To the Town coucil of Halle - Martin Luther
TO THE TOWN COUNCIL OF HALLE
Luther’s celebrated letter to the Halle Town Council, in which he admonishes them to persevere in their zeal for, and loyalty to the gospel.
May 7, 1545.
Grace and peace in the Lord, honored and circumspect gentlemen and good friends! I have talked over your affairs with my dear friend, Dr. Jonas, and I was delighted to hear from him that the church in Halle is increasing and flourishing, through the blessing of the Holy Ghost; that the people behave
well; and that the teachers are united among themselves, being of one heart and mouth, while the Council is favourable to the gospel. May the merciful Father of all joy and harmony graciously maintain this blessing among you, and perfect the work He has begun in you against that day.
It is a very precious thing when a town can, with one accord, sing “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” For I daily see how very rare such a gift is, both in town and country. Therefore I could not refrain from expressing to you my joy, and also admonishing you,
as St. Paul did the Thessalonians, to continue as you are doing, and not be weary in well-doing, but ever increase in strength. For we know Satan is against us, as he cannot bear to see God’s work prosper, but goes about seeking whom he may devour. So we must watch and pray, that we may not be surprised by him. For we are not ignorant of his devices, and how he carried them out upon Moritzburg and at Aschenburg; and just now he has blessed, or rather cursed, two nuns (God will redeem their souls). All this proves the mischief he is anxious to do. Therefore it is my earnest plea with my dear Dr. Jonas, that he would try to keep church, council, preachers, and schools closely united, so that through earnest prayer you may withstand the devil, and prevent him doing further mischief, which Dr. Jonas has up till now faithfully done. I hereby commit preachers, sacristans, and schools to your Christian love, especially Dr. Jonas, from whom we were most unwilling to part. I especially, for I would gladly always have him beside me. We daily experience how precious such faithful, pure preachers are. They are very dear to God Himself, who says “the labourers are few.”
Therefore He commands them to be treated with double honour, and acknowledged as a peculiar gift of God, with which He honours the world, as the 68th Psalm sings, “Thou hast received gifts for men, . . . that the Lord might dwell among them.” And it is no small gift that God has given you the heart to call such men, and love, cherish, and honor them. In many places such men would be lightly esteemed,
and be obliged to go elsewhere, nay, even be compelled to flee. Afterwards, when too late, they see what they have done, and think of the proverb, “I know what I have, but do not know what I may get.” It is easy to make a change, but to improve matters is always dubious. May the Father of our dear Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you against the wickedness of Satan, and preserve you from his cunning devices, and at length give you ease and relief from the insidious attacks of flesh and blood. Amen.
Your Excellencies’ obedient MARTIN LUTHER . (De Wette.)