This form of the general absolution, written by Luther himself, is printed in Hormayr's Taschenbuch für die vaterländische Geschichte and in De Wette- Seidemann, vol. VI, p. 245. - Probably this is the formula of which Melanchthon writes to Veit Dietrich on February 15, Corp. Ref., vol. III, 957. It seems to have been put (for Osiander's sake) for the Nurembergers, because Melanchthon sent the autograph to Dietrich. Cf. Corp. Ref., l. c. 954 and 955.
Dear friends, because we are all mortal, no hour of death is certain, so humble yourselves before God, confess in your hearts that we, all poor sinners, are in need of His grace and forgiveness every moment. And if today or tomorrow God would require someone among you to leave this pit of misery, then I, as a pastor (preacher), by His command absolve all who are here now and hear God's word, and with true repentance of their sin believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, from all sin in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, amen. Go in peace, whether you live or die.
No. 2629.