Prologue and Method of the Book

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Latin (Borgnet)English

p. 667

D. Alberti Magni, Episcopi Ratisbonensis, doctrina toto orbe celeberrimi, Ordinis Praedicatorum, De sacrosancto Eucharistiae Sacramento sermones plane divini.

### Prologus librique methodus

De sacrosancto Corporis Domini Sacramento locuturi, proponimus, donante Deo, procedere tali modo. Primo ponimus quae principaliter circa illud sunt notanda. Secundo, singula eorum in tria dividendo. Tertio, sic divisa quodammodo subdividendo.

I. Primo itaque ponimus circa Sacramenta Corporis Domini septem principaliter esse notanda.

1. Causa institutionis. 2. Forma donationis. 3. Mirabilia Divinae operationis. 4. Qualitas nostrae praeparationis. 5. Modus manducationis. 6. Effectus suae bonitatis. 7. Consideratio sacri sanguinis.

II. Secundo, dicimus singula horum in tria membra hoc modo dividenda. Primum principaliter circa Sacramentum hoc notandum est, scilicet, causa institutionis. Haec est triplex, scilicet, 1. Memoria Salvatoris, 2. Sacrificium altaris, etc., 3. Cibus hominis. De caeteris principaliter notandis procedendum est simili forma, ut patet in sequentibus.

III. Tertio, singula membra sic divisa sunt subdividenda, vel aliqua specie processus in hunc modum dilatanda. Prima causa institutionis Dominici corporis est memoria Salvatoris. Circa hanc tria vel quatuor possunt inquiri vel considerari, aut triplex ratio vel similitudo assignari. De caeteris membris similiter potest fieri ut infra ex parte patet in titulis sequentis opusculi.

Of D. Albert the Great, bishop of Regensburg, most celebrated in doctrine throughout the whole world, of the Order of Preachers, sermons plainly divine on the sacrosanct Sacrament of the Eucharist.

### Prologue and Method of the Book

Being about to speak concerning the sacrosanct Sacrament of the Body of the Lord, we propose, with God granting it, to proceed in such a way. First, we set down the things which principally are to be noted concerning it. Secondly, by dividing each of them into three. Thirdly, by subdividing in some way what has thus been divided.

I. First, therefore, we set down that concerning the Sacraments of the Body of the Lord seven things are principally to be noted.

1. The cause of institution. 2. The form of donation. 3. The wonders of the Divine operation. 4. The quality of our preparation. 5. The mode of eating. 6. The effect of its goodness. 7. Consideration of the sacred blood.

II. Secondly, we say that each of these is to be divided into three members in this way. The first thing principally to be noted concerning this Sacrament is, namely, the cause of institution. This is threefold, namely, 1. The memory of the Savior, 2. The sacrifice of the altar, etc., 3. The food of man. Concerning the other things principally to be noted one must proceed in a similar form, as is clear in what follows.

III. Thirdly, the individual members thus divided are to be subdivided, or by some kind of process expanded in this manner. The first cause of the institution of the Lord's body is the memory of the Savior. Concerning this, three or four things can be asked or considered, or a threefold reason or likeness can be assigned. Concerning the other members, similarly, it can be done as below is partly clear in the titles of the following little work.

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IV. Quarto, de membris sic subdivisis quaedam aliquo modo ulterius protelantur, quia speciali paragrapho demonstrantur.

Thema vero proponendum: vel generale potest sumi, vel speciale, vel proprium.

1. Generale, quo quid possit intelligi de hoc sacramento in communi. 2. Speciale, in quo sit aliquid quod specialius congruat alicui membro principali, ut causae institutionis, vel formae donationis, vel alteri. 3. Proprium, in quo sit quod magis proprie consonet verbis secundariis, ut memoriae Salvatoris, Sacrificio altaris, vel alicui de caeteris.

Praedictis itaque custoditis, et Scripturae sacrae testimonio roboratis, poterit, largiente Domino, aliqua sermonum copia pullulare. De quibus nunc iste, nunc ille, vel certe pars de uno, pars de altero, pro loco et tempore valebit utilis esse ad animarum firmandam fidem, informandam vitam, et devotionem excitandam.

IV. Fourthly, concerning the members thus subdivided certain things are in some way drawn out further, because they are demonstrated by a special paragraph.

But the theme to be proposed can be taken either as general, or special, or proper.

1. General, by which something may be understood concerning this sacrament in common. 2. Special, in which there is something which more specially agrees with some principal member, as with the cause of institution, or the form of donation, or another. 3. Proper, in which there is something which more properly accords with the secondary words, as with the memory of the Savior, the Sacrifice of the altar, or with some one of the others.

Therefore, these preceding things having been kept, and having been strengthened by the testimony of sacred Scripture, with the Lord bestowing it, some abundance of sermons will be able to spring up. From these now this one, now that one, or certainly part from one, part from another, according to place and time, will be able to be useful for strengthening the faith of souls, informing life, and exciting devotion.