it to be thought , that a wafer cake and a spoonefull of wine mingled with water , and appointed to bee offered by Antichrist , is a sufficient oblation to purchase salvation for the living and rest and quietnesse for the dead ? O Damnable Idolatrie ! There is no Sacrifice that can save us , but the glorious Passion , and precious Death of our Lord and Saviour Christ Iesus alone , as Saint Paul saith : God forbid , that I should rejoyce in anything but in the Crosse , that is to say , in the passion and death of our Lord Iesus Christ. And to whom doe yee offer your new solemne Sacrifice . To God alone ? Nay , but to blessed Mary also , and to all the company of heaven . In this also , if your oblation and sacrifice were good , doe ye grievously offend . For yee may offer Sacrifice to none but to God alone . Therefore you making your oblation to Mary , to Peter , to Paul , to Magdalen , to Iohn , to Iames , to Erke●●ald , to Grymbald , and I cannot tell to how many thousands more , are abominable Idolaters , seeing that as much as lyeth in you , ye make of the Saints gods , and so doe ye rob God of his glorie . God saith by the Prophet , I am the Lord , this is my Name , I will give my glory to none other . And the Saints themselves crie in this manner : Not to us , O Lord , not to us , but to thy Name give the glory . After that your prayer , yee set your Chalice downe againe , saying these words : Acceptu●s sit omnipotenti Deo hoc sacrificium novuns . That is to say , O that this new Sacrifice might be thankfully taken of almighty God! Why , d ee yee doubt of the matter ? Is your prayer so good , and your faith so strong , that yee doubt , whether God will heare you , and receive your sacrifice or no ? Indeed you may right well call it a new Sacrifice , for it was never heard of afore ; that a wafer ▪ cake and a spoonefull of wine mingled with water , should be an oblation and Sacrifice for the salvation of the living , and for the rest and quietnesse of all the faithfull that are dead . But notable is your doing afterward . When ye have thus sacrificed and offered , yee trudge straight-wayes to the Altars end , and wash your hands . To what end I know not , except it bee , that you have defiled your selves with your new stinking Sacrifice , W ch you even now offered unto God , to blessed Mary , and to all the company of heaven , for the salvation of the quicke , and for the rest and quietnesse of all the faithfull that are dead , and thinke by the washing of your hands , to be cleansed from the abominable spirituall whoredome , which yee have committed against God. I suppose yee learned this washing of your hands of Pilate , which when for favour of the Iewes , and for feare of Caesar , he had unjustly condemned CHRIST unto death , called for a bason of water to wash his hands , and said , I am cleane from the bloud of this righteous man. But as he for all his washing escaped not the vengeance of God , but dyed a most miserable death , even so may yee bee sure , though yee wash your hands never so oft , not to escape the heavie hand of God , for speaking such blasphemies against the Lord and his annointed , except yee out of hand cease from your abominable Massing , which is nothing else but very Idolatry , meere blasphemy , great dishonour to God , and extreme injury to the precious bloud of Christ , while yee ascribe that unto bread , wine , and water , which only appertaineth unto the passon and death of our Saviour Christ. After ye have washed your hands , ye returne again to the Altar , holding your hands before you , like maidenly Priests , and manerly bowing your selves to your little great god that shal be , ye make a crosse upon the Altar , and kisse it in stead of your pretty Petronilla , and then having peradvēture a good mind to behold some shee Saint in the Church , yee turne your selves , looking downe to the people , and saying , Orate pro me Fratres & Sorores . O pray for mee ye Brethren and Sisters , when many times there is no bodie in the Church , but the Boy that helpeth you to say Masse , and so making solemn courtesie like womanly Ioue , ye returne unto your accustomed pattering . What ye say , no man can tell . For now comes in your subtill secrets . And they may right well bee called Secrets , for they are so Secret , and so secretly spoken , that no man is the wiser for them . But whatsoever they are , good stuffe I warrant you they are . And for as much as they bee certaine Collects , they father them upon Pope Gelasius , and Pope Gregory , of whom we spake before . When ye have once done with your subtill , solemne , sleepy secrets , ye burst out into open words , and exhort the people to lift up their hearts unto God , and to consider the mysteries that are now in hand , and to be thankefull to God for the benefits of their redemption . Ah , would God , yee so spake the words , that the people might bee edified by them . But ye speake in such sort , that it were much better for you to hold your peace , and the people to be at home asleepe . For yee doe nothing else than beat the ayre with your breath . The people understand nothing at all , neither doe they consider any thing , but only are there present as vaine gasers . These admonitions to the people , of lifting up their hearts unto God , and to be thankfull to him for his benefits , set forth in the death of his Son Christ , were used in the Primative Church as we may see in Saint Cyprian and Saint Augustine . The Authour of these godly exhortations is not knowne . Immediately followeth the Preface , and because there bee divers , they father them upon Pope Gelasius , and Pope Gregory , as they doe all other things , whereof they can finde no certaine Authour . But this is most certaine that the ancient Church used but one Preface , which is called the quotidian or daily Preface . These things passed over , yee fall in hand with the Sanctus , W ch lifting up your hands , ye speake with a loud voice , & that ended , ye kisse the Masse-booke , because some other is not at hand . The S●●ctus , as they say , was brought in by Pope Sixtus , which was about the yeare of our Lord 125. and commanded to be sung in the Church . Now commeth in your holy Masse Canon , whereof be diverse Authors . For it is an hotch-potch devised & made by a number of Popes , and by others also . It is a very beggers cloke , cobled , clouted and patched with a multitude of popish ragges . And yet the Papists affirme it to bee the holiest part of your Masse . And it may soone be . For there is not one part of the Masse , that can worthily be called good , as it is used at this present . All things are so far out of order without edifying , and contrary to Gods holy ordinance . The authors of this their goodly and godly Canon they make Pope Ale●ander , Pope Gelasius , Pope Gregory , Pope Sixtus , Pope Leo , and a certaine man called Scholasticus , with other . And here beginne yee wonderfully to crosse , and to pray for the Universall Church , first for our LORD Pope , secondly for the Bishop of the Diocesse wherein yee dwell , thirdly , for your King and Queen , last of all , for all those that be of the Catholike faith . And now come yee to your first Memento , which serveth for the living , where yee stand nodding like a sort of drunkards , and praying , yee say for all your good friends and benefactors , for all that uphold and maintaine the kingdome of the Clergie , and defend our mother holy Church against the assaults of the Gospellers , and here ye alledge a sort of Saints , and ye desire that for their merits and prayers sake , yee may bee saved and preserved from all evill . O abhominable blasphemers ! This done , yee fall to crouching and beholding the little cake and chalice , & speaking a few little good words in Latine , yee blesse and crosse wonderfully the cake and Chalice , as though they were haunted with some ill spirits . While yee are thus blessing , the boy or Parish Clerke rings the little Sacry bell , which biddeth the people lay all things aside now , and lift up their heads , behold their maker , kneele down and worship their Lord God , which Sir Iohn shall straight-wayes make with as much speed as may be , and shew him unto them above his head . Before it was Sursum corda , Lift up your hearts unto the Lord , but now is sursum capita , come in , lift up your heads , and looke upon your maker betweene the priests hands , with his arse turned towards you , because no woman at that present shal be inamored with his sweete and loving face . Come off , kneele downe , looke up , knocke your brest , behold the apple-maker of Kent , and marke well him that killed thy father . This is the Lord thy God. Let us fall downe and worship him . O unsufferable Idolatrie . Notable is the doctrin of the Nicene Counsell , which commandeth that wee shall not direct our mindes downeward to the bread and cup , but lift them up to Christ by faith , whith is ascended up into heaven really and corporally , and not present carnally in the Sacramental bread , as the papists teach . Christ , while we live in this world , is not to be seen with the eyes of this body , but of the spirit by faith . If we wil see and worship Christ aright , we must see and worship him in spirit , sitting in his glory and majestie above in heaven at the right hand of God his father , and not behold him in the Sacramentall bread with the corporall eyes , where nothing is to be seene , felt , tasted , or received with the mouth , but bread onely . But before wee come to your consecration , to your Sacring , and to the lifting up of your litle great young old God , we will first see what Christ did , afterward compare your doings with his . Christ sitting at the table , tooke bread , and after hee had given thankes , he brake the bread , and gave it to his Disciples for to eat . Christ sate at the table , yee stand at an Altar . Christ tooke bread to make it a Sacrament of his body , yee take a little thinne round Cake , or rather a thinne piece of starch to make it the naturall body of Christ , God and man , and to offer it for a Sacrifice for the sinnes of the quicke and the dead . Christ delivered the bread to his Disciples , to eate it in the remembrance of his death , ye take the bread , and hold it up above your head , and make a shew of it to the people , and when yee have once so done , ye alone devoure and eate it up . Christ brake the bread , signifying thereby the breaking of his body on the Altar of the Crosse for the Salvation of the world , according to this his promise in the Gospell of Saint Iohn I am that living bread which came downe from heaven . If any man eateth of this bread , hee shall live for ever . And the bread that I will give is my flesh , which I will give for the life of the world . Ye breake the bread also , which yee say is the naturall body of Christ , flesh , bloud , and bone . But very fondly ye breake it . For yee breake your Host ( I use your own tearmes ) in three parts , holding it over the chalice , while you breake it , I thinke because yee would lose none of the bloud , that should issue out of the body , which ye newly have made , and now suddainely yee breake and destroy againe . When ye have broken your new formed God in three parts , two pieces you keepe still in your hands for flying away , and the third yee let fall downe into the chalice , to lie there awhile a sleeping , or to put you in remembrance of your nappy Ale and Tost , which your pretty Parnell hath full lovingly prepared for you against your Masse bee done , lest you should chance to faint for taking so great paines at your butcherly altar . Many significations have the Papists invented for those 3. broken pieces of the cake , which all here to rehearse were too long . I will rehearse one , and if yee desire to know more , enquire of your brethren the Papists , and they shall easily teach you . The first part say they , which is both the longest and the greatest , doth not onely signifie , but also is a Sacrifice of thanksgiving to God the Father for his benefits declared to mankinde in the death of Christ his sonne . The second is a Sacrifice propitiatory for the sinnes of the people , that ●ee living in this world , but specially for the sinnes of such as have bought the Masse for their money , that they may bee delivered a poena & culpa toties quoties . The third piece , which