Luther refuses to write about church discipline. How to deal fei with those who postpone the sacrament to the last end.
Manuscript in Aurifaber, vol. III, p. 440. From the Kraft collection at Husum in Schütze, vol. I, p. 310 and in De Wette, vol. V, p. 667 f. German in Walch, vol. XXI, 1526.
1) Myconius, as visitator.
2) "Tangle" set by us instead of: "Gag".
Letters from the year 1544. No. 3124. 3125.
Grace and peace! Carlowitz does nothing new, as you write, my dear Anton, but the obdurate man does what he deserves and is worthy of. Let it go as it goes. May the Lord preserve the mind of Duke Moritz for the salvation of many people, amen. Since you request that I write about church discipline, I think that the Lord will perhaps arrange this through someone else. I am completely and utterly exhausted, and others will do better. Yes, I hope that the Prince of Anhalt, the bishop) will give us an example. We have been working on this matter for a long time, that the bishop of Naumburg should publish a scripture, where the devil of the court has resisted until now, just as the prince of the Persians resisted the angel in Daniel [Cap. 10, 13]. May the Lord increase his spirit in us, amen.
What else should you do with those who postpone the reception of the sacrament until the last breath, than to publicly admonish them to be careful and fearful of such a danger? then, that you threaten that if someone continues to postpone it until the senses and reason have disappeared, the sacrament cannot be given to them, certainly no more than to a sow or a dog. For such people cannot be dealt with from the bosom, nor can it be investigated what they believe or what they deal with; therefore they cannot be capable of the Sacrament, and it is offered to them in vain. Let their blood be on their head, who throughout their life, while they are healthy, despise Word and Sacrament, by which they become more and more unskilled in the same day by day, so that they are deservedly deprived of the Sacraments by their own fault at the end of life. Therefore, while they are alive, while they are well, while they can hear and respond, and confess sins and faith loudly and clearly, may they be careful to become accustomed to the use of the Word and Sacrament. But if not, they may also in the end, when reason and
1) Georg, Prince of Anhalt, was attached to the young Duke August of Saxony as administrator of the diocese of Merseburg, therefore Luther calls him "bishop".
My Käthe sends the measurement for the little daughter's fur skirt, so that you will see to it that it is made to fit as well as possible. But I do not know by what right we have taken you into service, that in all things, and in so many, we use your work without payment. May the Lord reward you.
No. 3125.