To Nicolas Hausmann letter 28 - Martin Luther

TO NICOLAS HAUSMANN

Hausmann invited by the Prince of Anhalt to preach before him. February 8, 1534.

Grace and peace! Magister George Held asked me, in your name, to let you know how you should preach on baptism, as the Archbishop of Mayence and his brother are to be present. First of all, handle the doctrine in an amicable spirit, not trying to refute the opposite party, so that this God-forgotten oppressor may not fancy the sermon was intended to embitter them. And then enlarge on baptism, even as the Papists themselves would have to do, but never name them, to avoid occasion for reproach, giving a simple exposition of the subject. The prerogatives of baptism are these. The sacred water is administered according to God’s Word, and is not of man’s invention — that it is a fresh covenant between God and the nations, to their everlasting salvation, and is God’s work, and therefore cannot be sullied by any sin on the part of the dispenser. That there is one baptism, which must be appropriated through faith to be efficacious, and dare not be repeated, except through a blasphemous denial of the first ceremony, cannot be denied. It must accompany us through life, adorning the walk with the fruits of faith, thus surpassing all vows and works of any kind, even preceding obedience to parents and guardians. It has been glorified by the appearing of the Father in the voice from heaven,

of the Son in human form, and of the Holy Ghost in the shape of a dove, all having been embodied in the words — “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.” The words, “This is my Son!” I handle thus: That the Son has been offered us by the Father, and glorified as Lord of all and Bishop of souls, in whom all is well-pleasing to Him, and without whom nothing is of any avail which we do. He alone is King, because the Son is the heir of all things. Herr George will tell you the rest.

MARTIN LUTHER .