New Year 1526.
Preface.
Here, my Christian reader, before your eyes are formed and narrated the various orders, orders, estates and sects, the most distinguished and famous tribes, without what else are the branches and twigs and nests, on each tribe, with their innumerable differences, also only the male orders, without what are the female orders. All of which have divided and broken up the simple Christianity, which serves and pleases God in one mind and faith, into many pieces and parts. And they have all boasted of chastity, against the marital state: so that, if you look at them rightly, your heart would break for them, if you think how many horrible abominations have happened and are still happening under them, since chastity is such a strange supernatural power and gift of God, and so innumerable are the ones they all use.
I will keep silent about the vices and disgraces they commit with their masses and other worship services, which Satan has set up through them for blasphemy and the seduction of souls. These are the ones whom the pope has praised and extolled, that they are the foundations, rocks, pillars, salvation and comfort of Christianity with their life and teachings, and have devoured the goods of the whole world for it, so that one might think that they are the great people of Gog and Magog, of which Ezekiel 38. and Apocalypsis Cap. 20. write that they surrounded the holy city of God, but were finally slain on its mountains and given to the birds to eat; as now the gospel has already begun.
I beseech thee, for thy husband's sake, look rightly on them; thou wilt find none that boasteth of faith and love. They do not respect such two orders and ranks, but he who wears a plate, this one a cap; this one a coat, this one a skirt; this one white, this one black; this one gray, this one blue; this one a mirror, this one a pair of scissors, and so on with other jugglery, Exodus 10, that one must see palpable darkness there, so that God has afflicted the world. These are the locusts, caterpillars, beetles and more of the harmful evil worms that have devoured and ruined all the lands, Joel 1. And see that you give thanks to God and do not forget such mercies, who has made these things known to you and delivered you from them. Therefore they are also painted here with pictures, that one may remember the good fellows and praise God's miracles in them. Amen.
The Pabst's Stand.
Oh God, to whom shall we lament, How pitiful it is to say. That for a long time and many a year a great multitude from every country and nation has been deceived, of whom no number can be known. Deceived by this pope and antichrist, and with great cunning turned us completely pious pretense. Forgiven also all guilt and pain, Our sin and misdeed, But such also not from God's grace: On own work alone led, Human reason such has heard. The work they considered better, because that for us God has done enough.
*This writing, which was sent to Luther "by pious people", he let go out on New Year's Day 1526, decorated with woodcuts, with his preface and epilogue. It is not found in the two oldest collections of Luther's writings. We know of four individual editions from 1526. In two of them Luther's name is missing, also place and printer are not indicated. The third was published in Wittenberg, the fourth in Nuremberg by Hans Wandereisen. In the collections it is found: in the Eislebische, Vol. I. Bl. 243; in the Altenburger, Bd. Ill, p. 380; in the Leipziger, Bd. XIX, p. 534; and in the Erlanger, Bd. 29, p. 360. We reproduce the text according to the Eislebische edition.
Therefore no work of theirs 1) were too many (The evil one won the game), Everybody wanted to be the holiest, Conceived misery and great pain, Many sects and various orders, The priests, monks, nuns became: This is all the devil's doing, With him there was no rest nor rest, So long until he seduced us into his net with these cries. His attack was closer to him then, Because that God imposed on him, But God no longer wanted to see nor hear, Such abomination he wanted to destroy, When he caught it then, Hope, it shall well continue, His holy word is present, To shame will the Antichrist And all who cling to him, God will stand alone with his own.
The Cardinal Stand.
For the pope's kingdom to be respected, he must attack it with power, he must make many lords and servants, who were useful to his things, as cardinals and others more, such followed a large army, this sect was dressed all in red, there was not a good hair on the skin.
The Patriarchs Stand.
So that the pope might get money, he divided his members into the world by good form and pious appearance, Which had to be his fishhame, The order was dressed all white, Also pray very with all diligence, Pious patriarchs wanted to be, The matter they gave only a semblance.
The episcopate.
