For the sake of Christ, I ask all those who want to write or compose my sermons to refrain from printing them, unless they have been produced by my hand or printed here in Wittenberg by my command beforehand. For it is no good at all to let the Word of God go forth so industriously and clumsily that we have only mockery and abomination in it. I had hoped that one should henceforth give oneself to the holy Scriptures and let my books go, now that they have served their purpose, and have led the hearts in and to the Scriptures, which was my reason for writing my books. What
Is it that one makes many books, and yet always remains apart from the right ledger? Drink more from the well itself, than from the 1) little rivers that have led you to the well. If it will not be otherwise, then let nothing go out under my name, without my knowledge and will in God's name. If God would have me return the several parts of my books, especially those in which I have spent much, such as Pabst, Concilia, and the like. God grant us His grace. Amen.
1) Walch and the Erlangeners: dem.