is let downe into the chalice , is a satisfactory Sacrifice for the soules that lie miserably puling in the hot fire of Purgatorie , to deliver them from the grievous paines and bitter torments that they there suffer , and through the vertue and merits of that Sacrifice to bring them unto everlasting glory . O intollerable abomination . Here is the breaking of your Host , with the goodly mysteries thereof . Christ , say the Evangelists , took bread , brake it , and gave it to his Disciples , saying , Take , eat , this is my body , which is broken for you . Doe this in remembrance of me . Yee also take bread and breake it , but ye give it to your selves . But as Christ gave the bread to his Disciples , willing them to eat it in remembrance of his passion and death , so ought yee to doe to the faithfull congregation that are present , and not like swinish beasts to eate and drinke up all alone your selves , and afterward to blesse the people wi●h an empty cup , as ye doe at your high and solemne feasts . But this doe yee not , therefore are ye plaine Antichrists . Take this bread , saith our Saviour Christ. Take it in your hands . Hand off , say yee Papists . Gape , and wee will put it in your mouths , and feed yee as children use to feed their Iack-dawes . Handle so pretious a relique ? Marry Sir , God forbidde . The woman peradventure hath lien with her husband all night , or the husband with the wife , and shall such touch the pretious body of our Lord with their handes ? Marry Sir , God forbid . That were a piteous case . But yee abominable Whoremasters , ye filthy fornicators , yee stinking Sodomites , ye deceitfull Deflowrers of mayds , yee devillish defilers of mens wives yee cankred corrupters of widowes , and yee lecherous locusts , may lie with your whores and harlots all night , and the next day after goe to Masse , consecrate , make , touch , handle , breake and devoure your God , and yet ye defile the Sacrament nothing at all . O abominable Whorehunters . O monstrous Massmongers . Honest Matrimonie , after your corrupt judgements defileth the Sacrament of Christs body and bloud , but filthy fornication , abominable adultery , wicked whoredome , and stinking Sodomitrie advanceth the dignity thereof . O right Chaplins of that filthy Idoll Priapus . But come off I pray you , what hath the hand more offended than the mouth that it may not touch the Sacrament ? Are they not both the good creatures of God ? are they not made both of one substance ? and to say the truth , there commeth not so much evil from the hand , as there doth out of the mouth For out of the mouth come Blasphemies , cursed speakings , evil reportes , bannings , slanders , lies , malicious words , filthy tales , idle talke , singing of bawdy ballads , &c. But from the hand commeth vertuous occupation , honest labour , painefull travaile , getting of thy living , helping of our neighbors , and almes-giving to the poore . But yee are alwayes like your selves , that is to say , very Antichrists . For yee are evermore contrary to Christ. Christ delivered the Sacrament into his Disciples hands , and you put it into the Communicants mouths , as though the people were not so wise , as to put a morsel of bread in their owne mouthes . The people are much bound to you , that have so good opinion of them . Ye make them momes indeed , asses , louts , and your very riding fools God once open their eyes , that they may perceive your jugling . Ye are well worthy to have your tithes and offerings truely payd , yee doe your duty so well . Verily , they that give ought to find you Masse-mongers withall , and to maintaine you in your abominable massing , doe nothing else but offend God , dishonor Christ , tread under foote the pretious bloud of Christ , make Christs death of no price ▪ maintaine Idolatrie , defie the holy Communion , destroy the Christian common-weale , uphold Antichrists brood , cherish Satans Chaplains , pamper Priapus pildepates , make fat Venus stout stallions , enrich Bacchus Sacrificers , and nourish such monsters as doe nothing else than murther , kill and slay the soules of so many as follow your damnable Doctrine , and hant your Idolatrous Masses . Let the Christians therefore beware , how and upon whom they bestow their goods , lest by giving to Massing priests , they get to themselves everlasting damnation . The doer and maintainer shall receive like punishment . He that readeth the practises of the ancient Church , shall evidently see , that the manner of the godly Ministers at that time was not to put the Sacramentall bread into the peoples mouths , as yee doe at this present , but to give it them into their hands . For it was not then taken and honored for a God , as it is now , but it was reverently used and taken as an holy and worthy Sacrament of Christ. But what marvaile is it though yee will not suffer the people to handle the Sacramentall bread , seeing yee will not suffer the cōmunicants to touch your Popes holy chalice , wherein notwithstanding is not the Sacrament of Christs bloud , but only meere wine dedicated and appointed to no godly use . Ye are contrary to Christ in all things . God amend you . Take , eat , saith our Saviour Christ. Nay , say ye Masse-mongers , neither take yee , nor eat , but come & heare Masse devoutly , & see us take and eat up altogether , and it is enough for you . Fall down , kneele & worship your Maker , that wee shew unto you . Honor your God that is hanged up in the pixe over the Altar , and so shall yee be good Catholickes , and deare children of our mother holy Church . If yee come at Easter according to P. Zepherinus commandemēt , and then receive your maker devoutly , it is enough for you . At all other times we wil receive the Sacrament for you , and it shall do you as much good , as though you had eaten it your selfe . O false and subtile hypocrits , O wicked corrupters of the Lords blessed Testament . If other men shold eat up your dinners and suppers in your stead , as ye eat up the Sacramēt from the people , ye should not have so fat panches as yee have , nor yet so frie in your grease as you doe . Christ delivered the Sacramental bread to his Disciples , and bade them eate , but yee eat up all your selves , and will give no man part with you . O cankred carles , O churlish chuffes ! And here may we , note by the way , to what end the Sacramental bread is ordained , not that it should be kneeled to , nor honored as a God , nor gazed on , nor carried about in popish pompous processions , nor offered up for a sacrifice for the sins of the quick & the dead , nor yet to reserve it , & to hang it up in the pixe over the Altar , as yee Papists doe , but that it should be received , and eaten of the faithfull Communicants , at the Lords Supper , in remembrance of CHRISTS death , Take eat , saith our Saviour Christ. Hitherto have wee heard , that your peevish , popish , private , pedlary , pelting masse , agreeth with the Lords blessed Supper and holy Communion nothing at all . Let us now see , how well ye behave your selves in the words of Consecration , as yee call them , wherein after your opinion hangeth all the matter . Christ said , This is my bodie , which is betrayed for you . Doe this in the remembrance of me . Now let us behold your consecration . Taking the little Cake in your hands , yee say these words . The day before hee suffered , hee tooke bread into his holy and worshipfull hands , and lifting up his eyes unto heaven , to the God his Father Almightie , and giving the thanks , he blessed , brake and gave to his Disciples , saying , Take and eat of this all ye . For this is my body . The Author of these words as they bee here recited , was Pope Alexander , about the yeare of our Lord 112. Here doe yee not rehearse the words truely , as our Saviour CHRIST spake them . Some words yee added , and some yee have taken away . But I much marvell at your grosse ignorance in this one thing . Yee put a difference betweene Blessing and Thankesgiving . For when yee rehearse this word Be●edixit , he blessed , you crosse and blesse the bread with your greasie fingers , as though Christs blessing in that place were the wagging of his fingers , and not rather thankesgiving . For where Saint Marke hath , Cum Benedixisset , When he had blessed . Saint Matthew , Luke and Paul hath , Cum Gratias egisset , When he had given thankes . So that to blesse , after Markes phrase , is nothing else than to give thankes , to praise and to magnifie . And so is it taken in divers places of the holy Scriptures , both in the old and new Testament . Again , ye put to these foure words of Christ , Hoc est corpus meum , this word Enim , and ye say , Hoc est enim carpus 〈◊〉 , one word more than ever Christ put in , because ye may be found still as ye are , even abominable liars . But for putting in this one word Enim ( which is of so great vertue , say ye , that without it there can bee no perfect Consecration , and then what is to bee thought , I pray you , of Christ , and of his Apostles , of the Primative Church , and of the Greekes at this day , which never used that word ) being your owne superfluous addition , yee most wickedly leave out these most necessary words , that CHRIST spake , which is betrayed for you , Doe this in the remembrance of mee . This joyfull promise , that Christs body was betrayed , given and broken for us , with the residue , ye leave out , as a thing pertaining nothing to the purpose . And yet are they so necessary , that without the knowledge of them , the Sacrament profiteth nothing at all . If I receive the Sacrament a thousand times , & yet if I know not to what use it was instituted of Christ , what profits and benefits I have by the worthy receiving of it . If I doe not set before the eyes of my minde the death of Christ , and faithfully beleeve to have remission & forgivenesse of al my sins by the breaking of Christs body , & by the sheadding of his most pretious bloud , &c. it profiteth me no more , thā the pretious stone did profit . Aesops Cock. Again , those words , which Christ spake openly to his Disciples , unto their great joy and comfort , you partly leave out , and partly whisper in hocker mocker to your selves , that no man may bee the better for your doings , and that the people may bee kept still in blindnesse . Our Saviour CHRIST saith , What I tell you in darkenesse , that speake yee in light . And what ye heare in the eare , that preachye on the house tops . But ye doe cleane contrary . For that which Christ spake openly to his Disciples , ye mutter it softly to your selves . O cruell soule-slayers , and bloudie murtherers . But is this your dexterity , uprightnes , and true dealing with the Word of God ? So to corrupt and mangle the words of the glorious Testament of the Sonne of God ? It is not lawfull to alter a mortall mans Testament , and dare ye presume ( O yee Antichrists ) to alter and change the blessed Testament and heavenly will of the King of Glory ? Are ye faithfull Ministers , which deale so unfaithfully with your Lord and Master ? Ye that deale so wickedly with God , how wil ye deale with man ? God keepe all faithfull people out of your clawes . After ye have once spoken these five words , Hoc est enim corpus meum , over the bread , and have blasted , breathed , and blowed upon it , yee kneele down to it , and worship it like abominable Idolaters , and afterward ye hold it up above your pestilent , pilde , shaven , shamelesse heads , that the people by looking upon it , and worshipping it , may be partakers also of your abominable Idolatry , not being contented with your own damnable estate , except ye bring other also into the same danger . The Author of your levation & lifting the bread above your head , was Pope Honori ▪ the third about the yeare of our LORD 1 : 10. which commanded that the Host should bee lifted up above the Priests head at Masse , and that all the people should fall downe and worship it . O Antichrist . Here may all men see , how ancient a thing your holy sakering is , which is counted the best and chiefest part of your Masse when notwithstanding it is the most wicked and most abhominable part of your idolatrous Masse . Verily it is not much more than three hundred yeares old . Let the lying Papists therfore bee ashamed to brag , that their divellish Masse came from the Apostles , seeing it is proved to be a new and