Iudicium D. Philippi Melanchthonis De controversia Coenae Domini

PHILIP MELANCHTHON
to his most distinguished friend N.,
sends greetings.

Most distinguished and dear brother: I remember that twenty years ago, when Luther was on a journey, and was more peaceful and cheerful, he recited the sayings of the ancient Greeks and Latins, which expressly state that the bread and wine are σύμβολα symbols, likewise ἀντίτυπα antitypes, likewise a sign, likewise a figure. And when I added that it is a recent error to posit τῶ ἄρτω μεταβολήν, a change in the bread, or μεταστοιχείωσιν transubstantiation (for thus the more recent ones speak), he then added these words: "It is a wonder that such a great error could remain so long in the recent Church and be received so widely." I restrained myself, and I wondered that he was so much moved in this matter, when he was not moved in others. Augustine, indeed, against Adamantius expressly says: "The Lord did not hesitate to say, 'This is my body,' when He was giving the sign of His body." Tertullian likewise: "This is my body," he says,