X. FIVE ROMAN AND PROTESTANT HERESIES CONDEMNED CHURCH CATHOLIC. (a) THE REAL ABSENCE. BY THE 1. "Symbolism," the "Cake and Wine" theory; only the Signum Sacramenti given to all alike. 2. "Virtualism;" No. 1 slightly improved; i.e., the Virtus Sacramenti communicated with Signum, but to the good only. (b) FIGURATIVE OR FICTITIOUS PRESENCE. 3. "Receptionism;" the Res Sacramenti present "subjectively;" i.e.. produced in the hearts of the good only, by an effort of faith or will, as though an act of mesmeric volition. N.B. "Faith" can no more produce the Presence of Christ in the heart, than opening the eyes can make the sun to shine. When Christ and the Sun are severally "Present" externally or "objectively," Faith and the Eyes can severally appropriate them but not otherwise. (c) REAL PRESENCE, WRONGLY IMAGINED. 4. "Transubstantiation;" Signum changed into Res. 5. "Consubstantiation;" "Confusion of Substance" (Athanasian Creed); i.e., Mixing up of Signum and Res, Natural and Supernatural; as Flour and Water are mixed, to make Bread. (Vide Notes on Art. xxv.) OBSERVE-I and 4 equally "overthrow the Nature of a Sacrament;" which must have two parts, not one only. 2 Denies the "Communicatio Corporis Christi," which is the Inward Part or Res Significata; and thus contradicts Art. ii., as well as Catechism. 3 Repudiates Christ's promise (S. Matt. xxviii. 20,) as of none effect; and makes the miracle of His Presence to depend, not upon the act of Consecration by His Priest, but upon the faith, &c., of each communicant for himself; thus leaving quite doubtful what it is all-important to know for certain (S. John vi. 53,) and rendering it far from impossible, that on any given occasion there may be no Real Presence at all, and therefore no "Sacrament." 5 Is Luther's attempt to steer clear of the Scylla of No. 4, without falling into the Charybdis of No. 1, 2, or 3. OBSERVE ALSO-The Catechism of 1603, interpreting these Articles of 1562, pointedly condemns Nos. 1, 2, 3, in the single Answer to the Question, "What is the Res Sacramenti or Thing Signified ?” "The Body and Blood of Christ, which are verily and indeed taken and received by the Faithful," i.e., Baptized Communicants. (Vide Notes on Art. xxvi.) XI. THE REAL PRESENCE, AN OVER-POWERING ARGUMENT AGAINST ANYTHING BUT CAREFUL, SOLEMN, AND COSTLY RITUAL. (a) "The Lord is in His Holy Temple; let all the earth keep silence before Him." Hab. ii. 20. "Put off thy shoes from off thy feet; for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." Exod. iii. 5. 66 Behold, the Bridegroom cometh! Go ye out to meet Him." S. Matt. xxv. 6. Vid. also, Gen. xxviii. 16, 17; Eccles. v. I; Ps. xcv. 6; Rev. iv. 10. (b) God gives us of His best; and we can do no less in return. Gen. iv. 4; 2 Sam. xxiv. 24; Mal. 1, 8, 13. (c) Splendid surroundings, ceremonious etiquette, and punctilious attention to details, are always deemed right and proper at the Court of earthly Kings and Potentates. A fortiori they are due to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (d) Hence the ancient Catholic accessories of (1) Unleavened Bread, (2) Mixed Chalice, (3) Lights, (4) Incense, (5) Priestly Vestments, and (6) Eastward Position, i.e., the Priest "standing humbly afore the midst of the Altar." (Vid. First Book Edward vi.) (e) (1) Unleavened Bread. S. Matt. xxvi. 26. "A Round Cake." (Alford's Greek Test.) "Thin and Brittle." (Ingram Cobbin's Commentary.) Exod. xii. 15; Mal. I, II. "A Thin Flat Cake or Biscuit; which shews the propriety of the expression, "Breaking Bread.' (Parkhurst's Lexicon.) (2) Mixed Chalice. Prov. ix. 2; S. John xix. 34, 5; Heb. ix. 19; Apostolic Liturgies; First Book King Edward vi. (3) Lights. Exod. xxv. 31, 7; Zech. iv. 2, Many Lights symbolize the Host of Seven Lights symbolize the Seven Spirits Two Lights symbolize the Divine and 66 (4) Incense. God's Recipe, Exod. xxx. 34; Ps. cxli. 2; Isaiah lxvi. 21; Mal. i. 1; iii. 4; Rev. viii. 3, 4. (5) Vestments. Gen. xxxvii. 3; Exod. xxviii. 5, 6; Ps. xxii. 18; S. John xix. 23; Rev. i. 13; iv. 4; xix. 12. (6) Eastward Position. I Kings viii. 22; Lumina, Vestimentaque, Thus, Panis Specialis, Music. 2. Chron. xxxv. 15; Rev. iv. 8- Linen. Rev. iv. 4; vii. 9; xix. 8; S. Matt. xxvii. 59; xxviii. 3. Flowers. Lev. xxiii. 40; 1 Kings vi. 29; Ps. cxliv. 12; S. John xii. 13; Rev. vii. 9; Benedicite. (g) Among the "Ornaments," i.e., Appliances. or Instrumenta," inventoried as permissible in reign of Edward vi. and Queen Elizabeth, are Candlesticks, Censers, and Cruets. (h) The Priestly Vestments are such as were customarily worn in the time of Christ, and presumably by Christ Himself; viz., an "ALB," or white linen garment, fitting somewhat close, and over it a "CHASUBLE" (Casula = a little cottage or tent), i.e., a sleeveless tunic, hanging loose for coolness; "a coat without seam, woven from the top throughout," (S. John xix. 23) like the ancient Jewish Ephod, and the Mexican Serapè of the present day; circular, with slits for the head, and arms if needful. This was the Vestment which Christ" laid aside" when Supper was ended (S. John xiii. 4), and which S. Mark left in the hands of his captors at Gethsemane. (S. Mark xiv. 52). For greater freedom of action, Christ then took a "towel," or long linen girdle, with which He tied the ALB tight about His loins. (1 Kings xviii. 46). The "COPE' was a Cape or Cloak of thicker material, for chilly weather, processions, &c. (Ornaments' Rubric. χιτων, ἱματιον, used interchangeably. S. Matt. xxvi. 65; S. Mark xiv. 63.) XII. SACRAMENT "RESERVED." It is often impossible, and always very difficult, to secure a "decent Celebration, or indeed any Celebration at all, in such cases as the following:I. Crowded tenements of the Poor. 2. Dangerous cases of Infectious Fever, &c. 3. Critical cases of Accident, &c. 4. Field of Battle. 66 To meet the pressing necessity of these cases not provided for by Christ's Ordinance," the Church has in various ages thought it wise and good to enact, that a portion of the Elements duly Consesecrated at a leisurely Celebration in Church, should be "Reserved" in a suitable vessel, so as to be "carried" at a moment's notice to any person in extremis, who may long, as David did (Psalm xxiii.) to have a table prepared before him in the presence of his spiritual enemies, so that in his walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death he may fear no evil, having the Real Presence of Christ with him, and the rod and staff of Christ's Body and Blood to comfort him. D |