Luther rejoices over the fruit of the Word in Gdansk, and advises to confidently begin with the use of the sacrament.
Manuscript in Gotha, Cod. chart. 451. 1.; Cod. 186. 4. and Cod. 402. f. From the collection of Caspar Sagittarius in Jena in Schütze, Vol. I, p. 255 and in De Wette, Vol. V, p. 547.
To Pancratius, the servant of God in the church at Danzig.
Certainly I read with pleasure your letter in which you indicate to me the fruit of the Word of God in the church in Gdansk.
May the Lord, who began his work through you, complete it. What you write about the use of the sacrament, that it is certainly desired by all, but it is opposed by the edict of the king and the bishops: if they were so strong in faith that they dared to prefer the will of God to the will of men, I would have them do it. Perhaps the Senate, since it does not forbid it, but lets it happen, will easily have something with which it can excuse itself to the king, namely that it is not its office either to govern or to change the administration (ministoria == the exercise of the preaching ministry) in the churches, that is, to teach God. For since in former times the king, when he was personally present in Gdansk, forbade the word, there was another time, another reason, namely the civil discord in the city. Now that they are unanimous and have allowed that which is greater, namely the word, why not also that which is lesser? For in adversity man can do without the sacrament, but not without the word. But if there is another reason, which I do not know, which would be more decisive, so that they could not allow it, then you may not depart from the service of the word, nor leave the church, but teach constantly the word of the sacrament. And if necessity compels that in the main service 1) the use be not permitted, yet may they desire it with sighing and longing, and in the meantime so comfort themselves of the Sacrament in faith, until God hears the sighing of the voices and gives the spirit of strength, that they may dare to confess freely and also receive the outward sign or custom of the Sacrament. The greatest part is changed because the use of the preaching ministry is changed by the Word. 2) May the Lord strengthen you and all of you by His Holy Spirit, so that you may finally dare to do it and do it happily, amen. From Wittenberg, March 7, 1543.
1) We read ini88u instead of inrni88g, at De Wette.
2) namely, in comparison with the time when the king forbade the preaching of the Word by his edict.
No. 2998.