Probably September 1545.
Translated from Latin.
Against the 32 Articles of the Theologized at Louvain Martin Luther, Appointed Doctor of Divine Learning.
(1) Everything that is taught in the Church of God without the Word of God is nothing but a lie and an ungodly thing.
But if the same thing is erected instead of the articles of faith, it is both an ungodly thing and a heresy at the same time.
(3) He who believes such doctrine is an idolater and honors the devil instead of God.
4 St. Paul's saying stands firm since he says that the doctrine of men is contrary to the truth [Titus 1:14].
And where there is no promise, there can be no faith, since even good works are not pleasing to God if they are not done in faith in the Word.
(6) That there should be seven sacraments is taught by the heretics and idolaters of Leo without God's word.
Baptism is a sacrament to be given to both old and young for the remission of sins and eternal blessedness.
(8) But what the Jewish school of Louvain teaches about baptism is to be rejected as heretical.
9 We also reject and condemn as heretical the 'Anabaptist spirit' which, for the sake of
*This writing appeared in Latin in a single edition at Wittenberg under the title: Oontra XXXII srticulos Dovamsnsium DUeoloAistarum. (Oloar. 47.) Year and printer are not given. (Erlanger Ausgabe, vol. 65, p. 169.) German in 1545 by Nickel Schirlentz under the title: "Wider die XXXII Artikel der Theologisten von Löuen," and again without indication of place and printer in the same year together with another disputation of Luther "wider die Winkel-Meß." (v. 6. Harät I, 473.) Then in October 1545 in a different translation under the title: "Fünf und siebenzig Artikel den allgemeinen Christlichen Glauben belangend, Wider die 32 Artikel der Loxüiston und Säu-Theologen der Schuel zu Löven, gestellet durch Martin Luther der H. Schrift beruffenen Lehrer und Doctoren. Translated from Latin. I. D. I. Oetov. 1545." (v. 6. Harät 1, 474.) We assume that the last edition contains the translation of I). Caspar Cruciger, because both the first German printing and the Latin edition contain 76 theses, but Cruciger (probably only accidentally) omitted the fifth thesis, so his translation offers only 75 theses. In Latin, these theses are found in the Wittenberg Theses Collections (Droxositiones ttmoloFieas etc.) of 1558 and 1561; then in the "Gesammtausgabe": in the Wittenberg (1551), Dom. II, 498; in the Jena one (1579), Dom. I, 538; and in the Erlangen, opp. var. arx.., Vol. IV, 486. German in the Wittenberger, Vol. XII, p. 339; in the Jenaer (1562), Vol. VIII, p. 380d; rm Hallischen Bande, p. 468; in the Altenburger, Vol. VIII, p. 498; in the Leipziger, Vol. XXI, p. 523 and in the Erlanger, Vol. 65, p. 170. Both Köstlin (Martin Luther, vol. II, p. 595), who considers only the first German print, and Dietz (Wörterbuch zu Luthers Schriften, p. DXXXIV), who has added it to his list of sources, seem to consider it the original. But we do not think it likely that Cruciger should have dared to come up with his translation as early as October, or at all, if the first German redaction was by Luther's hand. Our opinion is confirmed by the fact that in the Jena edition, which is very precise with Luther's writings, not the first printing, but Cruciger's translation is reproduced. The latter seems to us to deserve preference. Since there is no significant difference between the two editions, we consider it sufficient to insert only the latter here, improved by us according to the Latin of the Erlangen edition. For the determination of the time, compare three notes to the 79th thesis. The title of the Löwen Theses is given at the 67th Thesis.
1810 A- v- a- iv. 486-488. triple appendix of some of Luther's controversial writings. W. xix, 2252-2259. 1811
The right baptism is condemned for the sake of people's vices or unworthiness.
(10) For in this way one would also condemn the authorities, even the ministry of preaching, because of the sin or unworthiness of the persons. But this is rebellious.
This is a foolish conclusion: the baptized does not believe or is not worthy; therefore, the given baptism is void.
12 Although the first part of this conclusion is quite wrong and sacrilegious for young children,
(13) It is certain that the Magistri nostri (Magistrollos nostrollos) of Louvain cannot refute this or any other sect with doctrine and art from the Holy Scriptures.
14 Therefore they refute it very briefly, namely with sword and fire, and with murder and bloodshed of the people, as it is written: "Their feet are swift" to shed blood" [Is. 59, 7.].
(15) These are spiritual weapons for their knighthood, so that it is not necessary to practice the Scriptures, but they may remain completely unlearned sophists.
16. in the sacrament of the altar, which is highly venerable and worthy of worship, the body and blood of the Lord Christ are truly and essentially given and received by both the worthy and the unworthy [1 Cor. 11:27].
(17) However, the doctrine of the Sophists of Louvain concerning the use of this sacrament is to be rejected and considered an abomination because it is full of desecration, heresy and idolatry.
