without faith. It
almost happens that men think it is sufficient that we look on at the
mass with our eyes, hear the preaching with our ears, and say the
prayers with our mouths. It is all so formal and superficial! We do not
think that we might receive something out of the mass into our hearts,
learn and remember something out of the preaching, seek, desire and
expect something in our prayer. Although in this matter the bishops and
priests, or they to whom the work of preaching is entrusted, are most
at fault, because they do not preach the Gospel, and do not teach the
people how they ought to look on at mass, hear preaching and pray.
Therefore, we will briefly explain these three works.

II. In the mass it is necessary that we attend with our a hearts also;
and we do attend, when we exercise faith in our hearts. Here we must
repeat the words of Christ, when He institutes the mass and says, "Take
and eat, this is My Body, which is given for you"; in like manner over
the cup, "Take and drink ye all of it: this is a new, everlasting
Testament in My Blood, which is shed for you and for many for the
remission of sins. This shall ye do, as oft as ye do it, in remembrance
of Me." In these words Christ has made for Himself a memorial or
anniversary, to be daily observed in all Christendom, and has added to
it a glorious, rich, great testament, in which no interest, money or
temporal possessions are bequeathed and distributed, but the
forgiveness of all sins, grace and mercy unto eternal life, that all
who come to this memorial shall have the same testament; and then He
died, whereby this testament has become permanent and irrevocable. In
proof and evidence of which, instead of letter and seal, He has left
with us His own Body and Blood under the bread and wine.

Here there is need that a man practise the first works of this
Commandment right well, that he doubt not that what Christ has said is
true, and consider the testament sure, so that he make not Christ a
liar. For if you are present at mass and do not consider nor believe
that here Christ through His testament has bequeathed and given you
forgiveness of all your sins, what else is it, than as if you said: "I
do not know or do not believe that it is true that forgiveness of my
sins is here bequeathed and given me"? Oh, how many masses there are in
the world at present! but how few who hear them with such faith and
benefit! Most grievously is God provoked to anger the