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.

The State of the Question of Propitiatory, what it is.

SECT. I.

THe whole Difference standeth upon this, whether the sub∣ject matter of our Representation in the hands of the Priest be properly a Propitiatory Sacrifice, or no. Now Propitiatory is ei∣ther that which pacifieth the wrath of God, and pleaseth him by it's owne virtue and efficacy, which (as all confesse) is only the Sacrifice of Christ in his owne selfe; or else a thing is said to be Propitiatory and pleasing to God, by God's gracious acceptance and indulgence. The Romish professe the Sacrifice of their Masse to be such, in the proper Virtue of that which the Priest handleth. For the Tridentine faith, concerning your Propitiatory Sacrifice, is this, viz. a It is that whereby God being pacified doth pardon sinnes.

And least that there might be any ambiguity, how it doth paci∣fie God, whether by his gracious Acceptance, or the Efficacie of offe∣ring, your generall Romane Catechisme authorized both by your Councell of Trent, and the then Pope Pius the fourth, for the dire∣ction of your whole Church, instructeth you all, concerning your Sacrifice of the Masse, that b As it is a Sacrifice, it hath an Efficacy and Virtue, not onely of merit, but also of satisfaction. So they, as truly setting downe the true nature of a Propitiatory Sa∣crifice, as they doe falsly assume and apply it unto the Sacrifice of your Masse; which Protestants abhor and impugne as a Doctrine most Sacrilegious; and only grant the Celebration to be Propi∣tiatory (Improperly) by God's Complacency and favourable accep∣tance, wherewith he vouchsafeth to admit of the holy Actions and Affections of his faithfull.

Triall of all this is to be made by Scriptures, Fathers, by your owne Romish Principles, and by the Doctrine of Protestants. In the Interim, be it knowne that our Church of England, in her 31. Article, faith of your Propitiatory Sacrifice of the Masse, as it is taught by you, that it is A Blasphemous Fable, and Dangerous Deceit.

Notes

• a

  Synod. Trident. Sacrificium verè pro∣pitiatorium—Hu∣jus oblatione placatur Deus, gratiam & donū poenitentiae conce∣dens dimittit pecca∣ta, una enim eadem∣que hostia est, idem nam offerens Sacer∣dotum ministerio, qui seipsum in cruce ob∣tulit. Sess. 22. cap. 2.
• b

  Catechis. Rom. (jussu C••ns. Trident. & Pii Quarti Pont. editus.) Vt Sacrificium est, non solum merendi, sed & satisfaciendi quo{que} efficaciam ha∣bet. De Luth. num. 55. Osorius Ies. Conc. Tom. 4. de Missae Sacrificio in Psalm. 4. [Sacrificate Sacrificium.] Vnicum hoc Sacrificium est Sacrificium laudis, gratiarum actionis, expiatoriū & satisfa∣ctorium pro peccatis, & impetratorium pro vivis & defunctis. Ità tradit Conc. Tri••.