American Lutheranism Vindicated; or, Examination of the Lutheran Symbols, on Certain Disputed Topics - Including a Reply to the Plea of Rev. W. J. Mann by S. S. (Samuel Simon) Schmucker
page 72 of 200 (36%)
page 72 of 200 (36%)
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on the subject of the mass _and_ communion." [Note 11]
2. In his _letter to Lazarus Spengler_, in 1528, Luther observes this same distinction. "In the first place," he remarks, "it is unreasonable that any one should be forced to receive the sacrament or to abstain from it." And he adds: "All masses, at which there are _no communicants_" (that is, at which the sacrament is not administered,) "should absolutely be omitted." [Note 12] Here the administration of the supper to the laity is termed _sacrament_, and that service performed by the minister, which was sometimes succeeded by the sacrament or communion, and at others not, is called _mass_. 3. _The Counsel of Luther and Pomeranius_, in 1528, to Duke George: "First, as you inquire concerning _parish_ masses, &c. Be it known to you that no minister can with good conscience perform mass alone, when there are no communicants. Therefore here there is no room for further inquiry; either there must be communicants, or them should be no mass." [Note 13] 4. Luther's "_Confession of the Christian Doctrines, in XVII. Articles_," published in 1530. This is a very short Confession, each article containing but three or four sentences, and the whole amounting to only three or four 8vo. pages. In Article X. he says: "The _eucharist_ or _sacrament_ of the altar also consists of two parts, namely that the true body and blood of Christ should verily be present in the bread and wine;" and in Article XVI. he says: "Above all other abominations, the _masses_, that have hitherto been regarded as a _sacrifice_ or _good work_, by which one designed to procure grace for the other, are to be rejected." [Note 14] Here the distinction is not only made between the mass and eucharist, but the doctrine of the mass |
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