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 in public and earnestly commands all of you to take the sacrament at this time alone.
of the one figure according to old laudable, as he indicates, custom; if he nevertheless knows finely and well that it is acted against the clear words and appointment of Christ, and is not yet afraid or shy of the gruesome case and history of Doctor Krause.
2220 L. 83:445; 54:325. admonition concerning the forbidden supper etc. W. X, 2730-2733. 2221
Well then, Christ our Lord, who has made known to you his word and truth, may he help, assist and strengthen you in such distress, so that you may resist unchristian raging and arrogance; this I ask from the bottom of my heart, amen.
For since you have now been told that it is right to receive both forms, and since some of you may have received them up to now, you would not suffer yourselves henceforth to do otherwise than what you know to be right; because we must not do unjustly or contrary to right for anyone's sake, but be obedient to God more than to men.
Although they have begun to teach that Christianity has the power to change the order of Christ, as they cite several examples, it is all a lie. For it is not true that the Christian Church has established the One Form to receive, as I have proved in the booklet, Written to Your Love*). So it is certainly true that the Christian church, as his pious, submissive bride, is always obedient to Christ, her Lord, and does not break or teach his words or order. Although it has suffered from being deprived of such an order or from being misused.
Whoever is now a true member of Christianity
*) See in this volume p. 1960.
If the Christian church wants to change or break Christ's word and order, it must truly be obedient to Christ with it. For if the Christian church should change or break Christ's word and order in one piece, it would also break and change all other words and orders, and in the end it would come to the point that one would not have to listen to them, because God has ordered and commanded such things; and thus all God's commandments, as well as the Christian church, would be abrogated by men. If one cancels God's commandment, to whom will one then be obedient?
Therefore, it is certainly vain lies of the devil that they pretend that the church has the power to change God's commandments, and thereby completely destroy obedience, both to God and to men. For to be obedient to men is also God's commandment and order, as to parents and authorities; why then do they demand obedience and punish the rebellious, if God's commandment can be abrogated by men? I will, as soon as I can, continue to act through pressure, whether God wills it.
Now no more, for: strengthen yourselves in the Lord Ehristo and stand firm to His praise and glory; and God, the Father of all mercies, grant you His Spirit, that you may overcome such temptation, Amen. Anno 1528, April 26.
Martinus Luther, Doctor.