A17659:103
A faithful and most godly treatise concerning the most sacred Sacrament of the blessed body and blood of our saviour Christ, co[m]piled by John Calvin, a man of no less learning and literature then godly study, and example of living. And translated into Latin by Lacius a man of like excellency. And now last of all, translated into English by a faithful brother, no less desirous to profit the weak brothers then to exercise the talent of the Lord to his honour and glory. In declaration whereof, he hath set before this little book an epistle to the reader much more effectuous then in the first edition. Whereunto the order that the church and congregation of Christ in Denmark doth use at the receiving of baptism, the Supper of the Lord, and wedlock: is added. Myles CoverdaleA faythfull and moost godlye treatyse concernyng the most sacred Sacrament of the blessed body and bloude of our sauioure Chryst, co[m]piled by Iohn Caluyne, a man of no lesse lernyng and lytterature then godly studye, and example of liuyng. And translated into Latin by Lacius a man of lyke excellencie. And nowe last of all, translated into Englyshe by a faythfull brother, no lesse desirous to profyt the weake brotheres then to exercise the talent of the Lorde to his honoure and glorye. In declaration whereof, he hath set before this lytle booke an epistle to the reader much more effectuous then in the fyrst edicion. Whereunto the order that the churche and congregation of Christ in Denmarke doth vse at the receyuying of baptisme, the Supper of ye Lorde, and wedlocke: is added. Myles Couerdale
London: printed by John Day for William Seres?, 1548
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.
For thy better instruction thou shalt first understand, that the blessed Sacrament of the body and blood of the Lord (the worthy memorial of our redemption) is at no time denied to any christen man (where gods word is truly preached) if he lawfully require it. And as none doth minister it save the priest which is the officer appointed thereto. So is it not ministered, but when there be other present to receive it as well as the priest.
FOr thy better instruction thou shalte fyrste vnderstande, that the blessed Sacrament of the bodye and bloude of the Lorde (the worthy memoriall of oure redempcion) is at no tyme denyed to any christen man (where gods worde is truely preached) yf he lawfully require it. And as none dothe minister it saue the priest which is the officer appointed therto. So is it not ministred, but whē there be other present to receyue it as well as the pryeste.
Now because that where gods word is truly preached, men do see the fruit of the said holy Sacrament, therefore resort they the oftener to the same holy supper of the lord and delight the more therein. But specially to see what a nun bre come to it on the sunday, & how reverently, it would do ones heart good. And because they may the more fruitfully be partakers thereof, therefore on the saturday when the preaching is done (every day they have a sermon) all such as are appointed in them selves to be partakers of the Lords supper come (one after an other) to the priest: of whom they learn, not only what the Sacrament is & the right use thereof, but also they being repentant and sorry for their since, & professing amendment, receive there gods promises for their absolution, to the singular comfort of their conscience: & are exhorted by the priest, to do against the morrow, as the holy Apostle Paul biddeth them: that is even to try, examen, and prove them selves, whether they can be content unfeignedly in their hearts, to take better hold on ⟨image 37⟩the kingdom of God, then they have done in times paste, to be more steadfast in faith and hope toward god & his promises, to be more fervent in prayer and love toward God, and for his sake to show unfeigned sove toward every man, to forgive heartily as they would be forgiven, to mortify their flesh daily more and more by reasonable abstinence and godly exercises of the spirit and virtuous occupation of the body, to be glad in distributing the works of mercy to the poor &c.
Now bicause that where gods worde is truely preached, mē do se the fruite of the sayd holy Sacrament, therfore resort they the oftener to the same holy supper of the lorde and delyte the more therin. But specially to se what a nū bre come to it on the sōdaye, & how reuerently, it woulde do ones hert good. And bicause they may the more fruitfully be partakers thereof, therfore on the saterday whē the preachyng is done (euery daye they haue a sermon) all suche as are appoynted in them selues to be partakers of the Lordes supper come (one after an other) to the priest: of whō they learne, not onely what the Sacrament is & the right vse therof, but also they beynge repentaunt and sorye for theyr synnes, & professing amendement, receyue there gods promises for theyr absolucion, to the singulare comforte of theyr conscience: & are exhorted by the priest, to do agaynste the morow, as the holy Apostle Paule biddeth them: that is euen to trye, examen, and proue them selues, whether they cā be cōtent vnfaynedlye in theyr hertes, to take better holde on ⟨image 37⟩the kyngdome of God, then they haue done in tymes paste, to be more stedfaste in fayth and hope towarde god & hys promyses, to bemore feruent in prayer and loue towarde God, and for hys sake to shewe vnfayned soue towarde euery man, to forgeue hertely as they wolde be forgeuen, to mortyfie theyr fleshe dalie more and more by reasonable abstynence and godly exercises of the spirite and vertuous occupacion of the bodye, to bee glad in distrybutynge the workes of mercy to the poore &c.
