To the Christian reader,
Grace and peace, I should have long since let the postils of the summer part go out; so I have also let myself endure this, among other business, that I thought that my writing was not allowed much further, because, by God's grace, the gospel has come to light in such abundance through so many writings, that everyone may now rule in the Scriptures himself, without my assistance: and unfortunately many have already been taught all too much, and I do not know how many barrels of must they have already drunk up to the Holy Spirit, until they almost make all the countries full of the rotten; with whom God must have much more to do, that He may
*) Cf. Walch XI Prefaces 35 and Erl. A. 7, 15.
D. Red.
make them unlearned, as with all others, which he should make learned. However, because some good people consider these sermons, which are copied from my sermon here, useful to omit, I have allowed myself to have them printed here in Wittenberg with diligence and care; for otherwise the unfortunate avarice makes that many things are printed in our name, some pre-printed books are so tainted and desecrated with reprints that one would lose the desire and will to make little books. But I must also allow the prince of the world to do this among other things. So command these my sermons to all pious Christians, with request and wish that they may become rich in understanding and grace, amen.
Martinus Luther.