That he does assist, cannot be doubted, while Christ is there, while Christ is immolated ; For Christ, our pasch, is sacrificed.” (1 Cor. v. 7.) L. 1. in Evang. Luc. c. 1. T. i. p. 1275. _“ We have beheld the Prince of Priests coming to us; we have beheld and heard him offering his blood for us : We Priests, then, follow him, as we can, and offer Sacrifice for the people, weak as we are in merit, but rendered honourable by this Sacrifice : for although Christ is not now seen to offer, yet is he offered on earth, when his body is the victim. Indeed, he manifestly offers in us, since it is his word that sanctifies the Sacrifice that is offered.” Enarr. in Psal. xxxviii. T. 1. p. 853.
In a letter to his sister Marcellina, giving an account of some disturbances at Milan, when an attempt was made to seize the Church, he relates : “ The next day, which was Sunday, after the reading and Sermon, when I was explaining the creed, word was brought, that officers were sent to seize the Portian-church, and that part of the people were flocking thither. I continued to discharge my duty, and began Mass: but as I was offering, I was informed that the people had laid hands on an Arian Priest. This made me weep, and I prayed to God in the midst of the offering, that no blood might be shed in this quarrel.” Ep. xiv. Classis i. T. 11. p. 853.—Having heard from the Emperor Theodosius of the victory which he had gained over the tyrant Eugenius, Ambrose writes to him: “I took your letter with me to the church: I laid it on the altar, and, whilst I offered Sacrifice, y) I held it in my hand, that by my voice you might speak, and your august letter perform with me the sacerdotal office.” Ibid. p. 1021.
