To Nicolaus Hausmann, pastor at Zwickau. March 26, 1525.
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 to this bookseller which is the way to sing in German; I would like to have this introduced here. The Catechism, as I have said before, has been transferred to its authors. Against free will*) I still owe an answer; alone I am so urged by my tormentors, the book printers, that I am forced to postpone it yet.
I would like the preface to be very short, and you can use the one on the enclosed paper if you do not want to write a better one.
The Prefation, which, as I observe, was begun there in Latin: Dominus vobiscum (The Lord be with you), Sursum corda (Hearts on high) etc., hence it is also called Preface (Preface, Introduction), can be spoken in German as follows:
Dearest friends in Christ! You know that our Lord Jesus Christ came out of un-
In his great love he has made this his last supper in remembrance and proclamation of his death, suffered for our sins. To which memorial belongs a firm faith, which makes sure and certain to every conscience and heart that wants to need and enjoy it, that therefore death for all his sins was suffered by Christ.
But if anyone doubts this, and does not feel such faith in him, let him know that this supper is not useful to him, but harmful, and let him abstain from it. Which faith, because we do not see it and only God is aware of it, we want to put on every man's conscience when he comes here, and allow it at his request and desire.
But those who are still in public sins, such as avarice, hatred, anger, envy, usury, unchastity and the like, and do not intend to stop, are hereby forbidden, and are faithfully warned not to come here, lest they bring judgment and harm upon their souls, as St. Paul says, 1 Cor. 11:29. However, if anyone falls from infirmity and earnestly proves himself to be better by deed, such grace and fellowship of the body and blood of Christ shall not be denied him. Let each one judge himself and beware, for God does not mock him, Gal. 6:7, and he will not give the holy things to the dogs, nor cast pearls before swine, Matth. 7:6.