That should be our bishops, Yes, like the wolf over a pig, From old they took it, That is so far him'n well got. A white dress with a chasuble, a bishop's crook also in the hand, Wore a two-pointed hat, Underneath it happened little well.
1) Instead of "their" should probably read "him'n".
The canonship.
Canonici, the bishop's servant, also from Lucifer's lineage. A white choir robe they wore, Also fur caps they had to wear, Their horas they pray always. Their hearts were so far gone, They only feasted, lived in the feast, I hope it's over with them now.
The Monk's Stand.
This' ban thrower the Antichrist, who has never been anything better, possessed, rules people and country, since it is a disgrace before God, and seduces us all to the devil, that we have unfortunately only felt. Hope, God shall turn it around and destroy the devil's dog.
The diak stand.
The bishop couldn't stop it, he had to have a deacon, so that her mass would be held in great respect only with one splendor. Her dress must be so adorned, because the figure is formed, in the color was no difference, Only no pious is not in the dress.
The Benedict Order. .
The Order at Cassin 2) began. After that it went into the whole world. They wear large black robes, they must also have a bishop's staff. In great riches always sat, Thereby they forgot God, That the Scripture does not seduce them, Durft ihr keiner nicht studire.
The Carthäufer Order.
If man's work had made him blessed, Carthusian order would have been accomplished by praying, fasting, casteia, and the much, which I will keep silent, the order began from the devil's game, of which to say would be quite a lot.
Pointed, white caps had to wear, no one to the other nothing say.
2) The Abbey of Monte Cassino on a mountain in Campania was founded in 529.
The Order of St. Bernard.
St. Bernard, the holy man, this order first began, many have kept his rule, that the devil must still rule, because they have devised much mischief, the poor people even made fools. They always wear black caps, their piety is known to everyone.
The Order of Preachers.
Following four orders of beggars, Which only could murder souls, Their virtue they showed at Bern, The rumor him'n ewig wird währn.
Emperor Henry ends his life by this, which forgives him 1) han. White, above black is her dress, And to beg she urges her oath.
The Order of the Barefoot.
Dressed in gray, with bare feet, they wanted to atone for their sin, Also girded around a rope with buttons, For this purpose their heads were shaved, They also fasted and prayed a lot, But their kitchen was never empty, Made a monk with five wounds, So that they scourged all the world.
The Carmelite Order.
The pope calls Mary's brothers, I know she never recognized her, On Mount Heliä 2) was given him to live according to Heliä Weis'.
Her skirt is black, her cloak white, Only begging is all her diligence, Her pious appearance has blinded us, I hope it has an end with him.
The Augustinian Order.
Augustinians dressed all in black, Their order does not hold much distinction, When one counts a thousand five hundred years To this nine toes forsooth, From their sect Martin Luther arose in Saxony Land, God's word he teaches us again, The Pabst's kingdom he has even devastated.
1) We have put "him" instead of "him" because "forgive" is as much as "poison" which is construed with the accusative.
2) On Mount Carmel, in memory of the prophets Elijah and Elisha, in 1156.
The Premonstrater Order.
Premonstratenses are called this, Their life everyone knows well, From foot to foot they are dressed in white, That means their pure chastity, Yes, when they sleep, I believe it well, Feasting, drinking, are always full, Is the hardest thing in their order, Otherwise nothing good has been from them.
Deutfchherren Order.
In Germany there were not enough sects, They were also clever of one order, That had to be called German lords, Other language was unknown to them, And had to be only nobles, Wore long beards for pious appearance. White coats their costume and black cross, Could only Wohlleben and German.
The Rhodes Lords.
They were called Knights of St. John, they took big money from all the land, only to resist the Turk, who watches our faith, first rose at Rhodes, won many a battle against the Turk, black, with a white cross on it, is their costume, their wars have come to an end.
The Josaphatsthal Order.
Although the pope has forbidden that no order should wear red, because only his holiness, but money makes solution and breaks oaths, so they do what they want, so that they fill their satisfaction, all red dressed is the sect, which is also full of malice.
The Order of St. John.
