To the Magistrates of Dantzic - Martin Luther

TO THE MAGISTRATES OF DANTZIC

So early as 1518 the new teaching was proclaimed in Dantzic, and Johannes Knade, preacher in the Marien Church, married that year. Luther wrote of the “wonderous” things Christ had done in Dantzic” in 1521. May 5, Grace and peace through Christ our Savior! Honored dear sirs and friends. In accordance with your request I have done my best to send you an able preacher. But it was not to be that you were to have Johann Pomeranus, for whom you asked, and whom I would have gladly sent to you. But our congregation here would not part with him, wishing to retain such as he to train others who may do good service in other towns. So I send M. Michael Hanlein, an excellent and learned man, whose equal I do not know, and hope that you will cherish him, and like him the better the longer you know him. I commend him to your tender care and wisdom, seeing that he leaves us to go into a strange land. And I hope you will attend to his bodily comforts in a Christian manner, as Christ and

St. Paul so often inculcate, “They which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple,” and “They which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” I beseech you also, my dear sirs and friends, do and suffer everything in order to preserve peace among yourselves, and to prevent fanatics getting in among you, who, alas, have done much mischief among us in North Germany, as your Excellencies may perhaps have heard. If there be anything to alter or destroy, such as pictures, or whatever it may be, see that it take place through an order from the Council, and do not let the mob attack them, which has happened elsewhere, and which has led to the magistracy being held in contempt, whom God commands to be feared and honoured. But in particular, see that you are not taught to bear rule according to the law of Moses, and still less according to the gospel, which is a

spiritual law, and must be kept entirely apart from a worldly government, and proclaimed through the mouths of the preachers. And no one must be coerced in spiritual matters, each exercising his own free will as to what he shall believe; for, it is not the sword which must bear rule here, but the spirit

of God. I have discussed all these matters with your pastor, Herr Michael, who will instruct you, and

whom you must obey. I commend you to God, who will strengthen and prosper you, to His praise and honour.

MARTIN LUTHER .