Volume 10

Catechetical Writings.

An opening heading for Luther's catechetical writings and sermons in this volume.

Foreword.

Herewith we hand over the tenth part of Walch's collection of Luther's works, which contains his catechetical writings, in a new form for public use. In this revised edition, we ha

Index of Newly Translated Latin Writings

An editorial index to Luther texts in this volume that were newly translated from Latin for the St. Louis edition.

Walch's Foreword.

Since this tenth part contains Luther's catechetical writings, the present preface first gives information about Luther's two catechisms, and lists what belongs to their history, §

Walch on Luther's Small Catechism (§ VII)

Luther's little catechism itself is written in such a way that it must be considered an excellent book; one may look at the things that occur in it or at the way it is presented or

Criticisms of Luther's Catechism (§ VIII)

The ill-minded object in all sorts of ways to Luther's catechism and generally criticize it as if it were something sectarian: The Lutherans would not have otherwise known how to s

The Reception of Luther's Catechism (§ IX)

Since this Catechism, as I have shown before, is a splendid and excellent book, it has set itself in a very high esteem. Of this, there are many unobjectionable proofs and clear ch

The Large Catechism in the Symbols (§ XVII)

Since not only the small, but also the large Catechism of Luther has been incorporated into our symbolic books, I still remember with a few words the dispute that has been aroused

The Text of Luther's Catechisms (§ XVIII)

Both of Luther's catechisms, which I have dealt with so far, can be found in the present tenth part of Luther's writings. They are held against the first editions, which came out i

Fourth Commandment Materials (§ XXIII)

In addition to these scriptures now touched upon, others occur here which concern and explain the matter contained in the fourth commandment. For according to the order one meets:

Further Fourth Commandment Materials (§ XXIV)

Not less, the following writings have been included in the class of those that, to a certain extent, address the fourth commandment, and have been printed together here: 7) A "serm

Fifth Commandment Materials (§ XXV)

With regard to the fifth commandment, one first encounters Luther's concern here: "Whether men of war can also be in a blessed state?" The occasion for this writing was that, when

Marriage and Desertion Cases (§ XXVIII)

These sermons are followed by various letters and concerns of Luther concerning all kinds of marriage matters. These are: f) "Two letters to Michael Stiefel,*) preacher at Bßlingen

Bigamy and Marriage Counsel (§ XXXIII)

In particular, I must remember the immediately following writing, which is Luther's "Answer to Landgrave Philip of Hesse about his bigamy. This is the concern that has aroused many

Eighth Commandment Materials (§ XXXVII)

To explain the eighth commandment, here is Luther's "Sermon against the Vice of Slander," which he delivered in 1515. It is taken from Dr. Löscher's "Reformation Acts", Vol. I, p.

First Chief Part Overview (§ XXXVIII)

All these writings, which are enumerated so far; go the first main piece of our Catechism. A similar collection has been made with those in which such matters have been treated by

Faith and Justification Materials (§ XLII)

In addition, there are various other scriptures that deal with faith and justification and show how this is not achieved through one's own righteousness, but through is obtained by

Hymns and Spiritual Songs (§ XLIV)

Immediately after these writings just listed are found Luther's "Geistliche Lieder und Psalmen" (Spiritual Songs and Psalms), of whose various editions, which took place during Lut

Later Hymnals and Songbooks (§ XLV)

There is another edition of Luther's hymnal from the year 1525, which is different from the two others I mentioned earlier. It is commemorated by Seckendorf in the Index III. Hist.

Additional Hymnal Editions (§ XLVI)

In addition to the hymnals now mentioned, others were published during Luther's lifetime. For in 1538, Mag. Caspar Löner, who was the first Lutheran preacher at Hof in the Voigtlan

Short Prayers and Sighs (§ XLVIII)

These songs are followed by an instruction on "Unterschiedene in Luther's Schriften sich befindlichen kurze Gebete und Seufzer in allerlei Fällen" ("Different Short Prayers and Sig

Consolation Writings (§ LV)

For the sixth request, many of Luther's writings have been read together here, which I will now also list one after the other. Such are: 1) "Beautiful selected sayings of the holy

Consolation at Death (§ LXIII)

Now follow all kinds of consolation writings in which Luther shows how spouses, parents, children, siblings, and friends should behave when their own pass away. They are found here

Further Consolation Writings (§ LXVI)

The other thing I have to add is that Luther's comforting writings are to be read diligently before others when the soul comes into such a state that it is eager for comfort and in

Holy Baptism Materials (§ LXVII)

In regard to the fourth main part, of holy baptism, the following writings are found here. The first is a "Sermon on Holy Baptism" about the Gospel on the Feast of the Epiphany, Ma

Table of Contents

A structured table of contents for the catechetical and pastoral writings collected in volume 10.

