emain true, to wit, that the mass is nothing else
than a testament and sacrament of God, and cannot be a good work
or a sacrifice, although it may be taken to include sacrifice and
good works, as was said above.[21]

There is no doubt, therefore, that whoever observes mass without
the faith aforementioned benefits neither himself nor any one
else. For the sacrament in itself, without faith, does nothing;
nay, God Himself, Who indeed doeth all things, does and can do
good to no one unless he firmly believes Him; how much less can
the sacrament. It is easy to say, a mass is effective whether it
be performed by a pious or a wicked priest, that it is acceptable
_opere operati_, not _opere operantis_.[22] But to produce no
other argument except that many say this, and it has become a
custom, is poor proof that it is right. Many have praised
pleasures and riches and have grown accustomed to them; that does
not make them right; we should produce Scripture or reason for
it. Therefore let us take heed lest we be made fools. I cannot
conclude that the institution of so many masses and requiems can
be without abuse, especially since all this is done as a good
work and sacrifice by which to pay God, whereas in the mass there
is nothing else than the reception and enjoyment of divine grace,
promised and given us in His testament and sacrament.

30. I will gladly agree that the faith which I have called[23]
the true priestly office, which makes of us all priests and
priestesses, through which in connection with the sacrament we
offer ourselves, our need, prayer, praise and thanksgiving in
Christ and through Christ, and thereby offer Christ before God,
that is, give Him cause and move Him to offer Himself for us and
us with Himself--this faith, I say, is truly able to do all
things in heaven, earth, hell and purgatory, and to this faith no
one can ascribe too much. And as I have said above,[24] if
Christ promises to two persons the answers to all their prayers
[Matt. 18:19], how much more may so many obtain from Him what
they desire!

I know full well that some will be very ready to call me a
heretic in this. But, dear fellow, you should also consider
whether you can prove as easily as you slander. I have read all
that, and I know the books on which you rely, so you need not
think I do not know your art. But I say that your art has no
foundation, and that you cannot defend it, and that out of a
sacrament or testament of God you