This letter, in which Luther gives his opinion on the elevation of the sacrament, is prompted by the request of Speratus, Bishop of Pomesania, No. 2969. In an insert Luther asks for an extension of the scholarship for a student.
From Faber's collection of letters, p.44, in De Wette, vol. V, p. 541 and in the Erlangen edition, vol. 56, p. 53.
G. u. F. and my poor Pr. nr. Serene, highborn Prince, gracious Lord! That E. F. G., also Doctor Speratus, Bishop Pozamienus, 1) wrote to me, requesting my opinion on the elevation of the Sacrament, I have well heard; but because I had much to write, that I would have needed three scribes, E. F. G. graciously wanted to accept this writing, as well as to answer the bishop and all others, as E. F. G. will undoubtedly know to deliver it to them.
We have done away with elevation in our churches, and I would gladly do away with it, solely so that such ceremonies would not have to be our masters, as if it were a sin to do otherwise. For we Christians want and must be masters of such ceremonies, so that they do not grow over our heads as articles of faith, but must be subject to us and serve us when, where, how and for how long we want. For the ceremonies have always caused heartache through the devil's cunning and human carelessness, that they wanted to be articles of faith, and made the church into a charade, as we have experienced in the papacy. For if it came to the point that elevation would again be necessary to avoid heresy or other things, we wanted to establish it again. In sum, we want and must be servants of the faith (that is, of God), we want to be masters of the ceremonies, and not let them become like the faith; but that one preaches this diligently to the people, so that they do not think that one wants to teach new faith every hour. For the people have no distinction between faith and ceremonies, just as the pope himself has no distinction in this respect, and indeed no distinction between the spiritual and the secular.
1) Pozamiens == Pomesamiensis.
The world is blind and lives under the prince of darkness. The world is blind and lives under the prince of darkness.
Such things E. F. G., written in haste and besides much business, would graciously understand, as I do not doubt, because E. F. G. take such matters of faith so seriously. May the merciful God and Father of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, through His Holy Spirit, strengthen the work He has begun in us. F. G. against the wicked devil, who neither sleeps nor rests against us and against all Christendom from the beginning; but he shall lack in the end, Amen. Saturday after Invocavit [17 Feb.] 1543.
E. F. G. williger
Martinus LutheR, D.
Insert.
Also, my lord, M. Jakob Metius has asked me to ask E. F. G. to receive his scholarship for another year. I do not like to complain about E. F. G.. However, I am aware of the truth that he has had to miss quite a bit of time due to the weakness of his main body. Because I do not sense any wrong in him, since he has a good name here, where he remains like this, my humble request, if it is to be done, is that E. F. G. should leave him the scholarship for another year, so that he does not have to disrupt the studies he has begun. E. F. G. will know how to graciously show themselves in this. Hiemit dem lieben GOtte befohlen, Amen.
No. 2995.
Facultätszeugmà for D. Johann Marbach.
Marbach received, against the rule, which required an age of thirty years, already with twenty-three years the theological doctorate in Wittenberg. He had been Luther's housemate and table companion, had served for a year in the diaconate in Jena and in Isny as a preacher, and was to be employed there, but went back to Wittenberg, where he disputed under Luther's chairmanship in 1543 and received his doctorate. He was then called to Isny to take the place of Father Fagius, but since he found obstacles there, he went to Strasbourg as assistant to Father Fagius at the Nicolai Church, where he soon received the pastorate. He succeeded Caspar Hedio in the position of antist, and played an important role in the history of the Reformation. He was also a delegate to the Worms discussion in 1547.
From Fechtii Histor. eccles. Sec. XVI, Supplementum, P. I, p. 3, in De Wette, Vol. V, p. 543.
Letters from the year 1543. no. 2995. 2996. 2997.
Martin Luther, Doctor of Theology, Dean of the College of the Theological Faculty, wishes salvation to all who will read this letter.
Doctor Johann Marbach from Lindau has requested a certificate from us about his manners, his studies and his [doctoral] degree. We have issued this to him with the greatest willingness because of his virtue and erudition. For we know that he lived in our school, where he spent three whole years, in such a way that all professors praise his modesty and his special diligence in every fulfillment of duty. And that is why two years ago he was awarded the degree of Master of Arts by the Collegium of the Faculty of Liberal Arts. However, since he highly desired that his studies serve the glory of God and the benefit of the church, he diligently listened to the exegetes of the prophetic and apostolic scriptures, also researched antiquity and the disputes of all lines in the church, so that he might obtain the original and true doctrine of the gospel. He therefore accepts the pure doctrine of the Gospel, which our church confesses in one spirit and with one voice with the general church of Christ, and abhors the opinions that dispute with it. However, he has publicly stated his opinion about the muted doctrine, not only in the discussions at school, but also in a public church office, which he administered for some time. Therefore, since the church at Isny, which called him to teach the gospel, desired that we adorn him with the theological [doctoral] dignity for public testimony, we granted the wish of this church. Because we only knew that this Johann Marbach leads an honorable and godly life and understands the concept of Christian doctrine correctly, and accepts the pure gospel, which shines in our churches, and is not tainted with false opinions: so that our testimony about him would be present, we have granted him the dignity of Doctor of Theology, and ask the eternal God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His immeasurable goodness preserves the remnants of His church, and adds gifts, so that the light of the gospel may not
that is, teachers and shepherds, that he also instruct and guide them by his Holy Spirit, so that their ministry may be effective and salvific. Since he has asked us to ask for this, we do not doubt that these wishes will be heard. But we admonish him, Doctor Johann Marbach, and his church, that they take care that the gospel is faithfully preserved among their own. For God demands that He be honored primarily through this service, as Christ says [John 15:8]: "In this My Father is honored, that you bear much fruit, and become My disciples." Let us therefore faithfully render this service to God, and not allow ourselves to be drawn away from the Gospel even by the judgment and raging of the godless multitudes in the world, but rather praise the name of the Son of God, and await God's help and eternal life together with the holy fathers, prophets and apostles, through whom God has revealed Himself in glorious and clear testimonies. Given at Wittenberg, on the twentieth day of February, Anno 1543.
No. 2996.