Small Catechism for the common pastors and preachers.

1. Martin Luther to all faithful, pious pastors and preachers grace, mercy and peace in Jesus Christ our Lord. To put this catechism, or Christian doctrine, in such a small, bad, s

The Ten Commandments,

What is it? Answer: We are to fear, love and trust God above all things.

Faith,

as a householder should hold it up to his servants in the most simple way. From Creation.

The Lord's Prayer,

What is it? Answer: God wants to entice us with this, so that we should believe. Let him be our right Father and we his right children; so that we may confidently and with all conf

The Sacrament of Holy Baptism,

What is baptism? Answer: Baptism is not bad water alone, but it is the water set in God's commandment and connected to God's Word.

How to teach the simple to confess.

What is the confession? Answer: Confession has two parts: one, that one confesses the sin; the other, that one receives absolution or forgiveness from the confessor, as from God Hi

The Sacrament of the Altar,

What is the sacrament of the altar? Answer: It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under which bread and wine are instituted for us Christians to eat and drink by

As a Hans father his shore shall teach morning and evening blessing.

In the morning, when you get out of bed, you should bless yourself with the holy cross and say: May God the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, amen.

As a householder should teach his servants to speak Benedicite and Gratias.

The children and servants are to stand before the table with fallen hands and speak demurely: All eyes wait upon thee, O Lord, and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou o

The house table

The first is a series of sayings for all kinds of sacred orders and orders, to exhort them to their office and service, as if by their own lection. The bishops, parish priests and

The Great Catechism.

A Christian, salutary and necessary preface and faithful serious exhortation by D. Martin Luther to all Christians, but especially to all pastors and preachers, that they should da

Foreword.

(1) This sermon is arranged and begun to be an instruction for children and the simple; therefore it is also called catechism from ancient times, that is, a children's teaching, so

I. The Ten Commandments.

(1) That is, you alone shall take me for your God. What is this said, and how is it understood? What does "having a God" mean, or what is "God"? Answer: A God is the one to whom on

II. of the faith.

So far we have heard the first part of Christian doctrine, and in it we have seen everything that God wants us to do and to leave. Then follows faith, which presents to us all that

III The Lord's Prayer.

168 We have now heard what one should do and believe, in which is the best and most blessed life; now follow the third part, how one should pray. For since it is thus is done with

IV. From the baptism.

216) We have now set forth the three main parts of the common Christian doctrine; in addition to these, it is necessary to mention our two sacraments instituted by Christ, of which

V. Of the Sacrament of the Altar.

242 As we have heard about Holy Baptism, we must also speak about the other Sacrament, namely the three parts: What it is, what it is good for, and who is to receive it. And all th

First main part.

Grace and peace to all my dear lords and brothers in Christ! Among other harmful doctrines and books, so that Christians are deceived and defrauded, and countless misbeliefs have a

B. Of the Ten Commandments in particular.

III. part, 2. b. Mos., 20. cap., § 1-107. III. part, Luther's first exl. of the ten commandments, § 1-153.

Two disputations of the unity of the divine essence and the difference of the persons in the Godhead.

1. the holy scripture teaches that there is One God, who in a very simple way is only One*) and yet three persons so called. *I.e. the unity of its essence is so simple that it exc

Another theological disputation on the mystery of the Holy Trinity, the Incarnation of the Son, the Law, and so on.

Sermon on the Kingdom of Christ, on Micah 5:1.

Held on Epiphany, Jan. 6, 1532. And you, Bethlehem Ephrata, who are small compared to the thousands in Judah, from you shall come the one who is Lord in Israel, which has been from

Theological disputation

Held on January 11, 1541. (1) Although one must hold to the proposition: No truth can contradict the other; nevertheless, what is true in one field of knowledge is not always true

Two sermons from the Passion of Christ.

1 This word is of great content and expresses in short what Isaiah, 53:2, already says: "We saw him, but there was no appearance; he had neither form nor beauty. For when Pilate sa

Third article. About sanctification

XIIIa. Theil, am hl. Pfingsttage, § 7 ff, von dem Heiligen Geiste. XIIIb. Part, on Sunday, after Christ's heaven

Sermon on the spiritual understanding of the law.

Held on the 3rd Sunday of Advent 151k. (1) Here John again shows the spiritual understanding of the law in a marvelous way, but the gospel*) is still far deeper and more unfathomab

Preaching from the Gospel.

Held on the 2nd Sunday of Advent 1516.*) (Matth. 11, 5.)

Sermon of repentance.

I have often preached to you about indulgences until I deserved to be called a heretic. But in order that you may hold the matter for yourselves and compare me with them, I will st

A Sermon on the Sacrament of Penance.

