en after this sacrament was understood in an
evangelical sense, the Lutherans for a long time kept the name
mass. Thus Melanchthon writes in the Augs. Conf., Art. xxiv, "Our
churches are falsely accused of abolishing the mass; for the mass
is retained on our part, and celebrated with the greatest
reverence."

[3] Page 224.

[4] De Weite, _Luther's Briefe_, I, 475.

[5] The name given by the Lutheran theologians to those who
denied the real presence of the body and blood of Christ in the
Lord's Supper.

[6] Two more might have been mentioned: (1) a discourse on the
proper preparation of the Lord's Supper (_Erl. Ed._, XVII, 55
ff.) and (2) the _Discourse on Excommunication_ (_Ibid._, XXVII,
29 ff.)

[7] In the Introduction to _The Babylonian Captivity of the
Church_ he writes: "I am compelled, whether I will or not, to
become daily more learned, having so many notable teachers
diligently pushing me on and keeping me at work." (_Weimar Ed._,
VI, 497.

[8] Cf. Koestlin-Kawaeau, _Martin Luther_, 4th ed., I, 284;
Koestlin-Hay, _Theology of Luther_, I, 399 f; _Luther's Werke,
Berlin Ed._, III, 261-264, 374.

[9] _Weimar Ed._, VI, 511 f.

[10] Cf. Koestlin-Hay, op. cit., I, 340.

[11] Ibid., p. 350.

[12] _Erl. Ed._, XVI, 33, 92 ff.

[13] So also with much emphasis in the _Sermon v. d. hochw.
Sac._, 1519.

[14] He means the _Serm. v. d. hochw. Sac._, 1519.

[15] _Weimar Ed._, VI, 502.

[16] De Weite, _Briefe_, I, 378

[17] Koestlin-Hay, op. cit., I, 355.

A TREATISE ON THE NEW TESTAMENT,

THAT IS THE HOLY MASS

1519

JESUS[1]

[Sidenote: The Multiplying of Laws]

1. Experience, all chronicles, and the Holy Scriptures besides,
teach us this truth: the less law, the more justice; the fewer
commandments, the more good works. No well-regulated community
ever existed long, if at all, where there were many laws.
Therefore, before the ancient law of Moses, the Patriarchs of old
had no prescribed law and order for the service of God other than
the sacrifices; as we read of Adam, Abel, Noah and others.
Afterward, circumcision was enjoined upon Abraham and his
household, until the time of Moses, through whom God gave the
people of Israel divers laws, forms, and practices, for the sole
purpose of teaching human nature how utterly useless many laws
are to make people pious. For although the law leads and drives
away from evil to good works, it is still impossible for man to
do them willingly and gladl