Ceremonies of the Monstrous Popish Mass, Part 2 · Chapter 6
A declararation of the thinges aforeſaide. CHAPTER VI.
a WE hauehave oftentimes ſpoken of the ſigne of the croſſe which they make in ſaying Maſſe, whereunto they attribute great power, as elſe where hath bene ſayed.
b Is not this a maruelous mockery, nay rather intollerable blaſphemies to apply that, vntounto maſking ſtuffe & fooliſh toyes, which S. Paul writeth,Epheſ. 6. 1. Theſſ. 5. of the true Spirituall armor, wherwith eueryevery true Chriſtian ought to be armed, againſt the aſſalts of Satan? And in ſtead of the ſaluatiō & hope, which we hauehave in Ieſus Chriſt, which hope S. Paule giueth vsus for an helmet: theſe blaſphemers ſet before vsus a coife and a womans kerchefe: for that is it which they meane by the Amict. The vſe of ſenſe and reaſon, is taken for the yoake and burden of the Lorde. But becauſe others, place the Cheſuble in ſtead thereof, we will ſpeake of it in his due place.
c There is not ſo ſmall a ſtring that is tacked to this Amict, which hath not great miſteries in it.
d S. Paule giueth to arme the breaſt withall, the curate or breaſt plate of righteouſneſſe, faith, and charitie: And the Prieſt in ſteade thereof, taketh a womans ſmock that traileth on the ground and is tucked vp aboue the girdle ſteade, to make large pockets both before and behind: as little boyes make of their ſhirtes in ſommer ſeaſon, to carrie peares, apples, nuttes, and ſuch other like frute in.
e S. Paule ſaith,Epheſ. 6. 1, Theſſ. 5. Stande ſtedfaſt therefore hauing your loins girt about with the girdle of truth And the Prieſt, in ſteade of this girdle which is an arming girdle ſeruing for the ſpirituall battle, taketh a girdle made of a corde: by which alſo is ſignified the chaſtitie that ought to be in them: which they hauehave ſo ſlipperly tied vp, as that it is farre enough of them.
f VVhere S. Paule maketh faith the buckler,Epheſ. 6. & the word of God the ſworde, the Prieſt taketh here a bend, for a bracelet and gauntlet. And beſides, where the children and ſeruauntes of God, which ſuffer here in the world for the name of the Lord, and do afterward greatly glad thē ſelues in their deliurance, and receaue with great ioye, the frute of their tribulations: and after that are greatly comforted in the harueſt time, bringing home with them their handes full of corne, and other frutes of their trauelles: The prieſtes in like ſorte, who hauehave taken great paines to ſow for Ieſus Chriſt, bring home with them alſo out of their harueſt, ſome prety childes ſtring wreathed about their armes, which they call a Maniple, that is to ſaye, an handfull of corne, that their harueſt might be according to their ſeade time. Is not this good ſtuffe to be put in?
g The Stole, taketh the name of Stola, which, both in Greek & Latin, doth ſignifie, a long robe, eſpecially of a woman. We hauehave already interpreted in what ſence this Stole is taken in this iolly enterlude. Some of them take it for a robe of righteouſneſſe, and other ſome for, a yoke.Galat. 6. In ſtead of Ieſus Chriſt the true robe of righteouſneſſe, wherwith all they, which are truly baptized in him, are clothed, the prieſt taketh this breaſt plate, for an horſe that ſhould draw in a carte, or carry a ſadle.
h Ieſus Chriſt ſayeth, come vntounto me all ye that are heauie laden and I will refreſh you. Take my yoke vponupon you, for it is eaſie and light.Matth. 11. By theſe wordes, he would hauehave eueryevery mā ſubmit him ſelfe to his diſcipline, and acknowledge him for their maiſter, & come to him for ſuccour and aide. And in ſtead hereof, the prieſt putteth on this Gew Gawe, and ſlitted garmēt, which they call a Chaſuble, into which he putteth his head through an hole, as a partridge putteth his head out of a cage.M. G. Here is a iolly yoke of Ieſus. Other of them do take it for a Shirte of Maile or Brigandine. Loe, now here you ſee good Maſte whip point de viſe, armed cape a pie, to enter the liſtes, and diſguiſed to lead his baſe daunſe, and play his parte. But before he putteth on his Chaſuble he muſt needes make & cōiure his holy water, in his long ſmocke, like a Grape treader, eueryevery time he maketh it, whether it be in winter or ſommer, ſo it be on the Sonday, and the Maſſe parrochiale. Now we will ſpeake no more of the coniuring and ſprinkling about of this holy water,Alexander 5. by reaſon we hauehave handled this matter elſe where. Neither will we make mention of going of proceſſion about the church,Agapetus 1. which Agapetus ordeined, as hath heretofore bene ſaid. Thus we ſee how maiſter Curate beginneth to giuegive the aſſault to the table, vponupon which he intendeth to breake his faſte, and play a caſt of legier de maine.