18) To receive this sacrament worthily, faith is necessary, in which one firmly believes Christ's promise of forgiveness of sins and eternal life, as the words in the sacrament clearly indicate.
19. the essential transformation of the bread and wine [in the sacrament] is taught by the perverse magisters to lions without any reason, indeed, without the Word, out of sheer vanity.
20) To deprive the laity of the one form, to whom Christ Himself has given the whole Sacrament, is the most atrocious robbery of God and diabolical tyranny.
21. for here the fury and rage of the
cursed vipers to lions, not only without God's word, but also against the public commandment of God, against the things and persons that are not subject to them.
The Church of God has not ordered this, as the raging lions lie, because the laity, as the greater part of the Church, are forced to suffer such violence from the basic soup of the worst people and the least part of the Church, indeed, which is not a part of the Church, but of all devils.
23) That the mass is a sacrifice is taught without God's word; and since this cannot be proven from Scripture, it is as easy to despise as to approve; so that I need St. Jerome's word.
(24) To say mass for the dead is heresy and blasphemy, and the lion race of vipers lies most shamefully that it is instituted by Christ.
(25) Those who die do not eat or drink, though Christ commands them to eat and drink in this life.
26 St. Augustine does not want his books or those of other teachers to be considered equal to the Holy Scriptures, nor does he want his sayings to be considered articles of faith.
27) But where does this devilish hope of the perverse magistrates (nostrollorum) of Leuven come from over foreign subjects, namely Christ's subjects, that they put their own conceit and human opinions on a par with the articles of faith, and even dare to prefer them to them?
(28) Of the Zwinglians and all Sacramentarians who deny that Christ's Body and Blood are received in the reverend Sacrament with the bodily mouth, we sincerely hold that they are heretics and separated from the community of God.
29 However, the bloodthirsty and murderous refutations of those of Leuven are suitable for wicked men, but they do not serve to instruct anyone, for they have no understanding at all of the teaching of the holy Scriptures.
(30) Dear one, tell me what heretical article should they be able to refute, who themselves are full of innumerable heresies, blasphemies and idolatries,
31 Then nothing from the holy Scriptures, but everything from the teachings of men,
spit and throw into the church, not theirs, but of the living God?
Therefore the raging devils (furiae) of the lions consider the church or congregation of God, which is God's temple and dwelling place, to be their secret chamber, where they, as if they were lords over it, would like to bring their filth, and even strangle them over it; O raging above all raging!
33) That confirmation is a sacrament is given without Scripture, and the Stankpfuhl of the Louvain lies that it is instituted by Christ.
We know that pious and godly men (when they still had flesh and blood on their necks) did not desire that their opinions should be considered articles of faith or sacrament. They would have spoken differently if they had been reminded.
(35) That repentance, with the power of the keys of release, is a sacrament, we gladly confess; for it has the promise and faith of the forgiveness of sins for Christ's sake.
036 But because they that are lions deny such faith, they are apostates, blasphemers, worse than the Turks, the Jews, and the heathen.
(37) The repentance taught by the Jewish school of Louvain, namely, that it is repentance, confession, and satisfaction, is nothing other than Judas the betrayer, Saul's, and such like repentance, a doctrine (machina) of despair, and therefore to be condemned as heretical.
(38) But what repentance, confession, atonement, promise or faith is, they know not at all; neither can it be learned from the dunghill and secret chamber of the lions, because they pretend all these things without God's word.
(39) That they say of free will that it is incapable of good, but with grace it is powerful for good, is, according to the manner of the perverse magistri nostri, something else answered than what is asked in this question of free will.
40) The custom of consecrating mass monkeys, that is, crucifers of Christ, is the devil's disorder.
41. ordination is not a sacrament, but a service and profession of the church servants,
1 Cor. 12. It also has no promise of forgiveness of sins.
42 Such profession is done properly by the community, without plates, grease and other larvae, which human presumption boasts as sacred and necessary things.
The last rites are not a sacrament, much less are they instituted by Christ, as the perverse magistri nostri make themselves heard with a great braying of asses.
44 That something is a sacrament, and yet not necessary for salvation, is spoken quite ungodly and blasphemously against Christ.
That the marriage state is a sacrament is taught without God's word and has been seen by the perverse magistri nostri in the Marcolfus mirror.
The marriage state is a creature, gift and order of God, like worldly regiment or authority.
47 In matrimonial matters the pope has nothing to set or conclude, much less the stupid perverse magistrates, just as they have no power in the secular government; although they are also so coarse and unlearned that they cannot.
(48) In truth, there is only one universal (catholica) church of Christ on earth, but it does not include the Lionish heretics and idolaters with their abominable idol, the pope.
The church of the pope and the wretched magisters is rather cacolyca, the bloodthirsty adversary and desolator of the congregation of Christ.
50. the lions must be quite coarse epicurian sows and completely godless, that they lie and blaspheme so completely unashamedly before God and man without fear.
