M. Hardinge. The .4. Diuision.
Nowe in this VVeast Churche, whiche is the Latine Churche, the people hauinge beene sufficiently in∣structed, touchinge the beliefe of the Bodie, and Bloude of our Lorde in the Sacramēte, (217)* 1.1 it hath beene thought by the Fathers conuenient, the VVoordes of Consecration to be pronounced by the priest closely, and in silence, rather then with open voice. VVherein they had special regarde to the dignitie of that high Mysterie. And doubtlesse for this pointe they vnderstoode, as S. Basile writeth, that the Apostles, and the Fathers, whiche at the beginninge made lawes for the order of Ecclesiastical thinges, maintei∣ned the Mysteries in their due auctoritie, by keepinge them secrete, and in silence. For it is not,* 1.2 saith he, any Mysterie at al, whiche is brought foorthe to the populare, and vulgare cares, whereof he wrote very truely before: Ei, quod publicatum est, & per se apprehendi potest, imminere contēp∣tum: Ei verò, quod remotum est, ac rarum, etiam naturaliter quodāmodo esse coniunctā admirationem. That, what is doone openly, and made common, and of it selfe maye be atteined, it is like to come in contempte, and be despised. But what is keapte far of, and is seldome gotten, that euen naturally in manner is neuer without woonderinge at. And in suche respecte Christe gaue war∣ninge, that Pretious Stoanes be not strewed before hogges.