Preface by D. Martini Luther.
1. Many times I have asked that the people in Bohemia, called the Valdensians or Picards, show me their faith clearly and distinctly, so that I might know how close or far they are from us, or from the right Christian mind, especially because they were condemned and proclaimed heretics by the papists, and yet such a beautiful, apparent character and serious diligence of discipline and good works was found in them, that even in our clergy and monks no such thing was to be seen or heard. This is true, and our clergy had to confess it themselves.
2. Since I have read much of their writing and books, and yet could not understand some of their words and speech, which they used in the sacraments and matters of faith (for they sounded much different in my ears, neither do we speak of them), and I know well that one should not quarrel about words and speech, Where otherwise sense and opinion do not quarrel against each other (every bird sings as it grows its beak, and every language has its own way and manner of speaking about the matter, as all this may well be found where one language is to be interpreted into another), we finally came together to speak about it orally.
(3) And after much discourse, and especially of the sacrament of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ (in which I had been suspicious of them), I found them to our faith.
1) speak a little differently with words or language for the sake of the papists (of transubstantiation and opus operatum), but still basically sanctify with us 2) and believe that in the sacrament the true body and blood of Christ is received etc. When I found this piece, I became less opposed to their actions, because they did not otherwise teach or hold wrongly about the Holy Trinity, about Christ, about eternal life, and about all articles of faith, and decided, because they remained so close to Scripture, that they would have been unfairly called heretics, especially by the papists, in whom not bad heresy nor error, but vile abomination, and who without measure raged much, and all their doctrines not only far away, but also radically against the holy Scriptures; as we have abundantly proved all this with so many books that it is publicly undeniable.
4 Because I would like to see all the world united with us, and we with all the world, in the same faith of Christ, least of all, if it could not be done with languages, but with the heart and mind, I have sent out this booklet of the above-mentioned brothers in Bohemia, so that all devout Christians may read and see how near or far we are from each other or with each other, whether God, the Father of all mercy, through His mercy, is able to give us a new life.
1) "our faith" - relating to our faith.
2) helligen - to be unanimous. The Wittenberg edition offers: unanimously believe.
*The Bohemian brothers had drawn up a confession of faith in 1532 and presented it to Margrave George of Brandenburg. This was translated into German without their will and printed in Zurich. They were so dissatisfied with this translation that they bought up all the copies they could get their hands on and got rid of them. Then they had another translation made and printed in Wittenberg. Luther wrote a preface to it. It appeared in 1533 under the title: "Recheschafft des Glaubens: der dienst vnd Ceremonien, der Bruder jn Behemen vnd Mehrern, welche von etlichen Pickarten, vnd von etlichen Waldenser genannt werden. Together with a useful preface by Doct. Mart. Imth. Do not dempffet the spirit, do not despise the prophecy, but test everything and keep the good. Thessalo. v. Wittemberg. M.D.XMiij." 12^ quarto sheets. At the end: "Printed at Wittemberg by Hans Lufft. M.D.XWij." This writing has been reprinted several times, including at Schleswig in 1605. Our preface is found in the collections: in the Wittenberger (1559), vol. XII, p. 357d; in the Jenaer (1568), vol. VI, p. II2P; in the Altenburger, vol. VI, p. 121; in the Leipziger, vol. XXII, appendix, p. 108; and in the Erlanger, vol. 63, p. 319.
I pray that he will give his abundant grace to his dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, so that the divisions and schisms may be fewer, and that we may in part come together in one mind and spirit, until at last, with one word and one manner of speaking, we may equally and unanimously praise Christ. For although I do not know how to accept the aforementioned brethren's way of speaking, I do not want to hurry them again, nor force them to speak according to my way, as far as we otherwise become and remain one in matters, until God sends further according to His will.
5. For since they have put their doctrine into such a method or order, the like of which neither the pope, nor all his own, have nor could have (though they would), yet we have in our part a brighter and more certain way (I praise the worthiness', and do not praise ourselves) to speak of grace and forgiveness of sins, because we separate works and faith so purely and correctly from one another, and ascribe to each its own kind and office, from which piece one can certainly judge and judge from all other pieces and doctrines. But where such a correct distinction is not kept clear, something of the works that are supposed to help the faith always remains mixed in.
(6) But in this booklet everyone will find that they have diligently practiced the Scriptures, and the abominations of the Papists (for which they have done much).
For here you will find nothing of indulgences, purgatory, masses for souls, pilgrimages, saints' feasts, caps, plates, mass markets, and the like innumerable abominations of self-imagined holiness and the doctrine of men, which raged and raged in the papacy, trampled on and denied the faith and the Scriptures, and burned and killed as heretics anyone who did not want to blaspheme with them and desecrate God.
7. Therefore I command this booklet to be read and judged by all devout Christians, and I ask that they pray with us all together to God our Father for unity of doctrine and faith, and if there is anyone who has not been done enough in this booklet, let him look at it as they humbly ask; and if they do not earn anything else with it, then it is still fair that they should be the broken reed and smoldering wick, because we are all not yet so whole and perfect ourselves.
(8) But since we do not intend to persecute or destroy one another, but to promote and help, let St. Paul be our shepherd and mediator, saying Rom. 15:7: "Receive one another, as Christ received you, to the praise of God. And again Rom. 14, 1: "Receive those who are weak in faith," etc. until everything becomes clear and perfect. May the Father of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of all peace and unity, grant us this, blessed and praised forever and ever, amen.