as a householder shall hold the same before his servants in simplicity.
What is the sacrament of the altar? Answer:
It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under which bread and wine are instituted for us Christians to eat and drink by Christ Himself.
Where is that written? Answer:
Thus write the holy evangelists Matthew, Marcus, Lucas, and St. Paul:
Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take this and eat; this is my body which is given for you.
"In like manner also he took the cup after supper, saying, Receive and drink ye all of it: this cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you for the remission of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."
What is the use of such food and drink? Answer:
This is what these words show us: "Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins"; namely, that in the Sacrament we are forgiven for our sins.
forgiveness of sins, life and blessedness are given through such words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and blessedness.
How can physical food and drink do such great things? Answer:
Of course, eating and drinking do not do it, but the words which are written: "Given and poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. These words are next to the bodily eating and drinking as the main part of the sacrament, and whoever believes these words has what they say and what they are, namely forgiveness of sins.
Who then receives such a sacrament worthily?
Response:
Fasting and bodily preparation is indeed a fine outward discipline; but he is rightly worthy and well-skilled who has faith in these words, "Given for you and shed for the remission of sins."
But he who does not believe these words, or doubts, is unworthy and unskillful. For the word "for you" requires vain believing hearts.