Hence it followed that believers in the Roman doctrine of
Purgatory might subscribe the Articles with a good conscience.
Similarly, the Articles condemned 'the sacrifices of masses', but
they did not condemn 'the sacrifice of the Mass'. Thus, the Mass
might be lawfully celebrated in English Churches. Newman took the
trouble to examine the Articles in detail from this point of
view, and the conclusion he came to in every case supported his
contention in a singular manner.
The Tract produced an immense sensation, for it seemed to be a
deadly and treacherous blow aimed at the very heart of the Church
of England. Deadly it certainly was, but it was not so
treacherous as it appeared at first sight. The members of the
English Church had ingenuously imagined up to that moment that it
was possible to contain, in a frame of words, the subtle essence
of their complicated doctrinal system, involving the mysteries of
the Eternal and the Infinite on the one hand, and the elaborate
adjustments of temporal government on the other. They did not
understand that verbal definitions in such a case will only
perform their functions so long as there is no dispute about the
matters which they are intended to define: that is to say, so
long as there is no need for them. For generations this had been
the case with the Thirty-nine Articles.
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