To Vice Chancellor Burkhardt - Martin Luther

TO VICE CHANCELLOR BURKHARDT About agreement with the English. April 20, 1536.

My opinion is, dear Herr Chancellor, that as my lord wishes to know how far we may give way to the English King regarding those articles, that we cannot concede more. If they wish to have the articles expressed in other language I do not object, but I shall permit no alterations in the matter of faith and teaching, otherwise we might rather have seen eye to eye with Pope and Emperor at Augsburg, and even now it would be disgraceful to concede more to the King than we would do to Emperor and Pope. No doubt people should have patience, for in England things connected with doctrine cannot so speedily be put into practice; still, the principal articles must not be changed or given up. The ceremonials are temporary things, which will arrange themselves through time with the help of sensible rulers, so it is useless disputing or worrying over them till the right foundation is laid. But if the alliance with the King is to be entered into, although the King does not agree with us as to all the articles, then I shall leave it to the dear lords, along with my gracious lord, for it is a worldly matter; still I consider it to be a great danger to unite outwardly where the people are not of one mind. But I do not wish my opinion to stand in the way, for God knows how to turn the thoughts of the pious as well as of the enemy and of all men to good account when He desires to be gracious.

MARTIN LUTHER . (De Wette.)