Their own conscience convinces them that the papacy has been introduced into the church not only without, but also against God's word.
Yes, the thing itself testifies that the pope has never been the head of the whole church, what the Löwenschen Liripipia 1) impudently claim.
53. all that they have written in the 21. together with the
1) Liripipium, a costume distinguishing the magistri nostri, namely two bands or tails hanging down from the hood over the back. Therefore Cruciger translates here quite appropriately: Kogelzipfel. Cf. Walch, St. Louis edition, vol. XVIII, 988, note 2.
The following eight articles teach is completely Marcolfian, can only be seen in the Marcolf mirror; and yet is blasphemous and idolatrous at the same time.
Of the souls and the purgatory, ei, how they are so sure of the matter, the beautiful Magistri nostri, when yesterday they fell from heaven, and the other day they came back from hell.
55 For once they have rejected the Scriptures, and have arrogated to themselves the power to make dreams and humanity articles of faith, they can find neither measure nor end to make articles.
(56) Vows, especially monastic vows and vows of celibacy, which have been invented by men without God's command and word, are a groundless pit of destruction.
57) Also, what is vowed is nothing but pretense and hypocrisy, from which fruits have also been produced that are well worthy of such spirituality, as there is the chastity, holiness and godliness of the See of Rome and the foundations.
(58) So that it is more chaste in licentious houses of boys and in public whorehouses than in the Roman Sodom and in the Gomorrah of the cloisters.
59. their poverty, which they vow, is to rob the whole world, and all its goods, as it is written [Ps. 73:12.], "Behold, this find the wicked; they are blessed in the world, and wax rich."
60 But they would not have these if they were not heretics, idolaters and blasphemous worshippers.
61 Their obedience is that one does what he only desires, especially if he is a magister nostor; such a one is also lord over the church, and the kings are his servants.
St. Peter and St. Paul understand Christian freedom not only as being free from sin and death, but also from the burden of the divine law given by Moses, and much more from the dung of human statutes and opinions.
63 But because the dear apostles did not use the liripipium after the manner of Louvain, they did not use the liripipium.
If they have not known Marcolfus, they are by law to be declared heretics by the high 1) faculty there.
The faith by which a person believes that his sins are forgiven for Christ's sake is necessary for every sacrament and word.
But that the high school of oxen (alma vaccultas) of Louvain says that the Scriptures are against such faith is all too subtle and magisterially spoken.
For in this place [Leuven] Scripture means the three magisterial sacraments, beret, gown and liripipium.
For this Scripture is contrary to such faith, and to this Scripture they are masters, from which also they have taken and concluded all these 32 articles 2).
68 Perhaps they would rather have their sins forgiven through unbelief for the sake of Beelzebub, the chief of the devils.
Here we see publicly that the lion-shy beasts have simply thrown away the Christian faith and are the worst pagans at heart.
70 However, in this one thing they do right, because they rejected Christ, so that they would not be without gods altogether, they invent new gods for themselves and call upon the dead, whether they are holy or not, they have no interest in this.
(71) That they may have such gods as they are a people, according to the righteous judgment of God, whose word they despise and blaspheme.
(72) Here I would like to mock them with the prophet Elijah: Cry aloud, for they are gods; they may be deliberating, they may be busy, or they may be wandering in the fields, or they may be asleep, so that they may wake up.
73. how shameful and with eternal shame.
1) In Latin mocking: tialrna instead of alma.
2) The German title of the writing against which this disputation is directed is: "Zwen und dreißig Artikel, die allgemeinen Religion und Glauben belangend, von den Theologen der hohen Schul zu Löuen, gantz neugangen außgangen." Anno 1545. no place given. A single Latin edition of the 32 articles, which were solemnly approved by the University of Louvain on December 6, 1544, is not known to us. However, these articles are found in the above-mentioned Latin "Gesamtausgabe" immediately before Luther's disputation.
They sully the glorious name of Emperor Carl, who rules over so many nations, and the time of his reign, by pretending that he has confirmed their blasphemous and diabolical abominations. 1)
1) Luther had received the theses of the Louvain against May 1, 1545, and therefore sent the copy back to the Elector on May 7, which he had sent him. In the letter to him Luther says: "In the emperor's letter they [the 32 Löwener articles] are called his, the emperor's, daughter. O wretched emperor, who must be the father of such great, shameful, abominable harlots!" It was not until after August 16, when he returned from a long journey, that this disputation was written by Luther and probably, as noted above, went out in September. On September 23 he sent it to Veit Dietrich. Cf. Walch, old edition, vol. XXI, 506 and De Wette, vol. V, p. 758 f.
(75) Much less is it their duty to confirm or protect ungodly, blasphemous, and idolatrous doctrines; indeed, it is their duty to resist and condemn them together with the Church.
Therefore learn here, Christian brother, from this miserable example of the Louvain, to beware of the doctrine of men, and to practice the holy Scriptures with greater diligence.