Martin Luther wishes the orthodox brethren in the Lord grace and peace in our Savior Jesus Christ.
I have gladly allowed that these two sermons of mine on St. I have gladly allowed these two sermons on St. John and St. Paul, which I preached before our congregation in Wittenberg, to be picked up by others and published in print, not because I wanted to boast much about great and wonderful things, or despise other people who are better than I am, or that I should wish to distinguish myself, but because in these exceedingly ungodly times so many pernicious and blasphemous books go out under a great pretense, yielding great profit, but nevertheless doing very great harm to the secular and church regiments. However, I am aware that in these sermons, even if not everything as befits the cause and the reader, I have at least acted faithfully and purely according to my ability, and I like to see that also this my work before those wolves and snakes.
and to make them see whether, warned by this, some might avoid the corrupt spirits and be kept in Christ's sheepfold. Therefore, the effort and diligence of my dear Vincentius pleases me exceedingly, who, as I see, inflamed with the same zeal, desires that this also be recognized in other languages and peoples, and that at the same time a testimony be given to them as to how abominably those have lied who accuse us of so many vices among their own, naturally in the cunning (vulpina) confidence that they speak among those who understand neither the things nor our language. But God, who has begun the good work in us, will also accomplish it to the glory of His name and to the overthrow of Satan and all his servants. Fare well in the Lord, dearest brother, and the service which I render you through this work and willingness, receive it for the best. Wittenberg, June 7, 1536.