_What the Fathers Thought concerning Sacrifice._
And since we have explained the passages of Scripture which are cited
against us, we must reply also concerning the Fathers. We are not
ignorant that the Mass is called by the Fathers a sacrifice; but they
do not mean that the Mass confers grace _ex opere operato_, and that,
when applied on behalf of others, it merits for them the remission of
sins, of guilt and punishment. Where are such monstrous stories to
be found in the Fathers? But they openly testify that they are
speaking of thanksgiving. Accordingly they call it a eucharist. We
have said above, however, that a eucharistic sacrifice does not merit
reconciliation, but is made by those who have been reconciled, just
as afflictions do not merit reconciliation, but are eucharistic
sacrifices when those who have been reconciled endure them.
And this reply, in general, to the sayings of the Fathers defends us
sufficiently against the adversaries. For it is certain that these
figments concerning the merit of the opus operatum are found nowhere
in the Fathers. But in order that the whole case may be the better
understood, we also shall state those things concerning the use of
the Sacrament which actually harmonize with the Fathers and Scripture.