late invention of Antichrist . And although the whole Masse of the Papists be utterly wicked and abhominable , yet this part , which they call the Sakering , is most wicked and abominable , for as much as it provoketh the people that are present , to commit most detestable Idolatries . For the people take it to be their god . They beleeve that bread , w ch the Priest heaveth above his head , to bee Christ , perfect God , & perfect man. Therfore kneel they down unto it , knocke their breasts , lift up their heads , worshippe and honour it . When the Bel once rings ( if they cannot conveniently see ) they forsake their seats , and runne from Altar to Altar , from Sakering to Sakering , peeping here , and tooting there , and gazing at that thing , which the pilde-pate Priest holdeth up in his hands . And if the Priest bee weake in the armes , and heave not up high enough , the rude people of the Countrey , in divers parts of England , will crie out to the Priest , hold up Sir Iohn , hold up . Heave it a little higher . And one will say to another : Stoupe downe thou fellow afore , that I may see my Maker . For I cannot be merry except I see my LORD GOD once in a day . O abomination . Ah , Woe worth you , yee Masse-mongers , that are the authors of this abominable Idolatrie , and through your wicked massing send thousands to the Devill , except the mercy of God bee the greater . Better were ●e Masse-mongers to leave your fat Benefices , your rich Prebeuds , your wealthy Deanries , your honourable Chaplainships , your long Gownes , your Sarsene● Tiopets and your shaven crownes , and become watertankard-bearers in London , or to cobble a shoo , or goe to plough and cart , yea , to have a milstone tyed about your neck , and be cast into the bottome of the sea , than your most stinking , wicked and vile massing to provoke so many people unto Idolatry , and to bring the wrath of God and everlasting damnation upō them , except they repent and amend . Verily I say unto you , it shall bee easier for the Land of So dome at the day of Iudgement , than for you . But I know what yee will say : That we hold up is the very natural bodie of Christ , God and man , therefore may we all justly worship it . I aske you , how prove ye it to be the naturall bodie of Christ ? Yee answer , By the vertue of these words , Hoc est enim corpus meum . I reply , CHRIST spake these words of the bread , as the holy Scriptures and all ancient Writers doe witnesse , and so then followeth it , that bread is Christs body , and Christs bodie is bread . And by this meanes it must needs be granted , that Christ hath two bodies , one made of bread , and another of flesh , which he received of Mary the Virgin . But yee answer , Christs calling is making . Christ called the bread his body , therefore is it made his bodie . I answer againe , Christ called himselfe a Vine , a Doore , a Shepheard , and called his Heavenly Father a Plough-man , is Christ therefore made a naturall vine , a materiall doore , a rusticall shepheard , and his Father an husband-man of the country ? Christ called Iohn Baptist Elias . Is Iohn therefore made that Elias the Thesbite , which preached in the time of wicked King Achab ? Christ called Iohn the Evangelist Maries son , and called Mary his mother : is Iohn therefore made the naturall son of Mary the Virgin , Christs mother ? And is Mary made the very true and naturall mother of Iohn Evangelist ? I am sure yee will not so say . No more is the Sacramentall Bread Christs naturall body , although Christ called it his bodie , but his bodie in a mystery , and in a figure , as the old writers testifie . Tertullian that most ancient Doctor saith : Iesus taking bread , and distributing it among his disciples , made it his bodie , saying : This is my bodie , that is to say , a figure of my body . Hereto agreeth the saying of Saint Augustine , Christ did not sticke to say , This is my body , when he gave the signe of his bodie . And Saint Hierome saith , that Christ did represent the truth of his body and bloud by the bread and wine . An infinite number of like sentences concerning this matter , are found in the ancient Authors , which prove evidently , that this saying of Christ , Hoc est corpus meum , This is my body , is a figurative speech . Signes or Sacraments in the holy Scripture are called by the names of the things , whereof they bee Sacraments and signes , as we reade of the Arke , of Circumcision , of the Paschal Lambe , of the Sacrifices of the old Law , of Baptisme , which Saint Paul calleth the Laver or fountaine of regeneration , and the receiving of the Holy Ghost . And after this sort is the sacramental bread called by the name of Christs body , because it is the Sacrament , signe and figure of his bodie . Those things which doe signifie , saith Saint Cyprian , and those things which be signified by them , may bee both called by one name . And Saint Augustine rehearsing divers sentences which were spoken figuratively , numbreth among thē these words of Christ , Hoc est corpus meum , This is my body , whereby he declareth plainly , that Christ spake these words figuratively , not meaning that the bread was his body by substance , but by signification . Moreover it is directly against the veritie and truth of Christs naturall body , to bee at more places at once than in one , as hee must be in an hundred thousand places at once , if your doctrine bee true . A stinking Sodomite , or a wicked whoremonger being dressed in his fooles coat , and standing at an altar with a little thinne round cake in his hand , shall with these five words , Hoc est corpus meum , and with blowing and breathing upon the bread , make Christ the king of glory to come from the right hand of his father , and to touch himselfe in the Accidents of the little cake , untill yee have eaten him , and then trudge up againe to heaven , till Hoc est enim corpus meum fetch him down again if your doctrine bee true . O proud Lucifers ! And oh poore wretched Christ , who at every filthy Masse-mongers commandement art compelled to come down from the glorious throne of thy Majestie , and to bee handled as the Papish please , either to bee torne asunder with their teeth , or else to be hanged up with an halter in their popish Pixe . But know yee , O ye vile and blasphemous Papists , that though yee whisper your five words never so oft at your Idolatrous altars , and breath blast and blow , till yee be windlesse , yee shall never plucke the Son of God from the right hand of his Father , nor make that thinne cake of yours Christs naturall Body . The article of our faith is that Christ is gone up into heaven , and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty , and from thence hee shall come to judge the quicke and the dead . Our Saviour Christ told his Disciples full oft , a little before his passion , that hee should leave the world , and goe up againe unto his Father . Saint Mark saith that Christ was taken up into heaven , and sitteth on the right hand of God. Saint Luke saith , that Christ went away from his Disciples , and was carried up into heaven . The Angell of God said to the Apostles , when Christ did ascend up into heaven : yee men of Galile , why stand ye gazing up into heaven . This Iesus , which is taken up from you into heaven , so shall hee come , as ye have seen him going into heaven . Of these words of the Angells wee learne , that as Christ went up visibly , and was seene with the corporall eyes of men , but never man saw him yet comming downe with his corporall eyes , therefore never came he downe corporally since his ascension . S. Stephen indeed saw Christ even with his bodily eyes as wee reade in the Acts of the Apostles . But where ? Heere on the earth between the Priests hands ? Nay , but in heaven standing on the right hand of God. Saint Paul heard Christ speake , but from whence ? from the popish pixe ? yea rather from heaven . Saint Peter saith , as blessed Luke testifyeth , that Iesus Christ must receive heaven , till the time that all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy Prophets , since the world beganne , bee restored againe . This time is till the day of judgement . If ye will have Christ therefore bodily at your Masses , yee must tarry till the day of Iudgement . For till that time , saith blessed Peter , hee must keepe heaven . Alasse , where is your Hoc est enim corpus meum after your grosse understanding become ? Moreover , S. Paul in divers places of his Epistles declareth , that Christ is ascended into heaven , and sitteth on the right hand of God , and maketh intercession for us to God his father . So likewise doe the other Apostles in their writings . Iesus Christ , saith Saint Peter , is on the right hand of God , and is gone into heaven . We have an Advocate with the Father : Iesus Christ the righteous , saith Saint Iohn . All these Authorities of the holy Scripture with many other , doe testifie that Christ as concerning his corporall presence is no more in the earth , but in heaven only . Christ hath in him two natures , the nature of God , and the nature of man. As concerning his divine nature , hee is in heaven , in earth , and in every place . But as touching his humane nature , hee is in heaven onely , and there shall remaine untill the Day of Iudgement , as Saint Augustine saith , as concerning the presence of his Majestie wee have Christ alwayes , but as touching the presence of his flesh , it was truely sayd to his Disciples . Mee shall yee not alwayes have with you . For the Church had him a few dayes after th● presence of his flesh , but now it holdeth him by faith , and seeth him not with the eyes . Againe , he saith , God and man is one person , and both is one Christ Iesus , in every place , in that he is God , but in heaven in that he is man. Also in another place , Where and in what manner Christ is in heaven , it is a vaine and superfluous thing to aske or demand , but wee must surely beleeve , that hee is onely in heaven . If hee be onely in heaven , as concerning his corporall presence , as both the Scriptures and Saint Augustine affirme , how then is hee either in your round cake at Masse , or else hanging up in your popish Pixe over the Altar with an halter ? But let us heare what the ancient Doctour Virgilius writeth concerning this matter . The Sonne of God , saith he , as concerning his Humanitie , is gone away from us , but as touching his Divinity , hee saith unto us : Behold I am with you alwayes unto the end of the world . Againe , forasmuch as the word is every where , and his flesh is not every where , it appeareth that one and the same CHRIST is of both natures , and that hee is in every place as concerning the nature of his Godhead . Againe , that hee is contayned in a place as touching the nature of his manhood . Of these Authorities doth it manifestly appeare , that Christ , inasmuch as he is God , is in every place , but having respect to that hee is a man , he is only in one place , that is to say ▪ in heaven . If he bee only in heaven inasmuch as he is man , then consider yee , what is to be thought of the doctrine of the Papists , which teach that Christs naturall body is in every place wheresoever his Godhead is . O Antichrists ! If this be not to play the Hereticke Marcions part , and utterly to destroy the verity of Christs humane nature , or of his naturall body , what is it ? But Saint Augustine saith very well in this behalfe , wee must take heed ( saith hee ) that we doe not so set forth , maintaine or affirme the Godhead of the Man ( Christ ) that wee take away or destroy the truth of his body . For it doth not follow , that that which is in God , should be every where as God. Christ , inasmuch as he is God , is every where , but being man , hee is onely in heaven . But yee will object , according to your old wont , the omnipotencie or almighty power of God and say , that forasmuch as he is omnipotent and almighty , he may both make the bread his body , and also bee in as many places concerning the corporall presence , as he list , that is to say , in infinite places at once . I answer , God is not called Almighty because he can doe all things , but because he is able to doe whatsoever his Godly pleasure is to doe . For there are certaine things which God cannot doe , as for example , hee cannot denie himselfe , hee cannot lye , hee cannot save such as die