ordinance； and besides in God's name； in order that you may receive in
the water the promised salvation。 Now； this the fist cannot do； nor the
body； but the heart must believe it。
Thus you see plainly that there is here no work done by us； but a
treasure which He gives us； and which faith apprehends； just as the
Lord Jesus Christ upon the cross is not a work； but a treasure
comprehended in the Word； and offered to us and received by faith。
Therefore they do us violence by exclaiming against us as though we
preach against faith； while we alone insist upon it as being of such
necessity that without it nothing can be received nor enjoyed。
Thus we have these three parts which it is necessary to know
concerning this Sacrament especially that the ordinance of God is to be
held in all honor； which alone would be sufficient； though it be an
entirely external thing like the commandment； Honor thy father and thy
mother； which refers to bodily flesh and blood。 Therein we regard not
the flesh and blood； but the commandment of God in which they are
comprehended； and on account of which the flesh is called father and
mother； so also； though we had no more than these words； Go ye and
baptize； etc。； it would be necessary for us to accept and do it as the
ordinance of God。 Now there is here not only God's commandment and
injunction； but also the promise； on account of which it is still far
more glorious than whatever else God has commanded and ordained； and
is； in short； so full of consolation and grace that heaven and earth
cannot comprehend it。 But it requires skill to believe this； for the
treasure is not wanting； but this is wanting that men apprehend it and
hold it firmly。
Therefore every Christian has enough in Baptism to learn and to
practice all his life； for he has always enough to do to believe
firmly what it promises and brings： victory over death and the devil；
forgiveness of sin； the grace of God； the entire Christ； and the Holy
Ghost with His gifts。 In short； it is so transcendent that if timid
nature could realize it； it might well doubt whether it could be true。
For consider； if there were somewhere a physician who understood the
art of saving men from dying； or； even though they died； of restoring
them speedily to life； so that they would thereafter live forever； how
the world would pour in money like snow and rain； so that because of
the throng of the rich no one could find access！ But here in Baptism
there is brought free to every one's door such a treasure and medicine
as utterly destroys death and preserves all men alive。
Thus we must regard Baptism and make it profitable to ourselves； that
when our sins and conscience oppress us； we strengthen ourselves and
take comfort and say： Nevertheless I am baptized； but if I am baptized；
it is promised me that I shall be saved and have eternal life； both in
soul and body。 For that is the reason why these two things are done in
Baptism namely； that the body； which can apprehend nothing but the
water； is sprinkled； and； in addition； the word is spoken for the soul
to apprehend。 Now； since both； the water and the Word； are one Baptism；
therefore body and soul must be saved and live forever： the soul
through the Word which it believes； but the body because it is united
with the soul and also apprehends Baptism as it is able to apprehend
it。 We have； therefore； no greater jewel in body and soul； for by it we
are made holy and are saved； which no other kind of life； no work upon
earth； can attain。
Let this suffice respecting the nature； blessing； and use of Baptism；
for it answers the present purpose。
＇Part Fifth。＇
OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR。
In the same manner as we have heard regarding Holy Baptism； we must
speak also concerning the other Sacrament； namely； these three points：
What is it？ What are its benefits？ and； Who is to receive it？ And all
these are established by the words by which Christ has instituted it；
and which every one who desires to be a Christian and go to the
Sacrament should know。 For it is not our intention to admit to it and
to administer it to those who know not what they seek； or why they
come。 The words； however； are these：
Our Lord Jesus Christ； the same night in which He was betrayed； took
bread； and when He had given thanks； He brake it； and gave it to His
disciples； and said； Take； eat； this is My body； which is given for
you：
this do in remembrance of Me。
After the same manner also He took the cup when He had supped； gave
thanks； and gave it to them； saying； Drink ye all of it； this cup is
the new testament in My blood； which is shed for you for the remission
of sins： this do ye； as oft as ye drink it； in remembrance of Me。
Here also we do not wish to enter into controversy and contend with the
traducers and blasphemers of this Sacrament； but to learn first （as we
did regarding Baptism） what is of the greatest importance； namely that
the chief point is the Word and ordinance or command of God。 For it has
not been invented nor introduced by any man； but without any one's
counsel and deliberation it has been instituted by Christ。 Therefore；
just as the Ten Commandments； the Lord's Prayer； and the Creed retain
their nature and worth although you never keep； pray； or believe them；
so also does this venerable Sacrament remain undisturbed； so that
nothing is detracted or taken from it； even though we employ and
dispense it unworthily。 What do you think God cares about what we do or
believe； so that on that account He should suffer His ordinance to be
changed？ Why； in all worldly matters every thing remains as God has
created and ordered it； no matter how we employ or use it。 This must
always be urged； for thereby the prating of nearly all the fanatical
spirits can be repelled。 For they regard the Sacraments； aside from the
Word of God； as something that we do。
Now； what is the Sacrament of the Altar！
Answer： It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ； in and
under the bread and wine which we Christians are commanded by the Word
of Christ to eat and to drink。 And as we have said of Baptism that it
is not simple water； so here also we say the Sacrament is bread and
wine； but not mere bread and wine； such as are ordinarily served at the
table； but bread and wine comprehended in； and connected with； the Word
of God。
It is the Word （I say） which makes and distinguishes this Sacrament； so
that it is not mere bread and wine； but is； and is called； the body and
blood of Christ。 For it is said： Accedat verbum ad elementum； et At
sacramentum。 If the Word be joined to the element it becomes a
Sacrament。 This saying of St。 Augustine is so properly and so well put
that he has scarcely said anything better。 The Word must make a
Sacrament of the element； else it remains a mere element。 Now； it is
not the word or ordinance of a prince or emperor； but of the sublime
Majesty； at whose feet all creatures should fall； and affirm it is as
He says； and accept it with all reverence fear； and humility。
With this Word you can strengthen your conscience and say： If a
hundred thousand devils； together with all fanatics； should rush
forward； crying； How can bread and wine be the body and blood of
Christ？ etc。； I know that all spirits and scholars together are not as
wise as is the Divine Majesty in His little finger。 Now here stands the
Word of Christ： Take； eat； this is My body； Drink ye all of it； this is
the new testament in My blood； etc。 Here we abide； and would like to
see those who will constitute themselves His masters； and make it
different from what He has spoken。 It is true； indeed； that if you take
away the Word or regard it without the words； you have nothing but mere
bread and wine。 But if the words remain with them as they shall and
must； then； in virtue of the same； it is truly the body and blood of
Christ。 For as the lips of Christ say and speak； so it is； as He can
never lie or deceive。
Hence it is easy to reply to all manner of questions about which men
are troubled at the present time； such as this one： Whether even a
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