Nor Sanct Johanniter Order, Not nearly long that they have been. Their sect is in all cities and country, Which to suffer is yet great shame. The Rhodesian order they lead, As long and him'n that may befit, Black with a cross they are dressed, Passe, lazy day keeps him'n their oath.
The Order of the Brothers Zohan.
Nor are the Johann brothers mehe, De Civitate, than I see.
They keep their own rule, to compare is no wisdom here, Their cap and dress is all smelled, In it they suffer great misery, That one knows them, they have lusted, To lead a chalice in front on the chest.
The Antonite Order.
They are called St. Anthony's lord, they are well known in all countries. That makes her always terminiren, The people they shamefully seduce With St. Antoni torment, Begging very, also learns her pig. Black, on it blue cross, is her dress, Are all boys, I swear an oath.
Order of St. Brigitte.
Sancta Brigitta has made. That this order was conceived, With her great miraculous deeds, The devil has succeeded, All gray must only be her dress, A ring and a cross in the middle of it. Black of dye in the middle of the chest, Means only to God's pleasure.
The willing poor brothers.
No riches they did not want, Willful poverty they accepted, No man they did not talk to, With wandering, praying was no rest, All gray clothed without shelter, Wore a cross and walked bare For their sin and iniquity, That they might gain God's grace.
The Order of the Scourge.
They had no trust in God, that he would help them out of their distress, because they suffered great pain for their guilt and impatience with pain, scourges, tortures, to gain honor before God. All dressed in white they always went. In Welsh land they first began.
The Einfiedel Stand.
They are made holy people. Therefore they suffered much day and night,
Roots and herbs were their food. In the forest her life atoned, All gray clothed her way is. No heavy penance they knew, Their mind was right without all doubt, However, the devil deceived them.
The Bafilier Order.
A rich man in Basel was, Almost skillful and of high lahr, The spiritual wisdom saw him well, A new order he started, His property and money he gave to it, He thinks he has for sins rest. Then the real sorrow arose, her dress was now white in color.
The Sepulchrites Order.
That the holy grave would be properly preserved, a new species arose there, Which is called Sepulchri brothers, Who Ordn da anfing, auch sich endt. Wearing cross, the clothing is great, 1) Great good they raised alldo By sacrifice, so there fallen Only from the us German money.
From the Scher Order.
Those who have conceived this order, have made tailors without doubt. For they wear the sign in front, no hard life they do not complain. The cap, the skirt is all white, pray, fast little with diligence, so that, if one died, forgiveness of his sins would know.
The Order of the Sword.
This must ever be a pious sect, Does not otherwise their appearance concern me, Quite white their clothing is, Deut't their pure heart to JEsu Christ, On two red swords' made, Means to fight day and night Against the evil enemy and spirit. Prayer and fasting, that they may become fat.
The Star Monk Order.
Two sections follow only afterwards. To be completely pious was [a] yoke. In the dress was no distinction, Only that the one cap treit, 2)
1) gro will probably stand for rough.
2) v.i. carries.
Their rule is almost the same, they have always been rich, one might well call them star monks, for that is how one should recognize them.
The Order of the Star Brothers.
The other sect wears no cap, but dressed honorably and badly, The clothing color is approximate, Fasting, praying and watching very, Always pure shall be their heart's desire, That means the sign on the chest, Black or red, not much lies on it, Only for appearance, the heart it does not concern.
The Nenbrüder Order.
Great has been the mother, who has recovered all the sons and brought so many brothers together, that I believe the evil one has devised it: for new brothers exist send, it will not have an end with them. Black of dye is made their dress, Hold also the preacher's oath.
The Order of the Star of the Cross.
This order dresses in black, where little pious has been found. Yesterday they wear a cross on their chest, they pray, they fast, they keep their order very strictly, because they still find their interest common, so they will go away, it will be shabbat with them. 1)
The Constantinopolitan Order.
At Constantinopolitan first the sect has caught on, then they have come further, counting themselves also among the pious. Red, including green, they wear, on which they have to hold two crosses, they live a strict and hard life, which devils strive for.
Order of St. Sophia.