in infidelity , hee cannot make another of like power with himselfe , hee cannot save the reprobate , nor condemne the Elect , which have their names written in the Booke of life , &c. Whatsoever is contrary to his Word , that cannot God doe ; But it is contrary to the Word of God for Christs body to bee in more places at once , than in one , yea , to bee both in heaven sitting at the right hand of God the Father , and heere also in earth at your popish Masses in a thousand places at once , therefore is not God able to make his body to bee in so many places at once , as ye faine , forasmuch as the nature of God onely is infinite , and the nature of all creatures is contained in some certaine one place at once . But here againe yee will bring forth these promises of CHRIST . Wheresoever two or three be gathered together in my Name , there am I in the middest of them . Againe , I am with you alwayes unto the end of the world . These promises , and such like are to bee understood not of the corporall presence here on earth , but of his Grace , as the Doctors themselves doe declare . It is to bee noted , marked and considered saith Cyril , that although Christ hath taken away the presence of his body from hence , yet by the Majesty of his God-head hee is alwayes present , as hee at his departure promised his Disciples . Behold saith he , I am with you alwayes unto the very end of the world . The like saying of Saint Augustine heard wee before . Of all these things heretofore spoken it is evident , that the naturall body of Christ is not here in earth , as yee Masse-mongers would gladly make us beleeve , but in heaven onely , and there shall remaine untill the day of Iudgement . Christ in the mean season being here present with us by his Spirit and Grace . Seeing then that the Sacramentall bread is not the naturall body of Christ , God and man , but a figure , Sacrament , and holy signe of his body , with what forehead dare you either affirme that your little thinne round cake , after five words pronounced over it , and you breathing , blasting and blowing upon it , to be the true , naturall , reall , corporeall , and substantiall body of Christ , God and Man , as hee was borne of the Virgine Marie , and suffered for us on the Altar of the crosse , or worship it your selves , or yet provoke others so to doe , according to Pope Honorius decree , and not after Christs institution ? What is Idolatrie , if this bee not Idolatrie ? To worship a piece of bread for God , what heathen Idolater ever so doted ? If good king Ezekias lived in these our dayes , hee would rather play with the Sacrament of Christs body and bloud , as he did with the Brasen Serpent , than hee would suffer such abomiable Idolatry to be committed at the ministration of it , to the great dishonour of God , the utter defacing of Christs passion , and bloud , and death , and to the dreadfull damnation of innumerable souls . O England England teares , yea teares of bloud mayest thou well weepe , which in the prosperous time of that most godly King Edward the Sixt wert blessedly purged of all superstition , Idolatry , and popish doctrine , and hadst restored unto thee the true Gospel of thy salvation , and the right ministration of the Lords Sacraments , But now for thine unthankfulnesse toward the Lord thy God , all these heavenly treasures are taken away from thee , and the stinking dung of the Pope most miserable cast upon thee . Lament thy sinnes O England , lament , lament , Returne to the Lord thy God , and most humbly beseech him once againe to looke upon thee with his mercifull countenance , to take away these popish dregs , to restore unto thee his lively Word , and to blesse thee again with the true ministration of his holy Sacraments , that thou maist serve the L O R D thy God in holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of thy life . This doctrine , that the Sacrament of the Altar , as you terme it , is the true , naturall , reall , carnall , corporal , and substantiall bodie of Christ , is the dream of Antichrist the Bishop of Rome , and was never received in the Church till Pope Leo , Pope Nicholas , Pope Innocent , Pope Honorius , and Pope Vrban , through their tyranny brought it in and compelled the Christians with fire and fagot ( as the manner of the tyrannicall Papists is ) to receive their abomihable doctrine , and yet in all ages God stored up some to confesse the true doctrine of the Sacrament against Antichrist even unto the death . Neither is this popish doctrine so ancient as the Papists bragge . For it is not much more than five hundred yeares since their g●osse opinion of the Sa●rament began first to be attempted . And although Pope Nicholas the second di● much in the matter , yet was it not thorowly received nor agreed upon , untill Pope Innocent the third came , which about the yeare of our Lord 1215. kept a Councell at Rome , called Latronense , I would say , Lateranense concilium : where were gathered together a swarme of Papists , about the number of thirteen hundred pild pates , of the which number eight hundred and odde were Monkes , Canons , and Fryers , chickens of the Popes owne brood . Last of all came Pope Vrban the Monke , in the yeare of our Lord , 1264. and he made up all the market . For he ordained a Feast called Corpus Christi , in the honour of the Sacrament , so that ever after that time , the Sacrament was no more taken for a signe , figure , and token of Christs bodie , but for Christ himselfe God and man , and therefore was it reverenced , worshipped , censed , and kneeled unto , as yee teach the people to doe at your unsacred Sakerings , and so are yee their schoolmasters to learn them to commit Idolatrie against their Lord God , but let us goe foorth with our matter . After our Saviour CHRIST had delivered the Sacramentall bread to his Disciples for to eat , hee tooke the Cuppe , and thanked , and gave it them , saying , Drinke yee all of this . For this is my bloud ( which is of the new Testament ) that is shed for many for the remission of sinnes . This doe , as oft as yee drinke it , in the remembrance of mee . Here CHRIST delivered to his Disciples holy wine ( I call it holy , because it was dedicated and appointed to an holy use ) which hee made the Sacrament of his bloud . And they all dranke of it . And here is to bee marked by the way , that our Saviour CHRIST afore seeing that there should arise false annointed , that would take away from the people the Sacrament of his bloud , bade them all drinke of it . All , all without exception , even so many as beleeve on him , spirituall or temporall , as they call them . Are not yee Popish shavelings these false annointed ? Have you not taken away the Cup of the LORDS bloud from the Lay people , and reserved it to your selves alone ? Doe not ye minister the Sacrament of Christs bodie and bloud to the Lay people under one kinde onely , cleane contrary to Christs institution ? O GOD-robbers . O spoilers of Christian mens soules . Neither can ye abide , that the people should touch your Pope-holy Chalice , when they drinke the wine , but ye your selves holding the chalice in your own hands give them drinke , as though they were babes of three dayes old , and could not put the Cuppe to their mouth . O tender and jealous nurses ! In the primative Church and many hundred yeares after , as we may see in the monuments of learned men , the Sacrament according to Christs institution , was received of the people under both kindes , untill Antichrist , the Biship of Rome , by his divellish decree , determined the contrary at the Councell of Constance , not much more than an hundred years past . Pope Gelasius made a godly Decree , that those people , that would not receive the Sacrament under both kindes , should receive none at all , but be put away from the Lords Table . The Greekes and Bohemes , with all that be not under the tyranny of the Pope of Rome , and of his wicked Lawes receive the Sacrament under both kinds at this day , according to Christs institution . Where the contrary is used , there reigneth the Devill and the Pope , and not Christ and his holy Word . But now let us behold your doings . After that yee have committed Idolatrie with the sacramentall bread ( if it be worthy of that name ) ye fall in hand to consecrate ( I use still your owne termes ) the wine with these words : In like manner after Supper was done , hee tooke this noble chalice ( that is a lye , for Christ never handled that chalice ) into his holy and worshipful hands , and after hee had given thankes to the Father , he blessed ( here fall ye to crossing againe ) and gave it to his Disciples , saying : Take yee , and drinke yee all of this ▪ For this is the cup of my bloud , a new and everlasting Testament , a mystery of faith , w ch shall be shed for you , and for many , for the remission of sinnes . So oft as yee shall doe these things , yee shall doe them in the remembrance of me . How many words have ye put in here of your owne braine , ye shall easily perceive , if yee compare them with the words which our Saviour CHRIST spake . But for as much as they do not greatly disagree frō the truth of Gods word , I will not strive with you in this behalfe , though I would wish you once to deale faithfully and truely in all your doings , but specially whē you have to doe with God , seeing it is written . Put nothing to the words of God , lest hee reprove thee , and thou bee found a lyar . After the aforesaid words spoken in hocker mocker , yee breathe and blow , and shake your head over the Chalice , and then yee kneele downe , lift up your hands , and honour it like most abhominable Idolaters . After that yee stand up againe like pretty fellowes , and well appointed , and taking the Chalice in your hands , yee hold it up with heave & howe above your heathenish heads , that the people also may worship it , and bee fellow Idolaters with you , and fall into the like danger of everlasting damnation . This done , yee set the Chalice downe againe upon the Altar , and yee cover it with your Corporasse cloath for catching of cold . Then once againe kneele ye downe , and up againe like dive doppers , and kisse the Altar , and spread your armes abroad , as though you would embrace some she saint . After al these things ( as I may let passe your crossings and blessings , your crouchings and noddings with many other apish toyes ) yee fall againe to your solemne prayers , and among all other yee stand nodding and praying in your Memento for the soules departed , which was put to the Masse by Pope Pelagius about the yeare of our Lord 560. And here in your minde and thought ( for now yee play mum-budget , and silence glumme ) yee pray for Philip and Cheny , more than a good many , for the soules of your great grand Sire , & of your old Beldame Hurre , for the soules of father Princhard , and of mother Puddingwright , for the soules of goodman Rinsepitcher , and goodwife Pi●tepot , for the soules of Sir Iohn Husgoose , and Sir Simon Sweetlips , and for the soules of all your Benefactors . Founders , Patrones , Friends and well-willers , which have given you either dirige groates , confessionall pence , trentals , year services , dinners , suppers , or any thing else , that may maintaine you our Ladies Knights . But I pray you , how can you with an assured conscience and true faith , pray for such as are departed out of this world ? If these your prayers bee of faith , then doe your faith hang on Gods word . If you have the Word of God for you so praying , bring it forth of good fellowship , and wee will heare you . Have ye none ? Alasse silly soules ! Then put up your pipes , and lay yee downe to sleepe . Trudge with your Dirges , and pack up your Masses of Requiem . Doe yee alleage Pope Pelagius , and old Fathers or ancient customes ? We have nothing to doe with them , except they bring the Word of GOD in their mouth . Prayer is a matter of faith , and faith alwayes leaneth upon the Word of GOD solely and fully . If ye have not the Word of God for your prayer , then can ye not pray of faith . If yee pray not of faith , then are your prayers abhominable in the sight of God , so farre it is off , that they bee heard , as the Apostle saith : Whatsoever is not of faith , is sinne . Saint Iohn saith , This is the trust that wee have in him , that if wee aske any thing according to his will , he