A07405:150
A godly and learned assertion in defence of the true church of God, and…
A godly and learned assertion in defence of the true church of God, and of His Word written in Latin by that Reverend Father D. Philip Melanchthon, after the convention at Ratisbona, anno 1541 ; translated into English by R.R.A godly and learned assertion in defence of the true church of God, and of His Woorde written in Latine by that Reuerend Father D. Philip Melancthon, after the conuention at Ratisbona, anno 1541 ; translated into English by R.R.
London : Imprinted at London at the three Cranes in the Vinetree by Thomas Dawson, 1580
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
As touching the Lords Supper, he is wont too use the words of Oblation and Sacrifice like as the other writers before did, which say confusedly:1 We offer prayers, we offer bread, wine, we offer the body and blood of Christ. For that is also found in Cyprian. Here upon, our adversaries take their Testimonies too defend the profanation of the Lords Supper in their private Mass, &c.
As touching the Lordes Supper, hee is wont too vse the woordes of Oblation and Sacrifice lyke as the other wryters before did, which say confusedly:1 Wee offer prayers, wee offer bread, wyne, wee offer the body and blood of Christ. For that is also founde in Cyprian. Heere vpon, our aduersaries take their Testimonies too defende the prophanation of the Lordes Supper in their priuate Masse, &c.
- 1Because Cyprian used the word: [oblation] for the Lords supper, therefore the adversaries ratify their mass.Bycause Cyprian vsed the word: [oblatiō] for the Lords supper, therefore the aduersaries ratify their masse.
Great is the force of custom, and men imitating this, do oftentimes speak improperly: As now we call it the Mass▪ where never any man knew the right sense or meaning of that name. So the ancient fathers retained the speeches of oblation and sacrifice, not very well regarding the Etymology or proper signification thereof. And because Augustine saw there was some discommodity in those names,1 he somewhat mitigateth the same thee sayeth, That it is called Sacrifice, for the remembrance of the thing Sacrificed, and Oblation, for the memory of the Oblation. These are Metonymiae, or figures of denomination, as we say the passover for the memory or the sign of the passing over. But I will not here subtly either interpret upon, or excuse the used phrase of speech in that age.