To the Serene and Highborn Princess and Lady, Mrs. Margarethe, née von Rittberg, Duchess of Brunswick and Lüneburg, my gracious wife, I offer Martinus Luther, Augustinian at Witten

Of two kinds of men, how they should keep the faith, and what it is.

There are many people who, if they do not receive external comfort from God, think that they are finished, that God has completely forgotten them. This is because they seek self-in

Sermon of the threefold justice.

1 Sin is threefold, to which is opposed a threefold righteousness or piety. The first kind is mortal sin, that is, all that is manifestly evil, that it also punishes the temporal p

Sermon of the twofold justice.

Delivered on the epistle on Palm Sunday, Phil. 2, 5. 6. Translated by Georg Spalatin, together with a letter from him to the knight Hans von Sternberg.

Sermon of circumcision and the righteousness of faith.

Held on New Year's Day 1517.*) Here the question arises: Why did Christ want to be circumcised, since he owed nothing to the law? yes, according to the apostle he had died to the l

Preaching from the imagined holiness and reliance on one's own merit.*)

Held on the 11th Sunday after Trinity 1516. 1. "Who is like the Lord our God, who dwells on high and looks on the lowly in heaven and on earth? (Ps. 113, 5. 6.); and again: "For th

Sermon on the major sins of those who boast of their meritorious works and imaginary holiness.

Held on the 11th Sunday after Trinity 1516. As already stated in the first sermon, God did not command in a definitive way (affirmatively) to have only one God, but in a negative w

Sermon of good works.

March 29, 1520. To the Serene, Highborn Prince and Lord, Lord John, Duke of Saxony, Landgrave in Thuringia, Margrave of Meissen, my gracious Lord and Patron.

Third main part.

The first and second editions of the exegesis of the Holy Bible are in German. Our Father. F. Short concept and order of all prescribed petitions; G. Short interpretation of the ho

B. From devotional praying and singing

Dear Master Peter, I give it to you as good as I have it, and as I myself keep praying. May our Lord God make you and everyone better, amen. Firstly, when I feel that I have become

Sermon of the Prayer and Procession in the Cross Week.

Held during Cross Week (end of May) 1519. First, for a prayer to be good and heard, two things are necessary: The first is that one has a promise from God and first considers it, r

Prayer of comfort in our last hour.

Almighty, eternal, merciful Lord and God, who art the Father of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, I know for certain that all things which thou hast promised thou wilt and canst have; fo

Serious Prayer, so Luther gethan auf dem Reichstage zu Worms.

Almighty, eternal God! What a thing is the world! How it opens people's mouths! How small and small is man's trust in God! How is the flesh so tender and weak, and the devil so mig

Dr. Martin Luther's spiritual songs and psalms.

That singing spiritual songs is good and pleasing to God, I believe, is not hidden from any Christian, since not only the examples of the prophets and kings in the Old Testament, w

Different short prayers and sighs found in Luther's writings in all kinds of cases.

To true devotion. Oh that we were so diligent to pray, at least with sighs of the heart, as God is with charms, enticements, commands, promises and necessities for prayer. Ah, we a

C. On the Our Father in particular.

November 1527. To all pious Christians in Erfurt.

To the Christians of Antwerp to beware of erring spirits.

Grace and peace from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ. Dearest sirs and friends in Christ. I have been moved by Christian love and concern, to do this writing to you. For I hav

Answer concerning the procedure of the authorities against the spirits, as well as concerning the insane and the desperate.

To D. Wenceslaus Link. July 14, 1528. Grace and peace in Christ Jesus. First of all, tell the Abbot on our behalf our thanks for the gift of the lemons; I am not writing to him mys

2) How to elect and appoint church servants.

To the City Council and Community of the City of Prague. Translated from Latin into German by Paul Speratus. 1524.

3) Form of ordination.

First, the following is sung: Veni, Sancte Spiritus (Come, Holy Spirit), and the Collecte is read. Then the superintendent reads the following texts: So writes St. Paul in the firs

4) That Christian preachers are ex officio guilty of punishing the full sin.

Grace and peace in Christ! I have, my dear brother, read your writing, written to your pastor Mr. Nicolaus Hausmann on the 21st, and have become glad about it, since I have heard y

5) The preacher must attack and fight false doctrine that is on the rise.

To the venerable brother in Christ, Mr. Nicolaus Hausmann, the faithful servant of Christ in Schneeberg, his most beloved brother in the Lord, salvation and comfort in the Lord. I

6) How the priests should conduct their lives.

1. of the moderation of the priests in eating and drinking. If the midday meal is as it may be, the evening meal should be simple and sparse, for this keeps body and soul healthy,

7) That a preacher should depart when his ministry is despised and he is persecuted for it.

Grace and peace in the Lord, my dear Cordatus. I ask you for Christ's sake to make yourself out of this Babel (Zwickau), where you are now, and give room to the wrath. You see that

8) That a preacher must punish the sins of the great Hansen.

