r with them more than we conciliate Him. To what purpose
are the priests in the chapter houses and cloisters so strictly
bound to observe the yearly[34] masses, since they are not only
without such faith, but also are often of necessity unfit. Christ
Himself did not desire to bind anyone thereto and left us wholly
free when He said: "This do ye, as oft as ye do it, in
remembrance of Me." [1 Cor. 11:25] And we men bind ourselves so
fast and drive ourselves on against our own conscience. I see too
that such an institution often has no good reason, but a secret
greed is at the bottom of the obligation and that we burden
ourselves with many masses in order that we may have sufficient
income in temporal things; afterward we say that we do it for
God's sake. I fear few would be found who gratuitously and for
God's sake would thus burden themselves. But if all these masses
are observed in the faith above mentioned, which I scarcely
expect, they are to be tolerated. But if not, then it would be
best that there be only one mass a day in a city, and that it be
held in a proper manner in the presence of the assembled people.
If at any time, however, we desire to have more, the people
should be divided into as many parts as there are masses, and
each part should be made to attend its own mass, there to
exercise their faith and to offer their prayer, praise and need
in Christ, as was said above.[35]

[Sidenote: Proper Preparation for the Mass]

37. If, then, the mass is a testament and sacrament in which the
forgiveness of sins and every grace of God are promised and
sealed with a sign, it follows of itself, what is the best
preparation for it. Without doubt, it is given to them that need
it and desire it. But who needs forgiveness of sins and God's
grace more than just these poor miserable consciences that are
driven and tormented by their sins, are afraid of God's anger and
judgment, of death and of hell, that would be glad to have a
gracious God and desire nothing more greatly? These are truly
they who are well-prepared for mass. For them these words have
force and meaning, when Christ says: "Take and drink, this is My
blood, which is shed for you for the remission of sins." [Matt.
26:27] Where such a soul believes these words, as it ought, it
receives from the mass all the fruits of the mass, that is, peace
and joy, and is thus well and richly fed by it in spirit. But
where there is no faith, there no prayer helps, nor the h