For he was a
continual sacrifice, as I said, in effect, fruit, operation, and virtue;
as though he had from the beginning of the world, and continually should
to the world's end, hang still on the cross; and he is as fresh hanging
on the cross now, to them that believe and trust in him, as he was
fifteen hundred years ago, when he was crucified.
Then let us trust upon his only death, and look for none other sacrifice
propitiatory, than the same bloody sacrifice, the lively sacrifice; and
not the dry sacrifice, but a bloody sacrifice. For Christ himself said,
_consummatum est_: "It is perfectly finished: I have taken at my Father's
hand the dispensation of redeeming mankind, I have wrought man's
redemption, and have despatched the matter." Why then mingle ye him? Why
do ye divide him? Why make you of him more sacrifices than one? Paul
saith, _Pascha nostrum immolatus est Christus_: "Christ our passover is
offered;" so that the thing is done, and Christ hath done it _semel_,
once for all; and it was a bloody sacrifice, not a dry sacrifice. Why
then, it is not the mass that availeth or profiteth for the quick and the
dead.
Wo worth thee, O devil, wo worth thee, that hast prevailed so far and so
long; that hast made England to worship false gods, forsaking Christ
their Lord.
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