A17659:37
A faithful and most godly treatise concerning the most sacred Sacrament of the blessed…A faythfull and moost godlye treatyse concernyng the most sacred Sacrament of the blessed…
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.
When it pleased the almighty our God by baptism, to chose us into the congregation, that is to say into his house which he will nourish and defend: and that he hath received us, not only as household servants, but also as his children: it behoveth him (if he will play the part of a good father) to bring us up, ministering unto us all things necessary to food and clothing.
When it pleased the almyghty oure God by baptisme, to chose vs into the cōgregation, that is to saye into his house whyche he wyll nouryshe and defende: and that he hath receyued vs, not onely as houshold seruauntes, but also as his chyldren: it behoueth hym (yf he wyl playe the parte of a good father) to bringe vs vp, ministrynge vnto vs all thynges necessarye to foode and clothynge.
But as concerning the things that pertain to the education of the body, because they be common to all men, so that as well the evil persons as y• good be partakers thereof: they are not to be taken as for things appertaining to his household only. No doubt, in that he feedeth and defendeth our bodies, and whiles we be partakers of all those good things which he most plenteously and liberally giveth us, is declared a great token of his fatherly goodness toward us. But in like manner as the life wherein he hath regenerate us, is spiritual: so is it needful that the meat wherewith we should be sustained & strengthened, be al•o spiritual. For we must understand, y• we are not called to possess the celestial inheritance, in time to come only: but y• through •ope we are in manner set in possession thereof •l ready. So y• he hath not only promised us ⟨image 14⟩life, but delivering us from death, he hath all ready led us into it in very deed. And this thing obtained we, when he begat us a new with the seed of immortality, y is to say his word, which through the holy ghost he hath printed & fastened in our hearts. That we there fore may defend & sustain this life, we must not seek y caducal & corruptible meats, wherewith the belly is fed: but we must provide for our souls much better & more excellent food. And the whole scripture witnesseth, y the self same words, whereby the lord hath begotten us a new, is y spiritual bread whereby our souls are sustained & fed: the reason is this, by cause in it, Christ our only life is given & ministered unto us. For when god would that all abundance of life, should remain in Christ to the intent y by him, he might make us partakers thereof: he ordained the word also, whereby Christ & all his mercies might be ministered unto us. This sentence therefore is infallibly true, that our souls are fed & nourished, with none other food then Jesus Christ.