These brothers of Saint Sophia send, believe, have known each other well, a rule she has given them, according to which they shall always live.
1) The shabab is the sweepings, the garbage; shabab - there, past.
A large cap is their costume, On it they made a red cross, That keeps their heart for piety, For they are otherwise of good kind.
The Grandimontener Order. Stephen, quite a pious man, started the order in the past, withdrew completely from the world, flew with many people into a desert, his body he casteien hard that with guards, prayers, early and late, armor and cloaks they wear, so that they complain of their sin.
The Nollertbrnder Order.
Nollert brothers call themselves these, Their order is almost to all end, With the sick they always care, Of which they receive good reward, The dying do the eyes and carry them away to the rest. Smoky gray they all dressed, Underneath a black Scheppler 2) han.
The Ungerer Order of the Gentlemen.
In Hungary was this beginning, That one still has him no thanks, Red, underneath white is her robe, In front a cross to the right hand On the cloak of green cloth, Also always carry with him a book, Their order, however, one does not know well, Only that they send rich lords.
Schlavoni.
In Schlavonia there is a sect, full of piety, which comes from another country to teach the people Christ's teachings. But how they taught, everyone can now well understand. As the Augustinians are dressed, so they wear red caps.
The >Mirror Order. Speculariorum Order, Is long that it has only been. Almost in Welschland it holds, Their mind and courage is only after money, A white coat they wear, On a black cross must also stand, A black circle is underneath, Means quite grace to Jesus Christ.
2) Scheppler - scapular, shoulder dress.
Heremite-Augustine Order.
I do not know where these have been, who also lead the Augustinian order, the clothing is almost the same. They still have a long time to become pious, although they want to be called pious lords. They are known to everyone, if they are not rich, they are sorry, but they are always ready to take.
The Order of William.
William, Duke of Aquitaine, 1) First started this order, because he was without heirs, he gave his estate to the monastery. They found a rule for it, with which they overcame sin, their clothing is made completely black, as on the Wilhelmian costume.
Weneeslaer Order.
Wenceslaus was a bishop, his people seduced a large crowd, because he thought up an order, also made a rule for it. A large church he founded, where they praise God early and late, Whether he hears them, I doubt, white always dressed goes this crowd.
Minor Brothers.
From the Grey Order of the Barefoot there have been, as follows, more Sects than Minores and Minimi, Observantes and Clarini, Some de Evangelio, More that are de Caputio, And so many more like that, Who hold St. Francis' Doctrine.
The Cistercian Order.
A strange rule they lead, They may well almost beguile one, Great chastity they boast, Their mischievousness with it blush. They wear the shirt over the skirt, Underneath they have a black skirt, A bishop's crook and red shoes, If they are pious, then a cow pokes me.
1) In the editions: "Aquilan". William of Aquitaine initiated the establishment of the monastery of Clügnh (OluniuouiL) in Burgundy in 910.
St. James Brothers.
The devil would not be at peace until he directed his mischievousness to St. James in England, where the order first arose. Great goods and money came by Lucifer's trickery and cunning. To pilgrim's gray color han they desire, A scallop shell on the chest.
From Purgatory.
Great doubt I carry with these, From what cause yet such happened, That this order came into being. Undoubtedly it was from great cunning. Their purgatory holding on the world, But such happened only for the money, Because great good one brought to it. Gray, as I understand, is their costume.
The Celestine Order.
Celestinus was a pope,
Only a monk from the preachers' flock, The papacy he again let stand, This order of it began, Which still much exists send, The people are nimble to deceive, Black of color is made their dress, For their piety I swear an oath.
The Camaldolese Order.
Camaldulensium Order, Which have been after Benedicto; Must also be his subject. All white caps they wear. So they keep their order, God may well rule, hope, their holiness and splendor have soon made an end with them.
Umbrosä Ballis Order.
Near Florence in the Welsh country was a saint, Gelbertus gnannt, Who has brought up this order, own rule for it devised, They still keep it strictly and firmly, feasting, drinking at its best. Gray of color is made their dress, I know nothing more of their oath.
Gerundine Order.
