Luther gives his advice on the introduction of excommunication to the Hessian clergy gathered at Homburg.
From Aurifaber's unprinted collection, p. 170, in Schütze, vol. II, p. 288 and in De Wette, vol. IV, p.46I.
To the Lord Tilemann Schnabel and the other bishops of Hesse assembled in the castle at Homburg.
Grace and peace in Christ. Valuable and extremely dear men! Here's to your very up-
1) Instead of certe we have assumed certa.
2) Stiefel is the author of the anonymous text: "Rechenbüchlin vom End - Christ. Seidemann in De Wette, Vol. VI, p. 624, note 2.
3) Instead of the S. Johannis (Burkhardt, p. 214. Seidemann l. c.) De Wette offers: the 5. Joannis; Walch: "on the 8th day".
I will answer your correct and godly letters and requests briefly, as much as I have time and leisure. I have experienced your zeal for Christ and Christian discipline with great joy, but in this so gloomy time, which is also not yet sufficiently suitable to accept discipline, I would not dare to advise such a sudden innovation. "We must let the peasants drink a little, and give way to a drunken man with a cartload of hay. It will be convenient, because we do not like to drive it" by law. It is a great thing, not in itself, but for the sake of the people who have the power to stir up trouble for us, which cannot be quelled, since we are a root in the thirsty land and have not yet grown into branches and leaves. In the meantime, I would advise that we begin gradually and in a small way, as we are doing here, to first keep from the sacrament of the Lord's Supper those who seem worthy of the ban; 4) For such an excommunication, which forbids worldly things, we may not take upon ourselves in any way, first, because we have no right to it, and it applies only to those who do not want to be true Christians; secondly, because at this time the great (major) ban cannot even be brought within our power, and we would be ridiculous if we undertook it before we had the strength to do so. For what you seem to hope, that the execution may be done by the prince himself, is very uncertain, nor do I want the secular authorities to be involved in this task, but to be separated from it in every respect, so that the difference between the two regiments may exist rightly and surely. Accept this free and certainly brotherly good will of mine for the best, just as I am disposed toward you in love. Christ rule you by his Holy Spirit for ever and ever, Amen. Thursday after the Feast of St. John the Baptist [June 26] Anno 1533.
Your Martin Luther.
4) adstare baptismati ad lavandos pueros.
5) Instead of volunt we have assumed nolunt.
No. 1987.