To the Christians in Zwickau - Martin Luther

TO THE CHRISTIANS IN ZWICKAU Letter of consolation.

June 21, 1531.

Grace and peace in Christ! I know well, God be praised, that many among you are deeply grieved that your two preachers are being so badly treated.

Truly they have learned the gospel wrong when they act thus towards their pastors. But it must ever be so that God and His servants are treated thus, outwardly through tyranny, inwardly by false

brethren and ungrateful people. My advice is, let the creatures muddle themselves with drink while you possess your souls in patience. They are God’s enemies, and so God is their enemy, and it is punishment enough for them to have so powerful an enemy, whom they at present despise, but who will in His own time let them feel His wrath. As for you, remain true to the doctrine you have

embraced, and wait on the ministrations of your faithful pastor and the sacraments till you see what the Prince will do. Go to St. Katherine’s to service and for the sacrament, or put up with the preacher in the Pfarr Kirche, as it suits. Listen to them in so far as their preaching is pure, and partake of the sacrament without scruple, for the Word and sacrament is, and remains, a God-like thing. But do not praise or acquiesce in their shameful doings. For, seeing they are installed, it is not your place to remove them publicly from office or to avoid them till the Prince issues his decree. I commit you to God, that He may strengthen you in this and all tribulation. MARTIN LUTHER . (De Wette.)