I am almost saddened that Count Albrecht is not only a burden to others, but also, what is worst of all, to himself. It is in vain that he hopes to purify himself or burn white by

9) How a preacher should conduct himself with unbelieving fellow preachers.

Grace and peace in Christ to the Venerable Jacob Stratner, the upright servant of the Word, his brother most beloved in the Lord! In Christ I say, not in the world, in which we are

10) That a preacher should not give way to the enemies of the gospel when persecuted.

To Casp. Löner, preacher, and Nie. Medler, Schulrector, both in Hof (Bavaria). June 7, 1531.

11) That a parish priest should not be silent about an unreasonable dismissal of a preacher etc.

To Nie. Hausmann, pastor at Zwickau. April 17, 1531. Grace and peace in the Lord! We know, dear Lord and friend, that we are bound by the law of love to care for one another as one

12) That pastors cannot be deposed because they punish public vices.

1. grace and peace in the Lord. Strict, wise, dear gentlemen, good friends! I have recently written to you, Captain, and asked that you let your pastor come from you in kindness. F

13) Instruction of the visitators to the pastors in the Electorate of Saxony.

1528 and 1538.*) I have let the booklet of the visitation go out again, and have removed and changed some of the pieces in it, which were necessary at the beginning, to give way fo

Of ambiguous teaching under one kind of authority.

Grace and peace in Christ, saint, friend, dear Lord and friend! I answer the priest's question as stated in my letter to him. Although no one can be forced to believe, they should

Sermon on the 11th Sunday after Trinity,

In it the greatest main pieces of a Christian life are decided. Held on August 7, 1524.

Sermon of three kinds of good life to teach the conscience.

First, note how in the Old Testament, through Moses, Almighty God commanded that a tabernacle be made, divided into three parts. The first was the Holy of Holies and was called San

Second request.

IV. Theil, Ausleg. der 22 ersten Ps.; 8. Ps., § 1-99, Beschreibung d. Reichs u. d. Kirche Chr. V. Theil, Ausleg. d. 147. Ps., § 59 ff.

Third request.

XII. Part, XXXI: Various Sermons. Sermons; Sermon on one's own will, on the day of St. Stephen.

Fourth request.

II. part, 1. B. Mos., 31. cap., § 17-22, of the provision of God not only in great but also in small things. III. part, interpretation of the 5th chapter of the Book of Moses;

Luther's and other theologians' concerns at Wittenberg about the sins of the elect.

1. when speaking of the difference of sins remaining in saints and this life, let not the eyes be directed to the hidden election, or providence, or pre-destination, as it is calle

Sixth request.

IX. Theil, IV. Predigt von christlicher Armung und Waffen über Eph. 6, 10 ff. XII. Theil, Kirchenpost; Pred. am 3. S. n. Tr., § 43 ff, Vermahn, z. Kampf Wider d. Teufel.

a. Beautiful selected sayings of the Holy Scriptures, so that Luther comforted himself in great temptations.

(1) If we are afflicted, afflicted and persecuted because of God's word, as the gospel, which is a word of the cross, brings with it, then the following causes should, by God's gra

b. Complaint of severe spiritual challenge.

Pray sincerely and earnestly for me, the poor rejected worm, who is so severely afflicted with sadness and melancholy of spirit, but according to the good, gracious will of the mer

c. Consolation letter to Elector John of Saxony. )

August 14, 1531. To the Most Serene, Highborn Prince and Lord, Lord John, Duke of Saxony and Elector etc., Landgrave of Thuringia and Margrave of Meissen, my gracious Lord, grace an

Grace and peace from God in Christ, our Lord and Savior. Sublime, high-born Prince! I have heard through N. how E. F. G. are almost highly distressed and, as far as I can think, no

e. Letter of consolation to one of nobility, deprived by the death of his overlord of the proceeds of many years of faithful service.

September 7, 1532. Grace and peace in Christ! I would really worry, my dear Lord, friend and godfather, that after the death of N. N. you would be sore under your eyes, and - as yo

f. Consolation writing in Schweromth.

Grace and peace in Christ! Honorable, favorable, dear friend. Your dear brother has told me how you should be almost distressed and suffer from sadness. He will tell you what I hav

g. Consolation letter to Georg Spalatin in his gloom over an admitted illicit marriage.

August 21, 1544. To the venerable Lord in Christ, Mr. Georg Spalatin, Superintendent of the churches of Meissen, the faithful shepherd of Altenburg, his beloved in the Lord, God's

h. Consolation writing in misfortune and affliction.

