Transubstantiation.--This doctrine declares that, when the words of consecration have been pronounced over the Eucharist, the bread and wine are _actually_ transformed into the _body and blood_, the _soul and divinity_ of Christ. This monstrous notion was wholly unknown to the Christians of the first four centuries. In the eleventh century, it was held that the body of Christ was actually present, without directly affirming in what manner. It was not until the thirteenth century (A.D. 1215) that the change of the bread and wine became an acknowledged doctrine, by the Fourth Lateran Council. This doctrine contradicts the conception of a miracle, which consists in a _visible_ supernatural change. It contradicts the physical conception of body, which is, that body is local, and of course cannot be in two places at once; but the body of Christ is in Heaven. It also contradicts Scripture, which pronounces that the taking of the bread and wine would be wholly profitless, but by the accompanying operation of the Holy Spirit acting on the faithful partaker of the Sacrament; the language of Christ being--"The _flesh_ profiteth nothing. The words that I speak to you, they are spirit." The whole efficacy is spiritual. The Mass.--Popery declares that in the Mass is offered continually the _actual sacrifice_ of Christ. This conception arises from Transubstantiation, by which the Host is Christ; and the priest thus continually offering the Host is presumed to sacrifice our Lord, in every instance of the offering! This doctrine is threefold--that the priest can make God, that flour and water can be God, and that the wafer, which is still but flour and water to the senses, is the Christ of whom it is declared in Scripture that, "having suffered _once for all_ for the sins of men, he sat down for ever at the right hand of God." This monstrous doctrine was long disputed, and, though practically adopted, was not confirmed before the Council of Trent, (A.D. 1563.) The Half-communion.--This doctrine originated also in Transubstantiation. From pronouncing the Eucharist to be actually Christ, scruples arose as to its chances of pollution; and as the wine might be spilt, it became the custom to give only the bread to the laity, in whose mouths it is placed by the priest. But a mutilated sacrament is none. The consequence of this doctrine is, that no Popish _layman_ ever receives the Eucharist, or has received it during the last four hundred years!--most awful and terrible result of human presumption! Auricular Confession.--By this doctrine, the forgiveness of sin must be preceded by confession to a priest. In contradiction to the whole tenor of Scripture, which declares the forgiveness of sin to depend on sincere prayer for forgiveness, through the atonement of Christ, and on the determination to sin no more: "Come to _me_ all ye that are heavy laden, and I will refresh you."--"Repent ye, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out."