John, bishop of Gerundin, who at night thought how he should build a monastery and give all his gold for it.
So this sect has risen, of which there are still many in all lands. Their clothing is made all white, praying, fasting after all diligence.
St. Helena Brothers.
Because Helena was holy, she was the cause of a large group, who wanted to receive God's grace through her, took on brothers for her, and finally became a whole order. Her rule was quite strict and hard, they were dressed quite white, and served her with all diligence.
Joseph's Order.
The order wisely did so, that they worship St. Joseph, hoped to enjoy that, that Joseph was Christ's father. That is why this sect came into being and extended far into the world, their costume white cap, ash-colored skirt, to their piety may happiness.
Gregorian Order.
Gregory Pope first gave great indulgence and grace to this order, founded by him, who only believes his scripture. Then they let themselves be burned, before they would desecrate his teachings, they wear a wide dress of copper color, because they keep their oath.
Ambrosian Lords.
Pious Ambrose might be, But with them it has only a semblance, They would like to be like the saints, So that they could attain God's kingdom, Much differently they have to face, Otherwise they go for heaven into the hells. Their clothes are made quite large, to God their heart is quite raw.
Temple Lords.
Pope Niclas sent two bulls to princes and lords in all the land, A bull commanded to bliss, The other not to know, Before a certain day. Then they were all slain, there was great lamentation. Still today by day none is more. Black skirt has been their clothing.
Canonici Regulares.
To all monks is this sect, Little piety in them is, Half monk, half priest they want to be, Their order they keep very fine With sleep, eat, drink well, As a pious order should do. Black, and a bobbin they wear, Untern Arm denselbgen beat.
Mary's Servant.
These are St. Mary's servants, like the others a pious generation, our women are their subjects, that they hope for great reward. Yes, Kunz Koch's drink money is hellish fire. Warn before the year as pious as Heuer. The skirt is black, the coat white, keeping the women's brothers' wisdom.
Key Lords.
Lords of the keys are quite pious people, yes boys, I mean, in the skin. Two keys lead to the door of heaven, so that they do not stay for it. They want to come in themselves or to the next village.
Black of color is made their dress, Otherwise they keep St. Peter's oath.
Lazarita or Magdalena brothers.
Black, over it white caps they have, Sanct Lazarum they worship, And Magdalenam also at the same time, Which possessed the kingdom of heaven, So that they had two mouths, If they wanted to pray to God. They 1) will be heard much before, who honor all the saints.
Cross Brothers.
Brothers of the cross they call themselves, their good life has almost an end. A cross they always wear on them; Always of piety they say, But the heart is far from it, Of becoming received their reward. Black of color is made their dress; If they are pious, I am sorry.
1) We have put "the" instead of: "this".
Scotia brothers.
In Scotia there is also a sect that wears gray caps. This order is founded (as they say) from the holy scripture. Quite wrong they will be in it; If they only let of it. They keep their rule strictly and firmly, eat and drink the very best.
Jacob's brothers with the sword.
The brothers of Jacob with the sword, a pope has proven their order, because they firmly believe that they have a divine life. It may well be, who wants to believe it, to swear an oath would be too much. Their skirts are black, their coats white, For other peels they have the price.
Jerusalem Brotherhood.
Five hundred and thirty and some years, when Jerusalem was destroyed, many people came together there, they took on a new sect, after the city they all called themselves, so that they were all well known. Gray, with a cross on it was their costume, their order's leadership a great splendor.
Hospital Lords.
The order is not to be reviled at all, An alms he would do to Jesus Christ, But he applies diligence to the poor, So that they are always recognized by him. Though not much, yet something was done for the benefit of the poor, and they have praise for it. Otherwise I say right, you are dressed black, quite bad.
Decision.
Here, everyone may see the great multitude of monks and sects, who have ruled for a long time, now think how they have seduced us. They are not yet present, 1) There is still a great host lacking, who send everywhere in the lands, whose more part is not yet known. These alone are shown, which each one can know,
1) i.e.: they are not yet all enumerated.
Although they are not found by order, who each is, is partly told in old books.
