"We acknowledge a representation of that sacrifice to God the Father": Bramhall on the Eucharistic sacrifice
you say we have renounced your sacrifice of the Mass. If the Sacrifice of the Mass be the same with the Sacrifice of the Cross, we attribute more unto it, than yourselves; We place our whole hope of Salvation in it. If you understand another propitiatory Sacrifice, distinct from that (as this of the Mass seems to be, for confessedly the Priest is not the same, the Altar is not the same, the Temple is not the same,) If you think of any new meritorious satisfaction to God for the sins of the world, or of any new supplement to the merits of Christs Passion, you must give us leave to renounce your Sacrifice indeed, and to adhere to the Apostle; 'By one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified'.
Surely you cannot think that Christ did actually sacrifice himself at his last Supper, (for then he had redeemed the world at his last Supper, then his subsequent sacrifice upon the Cross had been superfluous,) nor that the Priest now doth more than Christ did then. We do readily acknowledge an Eucharistical sacrifice of prayers and praises, we profess a commemoration of the sacrifice of the Cross, And in the language of holy Church, things commemorated are related as if they were then acted, 'As Almighty God who hast given us thy Son as this day to be born of a pure Virgin'. And 'whose praise the younger, Innocents have this day set forth'. And between the Ascension and Pentecost, 'which hast exalted thy Son Jesus Christ with great Triumph into Heaven, we beseech thee leave us not comfortless, but send unto us thy holy Spirit'. We acknowledge a Representation of that sacrifice to God the Father, we acknowledge an Impetration of the benefit of it, we maintain an Application of its virtue: So here is a commemorative, impetrative, applicative sacrifice. Speak distinctly, and I cannot understand what you can desire more. To make it a suppletory sacrifice, to supply the defects of the only true sacrifice of the Cross, I hope both you and I abhor.
From The Works of The Most Reverend Father in God, John Bramhall, Volume I.
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