按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
wicked priest can minister at； and dispense； the Sacrament； and
whatever other questions like this there may be。 For here we conclude
and say： Even though a knave takes or distributes the Sacrament； he
receives the true Sacrament； that is； the true body and blood of
Christ； just as truly as he who ＇receives or＇ administers it in the
most worthy manner。 For it is not founded upon the holiness of men； but
upon the Word of God。 And as no saint upon earth； yea； no angel in
heaven； can make bread and wine to be the body and blood of Christ； so
also can no one change or alter it； even though it be misused。 For the
Word by which it became a Sacrament and was instituted does not become
false because of the person or his unbelief。 For He does not say： If
you believe or are worthy； you receive My body and blood； but： Take；
eat and drink； this is By body and blood。 Likewise： Do this （namely；
what I now do； institute； give； and bid you take） 。 That is as much as
to say； No matter whether you are worthy or unworthy； you have here His
body and blood by virtue of these words which are added to the bread
and wine。 Only note and remember this well； for upon these words rest
all our foundation； protection； and defense against all errors and
deception that have ever come or may yet come。
Thus we have briefly the first point which relates to the essence of
this Sacrament。 Now examine further the efficacy and benefits on
account of which really the Sacrament was instituted； which is also its
most necessary part； that we may know what we should seek and obtain
there。 Now this is plain and clear from the words just mentioned： This
is My body and blood； given and shed FOR YOU； for the remission of
sins。 Briefly that is as much as to say： For this reason we go to the
Sacrament because there we receive such a treasure by and in which we
obtain forgiveness of sins。 Why so？ Because the words stand here and
give us this； for on this account He bids me eat and drink； that it may
be my own and may benefit me； as a sure pledge and token； yea； the very
same treasure that is appointed for me against my sins； death； and
every calamity。
On this account it is indeed called a food of souls； which nourishes
and strengthens the new man。 For by Baptism we are first born anew； but
（as we said before） there still remains； besides； the old vicious
nature of flesh and blood in man； and there are so many hindrances and
temptations of the devil and of the world that we often become weary
and faint； and sometimes also stumble。
Therefore it is given for a daily pasture and sustenance； that faith
may refresh and strengthen itself so as not to fall back in such a
battle； but become ever stronger and stronger。 For the new life must be
so regulated that it continually increase and progress； but it must
suffer much opposition。 For the devil is such a furious enemy that when
he sees that we oppose him and attack the old man； and that he cannot
topple us over by force； he prowls and moves about on all sides； tries
all devices； and does not desist until he finally wearies us； so that
we either renounce our faith or yield hands and feet and become
listless or impatient。 Now to this end the consolation is here given
when the heart feels that the burden is becoming too heavy； that it may
here obtain new power and refreshment。
But here our wise spirits contort themselves with their great art and
wisdom； crying out and bawling： How can bread and wine forgive sins or
strengthen faith？ Although they hear and know that we do not say this
of bread and wine； because in itself bread is bread； but of such bread
and wine as is the body and blood of Christ； and has the words attached
to it。 That； we say； is verily the treasure； and nothing else； through
which such forgiveness is obtained。 Now the only way in which it is
conveyed and appropriated to us is in the words （Given and shed for
you）。 For herein you have both truths； that it is the body and blood of
Christ； and that it is yours as a treasure and gift。 Now the body of
Christ can never be an unfruitful； vain thing； that effects or profits
nothing。 Yet however great is the treasure in itself； it must be
comprehended in the Word and administered to us； else we should never
be able to know or seek it。
Therefore also it is vain talk when they say that the body and blood of
Christ are not given and shed for us in the Lord's Supper； hence we
could not have forgiveness of sins in the Sacrament。 For although the
work is accomplished and the forgiveness of sins acquired on the cross；
yet it cannot come to us in any other way than through the Word。 For
what would we otherwise know about it； that such a thing was
accomplished or was to be given us if it were not presented by
preaching or the oral Word？ Whence do they know of it； or how can they
apprehend and appropriate to themselves the forgiveness； except they
lay hold of and believe the Scriptures and the Gospel？ But now the
entire Gospel and the article of the Creed： I believe a holy Christian
Church； the forgiveness of sin； etc。； are by the Word embodied in this
Sacrament and presented to us。 Why； then； should we allow this treasure
to be torn from the Sacrament when they must confess that these are the
very words which we hear everywhere in the Gospel； and they cannot say
that these words in the Sacrament are of no use； as little as they dare
say that the entire Gospel or Word of God； apart from the Sacrament； is
of no use？
Thus we have the entire Sacrament； both as to what it is in itself and
as to what it brings and profits。 Now we must also see who is the
person that receives this power and benefit。 That is answered briefly；
as we said above of Baptism and often elsewhere： Whoever believes it
has what the words declare and bring。 For they are not spoken or
proclaimed to stone and wood； but to those who hear them； to whom He
says： Take and eat； etc。 And because He offers and promises forgiveness
of sin； it cannot be received otherwise than by faith。 This faith He
Himself demands in the Word when He says： Given and shed for you。 As if
He said： For this reason I give it； and bid you eat and drink； that you
may claim it as yours and enjoy it。 Whoever now accepts these words；
and believes that what they declare is true； has it。 But whoever does
not believe it has nothing； as he allows it to be offered to him in
vain； and refuses to enjoy such a saving good。 The treasure； indeed； is
opened and placed at every one's door； yea upon his table； but it is
necessary that you also claim it； and confidently view it as the words
suggest to you。
This； now； is the entire Christian preparation for receiving this
Sacrament worthily。 For since this treasure is entirely presented in
the words； it cannot be apprehended and appropriated in any other way
than with the heart。 For such a gift and eternal treasure cannot be
seized with the fist。 Fasting and prayer； etc。； may indeed be an
external preparation and discipline for children； that the body may
keep and bear itself modestly and reverently towards the body and blood
of Christ； yet what is given in and with it the body cannot seize and
app