To D. Johann Rühel. August 26, 1527.
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 in Halle, and I myself have taken care not to touch the bishop's person. But I still cannot avoid the fact that the preacher obediently appeared at the bishop's request and was thus killed.
And where it is not done that such a
Murder and broken national peace are possibly punished and excused; how can a human heart respect either the priests or bishops pure, because they are silent about it? Qui tacet, consentire videtur (i.e. He who is silent about something gives himself the appearance that he agrees). Well, I will do what I can in the cleanest way possible, insofar as I do not involve myself in guilt by hypocrisy. Hereby commanded by God, Amen. Monday after Bartholomew, Anno 1527.
1982 vs 5,722,723rd III. Main st. - 0. of the bater-unser esp. 7. ple. W. X, 2286-2289. 1983