Chapter XVIII. Of his public profession of faith, and of his delivering… bear relation to the posture of the body. When thou art afar off or canst not see, prostrate thyself and bow thine head and pray to thy God in secret from the Sanctus to the Pax, and afterward, whether thou dost partake or not, until the Gospel of St. John.
(15) Receive the Pax with reverence and devotion, for it is a contact with the Body of the Lord through the mouth of the priest. Is not reverence paid to The Veronica, and to the picture of Christ, though it is not sanctified by His bodily presence? In the Primitive Church all the faithful were wont to communicate, and in place of such Communion the Pax is given as being in some measure a receiving of Christ's Body. The reason (as I hold) that His 66
Body is not now given so generally is that in the Primitive Church when His Blood was but lately shed, men were better, and religious fervour was in full vigour and at its height: but this is now grown old, wherefore He hath withdrawn Himself.
When the Pax doth come be thou prepared as if thou didst verily receive the Body of Christ, and at that time lift up the love of thine heart and prepare thyself so that though thou are not able carnally to receive the Elements of the Holy Sacrament, thou mayest at least do so in the Spirit. After receiving such communion through the Pax, the love of thine heart must abide and endure inwardly; but if thou dost begin to wander in mind, as doth often happen to thee when thou dost meditate without ordering thy thoughts beforehand, turn thy mind to Christ's Passion.
(16) Likewise from the Sanctus onward prepare to look upon the Host—are not all men wont to make preparation before looking upon their King, by whom also they must be seen?
After this make thyself ready for the Reception and do nought besides, for at that time the Presence of Christ doth work upon thee and doth help thy weakness; thus shalt thou be moved to love the Sacrament. This is evident from the words wherein it is said, "Lift up your hearts" and "We have lifted them up to the Lord."
Also always draw so near the Priest as thy condition doth permit, to hear the Mass and to look upon the Host, and stand in the Presence Thereof. Be not willing to consult for any 67 man that he may be ordained, nor to speak for him, nor assist him to this end unless he be most devout. The first of these resolutions is on account of the responses pertaining to the office which ought to be made, and are not made, as is shown in the fourth of the Sentences and in the Decrees; the second is, on account of the risk of Simony which doth often occur; and also, by reason of the unprofitable state of the Church.
With regard to abstinence these things seem good, but are not the subject of promise.
First to keep the fasts that are ordained; secondly, never to eat flesh meats. The reasons hereof are to be found in the Chapter of the Decrees which is called Margarita (de consec.,
§ v). Thirdly, save for just cause, not to omit to fast during Advent and Septuagesima.
Fourthly, let there be a daily fast which doth consist in not wholly satisfying the appetite unless cold weather doth hinder this resolve. All philosophers do advise this, specially Seneca and Aristotle. Withhold thy hand while appetite doth yet remain: the moment of its satisfac-