第 28 节
作者:津夏      更新:2021-02-21 13:30      字数:9322
  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
  appropriate。 But this is done by the faith of the heart; which discerns
  this treasure and desires it。 This may suffice for what is necessary
  as a general instruction respecting this Sacrament; for what is
  further to be said of it belongs to another time。
  Conclusion
  In conclusion; since we have now the true understanding and doctrine of
  the Sacrament; there is indeed need of some admonition and exhortation;
  that men may not let so great a treasure which is daily administered
  and distributed among Christians pass by unheeded; that is; that those
  who would be Christians make ready to receive this venerable Sacrament
  often。 For we see that men seem weary and lazy with respect to it; and
  there is a great multitude of such as hear the Gospel; and; because the
  nonsense of the Pope has been abolished; and we are freed from his laws
  and coercion; go one; two; three years; or even longer without the
  Sacrament; as though they were such strong Christians that they have no
  need of it; and some allow themselves to be prevented and deterred by
  the pretense that we have taught that no one should approach it except
  those who feel hunger and thirst; which urge them to it。 Some pretend
  that it is a matter of liberty and not necessary; and that it is
  sufficient to believe without it; and thus for the most part they go so
  far that they become quite brutish; and finally despise both the
  Sacrament and the Word of God。
  Now; it is true; as we have said; that no one should by any means be
  coerced or compelled; lest we institute a new murdering of souls。
  Nevertheless; it must be known that such people as deprive themselves
  of; and withdraw from; the Sacrament so long a time are not to be
  considered Christians。 For Christ has not instituted it to be treated
  as a show; but has commanded His Christians to eat and drink it; and
  thereby remember Him。
  And; indeed; those who are true Christians and esteem the Sacrament
  precious and holy will urge and impel themselves unto it。 Yet that the
  simple…minded and the weak who also would like to be Christians be the
  more incited to consider the cause and need which ought to impel them;
  we will treat somewhat of this point。 For as in other matters
  pertaining to faith; love; and patience; it is not enough to teach and
  instruct only; but there is need also of daily exhortation; so here
  also there is need of continuing to preach that men may not become
  weary and disgusted; since we know and feel how the devil always
  opposes this and every Christian exercise; and drives and deters
  therefrom as much as he can。
  And we have; in the first place; the clear text in the very words of
  Christ: Do this in remembrance of Me。 These are bidding and commanding
  words by which all who would be Christians are enjoined to partake of
  this Sacrament。 Therefore; whoever would be a disciple of Christ; with
  whom He here speaks; must also consider and observe this; not from
  compulsion; as being forced by men; but in obedience to the Lord Jesus
  Christ; and to please Him。 However; if you say: But the words are
  added; As oft as ye do it; there He compels no one; but leaves it to
  our free choice; answer: That is true; yet it is not written that we
  should never do so。 Yea; just because He speaks the words; As oft as ye
  do it; it is nevertheless implied that we should do it often; and it is
  added for the reason that He wishes to have the Sacrament free; not
  limited to special times; like the Passover of the Jews; which they
  were obliged to eat only once a year; and that just upon the fourteenth
  day of the first full moon in the evening; and which they must not vary
  a day。 As if He would say by these words: I institute a Passover or
  Supper for you which you shall enjoy not only once a year; just upon
  this evening; but often; when and where you will; according to every
  one's opportunity and necessity; bound to no place or appointed time;
  although the Pope afterwards perverted it; and again made a Jewish
  feast of it。
  Thus; you perceive; it is not left free in the sense that we may
  despise it。 For that I call despising it if one allow so long a time to
  elapse and with nothing to hinder him yet never feels a desire for it。
  If you wish such liberty; you may just as well have the liberty to be
  no Christian; and neither have to believe nor pray; for the one is just
  as much the command of Christ as the other。 But if you wish to be a
  Christian; you must from time to time render satisfaction and obedience
  to this commandment。 For this commandment ought ever to move you to
  examine yourself and to think: See; what sort of a Christian I am! If I
  were one; I would certainly have some little longing for that which my
  Lord has commanded 'me' to do。
  And; indeed; since we act such strangers to it; it is easily seen what
  sort of Christians we were under the Papacy; namely; that we went from
  mere compulsion and fear of human commandments; without inclination and
  love; and never regarded the commandment of Christ。 But we neither
  force nor compel any one; nor need any one do it to serve or please us。
  But this should induce and constrain you by itself; that He desires it
  and that it is pleasing to Him。 You must not suffer men to coerce you
  unto faith or any good work。 We are doing no more than to say and
  exhort you as to what you ought to do; not for our sake; but for your
  own sake。 He invites and allures you; if you despise it; you must
  answer for it yourself。
  Now; this is to be the first point; especially for those who are cold
  and indifferent; that they may reflect upon and rouse themselves。 For
  this is certainly true; as I have found in my own experience; and as
  every one will find in his own case; that if a person thus withdraw
  from this Sacrament; he will daily become more and more callous and
  cold; and will at last disregard it altogether。 To avoid this; we must;
  indeed; examine heart and conscience; and act like a person who desires
  to be right with God。 Now; the more this is done; the more will the
  heart be warmed and enkindled; that it may not become entirely cold。
  But if you say: How if I feel that I am not prepared? Answer: That is
  also my scruple; especially from the old way under the Pope; in which a
  person tortured himself to be so perfectly pure that God could not find
  the least blemish in us。 On this account we became so timid that every
  one was instantly thrown into consternation and said to himself: Alas!
  you are unworthy! For then nature and reason begin to reckon our
  unworthiness in comparison with the great and precious good; and then
  it appears like a dark lantern in contrast with the bright sun; or as
  filth in comparison with precious stones。 Because nature and reason see
  this; they refuse to approach and tarry until they are prepared so long
  that one week trails another; and one half year the other。 But if you
  are to regard how good and pure you are; and labor to have no
  compunctions; you must never approach。
  We must; therefore; make a distinction here among men。 For those who
  are wanton and dissolute must be told