was of advantage for them to understand the words of the office;
but now Catholics imbibe from their cradles the manners and
customs of the Church, whence they readily know what should be
done at every time in the Church. Moreover, as to their complaints
concerning the abuse of masses, there is none of those who think
aright but does not earnestly desire that the abuses be corrected.
__But that they who wait at the altar live of the altar is not an
abuse, but pertains equally to both divine and human law.__ "Who
goeth a warfare any time at his own charge?" says Paul. "Do ye not
know that they which minister about holy things live of the things
of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with
the altar?" 1 Cor 9:7,13. Christ says: "The laborer is worthy of
his hire." Luke 10:7. But worthy of censure, above all things, is
the discontinuance of the private mass in certain places, as
though those having fixed and prescribed returns are sought no
less than the public masses on account of gain. But by this
abrogation of masses the worship of God is diminished, honor is
withdrawn from the saints, the ultimate will of the founder is
overthrown and defeated, the dead deprived of the rights due them,
and the devotion of the living withdrawn and chilled. Therefore
the abrogation of private masses cannot be conceded and tolerated.
Neither can their assumption be sufficiently understood that
Christ by his passion has made satisfaction for original sin, and
has instituted the mass for actual sin; for this has never been
heard by Catholics, and very many who are now asked most
constantly deny that they have so taught. For the mass does not
abolish sins, which are destroyed by repentance as their peculiar
medicine, but abolishes the punishment due sin, supplies
satisfactions, and confers increase of grace and salutary
protection of the living, and, lastly, brings the hope of divine