heareth us . But how doe you aske according to the will of God , when yee have not one title of the holy Scripture to declare that yee ought to pray for the dead ? Thinke ye to be heard of God ? Even as Baals Priests were , when they cried O Baal , heare us , O Baal , heare us . If yee would leape upon your Altars , yea , and cut your selves with knives till ye be all on a gore-blo●d , as their manner was , yet shall yee never be heard of God. For yee pray without faith , seeing ye have not the Word of God for you . Doe yee alleage Charitie ? And say , It is a charitable deed to pray for them that are departed ? I answer , yee are very Antichrists , that turne the rootes of trees upward . Will yee have Charity before Faith ? Is not Faith the mother of all vertues ? Is not Charitie the daughter of Faith ? How dare the daughter move you to doe that whereof the mother knoweth nothing at all ? It is not charity that moveth you to pray for the departed , but blinde affection , corrupt zeale , and cankered custome , and hope of gaine . After the departure from this life , all go straight wayes either unto eternall glory , or else unto everlasting pain , as the history of the rich Glutton , and of the poore man Lazarus evidently declareth . Our Saviour Christ saith , Hee that beleeveth on the Sonne , hath everlasting life . But hee that beleeveth not on the Sonne shall not see life , but the wrath of GOD abid●th on him . Here also are rekoned but two kindes of persons , faithful and unfaithfull , the one sort after their departure goe immediately unto everlasting life , the other unto eternal dam●ation . And the Preacher saith , When the tree falleth whether it be toward the South or North , in what place soever it ●all , there it heth . As we depart , so shall we have our place . If wee depart in faith , heaven is appointed for us , but if wee dye in infidelitie , unfaithfulnesse , or misbeleefe , hell is readie at hand . Therefore your prayers for the dead are in every condition frustrate and vaine , superfluous and unprofitable , Heaven needeth no prayer , Hell refuseth all prayer . Notable is this sentence of Saint Augustine ; Know ye , saith Saint Augustine , that so soone as the soule is departed from the body , it is straightwaies either for the good merits placed in Paradise , or else for the sinnes throwne headlong into the deepe dungeon of hell . Againe , in another place hee saith ; Brethren , let no man deceive himselfe ; For there are but two places , and there is no third place for any . He that hath not deserved to raigne with Christ ( in this world ) shall without doubt ( in the world to come ) bee damned with the devill . And Saint Cyprian saith , when wee depart hence , there is no place of repentance . Life is either lost or gotten . But I marvell much of this one thing concerning this matter , that ye pray God the Father that hee will mercifully give to all such as rest in Christ a place of refreshing , of light and peace . As though those that rest in Christ could want any of them all . Can any man that rests in Christ bee tormented in paines , darkenesse , and disquietnes , trouble , or griefe ? To rest in Christ after this life , is not to be payned in Purgatory ( if there were such a place as the Papists feigned , but to raigne with Christ in glory , to possesse everlasting joy , and to have the fruition of Gods glorious Majestie with the heavenly Angells and blessed Spirits , as it is written , Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord. For the Spirit saith , that from henceforth they rest from their labors . And David calleth the death of the Saints pretious in the sight of the Lord. Doth not the Wise man also say , that the soules of the righteous are in the hand of God , and that no griefe , paine , nor torment shall touch them . They are in peace , saith hee . If these things be true , as nothing is more true , what need ye then to stand nodding in your Memento , praying for the dead ? Ye might as well pray for dead swine . For yee have as good authority of the holy Scriptures for the one , as for the other . But this praying for the dead hath made your Kitchins warme , your pots to seeth , and your spits to turne merrily . It hath fed your idle bellies with the fattest of the flocke , and caused you to live in all joy , pleasure , and quietnesse , without any labour , paine , or travaile . Therefore no marevell though such things bee placed in your Masse . Take away the praying for the dead , and yee Purgatory-rakers may picke your meat upon Newmarket heath . For your Dirige groats your Trentalls , your Moneth mindes , your Anniversaries , your Bead-rowls , your soul Masse-pence , and all such other pelf falls to the ground straightwayes . And then welcome again hard fare , greasy cap , threadbare gowne , broken shooe , torne hose , empty purse , and all that beggerly is . Make much therefore of praying for the dead , and wish that your Masse , which of late yee have to your great joy recovered againe , may long continue in her great prosperty , or els your cake is dough , and all your fat lye in the fire . What shall I speake of dancing of your little great God about the Chalice with Per Ip , & cum Ip , & In Ip , Sum , which followeth the praying for the dead ? That is so holy a thing , that it is called the second Sakering , and may by no meanes bee left undone . Your Childe must needs bee dandled and playd withall a little while , least hee chance to sleepe too long . After that yee have layd your young God to rest againe , you say your Pater noster like good devout men : That done , yee take up the patine of the chalice , and afterward yee crosse your selves withall both upon your brests , and upon your bald crownes , and lay it downe againe . I thinke yee doe this either to fray away spirits , or else to enarme your selves with the signe of the croose , that they may bee the more able to bring to passe your butchery , that is now at hand . For straightwayes yee strike up your sleves , yee uncover the chalice , yee lay downe the Corporasse cloth , ye take up your little God , yee hold him up over the chalice , and ye cruelly teare , plucke , and breake him in three pieces , according to Pope Sergi●s commandement , about the yeare of our Lord 700. When yee have so done , ye keepe two parts of your Christs body , which yee your selves made , and have now destroyed again , in your hands holding them over the chalice , and the third part yee let downe into the wine , that it may bee the tenderer , when yee eat it . The my●ticall mysteries hereof I declared a little before . Then doe ye say the Agnus , which Pope Sergius also commanded that it should bee said at Masse a little before the receiving of the host . And here againe yee play the abominable Idolaters . For looking upon the bread , yee looke your selves and worship it , saying in Latine , Agnus Dei qui tollis , &c. O Lambe of God that takest away the sinnes of the world have mercie upon us . Thrice doe yee call that Bread which yee hold in your hands , the Lamb of God which taketh away the sinnes of the world . O intollerable blasphemy ! Was there ever Idolater , that worshipped a piece of broken bread for God ? What marvell is it , though the Iewes , the Turkes , and all other Infidels bee so loth to come to the Christian religion , when they see so manifest Idolatrie committed ? when they behold a piece of a thinne wafer Cake honoured for God ? Certainly , this abominable Idolatry which yee Masse-mongers maintaine , and commit at your Masse , hath beene , and is the occasion , that innumerable thousands have beene , and are daily damned . Yea , these your wicked doings , are the cause , why so many doe abhorre the Christian religion , & defie the Name of Christ , as wee reade of a certaine Emperour of Turky , which when hee was demanded why hee and his people did so greatly abhorre the Religion of Christ , answered that hee coead by no mulnes approove or allow the religion , service , and honour of that God , whom men at their pleasure doe make , and straightwayes eat him when they have done . Better were it for you , O ye Masse-mongers , to have a Mil-stone tied about your neckes , and to be cast into the sea , than thus with your abominable massing and God-making to drive so many from Christ , and provoke so great multitudes unto Idolatry , and finally unto everlasting damnation : and with what a conscience can yee say to the bread , which is a dumbe and insensible creature without all life or spirit . O Lambe of God which takest away the sinnes of the world , have ●●ercie ●pon us . Is that bread , which a little before was corn in the Plough-mans barne , meale in the Millers trough , flower in the Bakers boulting tubbe , and afterwards tempered with a little water , and baked of the waferman betweene a paire of hot printing irons , come now suddainely through your charming unto such dignity , that it is the Lambe of God that taketh away the sinnes of the world ? & that men must pray unto that to have mercie & forgivenes of sins ? O Lord thou living God have mercie upon us , and destroy this abominable Idoll of the masse . In the worshipping of Baal , Astaroth , Moloch , Bel-Peor , Melchom , Dagon , Chames , the Queene of heaven , Saturnus , Iupiter , Priapus , Iuno , Venus , and such other Idolls , was never so great a blasphemy and dishonour to God , as is the setting up of this broken bread to bee worshipped for God. And the matter is so much the more to bee abhorred , because yee colour your abominable Idolatrie with Gods word . Faigned holines , saith Saint Gregorie , is double iniquity . Ah , is that polluted and defiled bread , the Lambe of God that taketh away the sinnes of the world ? Then was that your bread also borne of Mary the Virgine , and nourished with the milke of her breasts . Then did that bread live upon the earth , speake , eate , drinke , sleepe , preach , wo●ke miracles , &c. Then was that bread betrayed , accused , beaten , buffeted , spitted on , crowned with a crowne of thornes , clad wt●h a garment of purple , crucifyed , and nailed to the Crosse. Yea , then did that bread offer himselfe on the Altar of the Crosse a Sacrifice to God the Father for the sinnes of the world , dyed , and rose again for our Iustification . Hath your broken bread done all these things ? Christ the Lambe of God which taketh away the sinnes of the world hath done all these things alone , alone . Bee ashamed once Oye wicked Papists , thus to blaspheme God , and to deceive the people , through your abominable Massing . Again , is grace , mercie , favor , and remission of sins to bee craved of these fragments of bread , which ye hold in your hands ? So is it that true , living , immortal , and everlasting God , which hath bin without beginning , which made heaven & earth , and all things contained in them . For none can forgive us our sins but God alone . Hath your broken bread bin without beginning ? hath it made al things ? Yea , it is a creature it selfe vile and devillish as yee use , or rather abuse it . Be ashamed O ye shamelesse hypocrites , thus to deface the glory of God , and to leade the people in damnable blindenesse . Shortly after the Agnus , yee kisse the Pax , whch was the ordinance of Pope Innocentius in the yeare of our Lord 310. And while the boy or Parish Clerke carryeth the Pax about , yee your selves alone eat up all , and drinke up all . Ah , what riding fools and very dolts make yee the people ? yee send them a piece of wood , or of glasse , or of some metal to kisse , and in the meane season yee eat and drinke up all together ? Is not this a pageant of Hick-scorner ? Is not this a toy to mocke an ape withall ? Is this Christs Accipite and Edite ? Take yee and eat yee , speaking to many , and not to one alone . Is this Christs Bibite ex eo omnes ? Drinke of this all yee ? Did Christ eat the Sacrament alone ? Did he not rather give it to his Disciples , and commanded all faithfull Ministers so to doe ? Why then doe ye ( O ye Antichrists ) eat & drinke up all alone , contrary to Christs institution and commandement ? And yet behold , how yee shunne not to lie even to Gods face : Yee say at your Post●Communion , these words , Quod ore sumpsimus Domine , &c. That which wee have taken with our mouth grant that we may receive it with a pure minde , and that it may be made unto us of a temporall