Falsely are our churches accused of abolishing the Mass; for the Mass is retained among us, and celebrated with the highest reverence.Nearly all the usual ceremonies are also preserved, save that the parts sung in Latin are interspersed here and there with German hymns, which have been added to teach the people.For ceremonies are needed to this end alone that the unlearned be taught [what they need to know of Christ].And not only has Paul commanded to use in the church a language understood by the people 1 Cor.14,2.9, but it has also been so ordained by man's law.The people are accustomed to partake of the Sacrament together, if any be fit for it, and this also increases the reverence and devotion of public worship.For none are admitted except they be first examined.The people are also advised concerning the dignity and use of the Sacrament, how great consolation it brings anxious consciences, that they may learn to believe God, and to expect and ask of Him all that is good.[In this connection they are also instructed regarding other and false teachings on the Sacrament.] This worship pleases God; such use of the Sacrament nourishes true devotion toward God.It does not, therefore, appear that the Mass is more devoutly celebrated among our adversaries than among us.
But it is evident that for a long time this also has been the public and most grievous complaint of all good men that Masses have been basely profaned and applied to purposes of lucre.
For it is not unknown how far this abuse obtains in all the churches by what manner of men Masses are said only for fees or stipends, and how many celebrate them contrary to the Canons.But Paul severely threatens those who deal unworthily with the Eucharist when he says, 1 Cor.11,27: Whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.When, therefore our priests were admonished concerning this sin, Private Masses were discontinued among us, as scarcely any Private Masses were celebrated except for lucre's sake.
Neither were the bishops ignorant of these abuses, and if they had corrected them in time, there would now be less dissension.Heretofore, by their own connivance, they suffered many corruptions to creep into the Church.Now, when it is too late, they begin to complain of the troubles of the Church, while this disturbance has been occasioned simply by those abuses which were so manifest that they could be borne no longer.There have been great dissensions concerning the Mass, concerning the Sacrament.Perhaps the world is being punished for such long-continued profanations of the Mass as have been tolerated in the churches for so many centuries by the very men who were both able and in duty bound to correct them.For in the Ten Commandments it is written, Ex.20, 7: The Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.But since the world began, nothing that God ever ordained seems to have been so abused for filthy lucre as the Mass.
There was also added the opinion which infinitely increased Private Masses, namely that Christ, by His passion, had made satisfaction for original sin, and instituted the Mass wherein an offering should be made for daily sins, venial and mortal.
From this has arisen the common opinion that the Mass takes away the sins of the living and the dead by the outward act.