To Balthasar Jöppel. May 10, 1534. Grace and peace in Christ. Careful, dear good friend! Your dear son Johannes has now been with us in Wittenberg, a cheerful, pleasant guest, and

i. Consolation scripture in contestation because of the blessedness,

1. first, that this person ever not stand on his own and not judge himself according to his feelings about himself, but grasp and cling to the words that are spoken to him in the n

k. Consolation scripture in doubts about the election to salvation.

To an unnamed person. July 20, 1528. My dear Lord and friend! I wish you above all things the grace and mercy of God the Lord through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, our only R

To Barbara Lischner at Freiberg. April 30, 1531. 1. grace and peace in Christ. Virtuous, dear wife! Your dear brother, Jerome Weller, has told me how you are greatly distressed by

m. Letter of consolation in the face of the eternal providence.

N., my dear Lord and friend, told me how you are at times challenged by the eternal providence of God, and asked me to write you this short letter. Now it is true that this is an e

n. Two consolation scriptures in contestation because of the tedium of life.

November 27, 1532. To the strict and firm, Jonas von Stockhausen, captain at Nordhausen, my favorable lord and good friend, peace and grace in Christo.

o. Two letters of comfort in contestation because of unbelief and terror before the law.

First letter dated February 19, 1532. Grace and peace. My dear Lord and friend! Your brother, He Nicolaus (pastor in Zwickau), has been with me now, showing how you are not yet fre

p. Letter of consolation in distress of conscience about spending the pleasure of both figures against conscience.

To an unknown person. May 13, 1533. Grace and peace in Christ. Honorable, dear, good friend! I have been told by some good friends how your conscience is troubled because of the fa

q. Consolation scripture in contestation because of a blasphemous word that has escaped.

1. grace and peace in the Lord. My dear wife Margarita! Your brother John has told me how the evil spirit weighs down your heart that such an evil word has come out of your mouth.

r. To the Christians of Worms, to stand firm in the taken doctrine of the gospel.

August 24, 1523. 1. grace and peace in Christ our Savior. We have heard from you, dear lords and friends in Christ, with joy, how God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, has caus

8. to the Christians in Liefland, exhortation to persevere in the Gospel.

August 1523. To the chosen dear friends of God in Riga, Reval and Tharbthe (Dorpat) in Liefland, my dear lords and

Seventh request.

Delivered in the Kaufmannskirche in Erfurt on Severi Day (October 22) 1522. My dear friends, it would not have been necessary for me to preach to you here, but through the special

b. Fine Christian thoughts of the ancient holy fathers and teachers that a Christian should bear all the cross with patience.

Dressed and improved by Luther. 1530. The old holy fathers and teachers held the green and the dry wood against each other and thus played with them: From the green wood (or tree)

c. Consoling instruction on how to counter the pusillanimity and other temptations of the Tenfels in weakness of the body.

First of all, the sick man complained that he was greatly tempted by the devil of faith, that because the illness was increasing day by day, and he and other people prayed for help

Grace and peace, my dear Mrs. N. I had the next intention to write to you, but He N. was gone before I knew it. So I think your Lord has come home again, that it will be better wit

e. Consolation writing in illness.

To the respectable Mr. Friedrich Myconius, the bishop of the church at Gotha as well as of the Thuringian churches, his beloved brother, grace and peace in Christ. I have received

f. Consolation scripture because of decrease of forces and fretfulness.

1. God's grace and peace in the Lord. I do not know, my dear Lord N., what to write to you and what to write about; With all my heart I would like, if there were time, to write you

g. Luther's comfort letter to his father Hans Luther.

To my dear father Hans Luther, citizen of Mansfeld in the valley, grace and peace in Christ JEsu, our Lord and Savior, Amen. Dear Father! Jakob, my brother, has written to me that

h. Luther's comfort letter m his mother Margaretha Luther.

1. grace and peace in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior! Amen. My dearest Mother! I have received the letter from my brother Jacob about your illness, and I am very sorry, especiall

i. Excerpt from a letter from Prince John of Saxony to Luther concerning his illness.

Know that we are quite done in by our illness. God grant that it may be to His praise. I can also truly tell you that I have so much more strange pain. We have come across a number

k. Consolation letter to Prince John in his illness.

March 28, 1532. To the Most Serene, Highborn Prince and Lord, Lord John, Duke of Saxony, Archmarshall and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, Landgrave of Thuringia and Margrave of M

Grace and peace in Christ, life and comfort are also there. My dear doctor, kindly dear godfather and brother-in-law! I am truly sorry for your weakness from the bottom of my heart

m. Consolation writing in illness.

To the honorable and prudent Caspar Müller, chancellor of Mansfeld, my favorable lord and godfather, grace and peace in Christ. My dear Lord and Godfather, Mr. Chancellor, that I c

n. Consolation letter for pusillanimity in illness.

