Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
A Seasonable Caveat Against Popery (Author: William Penn)

Chapter 6

Of the Sacrifice of the Altar.

PAP. The holy Sacrifice, indeed of the Altar, we clearly believe ought to be celebrated in both kinds; as now it is, according to the divine institution, as being done in commemoration of the Lords blessed Passion on the Cross, wherein the Body and Blood were separated.

Answ. Whether it be fair for the Papists, to Sacrifice at the Altar in both kinds, and refer to Christ words Luke 21.9. as a divine institution, and yet deny both kinds to the people, as no matter of Faith, or eminent regard; Let the Sober judge. Is the Passage of divine Institution for the Sacrifice, and not for the Sacrament? But it plainly manifests the exorbitant power they ascribe to their Church above the Scriptures, since with them an Order of hers, may, and out to break, what themselves call a divine Institution.

Pap. Whatsoever therefore propitiatory power, our holy Religion attributes to this commemorative sacrifice; it is by vertue of the Sacrifice of the Cross, as being by this applied to us: So that we still humbly acknowledge the Ground of our Salvation to be derived from our Lords blessed Passion.


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{original page number 20} Answ. Their Affront to God, and Juggle with men, in this very matter, are most detestable; for notwithstanding the Scriptures expressly tell us, that we have an High Priest, that needs not Sacrifice once a Year, but who hath offered one Sacrifice; and that by the Will of God, we are Sanctified through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ ONCE for all; and that by ONE Offering he perfected them that are Sanctified, Heb. 10, 10, 11, 14. Yet do they daily sacrifice him afresh, as if his first were insufficient, or their daily Sins required a new one. But what man endued with the least share of common Sense, can be so stupid, as to imagine, that Christ is sacrificed by every Popish Priest, when he offers up a Blood-less Flesh-less Wafer. What greater Irreverence can be shown to the bitter Passion of the Lord Jesus Christ, making such a May-game of his most dreadful Agony and cruel Death, as the Jews did with a crucified Child.

This is so much worse, they the Aronical Priest-hood, as that was before Christ, and so tipical of his coming, and of divine Authority. And this after his coming, whose own words and Apostles (whom these Men pretend to Saint, and own) bear Record, That ONCE for all, and by that ONE Offering of Himself, &c. And consequently void of all Commission, as well as Presedent.

The Cheat they put upon men is plainly this, That whilst with fine words they seem originally to ground their Salvation upon Christs Sacrifice of the Cross, they craftily attribute to their daily Sacrifices of him, no small share of Merit, as so many mediate and Secondary Causes, which must needs be obvious to every unbyast Reader. Their curious Epithites seem only to serve the place of so many Covers, for the malignity of their Sophistical Doctrines.


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