in public preaching to the whole congregation. *)
August 2, 1523.
(1) There are two kinds of sins; the first against the word, or Christian doctrine and faith; the other against love. Sin against doctrine is not to be tolerated in any way. But the sin against love is to be tolerated, because by it alone one acts against one's neighbor without violating doctrine and faith.
(2) But where anything is done contrary to the word, to faith, and to the glory of God, there is no way to be silent, much less to bear patience, but to put up a stiff resistance; as when they, contrary to the doctrine of faith, lead men to trust in works, as necessary for salvation: as the Pharisees and scribes almost insisted on the works of the law and on circumcision, as we see now and then in the Gospel that Christ strongly agrees with them and puts up a stiff resistance. I say this so that we do not burden ourselves with the sins of others.
I have now twice faithfully admonished the canons in the monastery, one in Latin, the other in German, to hand over and drop the papal abuses and unchristian ceremonies in the monastery churches, and henceforth to keep their singing, reading and ceremonies in accordance with the Gospel. But since I see no improvement, but rather experience the contradiction that they want to defend their ungodly nature by force, and mock us for it, I will now, for the third time, condemn them in your opposition.
and listen, so that you may be witnesses to me before God's judgment, so that I may clear my conscience, Ezek. 3, 18: "If you do not warn the wicked, 2c. I will demand his blood from your hand."
4 They pretend that they are doing the ungodly thing because they call it the prince. But what does the prince's command concern us in this case? The prince is a worldly ruler, to whom the sword is due, not the office of preaching. They know that in this one should be more obedient to God than to men [Acts 5:29]. Nor may they pretend with truth that they do not understand the matter. For no doubt there are some who know it well. And if they lack it, why do they avoid our gathering and do not hear God's word? I do not want them to be treated differently than Christian love requires. If they are not moved by all this, it is to be feared that they will despise our teaching, which we, praise God, truly know to be the pure divine truth.
Now I have also been called by you to the ministry of preaching, I have a divine command that I should feed the congregation of God here with the pure Word, therefore it is my duty to be serious about it, so that such evil and trouble in the collegiate church is stopped, so that we do not make ourselves liable to foreign sins and punishment.
Where this "memory" is found in the editions is already indicated at the previous writing. The time determination is after Seckendorf, Hist. Lutd., I4b. I, p. 275a, (1).
(6) However, we do not want to take such serious action against them, with their complaint or their driving, so that we should go quickly with them or use force against them; but we want to present the matter to God first and ask that he will enlighten them and grant them grace, so that they will improve, turn away from their ungodly ways, and keep us even.
7 If it is of no use, since God is for it, let us see what we can do. For I cannot and will not let my and my doctrine's listeners' consciences be stained and defiled any longer by their ungodly nature. We want to let them (where they are not to be told) continue their ungodly nature, but so far that they confess that they are (not
the true God, but as idolaters) serve the wretched devil. I am a poor sinner as well as others, but I am sure, praise God, that if I ask something by God's command and promise in the name of Christ, my prayer will certainly be heard.
8 But I would rather have them take to heart my faithful exhortation, as I take to heart their danger and great misfortune, which they do not yet feel. We do not want to reject them where they are improving. If they follow our advice, we will accept them as our brothers; but if not, they will feel God's judgment, which will be too heavy for them, as it is written: "It is terrible to fall into the hands of the living God" [Heb. 10:31].