Doubtless it would be a very good thingwere such changes made, were it generallydesired,and no one objected.
But this will never be the case.
We cannot all be so learned as Carlstadt,therefore we must give in to the weak, else those who are strong will run into all excesses, and the weak who cannot keep up with you will perish.
God has been very graciousto you in Wittenberg,giving you the pure Word, so you should have patiencewith those who never heard it,or where is your love ?
We have many brothers and sistersin Leipsic, Meissen, and elsewhere,and these we must take to heaven with us.
AlthoughHerzog George, etc., are very angry with us at present, stillwe must bear with them, and hope for the best.
They may become better than we.
You have gone about the business in a way of which I cannot approve, usingyour fists, and if this happen again I shall not take your part.
You began without me, so carry it on without me.
What you have done is wrong, no matter how many Carlstadts approve of it.
You have injuredthe consciences of many who have taken the sacrament, and attacked it,tearing down pictures, and eatingeggs and meat.
You are to blame for this, and yet you consider yourselves Christians, and better than others.
I know the devil well,and he is at the root of all this,and has led you to attack the sacrament, etc., so that he might injureGod's
Word, and meantime faith and love are forgotten.
Now we shall examine the nature of the thingswhich have been done in my absence.
There are thingswhich God has commanded, and these must be kept, for no man, be he pope or bishop,has power to alter them.
Other thingsGod has left free to us, such as eating, drinking, marrying,etc.
God has not forbidden these.
Popes and bishopshave tried to depriveus of this freedom, by settingup priestsand monks, to whom marriageis forbidden, appointingfast days,and suppressing true fasting, therebyleadingmany to the devil,of whom
In the latter times some shall departfrom the faith.