A17659:76
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.
Seeing therefore, all this is finished, there remaineth no more but that we use the communion thereof. It is therefore superfluous, to declare that thing, with figures. Therefore, by the instruction of Christ, we are not command dead to offer or sacrifice:1 but to take and eat the thing that is all ready offered and sacrificed. And although the ancients, did somewhat offend in that observation: yet was not the impiety so great as that which did afterward crepe in. For the thing that was proper and peculiar to the death of Christ, was utterly transposed to the mass: that it might satisfy to god for our offences, & that we might be reconciled by it. Besides these things, that office which was Christs, was attributed unto them which called them selves priests that they might sacrifice unto god, and that they might pray before him with their sacrifices to obtain pardon and remission of our sins. I will not dissemble in these solutions which the enemies of y• truth do bring in this matter. That the mass is no new sacrifice,2 but the application of that only sacrifice whereof I have spoken. Although they go about to cover their abomination with some manner colour: Yet doth it manifestly appear to be a mere cavillation. For it is not only said ⟨image 26⟩that the sacrifice of Christ is but one: but also that it ought not to be iterate, s•ynge that the force and efficacy thereof is perpetual. It is not said that Christ was ones offered up to the father, that other should afterward v•e the same oblation: that they might apply unto us the force of his intercession: but that he is entered into the sanctuary of heaven, and that he appeareth there to the intent he may make the father merciful unto us, through his intercession. As concerning the application of the merits of his death, that we may feel the fruit thereof: that is done, not after such sort as they of the popish church think it to be done: but when we receive the tidings of the Gospel,3 even such as the ministers whom God hath ordained as ambassadors, do in their preaching protest: yea such as he hath sealed with sacraments as with seals. All, aswell teachers as pastors have allowed this opinion of the common people wherein they supposed, that man to deserve mercy and justification (even for the works sake) which would hear or bye a mass.