A17659:95
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.
But there is no better way, then to rehearse the matter it self even as it was done. For thereby it shall appear, that there is not so much matter of offence in this behalf, as is commonly supposed to be.
But there is no better waye, then to reherse the matter it selfe euen as it was done. For therby it shal apeare, that there is not so much matter of offence in thys behalfe, as is cōmonlye supposed to be.
When Luther began to teach, he handled the matter of the supper so, that as concerning the corporal presence of Christ, he seamed to leave it such, as all men did then conceive. For condemning transubstantiation, he said that the bread was the body of Christ, because it was joined together with him. Besides this, he added certain hard and gross similitudes. But that he did by compulsion, because he could not otherwise declare his mind. For it is an hard thing to expound so hard a matter: and not to use some things, not all of the fittest for the purpose. After this did zuinglius, and Ecolampadius begin to grow. Which when they considered the guile and deceit that the devil bad brought in, in establishing that carnal presence: which had ben taught and believed. v•. hundred years before: they supposed it wickedness to dissemble a matter of so great importance. And chiefly because there was annexed unto this erro•te,1 an execrable idolatry, that Christ should be worshipped as included under a piece of bread. But because it was very hard, to pull back this opinion, ⟨image 33⟩which had ben long & deeply rotted in the hearts of men, they applied all the force of there wit, to impugn the same, teaching that it was a most gross and absurd error not to acknowledge those things which be throughout the whole scripture, testified of the ascension of Christ. That he, in the nature of man, is received in to heaven, and that he shall tari• there until he descend to judge the world. But whilst they were very much bent unto this purpose: they omitted to declare what presence of Christ in the supper we ought to believe, & what communion of his body and blood is there received. In so much y Luther supposed them willing to leave nought else but y bare signs void of y spiritual substance. And therefore he began to resist openly: in so much y he declared them worthy to be counted for heretics. And after the contention waxed ones hot, in progress of time it was so increased & inflamed, y it was to fiercely stirred to & fro, about a: v. years together, during which time, neither party would, with indifferent and quiet mind here other. For although they did once confer between them selves: yet was there so great alienation of minds, y they departed the purpose not brought to pass.