3 September 2015 A.D. Jewel’s “Apology”—Christ’s benefits come by faith only, not Priest-acts & Mass-acts, p.49

3 September 2015 A.D. Jewel’s “Apology”—Christ’s benefits come by faith only, not Priest-acts & Mass-acts, p.49

Jewel, John. “The Apology of the Church of England.” Project Gutenberg. 5 Aug 2006. http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17678/17678-h/17678-h.htm. Accessed 1 Aug 2015.

Besides, where they say, and sometimes do persuade fools, that they are able by their masses to distribute and apply unto men’s commodity all the merits of Christ’s death, yea, although many times the parties think nothing of the matter, and understand full little what is done, this is a mockery, an heathenish fancy, and a very toy.  For it is our faith that applieth the death and cross of Christ to our benefit, and not the act of the massing priest.  “Faith had in the Sacraments,” saith Augustine, “doth justify, and not the Sacraments.”  And Origen saith, “Christ is the Priest, the Propitiation, and Sacrifice: which Propitiation cometh to every one by means of faith.”  So that by this reckoning, we say that the Sacraments of Christ without faith do not once profit these that be alive; a great deal less do they profit those that be dead.