Article XXIVOf the Mass

p. 50 Falsely are our churches accused of Abolishing the Mass; 1 for the Mass is retained on our part, and celebrated with the highest reverence. 2 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. 3 (For ceremonies are needed to this end alone, that the unlearned be taught.) 4 (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.)

5 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. 6 For none are admitted except they be first proved. 7 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. This worship pleases God; 8 such use of the Sacrament nourishes true devotion toward God. 9 It does not, therefore, appear that the Mass is more devoutly celebrated among our adversaries, than among us.

10 But it is evident that for a long time, it has been the public and most grievous complaint of all good men, that Masses have been basely profaned and applied to purposes of lucre. 11 For it is 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 12 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.” 13 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.

14 Neither were the bishops ignorant of these abuses, and if they had corrected them in time, there would now be less dissension. 15 Heretofore, by their own negligence, they suffered many corruptions to creep into the Church. 16 Now, when it is too late, they begin to complain of the troubles of the Church, seeing that this disturbance has been occasioned simply by those abuses, which were so manifest that they could be borne p. 51 no longer. 17 Great dissensions have arisen concerning the Mass, concerning the Sacrament. 18 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. 19 For, in the Ten Commandments, it is written (Exodus 20), “The Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.” 20 But since the world began, nothing that God ever ordained seems to have been so abused for filthy lucre as the Mass.

21 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. 22 From this has arisen the common opinion that the Mass taketh away the sins of the living and the dead, by the outward act. 23 Then they began to dispute whether one Mass said for many were worth as much as special Masses for individuals, and this brought forth that infinite multitude of Masses. 24 Concerning these opinions our teachers have given warning, that they depart from the Holy Scriptures and diminish the glory of the passion of Christ. 25 For Christ’s passion was an oblation and satisfaction, not for original guilt 26 only, but also for all sins, as it is written to the Hebrews (10:10), “We are sanctified through the offering of Jesus Christ, once for all.” Also, 10:14: 27 “By one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.” 28 Scripture also teaches that we are justified before God through faith in Christ, when we believe that our sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake. 29 Now if the Mass take away the sins of the living and the dead by the outward act, justification comes of the work of Masses, and not of faith, which Scripture does not allow.

30 But Christ commands us [Luke 22:19], “This do in remembrance of me;” therefore the Mass was instituted that the faith of those who use the Sacrament should remember what benefits it receives through Christ, and cheer and comfort the anxious conscience. 31 For, to remember Christ, is to remember his benefits, and to realize that they are truly offered unto us. Nor is it enough only to remember the history, 32 for this the Jew and the ungodly also can remember. 33 Wherefore the Mass is to be used to this end, that there the Sacrament [Communion] may be administered to them that have need of consolation; as Ambrose says: “Because I always sin, I am always bound to take the medicine.”

34 Now forasmuch as the Mass is such a giving of the Sacrament, we hold one communion every holyday, and also other p. 52 days, when any desire the Sacrament it is given to such as ask for it. And this custom is not new in the Church 35; for the Fathers before Gregory make no mention of any private Mass, but of the common Mass [the Communion] they speak very much. 36 Chrysostom says that the priest stands daily at the altar, inviting some to the Communion and keeping back others. 37 And it appears from the ancient Canons, that some one celebrated the Mass from whom all the other presbyters and deacons received the Body of the Lord; for thus the words of the Nicene Canon say: 38 “Let the deacons, according to their order, receive the Holy Communion after the presbyters, from the bishop or from a presbyter.” 39 And Paul [1 Cor. 11:33] commands concerning the Communion: “Tarry one for another,” so that there may be a common participation.

40 Forasmuch, therefore, as the Mass with us has the example of the Church, taken from the Scripture and the Fathers, we are confident that it cannot be disapproved, especially since the public ceremonies are retained for the most part, like those hitherto in use; only the number of Masses differs, which, because of very great and manifest abuses, doubtless might be profitably reduced. 41 For in olden times, even in churches, most frequented, the Mass was not celebrated every day, as the Tripartite History (Book 9, chapt. 33) testifies: “Again in Alexandria, every Wednesday and Friday, the Scriptures are read, and the doctors expound them, and all things are done, except only the celebration of the Eucharist.”