The Apology of the Augsburg ConfessionMelanchthon, Philipp
Religion
The Apology of the Augsburg Confession
Melanchthon, Philipp
Lutheran Church -- Catechisms
And the Fathers, indeed, speak of a twofold effect, of the comfort of
consciences, and of thanksgiving, or praise. The former of these
effects pertains to the nature [the right use] of the Sacrament; the
latter pertains to the sacrifice. Of consolation Ambrose says: Go to
Him and be absolved, because He is the remission of sins. Do you ask
who He is? Hear Him when He says, John 6, 35: I am the Bread of life;
he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me
shall never thirst. This passage testifies that in the Sacrament the
remission of sins is offered; it also testifies that this ought to be
received by faith. Infinite testimonies to this effect are found in
the Fathers, all of which the adversaries pervert to the _opus
operatum_, and to a work to be applied on behalf of others; although
the Fathers clearly require faith, and speak of the consolation
belonging to every one, and not of the application.
Besides these, expressions are also found concerning thanksgiving,
such as that most beautifully said by Cyprian concerning those
communing in a godly way. Piety, says he, in thanksgiving the
Bestower of such abundant blessing, makes a distinction between what
has been given and what has been forgiven, i.e., piety regards both
what has been given and what has been forgiven, i.e., it compares the
greatness of God's blessings and the greatness of our evils, sin and
death, with each other, and gives thanks, etc. And hence the term
eucharist arose in the Church. Nor indeed is the ceremony itself,
the giving of thanks ex opere operato, to be applied on behalf of
others, in order to merit for them the remission of sins, etc., in
order to liberate the souls of the dead. These things conflict with
the righteousness of faith, as though, without faith, a ceremony can
profit either the one performing it or others.
Part 33
_Of the Term Mass._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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