gift an everlasting remedie . Againe , H●c nos summo purget à crimine , &c. This Communion might purge us from Sinne , and make us partakers of the Heavenly Remedie . And in another place yee desire God , that so many as shall receive the body and bloud of Christ , may bee filled with all heavenly blessing and grace . Yee tell God , that you with the rest of the congregation have received even with your owne mouthes the Sacrament of Christs body and bloud , and ye lye most abominably . For yee your selves have eaten and drunken up altogether alone , and like churlish carles ye have given no man part with you . Againe , ye call it a Communion , which is a partaking of many together , but yee might right well call it an Union . For no man eateth and drinketh of the bread and wine , but you alone . Item , ye desire God , that so many as shall be communicants , may be filled with the heavenly blessings and grace , and no man do receive but you alone . What a mocking is this of God , and a deceiving of the people ? God have mercy on us , and once againe deliver us from this most lying , wicked , abominable and divellish Idoll the Masse , and restore unto us the holy and blessed Communion . Christs ordinance is not , that one standing at an Altar should eat , devoure , and mouch up altogether alone , but that a multitude should receive the Sacramentall bread and wine together . Take yee , saith our Saviour Christ , eat ye , and drinke yee all of this . He saith not , Take thou Sir Iohn , eate thou , and drinke thou alone . In the Acts of the Apostles , wee see , that a multitude of the Christians came together to breake the bread , and not that one alone did eate all alone , turning his arse to the people , as yee Massemongers doe . Saint Paul saith , The bread which ye breake , is it not the partaking of the body of Christ ? Hee saith not , the bread which I breake , but which we breake , speaking of many , and not of one . Againe , we all be partakers of one bread , and of one Cup. Indeed wee bee , or wee ought to be . But wee be not , therefore yee Masse-mongers doe us the more wrong . Where the blessed Apostle entreateth of the Lords Supper , he saith , My brethren when yee come together to eate , ( he meaneth the holy Communion , or the Lords Supper ) tarry one for another . Hee saith not , when yee come together to see the Priest say Masse , and to eate and drinke up altogether alone , standing at an Altar and turning his backe towards you , as one full of little good manners . Hee saith also . Tarry one for another . But yee tarry for no man , but having a Boy to helpe you to say Masse , ye goe to your mingle mangle , and never call purre to you . For yee eate and drinke up altogether alone , being much worse than the swine-heards . Wee reade in the ancient Canons , that such as would not communicate , should bee excommunicate , and driven out of Christs congregation , and not to be reputed or taken as members of CHRISTS bodie . Whereof wee may easily and truely gather , that this private Massing , which yee Masse-mongers use at this present , is not of God , but of the Devil , and was not practised of the holy ancient Fathers in their Churches , but of late yeares brought in by Antichrist , and his shamelesse shavelings , which in their private Masses doe nothing else than prophanate , defile and corrupt the LORDS Supper , and make merchandize of it . While they take upon them to receive the Sacrament for other , and to make it a Sacrifice for the sinnes of such as hire them for their money , that they of the labour of other mens hands , and the sweate of other mens browes may live an idle & voluptuous life , as Epicures and belly beasts , borne onely to consume the good fruits of the earth . But as yee Masse-mongers cannot bee baptised , nor beleeve for other , no more can yee receive the Sacrament for other . As every man is baptised for himselfe , so must hee eat and drin●e the mysterie of the LORDS bodie and bloud for himselfe . Can my eating slake your hunger ? No more can your eating of the Sacrament doe mee good . The righteous man , saith the Prophet , shall live by his owne faith . The Priests eating therefore of the Sacramentall bread for other is abominable , and in all points contrary to Christs holy institution ; which ordained his blessed Supper not to be received of one alone for all the congregation , but that every one should receive it for himselfe , that by the worthy receiving thereof , his troubled conscience might be quieted , and his faith confirmed . We reade that when Saint Anthony , which lived about the yeare of our Lord 350. was in the wildernesse , he saw a vision , which was this . He beheld a number of Altars suddenly built up , and covered with white Linnen cloths , with bread and wine set upon them , and a great sort of uncleane and filthy swine standing at them , and slovenly devouring all that ever was set upon the Altars . Saint Anthony being wonderfully amaz●d at this strange sight , cried unto God and said : O Lord God , what mean these foule ill favoured sights ? God said unto him , These filthy swine which thou seest standing at the Altars are the leacherous Priests , which after thy dayes shall arise , and driving away the holy Cōmunion out of Churches , which I instituted to be received of many , shall eat and drinke all the Sacramental bread and wine alone , giving no part thereof to the residue of my people , whom I redeemed with my precious bloud , and for whose sake I ordained my holy Supper to be received of them also . Are not ye leacherous Priests these filthie swine ? Have yee not cast away the LORDS Table , and set up Idolatrous Altars ? Doe not yee at your Masse eat and drinke up all alone , like hungrie hogges , and give no part to Gods faithfull people ? Ye may right well bee compared to filthy swine . For as these brutish beastes cannot abide any other to eat with them , but would ●aine eat up all alone themselves , even so play yee . At your Idolatrous Masses like a sort of beastly hogges yee eat and drinke up all alone , giving no man part with you , cleane contrary to Christs institution . And yee may justly be cal'd lecherous priests . For ye abhorre godly and lawfull matrimonie , and ye defile your selves with all ki●d of stinking whoredome and abominable Sodomitry . Maids ye deflowre , mens wives ye defile , and widowes doe yee corrupt , besides much other abomination , which chast eares abhorre to heare . Men meete to consecrate such a God , and fit champions to say such divellish Masses . GOD give you grace once to leave this most detestable wickednesse . Moreover , was not the Sacrament of CHRISTS body and bloud ordained to move and stir all men to friendship , love and concord , and to put away all hatred , variāce and discord , and to testifie a brotherly and unfained love betweene them , that be the mēbers of Christ. But what friendship or love can bee maintain'd at that ministration of the Sacrament , where one eateth and drinketh all alone , as ye do at your Masses ? If it bee a Sacrament of Charitie and Love , then ought the members of Christ charitably and lovingly to eat and drinke the Lords Supper together , as the Apostle saith , Wee are all partakers of one bread , and of one cuppe , and not one to devoure all alone . For charitie consisteth not in one alone , but in many . And the Lords Supper is called a Communion and not an Union . Therefore yee Masse-mongers grievously offend , which contrary both to the commandement of CHRIST , and the order of Charitie , at your Masses eat and drinke up all alone , and by this meanes yee make the the Lords Supper a Sacrament rather of hate and dissention , than of love and unitie . And heere commeth into my remembrance an History of a Christian & of a Iew. The Christian perceiving the Iew to bee an honest civill man , faithfull in his promise and upright in his dealing toward all men sorrowed greatly in his heart , that hee was not also of the Christian beleefe . The christian thinking that the most ready way to bring the Iew unto Christ , was to leade him to church , that he might there heare and see how well God was served among them , desired the Iew upon a certaine Sabboth day to goe with him unto the temple of the Christians , nothing doubting , but if hee would so doe , hee should bee allured to give over his Iewish opinions , and to become a christian man. The Iew consented and went with him to church where he quietly saw and beheld all things . He heard iolly ringing , pleasant singing , and merry organs playing . Hee beheld a sort of gay gawdy mawmets , and a number of merry fellowes in the quire singing sometime high , sometime low , sometime in a meane , and sometime nothing at all . Hee saw also a fellow with a shaven crowne going up and downe in the church , and casting water in the peoples teeth , and afterward having a iolly coat upon his backe he saw him goe about the church-yard , after an Image , all the people following him . After all these things hee saw that shaveling cast off the gay-coat againe , and put on other game plaiers garments , & so to addres himselfe unto an altar covered with white linnen cloathes , wherupon was set , as hee thought , meate , and drinke , for he saw the cup there . After much singing and piping , he saw the sacrificer that stood at the altar , lift up a little thin round cake , & a cup of drinke above his head . Here will bee good cheere thought the Iew anon , for here are iolly signes & proffers . But when he saw the people fall downe & worship the bread and cup hee marvailed greatly at their madnes . Masse ended , hee looked alwayes when the people should have beene called to eat and drink with Hicke-scorner that heaved the bread and cup over his head , but no man had part with him . He devourd all alone like Sim slap sauce : when they were departed out of the church going home ward , the christian willing to prove how the Iew was affected toward the christian religiō , said unto him , Sir , how like you our religion and serving of God ? To whom the Iew answered : ye have in the temple many things that would make a sad man glad , and one that is sorrowfull , cheerefull . I meane your thundring of bells , your playing on the organs , your merry singing , the casting of water in the peoples teeth , and your running one after another about the church-yard , like the Prior of Pricklingham and his covent . All these things seeme to be matters of mirth used among you , as I thinke onely to make you merry . But the having of Idols in your temples I do not allow . I see you also fall downe and worship a peece of bread and a silver cup , which I iudge high abomination and damnable Idolatry . And another thing there is used in your temples , which I also do nothing like . What is that quoth the christian . I will tell you said the Iew. Yee talke , cracke and boast much of charity but I say right well that there is little used among you . For there was an Altar spred with fine white cloths , and meat and drinke as I suppose , set upon it , I alwaies looked , when ye should have beene called to eate and drinke together according to the order of charity , but that shaveling that stood at the altar in the gay coat did both eat and drink all alone , giving you no part with him , which is a token of small charity & friendship among you . Certs you shal redresse these great vices , and have more charity among you before I become one of your order . And so the Iew refused to be made a christian . God have mercy on us . Among many other notable faults , which the Iew perceived in our Temples , this was not the least , that one standing with his backe toward the people at an altar , did eat and drink al alone , giving no man part with him , which is a token of small charity and friendship as the Iew said Verily the private masse , wherin the sacrament of Christs body and bloud is too much abused , hath beene and is the cause that many at this day doe abhorre the name of Christ and utterly condemne the christian religion . God for his mercy drive this Idolatrous masse out of this realme once againe , and restore unto us the true use of his holy Supper , Amen , Amen . But let us see , what followeth in your Popish masse , and make an end . When the Boy or Parish Clarke commeth againe with the Pax , yee hold forth your chalice like Sir Ralph Rinspitcher for a little more