To the honorable and virtuous Mrs. Elisabeth Agricola, schoolmistress at Eisleben, my dear friend, grace and peace. My dear Elsa! I was willing to write to you the next day. I was

o. Five comforting writings to Prince Joachim of Anhalt in spiritual and physical temptations.

To the Serene, Highborn Prince and Lord, Herm Joachim, Prince of Anhalt, Count of Ascania and Lord of Bernburg etc., my gracious Lord, grace and peace in Christ! Sublime, highborn p

p. Consolation scripture for loss of assets.

Grace and peace in the Lord. Honorable, careful, good friend! Your dear son N. has informed me of your great sorrow for the stolen goods, and he requests a letter of comfort from m

q. That inherited debts are to be borne willingly as a cross.

Grace and peace in Christ to Joseph Levin Metzsch of Mila, my favorable, good master and friend. Strict, firm, dear lord and friend! That you are moved, whether money debt, so on h

r. Consoling booklet in all the distress of any Christian believer.

To the Most Sublime, Highborn Prince and Lord, Lord Frederick, Duke of Saxony, Archmarshall of the Holy Roman Empire, Elector, and in the lands of Saxon rights and ends in his Elec

Comforting little book in all its repulsiveness.

Translated by M. Georg Spalatin.*) 1 The holy apostle St. Paul, when he wanted to describe to the Romans on the fifteenth the difference between Christians and consolation, said, v

s. To the Christians of Augsburg, a letter of comfort in adversity for the sake of the Gospel.

December 11, 1523. To the elect beloved of God, to all the members of Christ at Augsburg, to my dear lords and brothers, grace and peace in Christ JEsu our Savior.

t. Consolation scripture because of persecution for the sake of the gospel.

To the small group of the Christian community in Penza, my beloved brothers, grace and peace in God and our Lord Christ. If I look at your fall and affliction according to the huma

u. To the Christians of Zwickau, concerning their behavior among false brothers*).

June 21, 1531. To my dear lords and friends, to all devout Christians at Zwickau among the false brethren, grace and peace in Christ.

v. Letter of comfort in captivity for the sake of the Gospel.

To the faithful disciple of Christ, Lampert Thorn, who is in bondage for the sake of the Gospel, to his most beloved brother in the Lord, grace and peace in the Lord! Christ, who i

w. Two letters of comfort in distress because of the imprisonment of a spouse.

Grace and peace in our dear Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Honorable, virtuous, dear wife. How sorry I am for your sadness and misfortune, God knows it, who sees and hears my sighi

x. Letter of consolation to three court virgins expelled from Freiberg for the sake of the Gospel.

June 18, 1523. To the honorable, virtuous virgins, Hanna von Draschwitz, Milia von Oelsnitz and Ursula von Feilitzsch, my special friends in Christ, grace and peace in Christ.

y. Letter of consolation to the people of Leipzig who are oppressed for the sake of the Gospel.

October 4, 1532. To my dear lords and friends in Christ N. and N., who are now to be expelled from Leipzig for the sake of Christ, all and especially, grace and peace in Christ; ot

z. Letter of consolation to the same Leipzigers after their expulsion.

To all my dear lords and friends who are now driven out of Leipzig for the sake of Christ, Martinus Luther, Doctor and Preacher in Wittenberg, grace and peace in Christ our Lord an

aa. Letter of comfort to the Christians chased out of Oschatz.

January 20, 1533. To the honorable and wise citizens of Oschatz, driven out for the sake of Christ, my dear lords and friends in Christ, grace, comfort and peace in Christ.

bb. Letter of comfort for the Christians of Mittweide who were chased away for the sake of the gospel.

To the worthy Mr. Antonius Lauterbach, preacher at Leisnig, my favorable, good friend and dear godfather, grace and peace in Christ. Oh, my dear Anton, what shall I write to comfor

cc. To the Christians in Halle, letter of consolation about the murder of their preacher M. Winkler von Bischofswerda.

In addition to a short account of both forms of the holy sacrament, instituted by Christ. To all dear friends of Christ at Halle, Martinus Luther, D., grace and peace in Christ JEs

dd. Letter concerning the above letter of consolation to the Knights of Halle.

Mercy and peace, dear Doctor and brother-in-law! I am certainly willing, where God gives me grace, to gain strength to bring the shameful murder to light, to the comfort of those i

ee. Letter of consolation to Prince Georg von Anhalt on the death of Georg Held Forchheim.

March 9, 1545. To the Serene and Highborn Prince and Lord, Lord George, Bishop of Merseburg, Provost of Magdeburg, Prince of Anhalt, Count of Ascanien and Lord of Bernburg, his mos

ff. Sermon of readiness to die.

First, because death is a departure from this world and all its affairs, it is necessary that a man arrange his temporal estate properly, as it should be, or he intends to arrange

gg. A missive Who the question: Whether also someone, deceased without faith, may become blessed?