Therefore, if there is anything lacking, let him impute it to them, and if there is anything else unreasonable, let him change it for the best. So be it resolved at last, God grant us his grace, that we may have peace before these.
Nachrede D. Mart. Luther.
Now you see, I mean, which is the right gloss on St. Paul, and what he teaches, when he speaks to the Colossians in the 2nd chapter, v. 16-18: "Let no one judge or make judgments about food or about drink, or about one part's days, namely, about holidays, or new moons, or Sabbaths, which is the shadow of that which was in the future, but the body itself is in Christ. Let no man shift his aim, who walketh after his own choice in the humility and spirituality of angels, which he hath never seen, and is without cause puffed up in his carnal mind."
And again [v. 20-23.]: "If ye be dead with Christ from worldly statutes, why then be ye entangled with statutes, as though ye were alive; (which say:) Thou shalt not touch these things, thou shalt not eat these things, thou shalt not drink these things, thou shalt not put on these things: which are all consumed in the hands, and are the doctrines and commandments of men, which have a pretense of wisdom in their self-confessed spirituality and humility, and in that they spare not the body, neither do they feed the flesh for its need."
Have they not disgracefully misunderstood our goal, so that we have had to make vain and unprofitable efforts with so much singing, praying, fasting, watching and working, for which they have set no other goal than to obtain grace and life. And thus they have lost sight of Christ, who alone was and is the right goal, by which we should attain and gain such grace and life through right faith, and use the above-mentioned works for the mortification of the flesh, so that we may help our neighbor.
would be sent to serve. Without which faith such works do nothing but make puffed-up hearts (as St. Paul says here), for they think themselves holy above all others and regard themselves as if the others were vain publicans and sinners against them.
Some people think that we should stop mocking the papacy and the spiritual state, that it is enough in the day, because it is so shattered, written, decomposed, compacted, crushed and disgraced in every way by so many writings, books and notes, that it is well known and can never be overcome. I do not hold with them, but, as the Revelation of John says Cap. 17, 1. 2.The red harlot, with whom the kings and princes of the earth have fought and are still fighting, must be given full and good water, and as much as she has had lust and power, so much pain and suffering must be inflicted on her, until she is trampled underfoot like dung in the street, and there is nothing more despicable on earth than this bloodthirsty Jezebel, 1) and thus the scripture is fulfilled, which proclaimed this about her [Kings 18:4, 13, 21, 23.2) 2 Kings 9:37].
Also, that we do not forget and be ungrateful for such great grace, that Christ has led us out of such darkness and devilish nature into his wondrous light; so that we do not do like the children of Israel, who soon forgot the great grace when they were led out of Egypt. Yes, too much is already forgotten among us, and so we live along without any gratitude, as if we had never been under the tyranny of the pope, or had never felt the unbearable sorrow of our heart and conscience, wherein he bound us with innumerable cords of his great commandments, and martyred us with unbearable burdens of useless works, and chased us with false fear of death and hell, tormented us, and turned us away from life and heaven.
1) In the Eisleben edition: Jesabel.
2) In the Erlanger: "28" reprinted from Walch's old edition.
and the devil was driven to it and hurt it quite violently. Such things are no longer thought of, and have become little in our eyes, as if they were small kindness and mercy.
Mostly, however, because now that the rebellious peasants have been defeated, they blow themselves up again and boast as if they wanted to be completely reinstated and achieve greater glory, especially because some godless princes and lords stand by them, on whom they rely and console themselves, and think that they have recovered and been completely reborn. If they do not turn back to the defeat they encountered, and start again, and struggle for more defeats, and want to hear how their devilish nature is to be praised, we want to and shall help them confidently, and stir the dirt, which wanted to stink so much, until they get their mouths and noses full.
3) Gezaue - tools.
The following two writings by Walch are considered to belong here:
a) D. Mart. Luther's warning to his dear Germans and b) D. Mart. Luthers Schrift wider den Meuchler zu DreSden, der vorstehende Warnung widerlegen hat.
Both writings can be found in Walch, old edition, vol. XVI, 1950 and 2062.