The Buckler of the Faith, Part 2 · Article 38 · Subpart 11
An answer to the Prosopopoeia of M. Arnoux.
Sect. 34 Now I thinke we shall easily answer M. Arnoux Prosopopoeia, in which he prescribeth God what he should say, and makes God demand of vsus at the latter day, why we hauehave contradicted his foure Euangelists? why we quarrell with his Church? and why we hauehave placed a figure in steed of the truth? He ought rather to examine himselfe, and to thinke how he shall make answer vntounto God: and what reason he will yeeld vntounto him for making himselfe to be an aduocate of a doctrine cleane contrary to the Gospell? Why he hath sung Masse in steed of administring the holy Supper of the Lord? Why he hath intruded himselfe to sacrifice the body of our Lord without commandement? Why he hath vsurped the office of a sacrificing Priest not ordained by Iesus Christ? Why he hath lifted vp an hoast in the Masse to cause it to be adored as God, seeing that Iesus Christ vsed no such eleuation, nor the Apostles any adoration? Why he hath sung particular Masses without communicating, or any assistants, seeing that the Apostle calleth the Supper a communion? and that the Lord communicated to all the assistants? and that the word coena, signifieth a common supper? Why he did not communicate the cup vntounto the people, seeing Iesus Christ said, Drinke ye all of this? Why he speakes in the Masse in an vnknowne tongue, not vnderstood by the people, contrary to the example of Iesus Christ? Why he turnes his backe to the people, seeing that Iesus Christ in the Eucharist turned his face vntounto his disciples? Why in saying Masse he prayeth for saluation by the merits of those Saints whose bones are hidden vnderunder the altar, seeing that Iesus Christ caused not any dead bones to be layd vnderunder the table? and that saluation is not gotten or obtained by mens merits? Why the Euangelists hauing said that Iesus Christ brake, and gaue bread, he hath taken vponupon him to teach, that the Priest doth not breake nor giuegive bread in the Masse? Why Iesus Christ hauing said of that bread which he gaue, that it was his body, he hath taught that that bread is no more bread, but becometh the body of Christ? Why he durst belie the Apostle Saint Paul, who foure times saith, that we breake and eate bread? Why, seeing that the holy Sacrament is instituted for the remission of sinnes, he hath wincked at the prophanation thereof vsed in the Church of Rome, to say Masse for horses, & sicke hogs, and to sing particular Masses to draw soules out of Purgatorie, if they be rich mens soules that hauehave giuen some thing to the Church? What can these venerable Doctors answer hereunto? Will they say, Lord, the Church hath iudged otherwise, and hath found it conuenient to change the institution of this Sacrament, and that his Vicar the Pope may dispence against the Apostles, and against the Gospell in giuing it interpretations. Do they thinke that such excuses will be admitted in that fearfull iudgement, or that thereby they can defend themselues from that heate of the fire that shall consume the aduersaries?
But these repugnances in such things which are the grounds and the very essence of this holy Sacrament, and which make part of the action, are other matters then such as they obiect against vsus, when they aske vsus, Why we doe not celebrate the holy Supper after supper, why we do it not in an high chamber, and why we admit women vntounto it? They ought to adde hereunto, and aske vsus, Why we are not apparelled like Iewes, and why we do not celebrate it onelyonly vponupon a Thursday, and after we hauehave eaten a Lambe? which are ridiculous questions, made to exempt themselues from answering to their corruptions, which destroy the whole nature of Sacraments. Among the which the taking away of the cup from the laitie requireth some large discourse.