1. grace and peace in Christ, amen. My lord! My gracious lord, Count Albrecht of Mansfeld etc., has asked me to give your monks written instruction on the question: Whether God may

hh. Consolation against the temptation of death.

Grace and peace in Christ! On several occasions, my dear Lord John, you have asked me through your intermediaries and requested that a letter be sent to you, from which, as they in

ii. Whether to flee from dying?

To the worthy Doctor Johann Heß, pastor of Breslau, together with his fellow servants in the Gospel of Christ, grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Your q

kk. Copy of an excerpt from a sermon that the citizens should not flee because of the plague.

Primum reprehendit illos acriter, qui nunc rumorem de peste seminarent; mox civibus fugam dissuasit, quia ipsi essent alligati, i. e. grown citizens. Impiissimum dixit esse, si suo

II. three consolation writings because of the death of a husband.

December 15, 1528. Grace and peace in Christ. Honorable, virtuous woman! Your son N. has informed me of the misery and misfortune that has befallen you due to the departure of your

Win. Six consolation writings about the death of a wife.

November 3, 1532. May God's grace and peace in Christ be your comfort and strength, amen. My dear Doctor, special friend, I am truly sorry for your great accident and sorrow, that

nn. Letter of comfort about the death of a father.

To Duke John Frederick of Saxony. May 15, 1525. Grace and peace in Christ, our Lord and Savior. Most Serene, Highborn Prince, Most Gracious Lord! I should comfort E. F. G. at this

oo. Please consolation writings at the death of a son.

April 23, 1532. Grace and peace in Christ our Lord beforehand. My dear friend! I am well aware that the story has now come before you of how your dear son, John Zinc, who was stayi

pp. Letter of consolation to Elector John on the death of his brother, Elector Frederick.

May 15, 1525. To the Most Serene and Highborn Prince and Lord, Lord John, Duke of Saxony and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, Landgrave of Thuringia and Margrave of Meissen, my mo

Sermon of Holy Baptism.

Delivered on the Gospel on the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6, 1535. If I wanted to consider how pleasant I have made myself so far against the beautiful dear bride of the devil,

A sermon of the Sacrament of Baptism.

First of all, baptism in Greek is called baptism, in Latin mersio, which is when something is completely immersed in water, which merges over it. And although in many places the cu

Disputation of the Baptism of the Law, John and Christ.

1. the law has a baptism of the flesh; John a baptism of repentance; but Christ a baptism of grace. 2 Among these, Christ's baptism alone is a sacrament for the sake of the Word, w

B. Of baptism in particular.

VII. part, interpretation of the Gospel of Matth. Two sermons on the infant baptism of the young Prince Bernhard of Anhalt. XI. Theil, 1. Pred. am 12. Sonnt. n. Trin., § 8. ff., vo

Luther's and Bugeuhagen's concerns about emergency baptism performed by a midwife without water.

To Elector John Frederick and Duke John Ernst. August 26, 1542. Grace and peace from God our Father and from Jesus Christ our Lord forever. Most Serene and Illustrious, Highborn Pr

Concerns about the baptism of women in distress.

If it happens to a woman in childbirth that the fruit does not come entirely from her, but only an arm or other limb comes forth, that limb should not be baptized, as if the whole

Another concern and Christian advice about emergency baptism.

If, as soon as it is born, the child is so ill and weak that it is feared it will die before it can be brought into the church for public baptism, it is permitted for the women to

From Foundling.

Therefore, if any child is found in the street or in any other place and does not know to whom it belongs, whether it is baptized or not; if it is already unbaptized, but because t

Another concern from the emergency baptism.

Then a priest shall interrogate and examine how the child was baptized. If it is right, he shall confirm such baptism and say that it is right, and order the godparents to be witne

How to rightly and understandably baptize a person into the Christian faith.

The Baptist says: What is your name? The godfather answers: Peter; or else.

The baptismal booklet Germanized.

Martin Luther to all Christian readers grace and peace in Christ our Lord. Because I see and hear every day how the high, holy, comforting sacrament of baptism is administered to i

The baptismal booklet is newly prepared.

The Baptist speaks: Go out, you unclean spirit, and give room to the Holy Spirit.

How a Jew should be baptized?*)

To Heinrich Genesius, pastor at Ichtershausen. July 9, 1530. Grace and peace in the Lord! It is unnecessary, dear pastor, to remind you that you first teach the person to be baptiz

Fifth main part.

XI. Theil, 3. Pred. am Sonnt. n. Ostern, § 16 ff., von dem Regiment und Amt der Schlüssel. - 1. sermon on the 19th Sunday after Trinity, about the power to forgive sin.

