Of the institution of the sacrament of the blessed bodie and blood of Christ, (by some called) the masse of Christ eight bookes; discovering the superstitious, sacrilegious, and idolatrous abominations of the Romish masse. Together with the consequent obstinacies, overtures of perjuries, and the heresies discernable in the defenders thereof. By the R. Father in God Thomas L. Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield.

I. That Spirituall Sacrifices, albeit Vnproper, are in one respect more true, and doe farre excell all merely Corporall Sacrifices according to Scripture.

SECT. I.

WHen Christ called himselfe the True Vine, the True light, the True Bread; in respect of the naturall Vine, Light, and Bread; He taught us to distinguish betweene a Truth of Excel∣lency, and a Truth of propriety, by their different Effects. That which hath the naturall property of Bread (although Manna) pre∣serveth but the temporall life, for * 1.1 They are Manna, and died: But the Bread of Excellency, which is Christ's Body, preserveth to * 1.2 Immortalitie. It is a good Observation, which your Canus hath, that a 1.3 Many spirituall things are called Sacrifices, in Scrip∣ture, because they were prefigured by the outward bodily Sacrifices of the Lambe: as the killing of Beasts were signes of mortification, which is a killing of sinne. So he. And the Thing prefigured (you know) is alwaies held more excellent than the figure thereof.

First, the Sacrifice of Contrition, Psal. 51. 17. The Sacrifice of God is a Contrite heart. Secondly, of Righteousnesse, by Mortifi∣cation. Psal. 4. 5. Offer the Sacrifice of Righteousnesse. And Rom. 12. 1. Present your Bodies a living Sacrifice, holy and acceptable un∣to God, which is your reasonable Service. Thirdly, the Sacrifice of Prayer and Praise, Hosea 14. 2. We will render the Calves of our lips. Fourthly, of Almes-workes, Heb. 13. 16. With such Sacri∣fices God is well pleased. Fifthly, Sacrifice of Preaching, Rom. 15. 16. That I ministring the Gospell, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the holy Ghost. Sixthly, the Sacrifice of Martyrdome, Phil. 2. 17. Yea, and if I be offered up upon the Sacrifice and Service of your faith, &c. Next we say.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Iohn 6.
• * 1.2

  Ibid.
• a 1.3

  Canus. Quià per Sacrificia legis exter∣na res quaedā spiritu∣ales potiores praefig∣nabantur, has omni∣nò res Sacrificia, ho∣locausta, hostias sa∣crae literae appellant: ut mactationes bru∣torum animalium fi∣gurae erant mortifica∣tionis. Loc. Theol. lib. 12. cap. 12. §. In se∣cundo.