M. Hardinge. The .21. Diuision.
Chrysostome hath a notable place for the adoration of Christes Bodie in the Sacrament,* 1.1 in his Cōmentaries vpon S. Paule, where he affirmeth also the (169)* 1.2 Real presence, and the sacrifice. Let vs not, let vs not (saith he) be willinge impudently to kille our selues. And when thou seest that Bodie set foorth, saie with thee self, For cause of this Bodie, I am no lenger earth and ashes, no lenger cap∣tiue, but free. This Bodie fastened (on the Crosse) and beaten, was not ouercome with Death. After this, he exhorteth al to adore and worship our lordes bodie in the Sacrament.* 1.3 This Bodie (saith he) the VVise Menne worshipped in the stalle, and hauinge taken a longe iourney, beinge both wicked, and aliantes, with very greate feare, and tremblinge adored him. VVherefore let vs folowe at least those aliantes, vs, I saie, that are Citizens of heauen. For they, where as they sawe but that stalle, and Cabben onely, and none of al the thinges thou seest nowe, came notwithstandinge with the grea∣test reuerence, and feare, that was possible. But thou seest it not in a stalle of beastes, but on the aul∣tar: not a woman to holde it in her armes, but a priest present, and the holy Ghost plentifully spreadde vpon the sacrifice.* 1.4 This Father in his Masse maketh a praier in presence of the Blessed Sacra∣ment, almost with the same woordes, that S. Basile did. Attende Domine Iesu Christe Deus noster, &c. Looke vpon vs O Lorde Iesus Christe, our God, from thy holy habitacle, and from the Throne of the Glorie of thy Kingdome, and come to sanctifie vs: who sittest on high with the Father, and art here inuisibly with vs: and make vs worthy by thy mightie hande, that we maie be parta∣kers of thy vnspotted Bodie, and pretiouse Bloude, and through vs, al the people.
In the same Chrysostomes Liturgie, or Masse, a most euident testimonie of Adoration of the Sacra∣ment is thus vttered. Sacerdos adorat, & Diaconus in eo quo est loco, ter secretò dicentes: Deus propitius esto, &c. The priest adoreth, and the Deacon likewise in the place he standeth in▪ saieinge three times secretely: God be merciful to me a sinner. So the people, and likewise al make theire Adoration deuoutely, and reuerently.
In the same father is an other praier, whiche the Greeke priestes doo vse to this daie at theire Adoration of Christes Bodie in the Sacrament, and it is expressed in these woordes,* 1.5 Domine non sum dignus, &c. Lorde I am not worthy, that thou enter vnder the filthie roofe of my Soule. But as thou tookest in good parte to lie in the denne, and stalle of brute beastes, and in the house of Simon the Leprouse, receiuedst also a harlot, and a sinner like me cominge vnto the: Vouchesafe also to enter into the stalle of my Soule voide of reason,* 1.6 and into my filthie Bodie beinge deade and Leprouse. And as thou didst not abhorre the fowle mouth of a harlot, kissinge thine vndefiled feete: So my Lorde God abhorre not me though a sinner, but vouchesafe of thy goodnes, and benignitie, that I maie be