B. From the Office of the Keys in particular.

XI. Theil, Pred. am Ostertage; eine schöne Predigt von Empfahung des hl. Sacraments, § 24 ff, von der Absolution. Here you can also read Luther's writings, which he wrote against t

Brief exhortation to confession.

We have always taught that confession should be free, and that the tyranny of the pope should be abolished, that we should be free of all his constraints and freed from the unbeara

Short instruction on how to confess.

First of all, every Christian man who wants to confess should place and have his utmost and greatest trust in the most merciful promise and promise of God and firmly believe that t

Sixth main part.

Preached at Wittenberg on Maundy Thursday 1522. Receive and eat, this is my body, which is given for you. Receive and drink of it, all of you; this is the cup of the new and everla

B. Of the Sacrament of the Altar in particular.

This can be read in the dogmatic-polemical writings Against the Zwinglians: Confession of the Lord's Supper. Anno 1528. What Luther wrote against the papists' mutilation of this ho

Admonition to the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of our Lord.

It seems to me that the baptism of underage children throughout the whole of Christendom and not waiting for them to grow up or come to their senses has come about through the spec

That the use of both species in Holy Communion is not to be omitted for any reason.

Grace and peace in the Lord. Respectable, erudite, dear doctor and brother-in-law! tell the good journeyman that it will not be possible to patch it up like this before God and in

Admonition to remain in the reception of the two forms of the Sacrament despite the violence.

To the Mayor and Judges of Frauenstein. March 17, 1531. To the honorable and wise, mayor and judge on Frauenstein, my special good friends, grace and peace in Christ.

To the Christians at N. near Freiberg, to persevere in the confession of the sacrament under both forms.

June 27, 1531. To my dear friends, brothers and sisters in Christo at N. near Freiberg, to hand, grace and peace in Christo.

To the Christians of Halle, acceptance in bed of the forbidden supper under both forms.

April 26, 1528. Grace and peace in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. I hear, my dear friends in Christ, how your tyrant, who has hitherto pretended to be a tyrant, now freely rages

That the enjoyment of both species in the Lord's Supper obligates in conscience.

To the honorable and wise Martin Lodinger of Gastein, my good friend, peace in Christ. My dear friend! There is no counsel against violence. Since you now know that it is right to

That only one form of the sacrament cannot be enjoyed without sin.

To Mag. Wolfgang, pastor at Weißenfels. In January (?) 1542. Grace and peace. My dear Magister Wolfgang! After you have informed me, as a pastor in Weißenfels, that the worthy Domi

That one should not abstain from Holy Communion because of a pending lawsuit.

To an unnamed person. April 14, 1540. Along with Dr. Mylius' recommendation of this letter.

From Home Communion.

To Wolfgang Brauer, pastor at Jessen. December 30, 1536. Grace and peace in Christ. Worthy, dear Reverend! In response to the question that your good friend in Linz, Sigmund Hangre

Whether one may have the sacrament of both forms secretly handed to one's home?

To Mrs. Barbara Lischner in Freiberg. March 7, 1535. To the Honorable, Virtuous Woman, Barbara Lischner in Freiberg, my favorable good friend, God's Grace and Peace in Christ.

Instruction on the sacrament of both forms, and whether to receive it with hands?

To Duke John Frederick of Saxony. March 18, 1522. Serene Prince, Gracious Sir. E. F. G. is at all times aware of my subservient services. Gracious Sir, I have read the Scriptures a

Answer to five questions concerning the enjoyment of the Holy Communion.

To a princely confessor at the Imperial Diet in Augsburg. 1530. First, whether it is enough to take the sacrament under the form of bread alone, and not necessary to drink from the

Way to say Christian Mass and go to the table of God.

To the Christian community of the laudable city of Jglau, located in Moravia, to his beloved in Christ, Paul Speratus wishes grace and peace through faith in Jesus Christ. Dear bro

Form of a German preface before the Lord's Supper.

Grace and peace. I hereby return the masses and agree that they be sung this way; however, I do not like at all that the Latin notes are kept over the German text. I have explained

When and how often parishioners should celebrate Holy Communion.

To the prudent and wise Lazarus Spengler at Nuremberg etc., my favorable friend and Lord, grace and peace in Christo. 1 Careful, dear sir and friend! I have read your writing togeth

Disputation on the Mass.*)

To be held next Friday 1520 (?). 1) The Mass does not make anyone holy and righteous, nor free from sins;

Subject Register.

Communion. Preachers must be diligent in teaching about the Lord's Supper, so that it will not be despised through their fault -4 f. 2173 ff. 2209. This is not to be achieved by la

List of the foreign expressions explained in this volume.

a. Theological and philosophical (scholastic): Absolute - 190 (Th. 23). 182 (Th. 6).

Postscript.

After the textual corrections of the Weimar critical edition of Luther's works, which came to us only after the printing of this volume was completed, the following corrections in