Thanks for a gift; response to a question about whether she could hold a Lutheran home service.
In Raupach, Evang. Oesterreich, 1st cont., p. 76; in Moseder, Glaubensbekenntniß, p. 90 f.; in De Wette, vol. IV, p. 631 and in the Erlangen edition, vol. 55, p. 105.
Grace and peace in Christ with my poor paternoster 2c. Honorable, dear wife! I have heard He Andres, and received your writing, and I thank you for the gift, especially the Gröschlin, although I would like to be sure if it is the right one, because it looks so new; but it may be conterfeit or cast off 2c. It has also begotten me He Andres, as you would like to know, whether it is the right one.
Letters from the year 1535. no. 2168. 2169. 2170,
You may in good conscience (because the pastor does not suffer it) allow the gospel to be preached at Halls for your household alone, 1) but excluding the other parishioners. For because the pastor wants to let you have it in the house, you may take so long until it is forbidden by force; for you are not guilty for the sake of others who are forced by force majeure to oppose you. In this each one must dare himself, and stand his own adventure. Furthermore, do not be mistaken whether the preachers are not smeared or shamed by the suffragan bishop; for they are not ordained to the office of preaching, but to the corner mass, and are the priests Baal and Hieroboam 2c. He who is called is consecrated, and shall preach to those who call him; this is our Lord God's consecration and right Chresem 2c. My housewife sends her kind regards to you and the festering ones. Hiemit GOtt befohlen, Amen. At Wittenberg, Sunday after the Nativity of Our Lady [12 Sept.] 1535.
Martinus Luther, D.
No. 2169.