To the elector Joachim of Brandenburg - Martin Luther

TO THE ELECTOR JOACHIM OF BRANDENBURG

Luther gives his opinion of the Church Constitution compiled by Buchholzer on the introduction of the

Reformation into Brandenburg in 1539. December 4, 1539.

Grace and peace in Christ, and my poor paternoster, Most Serene and High-born Prince, most gracious Lord! I have received your Electoral Highness’s embassy with great pleasure, and thank the Father of all grace, and pray earnestly that the dear God may graciously perfect His good work in you to His honor and glory. For Satan will try to hinder the good work, which he has already attempted with us. I am delighted with your Electoral Highness’s preface to the aforesaid document, but there is one point I object to, viz. about processions, extreme unction, and the sacrament, upon which I have given my opinion to your Grace’s messengers. To carry the sacrament in one kind in the procession is only mocking God, for, as you know, it is only a half — indeed no sacrament. But should it be carried about in both kinds, that is still worse, and will give the Papists occasion for ridicule. So I humbly request that, as your Electoral Highness has so far defied the devil in these grand articles, you would let those

minor matters rest, so that the devil may not make a laughing-stock of the whole Reformation. We might permit extreme unction and taking the sacrament to the sick, if not done according to Papal usage. Seeing your Electoral Highness lays so much stress on these matters, I would humbly suggest that although they may be retained for a time, they should not be embodied in the tenets of the Reformation and printed. For, as the preface declares, it is a Reformation grounded on the Bible, and on the usages of the purified Church. For from early times the Church usages became most corrupt. For Christ did not make anointing with oil a sacrament, nor do St. James’s words apply to the present day. For in those days the sick were often cured through a miracle and the earnest prayer of faith, as we see in James and Mark 6. The carrying of the sacrament to the sick, although continued, must not be imperative or put in print. For it is of human institution, and not God’s command, so it can be retained till a better way is found. Also that the sacrament must be taken from the altar in the mass,

and not put in the ciborium. I have told the rest to your embassy. I herewith commend you to the dear faithful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and pray for you.

Your Electoral Highness’s obedient MARTIN LUTHER . (De Wette.)