Luther wants the brothers and sisters in Herford to be left alone and not to make any unjust claims against them.
The original is said to be in the royal library in Berlin. Transcript in the Provincial Archives at Münster. Printed in the Unschuldige Nachrichten 1726, p. 895; in the Leipzig Supplement, p. 74, no. 129; in Walch, vol. XXI, 375; in De Wette, vol. IV, p. 560 and in the Erl. Ausg., vol. 55, p. 66.
To the honorable and wise gentlemen, mayor and council of Hervord in Westphalia, my favorable lords and friends.
Gratiam et pacem etc. Honorable, wise, dear sirs! I have often experienced, and have been told by many, how some heated and hasty people among you encourage the friars and sisters among you to grieve, as if they could not be saved because of the state in which they are; yet they have all put away the abomination of the pope, and hold to Christian freedom, even though in the old dress and form, and lead a proper, disciplined life, working with their hands according to the apostle's teachings: that I well wish that such people, as God would give grace, would mary much, for they are not harmful, but useful, because they are attached to the Gospel. In addition, I hear that they should
1) "For Christum" put by us instead of: "the Christians". 2) "Graces" == to be gracious, to show grace.
They are to be burdened with the public schools' office and care, for they are not endowed by anyone, nor do they receive interest from anyone, as the endowments and monasteries do, and should do so fairly; nor is it right that they should serve from what they have acquired and not given, for that would mean working and giving money. Accordingly, my faithful admonition, E. Wisdom, is that the pious people should not be so distressed, lest, as you are about to do, your city should get the cry, as if it were seeking other people's work and goods, when you might well need the right pens for such a school. I have written before that time itself will find counsel, which, I hear, is interpreted as if one should force them henceforth, but give the words that with time it will be found, namely whether they want to remain so or willingly change. Please, for Christ's sake, let E. W. help so that there is no reason to speak evil of the Gospel. Unfortunately, there is all too much trouble everywhere, which gives our gospel a lot of bad name, so that we should strive diligently to keep it in good standing. If all things are well with you, it is still not perfect. God hereby commands you. Saturday after St. Luke's [Oct. 24] 1534.
Martinus Luther, D.
No. 2085.