And when the priest, preacher, or curate for all is on thing) hath given every one, this or such a like exhortation, and enjoined each one his penance according to his estate as subjects to be true & obedient to their rulers servants to be faithful and diligent in waiting on their masters commandment, children to honour and obey their parents▪ and to learn virtue while they be young, householders to keep their houses in the fear of God, & so forth) when the priest (I say) hath enjoined them thus to live and to increase in the same well doing, he committeth them to God and to the word of his grace, And so they depart.
And whē the pryest, preacher, or curate for al is on thynge) hathe geuen euerye one, thys or suche a lyke exortation, and enioyued ech one hys penaūce accordyng to his estate as subiectes to be true & obediēt to their rule•s seruātes to be faithful and diligent in waytyng on their masters conmaundement, children to honour and ob•ie their parentes▪ and to lerne vertue whyle they be yonge, housholders to kepe their houses in the feare of God, & so forth) whē the priest (I saye) hath enioyned them thus to lyue and to increase in the same wel doynge, he commytteth them to God and to the worde of hys grace, And so they departe.
¶On the sunday in the morning (at .vi. of the clock in Summer, and at .vii. in winter) the bell ringeth, and the people, prepare them selves to the church, so that soon after the bell hath rung the second time, the church is almost full of men, women and children, Then a little a fore the hour is expired, they ring y• bell the third time, which ceaseth not till the hour strike: And at the query door beside the table of the Lord, stand two good sober singing men, which (commonly a quarter of an ⟨image 37⟩hour a fore the sermon) begin a psalm and all the people both old and young with one voice do sing with them, after such a fashion that every note answereth to a syllable, and every syllable to one note commonly and no mo: so that a man may well understand what the• sing. But first for the most part they syng the Pater noster in theyr mother tongue, & then the Psalms, some time mo, some time fewer according as the time requireth, but all in there own language. Now when the clock smiteth (which is commonly .vii. in Summer. but .viii. in winter) the superattendaunt or chief curate cometh in to the pulpit, and first of all, he wisheth unto his audience and to him self▪ grace merry and peace from God the father through his blessed son Jesus Christ our saviour: And to the intent that their hearts may be opened to the true understanding of the gospel, which he is about to preach unto them, he exhorteth them to call for help to the holy Ghost. So after that the two foresaid men (or at the least one of them) hath orderly begun, all the thurch followeth, and sing with one voice unto the holy Ghost this song, Ueni sancte spiritus &c. or such an other like it, in their mother tongue.
¶On the sondaye in the mornyng (at .vi. of the clocke in Sōmer, and at .vii. in winter) the bell ryngeth, and the people, prepare them selues to the churche, so that sone after the bel hath ronge the seco•de tyme, the churche is almost full of men, women and chyldren, Then a lytle a fore the houre is expired, they rynge y• bell the thirde tyme, whiche ceasseth not tyl the houre stryke: And at the quere dore besyde the table of the Lorde, stande two good sober synginge men, whyche (commenly a quarter of an ⟨image 37⟩
¶Then the preacher taketh the gospel of that present sunday (or some other place of the scripture, that he is appointed to declare) and expoundeth it clearly by the other manifest places of the bible, noting in it such lessons, such consolations, and such ensamples as are for the edifying of his audience.
¶Thē the preacher taketh the gospell of that presente sondaye (or some other place of the scripture, that he is appoynted to declare) and expoundethe it clearely by the other manifeste places of the byble, noetynge in it suche lessones, such consolacions, and such ensamples as are for the edyfienge of his audience.
¶Commonly at the latter end of the sermon, he maketh a prery short rehearsal of it by the ⟨image 38⟩way of exhortation to the people, or prayer toward God. And then requireth he them to confess and knowledge their sins unto God with him, every man in his own conscience, and to say such or like words in his heart, as I have plurally expressed in the general confession, that I humbly offered to the Kings most honourable counsel for the edifying. Anno. M. D. xxxix. When the priest hath prayed for all estates, and made this or such a like confession in their name, he prayeth God to be merciful to them, to bless them to show the light of his countenance over them, and to have mercy on them.
¶Comenlye at the latter ende of the sermon, he maketh a prery shorte rehearsal of it by the ⟨image 38⟩way of exhortacyon to the people, or prayer towarde God. And then requireth he them to confesse and knowledge theyr sinnes vnto God wyth him, euery man in hys owne conscience, and to saye suche or lyke wordes in hys herte, as I haue plurallye expressed in the generall confession, that I humblye offered to the Kynges mooste honorable counsayll for the edyfyenge. Anno. M. D. xxxix. Whan the prieste hathe prayed for all estates, and made this or suche a lyke confession in their name, he prayeth God to be mercifull to them, to blesse them to shewe the lyghte of hys countenaunce ouer them, and to haue mercye on them.
