Expert opinion on common and private absolution, for the reconciliation of the disputing parties.
From a copy of the original in G. Th. Strobel's Nachricht von dem Leben und den Schriften Veit Dietrichs 2c. Altdorf and Nürnberg 1772, p. 43; in Corp. Ref., vol. III, 190 from a copy of Cod. Galli II, p. 254 and Cod. Palat. 436. fol., p. 15 (with the incorrectly solved date: November 27) and in De Wette-Seidemann, vol. VI, p. 176. Bretschneider thinks that either Pommer or Cruciger is the author of this letter.
To the honorable, noble and wise lords, mayors and council of the city of Nuremberg, our favorable lords and friends.
Grace and peace from God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Honorable, wise, favorable gentlemen! We have received Your Honorable Wisdom's writing together with Osiander's sermon and the enclosed questions, 1) on which you desire our concern, and would have been well inclined to ascribe an answer to E. E. W. with this messenger. However, this time we have been so burdened with our most gracious lord, the Elector of Saxony's, business that the answers to E. E. W.'s questions could not have been made in this hurry, since the business is important and time is needed to talk about it according to necessity. For although we also maintain the private absoluteness with all seriousness and consider it very useful, and have always taught that for many reasons it should be prevented from being stopped or extinguished in the church, we nevertheless conclude that forgiveness of sins is not obtained through the private absoluteness alone, but also when the heart receives right faith and comfort from common preaching. For preaching and absoluteness have power because God promised to work with His word, whether it be spoken in common or otherwise; item commanded to believe the gospel, whether it be spoken in common or otherwise. On this article stands the summa and the reason of this dispute, and we have this article thus
1) These question pieces by Melanchthon are found in both Latin and German in the 6orx. Rsk., vol. III, 176 f.
recently reported now to indicate what our opinion is of the main part of this trade. But as far as Mr. Osiander allows this, and why he punishes an ordinary Absolutio, because such Disputatio is somewhat longer, we want to make the same after opportunity conducive, and E. E. W. send our concern by own message. E. W. our concern by our own message. God graciously preserve E. E. W. and grant your church peace and unity in Christ. Date Wittenberg, Tuesday after Catharine [Nov. 28] in the 36th year.
Martinus Luther, D.
Justus Jonas, D., P. W. 2) Caspar Cruciger, D. Philippus Melanchthon.
No. 2315.