Wesley Corpus

Corp. Ch.) And whosoever holds it unlawful or idolatrous so to do, is accursed. (Concil. Trid, ibid., Can. 6.) REPLY. We freely own that Christ is to be adored in the Lord’s supper; but that the elements are to be adored, we deny. If Christ is not corporally present in the host, they grant their adoration to be idolatry. (Coster. Enchir., c. 8, n. 10.) And that he is not corporally present anywhere but in heaven, we are taught, Acts i. 11, iii. 21, whither he went, and where he is to continue till his second coming to judgment. Q. 73. What are the ceremonies used in the mass? A. The ceremonies in the mass respect either things, actions, or words. Among the things, are garments, places, time, vessels, cloths, incense, lights, &c. (Bellarmin. Doctr. Trid. de Sacr. Miss.) Q. 74. What are the garments used by the Priest in the mass, and what is their signification? A. (1.) The amice, or white veil, which he puts over his head, signifies mystically, either the divinity of Christ covered under his humanity, or the crown of thorns; and morally, contemplation, or hope. In putting it on, he saith, “Put on, O Lord, the helmet of salvation upon my head, that I may overcome all diabolical temptations.” (2.) The alb, or long white garment, signifies mystically, the white robe put on our Saviour; and morally, faith and innocency. In putting it on, he saith, “Make me white, O Lord, and cleanse my heart, that, being whitened in the blood of the Lamb, I may enjoy everlasting gladness.” (3.) The girdle signifies mystically, the cords wherewith our Saviour was bound; and morally, (being turned up on both sides,) the two means to preserve chastity, namely, fasting and prayer. When he puts it about him, he prays, “Gird me, O Lord, with the girdle of purity, and quench in my loins the humour of lust, that there may remain in me the virtue of continency and chastity.” The like account is given of the maniple, vestment, and stole, and of the divers colours of the furniture used in the several seasons, in the “Manual of the Poor Man’s Devotion,” chap. Of the Orna ments of the Mass. REPLY. The Council of Trent saith, that the ceremonies of the mass, such as mystical benedictions, lights, incensings, garments, &c., are from Apostolical tradition; (Sess. 22, c.