TO all them that repent and are sorry for their since, detesting and abhorring their old wicked life. If they be hungry and thirst for Gods mercy in Christ, believing surely to have forgiveness only by him, purposing to for sake all abomination of living, and from hence forth to live in the fear of God and unfeignedly to keep his commandments: To all such (by the virtue of God's word and commission of the same) I pronounce and warrant free remission and clean forgiveness of all their since. To the other that will not repent▪ but still harden their hearts against God's trueth, continually abiding in the blindness of false doctrine & filthiness of wi•ked living, having no purpose nor mind to come to repentance: To all such (by the virtue of the same word and commission thereof) do I pronounce damnation ⟨image 38⟩and the terrible wrath of god, until they amend.
TO all them that repent and are sory for theyr synnes, detestinge and abhorring theyr olde wycked lyfe. Yf they be hongry and thirste for Gods mercye in Christe, beleuynge surelye to haue forgyuenesse onelye by hym, purposinge to for sake all abhomynacyon of lyuynge, and from hense forthe to lyue in the feare of God and vnfaynedly to kepe his commaundementes: To all suche (by the vertue of Goddes worde and commission of the same) I pronounce and warraunt fre remyssion and cleane forgeuenes of all theyr synnes. To the other that wyll not repente▪ but styll harden theyr hertes agaynst Goddes trueth, continually abydynge in the blyndnesse of false doctrine & fylthynes of wi•ked lyuyng, hauing no purpose nor mynde to come to r•pentaūce: To all suche (by the vertue of the same worde and commission therof) do I pornounce damnacyon ⟨image 38⟩and the terrible wrath of god, vntyll they amende.
¶So after that he hath wished the peace of God unto his audience, he cometh down Then all the congregation and church in manner afore said, do sing the Creed or believe in their own mother tongue. And when that is done, the curate or else his coadjutor, standeth up afore the table of the lord, and requireth all such as are appointed then to be partakers thereof, to be well ware what they do, and to make a just account with them selves after what manner they have proved and tried their own consciences, whether it be done unfeignedly & in an earnest manner & whether they be at one with all men, and so forth. If it be so in deed, he giveth God thanks for it. If no, he prayeth them right gently, that they will think no shame to absent them selves from this holy supper till the reconciliation be made, lest they come to it unworthily. And then giveth he them this exhortation, or else another such like:
¶So after that he hath wyshed the peace of God vnto hys audyence, he commeth downe Then all the congregacyon and church in maner afore sayde, do synge the Crede or beleue in theyr owne mother tonge. And whan that is done, the curate or els his coadiutour, standeth vp afore the table of the lorde, and requyreth all such as are appoynted then to be partakers therof, to be well ware what they do, and to make a iuste accompt with them selues after what maner they haue proued and tried theyr owne consciences, whether it be done vnfaynedly & in an earnest maner & whether they be at one with al men, and so forth. Yf it be so in dede, he geueth God thākes for it. Yf no, he praieth thē right gētly, yt they wyll thinke no shame to absēt thē selues frō this holy supper tyl ye recōciliacion be made, lest they come to it vnworthely. And thē geueth he thē this exhortacion, or els another such lyke:
Dear friends, we are all baptised into the death of our Lord Jesus Christ: wherefore after holy Baptism: we must all the days of our life, fight and strive in continual battle & war against sin, death and the devil, & so bear about with us in our bodies the passion and death of our Lord Jesus, and we prove by experience, that the enemies whom we have to do withal, are neither weak, nor feeble, but mighty and valiant, to whose power men are naturally subdued so that upon earth there is none so mighty, as to resist ⟨image 39⟩this power of darkness through his own strength, so feeble and weak is all our ability in comparison thereof. For the which cause God the father through Christ his dear son hath ordained another power and kingdom, in the which is righteousness and life: and through his death and blood hath he delivered us and brought us from sin to righteousness, from death to life, from the devil to God, & hath included the kingdom of his grace in the preaching, believing and following of his word: which being begun in the holy christianity, shall go forth until the last day: that we which receive, believe, and do after the same word (by the merits of Christ our reconciler and Saviour) should be and continue for ever his dear children, & heirs of the kingdom of grace, that is to say, of everlasting salvation, for as much as we through such faith do eat continually his flesh & drink his blood, that is to say, abide in him, and he in us.
