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…

Name: A faithful and most godly treatise concerning the most sacred Sacrament of the blessed…
Author: John Calvin

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

John Calvin 1509–1564London: printed by John Day for William Seres?, 1548

[96] p. · 28k words · STC 4411 · ESTC S107182

Title page typeset from the transcription.

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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.

[ Earlier:86–101 of 173

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For if I lay for me this one thing, what so ever was then done was founded on the commandment of God: and that their foolish trifles have none other foundation than on mans invention: were not there a great difference? But I have things to disprove them with, that be much greater then these be. For it was not for naught that the lord prescribed such a form for a time, to the intent that at y• length it should have an end and be abrogate No doubt because he had not as then declared his doctrine so plainly, he would so much y• rather y• his people should be exercised in figures: that the thing which wanted in that testament, might be repaired in the other. But sense that Christ appeared in the flesh: look by how much more the doctrine is lightened, so much more are the figures diminished. Seeing therefore we have the body▪ we must leave the shadows. For if we will replenish the abolished ceremonies: we shall patch again that veil▪ that Christ brake in sunder by his death and so shall we obscure and darken the light of the Gospel. Thus do we perceive, that this multitude of ceremonies, which is seen in the ⟨image 31⟩mass, is the form of the Jewish law, utterly contrary to the christian religion. I am not of that mind that I would disprove all ceremonies, which do serve to honesty and a public order, whereby the more reverence is given to the sacrament: so that they do well agree to the purpose,¹ and be sober. But that immensurable labyrinth, may by no means be suffered: for as much as it hath engendered infinite superstitions, & made the people as it were am• sed with out any manner edification. By this it may easily be perceived wherein those, unto whom god hath opened the understanding of his truth, ought to deffer from the papists▪ First, they shall be out of doubt y• it is abominable sacrilege, to compt y• mass as a sacrifice, whereby remission of since may be obtained other to repute y• priest for a mediator, which may apply the merits of Christs passion unto them y bye masses, or be present at y doing of them, or do with devotion worship them. But they shall rather believe that the death and passion of Christ,

[ Earlier passages Later passages ]

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…

¶The order that the church and congregation of Christ in Denmark, and in many places, countries and cities in Germany doth use, not only at the holy supper of the Lord, but also at the ministration of the blessed Sacrament of Baptism and holy Wedlock.

¶The order that the churche and cōgregacion of Christe in Denmarke, and in many places, coūtreis and cities in Germany doth vse, not onelye at the holy supper of the Lorde, but also at the ministration of the blessed Sacrament of Baptisme and holy Wedlocke.

The author

Transcription key

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

¶The order that the church and congregation of Christ in Denmark, and in many places, countries and cities in Germany doth use, not only at the holy supper of the Lord, but also at the ministration of the blessed Sacrament of Baptism and holy Wedlock.

¶The order that the churche and cōgregacion of Christe in Denmarke, and in many places, coūtreis and cities in Germany doth vse, not onelye at the holy supper of the Lorde, but also at the ministration of the blessed Sacrament of Baptisme and holy Wedlocke.

The author

Transcription key