drinke . And when yee have once drunken up that , yee hold forth your Goddard yet once againe to have a little more swill . No marvell . For peradventure ye fell the night before into a great heate , while you kept company with your toying Thais , and therfore no marvell , silly soules , though you drinke solemnly . But O good Lord , what wiping of the mouth , and licking of the fingers is there then ? It would doe a woman good to see how cleanly Sir Iohn Sweet-lips is . And yet not so contented , yee goe to the Altars end , and there once againe , yee wash your hands , to shew how ●●minion trimme , fine neat , and white-fingered Gentlemen , yee are in all your doings , but especially in matters pertaining to Lady Venus Court. After this yee returne to the Altar , and take another licke or two of the dropping of the Chalice , because yee would bee loth to lose any thing , and taking up your cake in your hand , ye come againe to the Altars end , where yee began your popish and idolatrous Masse , to declare that as good never a whit , as never the better , and to shew that the matter for the which yee said Masse , is as farre forward now , as though yee had said none at all . After a few Collects mumbled over , yee turne you to the people , and say , Dominus vobiscum , bidding them adieu , and with Ite Missa est , yee bidde them goe , and tell them Masse is done . And all in Latine , because the people understand nothing but English. Then fall yee once againe to kneeling downe at the altar , and because yee are our Ladies knights , yee salute her most humbly with some devout Orison . That done , ye rise up againe , like tall fellowes , and saying the beginning of S. Iohns Gospell , ye blesse you Secrosse you as though a thousand Devills were about ye . After all these things , yee trusse up your trinkets , yee shut your booke , ye fold up your corporasse cloath , yee winde up your chalice ye put off your fooles coate , your vestment , your stole , your Fannell , your girdle , your Albe , and your Amice , yee put out the candle , & solemnly making curtesie to your God , that hangeth over the altar , ye trudg out of the Church , either home , or else to the alehouse , being now at libertie all the whole day after to doe what ye list with a safe conscience , to ●dise , to card , to hunt , to hawke ▪ to bowle , to bib , to make good cheere , to play , revell rout , to drinke them all out , to set cocke on the hoope , let the divell pay the Maltman , to fish in Venus pond ▪ to sacrifice to Bacchus , and what not ? And here is your goodly godly massing , wherwith ye bewitch the ignorant , and make the simple people to doate . I passe over your monstrous and apish toyes , your inclinations , and prostrations , your complications and explications , your elevations and extensions , your incurvations and genuflexions , your inspirations and exosculations , your benedictions & humiliations , your pulsations & pausations , with your consignations , and all other abominations . What Christian heart can abide either to say heare , or see , such a divellish and abominable kind of massing as ye use at this day ? yee doe nothing at all in your masse , that agreeeth with Christs institution . The Lords Supper and your peevish , popish private masse doe agree together like God and the divell , Christ and Beliall , light and darkenesse , truth and falsehood , and as the common proverbe is , like harpe and harrow , or like the hare and the hound . Sowre and sweete are not so contrary one to another , as your Masse is contrary to Christs holy Communion , as yee have abundantly heard heretofore . For whereas Christ preached at the institution of his holy Supper , yee preach nothing at all at your Masse . Whereas Christ ministred his blessed Supper at a table , yee say your popish Masse at an Altar . Whereas Christ did sit while he have the Sacrament of his body and bloud to his Disciples , yee stand , and by no means will sit when yee receive it . Whereas Christ did use none other apparell but his ●suall garments , yee disguise your selves with such geare , as is more meet for a game● player , than for a sober minister . Wheras Christ at his supper both prayed & gave thanks to his heavenly Father in that tongue , which those that were present did understand , ye at your Masse speake all things in such a tongue as yee your selves , for the most part , understand not , and so are they that are present unedified . Whereas Christ in his holy supper gave the sacrament of his body and blood to all his Disciples , yee in your abominable masses give it to none , but yee your selves eate and drinke up altogether alone . Whereas Christ at his mawndy gave to his Discipler holy Bread and holy Wine , to bee figures , signes , and memorialls of his blessed body breaking and of his pretious blood shedding , yee at your Masses take upon you to eate and drinke not spiritually , but corporally and naturally the corporall and naturall body and bloud of our Saviour Christ , as hee was borne of the Virgin , and hung on the crosse . Wheras Christ ministred with true and perfect brea● , yee minister with starch , or with a thinne wa●er Cake . Whereas CHRIST delivered the Cuppe contayning Wine onely in it , yee in your Chalice put both Wine and Water mingled together . Whereas Christ gave the Sacrament of his body and bloud to his Disciples sitting at the Table , yee give the Sacrament to such as kneele before the Altar . Whereas Christ gave his Disciples the Sacramentall bread and the cup into their handes , yee put the bread into the mouths of the Communicants , and by no meanes will you suffer them to touch your Popes holy chalice ▪ wheras Christ delivered the Sacrament of his body and bloud under both kinds to his disciples , and so commanded it to be observed in his holy congregation , yee contrary to Christs institution & ordinance , minister it to the common people under one kind only ; whereas Christ did institute his holy Supper to bee eaten and drunke in the remembrance of his blessed passion and precious death , yee reserve the Sacramentall bread , and hang it up in your pixes , & carry it about for a pageant at your pompous popish processions ; whereas Christ ordayned his blessed Supper to bee a Sacrament of thanksgiving , you make your Masse to be a Sacrifice propitiatory , satisfactory , and expiatory for the sinnes both of the quicke and the dead . Whereas Christ at his Supper gave the Sacrament of his body and bloud freely to his Disciples , you sell your Masses , and make merchandise of the Sacrament , as the Costard-monger doth of his costards , and of his other fruits . To conclude , whereas Christ appointed the Sacrament of his body and bloud to put us in remembrance of his blessed body breaking , and precious bloudshedding , and to stirre us up unto mutuall love , and unto thankesgiving to his heavenly Father for the benefits received by the death of his Sonne Christ , yee apply your Masses to a thousand severall purposes , cleane contrary , as to the getting of faire weather , rain , health , long life , riches , victory in battell , overhand of enemies , &c. To driving away of devills , chasing away of agues , putting away of pestilences , curing of measled swine , healing of sicke horses , helping of chickens of the pip , making hot of a Winchester goose , restoring of a good name , procuring of friends , preserving of evill chances , bringing of good lucke , pacifying of Gods wrath , obtaining of remission of sinnes , delivering of soules out of Purgatory , yea out of Hell , and placing them in everlasting Glorie . What thing is either in heaven earth , or hell , for the which the Masse is not profitable , and serves for the purpose , if it please you to apply it ? It is a sawce for all meats , a salve for all sores , a remedy for all diseases , a maintenance of all prosperity , and a defence against all adversity . Protens never turned himselfe into so many formes , shapes , and fashions , as your Masse hath vertues . O blessed Masse , O holy Masse , O vertuous Masse , yea , O most vile , stinking , and abominable Idol . Now judge ye , O ye Masse-mongers , what is to bee thought of the peevish , popish , pratling , private Masse , which the Papists , and the most part of you that are massemongers doe so highly praise , commend , advance , extoll , magnifie , and set forth , not as God onely , but in a manner above God. For what thing is it that wee desire to have , for which wee doe not rather resort unto the Masse , than unto God ? And is this any other thing than meere Idolatrie , and stealing away of his Glorie ? Which thing whosoever doth , is he not Gods enemie ? Is hee not an adversarie to the true Christian religion . Doth hee not defile the precious bloud of our Saviour Christ under his foot ? Doth hee not defile the holy mysteries of God , and blaspheme the Name of the Lord ? Doth hee not give himselfe from God to the devill , and become the childe of wrath , a vessel of vengeance , a firebrand of hell , and heire of everlasting damnation ? God have mercie upon us . Behold now the miserable state wherein yee stand , and so many as cleave to your abominable Massing ! Cease therfore , cease betimes , to bee haters of God , hlasphemers of his holy Name , Enemies of Christs bloud , polluters of the Christian religion , defilers of God● most holy Sacraments , corrupters of his blessed mysteries , seducers of the people , destroyers of mens soules , pestilences of the Christian common-weale , and ministers of Satan . Forsake your abominable kinde of Massing , forsake it , forsake it , and defile your selves no more with Idoll service , lest yee provoke the fierce wrath ▪ and hot vengeance of God to fall both upon you the Masse-mongers , and upon all them also that are the Masse-hunters , and finally , for your wickednesse upon the whole Realme . For God cannot alwayes abide his holy Sacraments thus to be abused and defiled . If If they escaped not unpunished , that did eat leavened bread while the Feast of the Lords Passeover did endure ; if Vziah went not away unplagued , but was strooke with suddaine death , because hee touched the Arke of the LORD ; if hee that came to the Marriage , because hee had not the wedding garment was taken from the table , bound hand and foot , and cast into utter darkenesse , where weeping and ghasting of tee●h shall be 〈…〉 the devil entred into I●das after that hee had received the Lords bread unworthily ; if the Corinthians were grievously p●agued , yea , and that many unto the death , because they did abuse the Lords Supper , and unreverently behave themselves at the Ministration of it : if those with many other escaped not unplagu'd for abusing the Lords mysteries , thinke not ye , which daily defile the honourable Sacramēt of Christs body & bloud in your most wicked , damnable , devillish , idolatrous , heathenish vile , stinking , blasphemous , detestable , and abominable Massing , shall escape free from punishment , neither yee your selves , nor the consenters to your Idolatry . Therefore if there bee any love in you toward God , any hearty good will toward CHRIST our Saviour , any fervent affections towards Gods most holy word , any godly zeale toward the Christian commonweale , any desire of goodnesse towards this our native Countrey , any sparke of well-willing toward the salvation either of your owne soules , or of others : I exhort you all by the tender mercies of God and by the precious bloud of our Saviour Christ Iesu , that yee without tariance give over your abominable Massing , which without doubt is not the acceptable service of God ( as the blind sort of people judge ) but the very vile blasphemous bondage of Satan , invented by the devill , brought in by Antichrist , confirmed & established by such as have received the Beasts marke , whose inheritance shall be in that Lake that burneth with fire & brimstone . Neither lot any thing move you that the Idolatrous Masse , w ch before was worthily banished out of the Realme , is now againe restored by act of Parliament , but rather heare what the Apostles say , we must obey God more than men . In all matters of religion , the will of God is to be considered before the commandement or act of any mortall Prince . Pharaoh was a King , yet the godly Midwives obeyed not his ungodly commandement in killing the male child●en of the Israelites . Nebu●hadonezer was a King , yet the three young men would not obey his wicked proclamation in worshipping his golden Idoll . Antiochus was a King , yet the faithfull Iewes would not observe his abominable lawes in sacrificing to Idols , and in eating unclean flesh . Maacha was a Queene , and made an abominable Idoll of Priapus , and offered sacrifice unto it , and exhorted others without doubt to doe so likewise , but so many as feared God abhorred her doings , and defyed her Idolatry , insomuch that King Asa her sonne put her downe , because shee had made images in Groves , and brake down her Idols , and stamped them , and burnt them to ashes at the brooke Cedron . Iesabel was a Queene , and an abominable Idolatresse , promoting and making much of Baals Priests , and feeding them even at her own table , but imprisoning and murdering the Prophets of God , she worshipped Baal , and caused many other so to doe . But those that loved God abhorred her idolatry , and by no meanes would follow her wicked steps , but chused rather to worship God according to his word . The Prophet Elias slew all her Prophets that did service to Baal , and Queene Iesabel her selfe came to a most miserable end . Shee was throwne downe to the ground from an high window , inso ▪ that the wall was sprinckled with her bloud , and the horses trod her under their feete , and the dogs came and eat up her flesh , so that there was nothing left of her , but her skull , her feet , and the palmes of her hands . Athalia was a Queene , and a great Idolatresse , shee worshipped Baal , and enticed her sonne Ahazia to doe so likewise . Notwithstāding such as feared God , obeyed in this behalfe neither the King nor his Mother , but walked after the Commandements of God. Both the mother and the sonne were slaine miserably . The Bishops , the Priests the Lawyers , the Scribes , the Pharisees , the Sadduces , and such others , were great Rulers in Iewrie , and they commanded the Apostles , that they should no more preach in the name of Iesu , but they obeyed them not , but stoutly answered , Whether it bee right in the sight of God to hearken unto you , more than unto God , Iudge yee . For we cannot but speake that which wee have seene and heard . Rulers are so farre to be obeyed , as the limits of Gods Word doe suffer . I● their Lawes and Acts agree with the Word of God , they are to be obeyed , if they be contrary to the commandement of God , it is to bee answered with the Apostles . We must ●bey God more than men . Furthermore , if ●ee be afraid of losing your livings ▪ an● by that meanes of falli●g into beggery , remember that he , for whose sake yee forsake your Idolatrous Massing , that ye may serve him with a pure conscience according to his word , will never forsake you , nor leave you succourlesse and unprovided for . Sooner shall God deale with you , as he did with the Children of Israel i● the wildernes with Eli as with the Widow of of Sarepta , with Daniel , with the people whom CHRIST fed in the desert , as wee reade in the Historie of the Gospell , and with such other , as unfainedly feared God , than ye shall want any good thing . Hear what David saith , They which seeke after the Lord shall want no manner of thing that is good . Againe , I have beene young , and now I am old , and yet saw I the righteous never forsaken , nor their seed begging their bread on the earth . Our Saviour Christ also saith , There is no man that hath forsaken house , or brethren , or sisters , or father or mother , or wife , or children , or lands for my sake and the Gospels ▪ but he shall receive an hundred fold : Now in this life , houses , and brethren , and sisters , and mothers and children , and lands with persecution , and in the world to come everlasting life . And God himselfe saith , I will not leave thee , nor forsake thee . Having these loving promises of God , feare yee not the losse of your livings , nor the hatred of the wicked worldlings . If God provideth for you ( as undoubtedly hee doth ) what can ye want ? If God bee your friend , your buckler & shield , who can hurt you ? As Saint Paul saith , If God be on our side , who can be against us ? Now have yee heard , how far the Masse dissenteth from the Lords Supper . Ye have heard , what manifest blasphemies and intollerable untruthes bee contained in the Masse . Ye have heard that the Masse is the invention of the Devill , the Nurse-childe of Antichrist , and the welbeloved darling of all them that have received the Beasts marke . Ye have heard that no Christian man can either say Masse or heare Masse with a good conscience . To end , yee have heard , that the Masse is the fountaine , well , head-spring and originall of all Idolatry , superstition , wickednes , sin & abomination , and that it is not Gods worship , but Idoll service . Considering therfore these things , if ye tender the glory of God , your owne salvation , and the peace , quietnesse and safegard of our country , flee Idolatry , forsake your abominable Massing , and serve the LORD our God according to his holy Word . So shal God blesse you with all good things , both in this world , and in the world to come . Fare yee well . The Grace of our Lord Iesus Christ , and the love of God , and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost be with you all . Amen . Man , How long , O Lord. Christ , I come quickly . Man , O come Lord Iesu. Give the glory to God alone . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A06744-e260 The Abomination of the Popish Masse . What Christ did when hee ordained his holy Supper . Matth 26. Matth. 14. Luke 22. 1 Cor. 11. Iohn 13. Christ preached before his Supper . Acts 2. 1 Cor. 11. Acts 20. Note . Ma●● 3. Mat. 28. Iohn 13. 14. 15. 16. 1 Cor. 11. Ministration of the Sacraments without preaching , profiteth little . In Ioan tract . 80. What things ought to be preached at the ministration of the Lords Supper . Luke 1. The popish Masse hath no preaching . No goodnes is learned at the popish Masse . The Masse is the nurse of all vice . Esay . 58. Marke 16. The Bells are better preachers than the Massers . What goodnesse followed the ministration of the holy Communion No man better for hearing Masse . The Masse is to be abhorred of all good men . The Masse-mongers are double dissemblers . The people are mocked at the popish Masse . Christ ministred his Supper at a Table . The Primative Church used no Altars , but Tables at the Lords Supper . Why Christ ministred at a Table rather than at an Altar . 1 Cor. 10. Christ alone is our Altar . Heb. 13. Rom. 8. 1 T●m 2. 1 Iohn 2. Abomination . The communion of the bodie and bloud of Christ ought to be ministred at a Table . Christ ministred without Copt or Vestment . A Surplesse tollerable without the rest of massing apparel . Fannell . Fools coat , otherwise called a vestment . Shaven crowne . Never none evill of that marke for Lady Venus pastime . What the garments of the Priests in the old Law signified . Spiced consciences . Rom. 13. Christ sate at his Supper . Gestures . Why the Iewes stood at the eating of the Paschal Lamb. Psal. 39. Heb. 13. 1 Pet. 3. Why Christ with his Disciples sate at his Supper . Apoc. 13. The doctrine of Christ is perfect and sufficient for our salvation . Matth 23. Christ is no lesse present at Baptisme than at the Supper . An error of the Papists . A comparison between the old Idolatrous Priests and ours . The God of the Papists . Dan. 14. What the Papists doe at their Masse . Priests massing vestments . Altars . Hallowing of altars . Altar clothes . Corporasse . Cups of wood . Chalices of glasse . chalices of Silver and gold . Bread Confi●eor . An errour of the Papists concerning confession . An error of the Papists concerning the intercession of Saints● The Masse is a monster of lies . The I●troite or office of the Masse . The Kyry . Gloria in excelsis . The Papists cannot agree . Collects . The Epistle . The Grayle . The Allelujah . The Tract or Sequence . The Gospel . Why the people stand up at the Gospel . The Creed . Censing of the Altars . The Offertory . A blasphemous prayer at the offertory . Idolatry . The death of Christ is the alone sacrifice for sinne . Sacrifice ought to bee offered to God alone . Esay 42. Psal. 114. A new Sacrifice . Washing of hands . Matth. 27. Crossing . Kissing . Turne and Returne . The Secrets . The Preface Kissing the Canon of the Mas● . The Sanctu . The Authors of the Canon . Crossing . The first Memento . Why the Priest at Masse turneth his backe to the people . Idolatrie . The Councell of Nice . An errour of the Papists . What Christ did . Comparison betweene Christ and the Massemongers . Iohn 6. Breaking of the Host in three parts . What the breaking of the Host signifyeth , and is . Note . Matth. 25. 〈◊〉 . 14. Luke 22. I Cor. 11. A point of little good-fellowship , Handling of the Sacramentall bread . Of the hand and mouth . Beware yee that ma●ntaine Massemongers . Note . Touching of the chalice . Idolatrie . ●●●iding at Easter . A point of little good fellowship . Antichrists . Why the Lords Supper was instituted . Consecration . Iug●●ng . Ignorance . Blessing signi●ieth thankesgiving . Enim . Corrupters of Christs Testament . Note well . Antichrists . Matth. 10. Corrupters . ●dolatry . Sakering or Levation . The Sakering is the most abominable part of the Masse Matth. 18. Matth. 10. The objections of the Papists concerning Christs corporall presence in the Sacrament . An abs●rditie . Iohn 15. 10. Mat. 11. 17 3 King. 13. Iohn 19. Libr 4. Cont. Marc. Co●tra . Adi●ant . 〈◊〉 Mat. 26. Titus 3. Serm. de Chrism . Contr. Adiman●um . Christs naturall body cannot be but in one place at once . Iohn 14. 16. Mark. 16. Luke 24. Acts 1. Act. 2. Rom. 8. Eph. 4. Cel. 3. 1 Thes. 14. 1 Tim. 3. Heb. 10. 1 Pet. 3. 1 Iohn 2. Tract . 50. in Iohan. Hd. Dard●n . De fide & Syn. ● . 6 Lib. 1. cont . E●tich . Ad Dardan . Note well the omnipotencie or almighty power of God. Why God is called Almighty . The promises of Christ concerning concerning his presence . Mar. 18. Matth. 28. In Ioh. l. c. 16. Idolatry . 2 King. 1● . The Doctrine of the Papists concerning the presence of Christ in the Sacrament , is new . The Feast of Corpus Christi . Matth. 26. The Sacrament ought to be received of the people in both kinds . Sacrilege . The Councell of Constance . Gel●sius Decree . The Greeks and Bohems . Idolatry . A Lye. Crossing . Prov. 30. Idolatry . Kissing . The second Memento . Praying for the soules departed . The holy Scripture teacheth not prayer for the dead . Prayer . Rom. 14. 1 Iohn 5. 1 King. 18. Luke 16. Iohn 3. E●cces 11. Adfratres i● Eremo . Serm. 57. Ser. d●temp Di● . 17. Co●tr . Demes . What it is to rest with Christ after this life . Apoc. 14 Psalm . 116. Sapi●nt . 3. The second Sakerin● , otherwise called Gods hopping about the chalice . The Pater noster . c. 1. The breaking of the Host in three parts . Agnus . Idolatry . Idolatry . An history of a certain Emperour of Turkie . The petty degree of the Papists God No●● ▪ Rom. 4. The Pax. The Pax. A Lie , three for failing . Christs ordinance is that the congregatiō should receive the Sacrament together . Act. 2. 20. 1 Cor. 10. 1 Cor. 11. The Papists at their Masse in receiving the Sacrament tarry for the people , as the Abbot tarrieth for his Covent . The private Masse is of the Devill , and not of God. Every man ought to receive the Sacrament for himselfe . Abac●k 2. Rom. 1. The Vision of Saint Anthony . Note well . The Lords Supper is a Sacrament o● love and concord . 1 Cor. 10. An history of a Christian and a Iew. Drinke and still drinke . Rinsing of the Chalice . Washing of the hands . Licking of the Chalice . What the comming againe to the Altars end signifyeth . An Orison for our Lady . Saint Iohns Gospell . God give you good night at Algate . How the Priests spend the day after they have said Masse . Good stuffe , worke for the Tinker . A comparison between the Lords supper and the popish Masse . The vertues of the Masse The Masse serveth for all purposes . Note in how damnable a state the Masse-monger is . Exod. 12. ● King. 6. Mat. 22. Ioh. 13. 1 Cor. 11 Rev. 20. Note well Act. 5. Exod. 1. Dan. 3. 1 Mac. 1. 2 Cron. 15. 1 King 18. ● King 9. 2 King 11. 〈…〉 How farre Civil Mastistrates are to be obeyed . Act. 5. Poverty . Exod. 16. 3 King. 17. Dan 14. Marke 14. Psal. 34. Psal. 37. Mark 10. Ios. 1. Rom. 8. 2 Cor , 13. Psal. 13. Apoc. 12. Apoc. 22.