DEare frendes, we are all baptised into the death of oure Lorde Iesu Christe: wherfore after holy Baptysme: we muste all the dayes of our lyfe, fyght and stryue in continuall battayle & warre agaynst synne, death and the deuyl, & so beare about with vs in our bodies the passion and death of our Lorde Iesu, and we proue by experience, that the enemies whom we haue to do withal, are neyther weake, nor feable, but mighty and valiant, to whose power mē are naturally subdued so yt vpō earth there is none so mighty, as to resist ⟨image 39⟩thys power of darkenesse throughe hys owne strength, so feable and weake is all oure abilitie in comparison thereof. For the whyche cause God the father through Christ his deare sonne hath ordeined another power and kingdome, in the whiche is ryghtuousnes and lyfe: and through his death and bloude hath he delyuered vs and brought vs frō synne to ryghtuousnes, from death to lyfe, from the deuyll to God, & hath included the kyngdome of hys grace in the preaching, beleuyng and folowing of his worde: which beinge begonne in the holy christentie, shal go forth vntyll the last daye: that we whiche receyue, beleue, and do after the same worde (by the merites of Christe our reconciler and Sauiour) shoulde be and continew for euer his deare chyldrē, & heyres of the kingdom of grace, that is to say, of euerlasting saluaciō, for as much as we through such faith do eate cōtinually his flesh & drinke his bloud, that is to saye, abyde in hym, and he in vs.
¶To the intent now that this so great goodness declared by the word of God, might daily among us be practised, distributed and exhibited, therefore hath the gracious and merciful Lord Jesus Christ instituted and ordained a remembrance of this his wonderful work, and commanded, that we at his supper in the Sacrament, should eat his very body and drink his very blood. Whereby the hearts of all such are faithful believers and fear God, might be assured of this same grace of God, and everlasting salvation: And also that in the holy congregation and church his glorious remembrance might […] kept, that is to say, to give him thanks & prai•e, to sing, •peake ⟨image 39⟩preach, & read thereof, to exhort & comfort one another among them selves. And finally with all faithfulness one to show toward another such love and favour, as we our selves have received of our dear lord Jesus Christ. ¶And for as much as we now are happened in these later days, in the which this so precious treasure is unhallowed and wickedly abused. This holy Sacrament shall (for the necessary causes now rehearsed) be to us also a testimony of this present time before god and the world, that we do utterly both in word and deed, refuse and forsake all the dis•eatfulnesse of the papistry, and that we faith fully with all our hearts submit our selves under the gospel of Jesus Christ.
¶To the intent now that this so great goodnesse declared by the worde of God, myghte dayly amonge vs be practised, distributed and exhibited, therfore hath the gracious and merciful Lorde Iesus Christ instituted and ordeined a remembraunce of thys his wonderfull worke, and cōmaunded, that we at his supper in the Sacrament, shoulde eate his very body and drynke his very bloude. Wherby the hertes of al suche are faythful beleuers and feare God, myghte be assured of thys same grace of God, and euerlastyng saluacion: And also that in the holy cōgregacion and churche his glorious remembraunce myghte 〈…〉 kepte, that is to say, to giue him thākes & prai•e, to sing, •peake ⟨image 39⟩preache, & reade therof, to exhorte & cōforte one another among them selues. And finally wyth all faythfulnesse one to shewe towarde another suche loue and fauour, as we oure selues haue receiued of our deare lorde Iesus Christ. ¶And for as muche as we nowe are hapened in these later dayes, in the whyche thys so precious treasure is vnhalowed and wyckedlye abused. Thys holy Sacrament shall (for the necessarye causes nowe rehersed) be to vs also a testimonye of thys presente tyme before god and the worlde, that we do vtterly both in worde and dede, refuse and forsake all the diseatfulnesse of the papistrie, and that we fayth fully wyth all our hertes submitte oure selues vnder the gospel of Iesus Christe.
¶Wherefore ye dearly beloved in the Lord, for as much as this matter is so weighty, even Gods own institution and ordinance, yea, and his commandment also that we should do it. And likewise seeing the necessity which should cause us to accomplish the same, is so great, specially on our behalf towards God (to whom we owe a longe Deo gratias and thanks) we ought in no wise to refrain our selves from it, neither suffer our selves to be kept back there from: but ofttimes with repentant hearts to seek this our souls medicine & comfort of our conscience: believing what Christ saith to us herein, & doing as •e commandeth us
¶Wherfore ye dearely beloued in the Lorde, for as muche as thys matter is so wayghtye, euen Gods owne institution and ordinaunce, yea, and his cōmaūdemēt also that we shoulde do it. And lykewyse seynge the necessite which shoulde cause vs to accomplishe the same, is so great, specially on our behalfe towardes God (to whom we owe a longe Deo gratias and thankes) we ought in no wyse to refrayne our selues from it, neyther suffer oure selues to be kepte backe there frō: but oftymes wyth repētant hertes to seke this our soules medicine & cōfort of our cōsciēce: beleuinge what Christ sayth to vs herin, & doing as •e cōmaūdeth vs
