in view, and that you might soon regret the step.
Only I fear our friend might be deprived of his repose and launched into unrest and storms.
You are a clever man, and will weigh what is most conducive to your peace.
On the other hand, I see that the wind has changed,and the princesand towns are most anxious to get eloquentpreachers, if only to vie with and boast of to others.
I am curious to hear your opinionof my pamphlet on privatemass.
I have offended many good and weak consciences.
Kathie sends greetings.I commend you to Hausmann invited by the Prince of Anhalt to preach before him.
MagisterGeorge Held asked me, in your name, to let you know how you should preachon baptism,as the Archbishop of Mayence and his brother are to be present.
First of all,handle the doctrine in an amicable spirit, not tryingto refute the oppositeparty, so that this Godforgotten oppressor may not fancythe sermon was intended to embitter them.
And then enlargeon baptism,even as the Papiststhemselves would have to do, but never name them, to avoid occasion for reproach,giving a simple exposition of the subject.
The prerogatives of baptism are these.
The sacred water is administered accordingto Word, and is not of man's invention " that it is a fresh covenant between God and the nations,to their everlastingsalvation, and is God's work, and therefore cannot be sullied by any sin on the part of the dispenser.
That there is one baptism,which must be appropriated through faith to be efficacious, and dare not be repeated, except through a blasphemousdenial of the firstceremony, cannot be denied.
It must accompany us through life, adorningthe walk with the fruits of faith,thus surpassing all vows and works of any kind, even precedingobedience to parents and guardians.
It has been glorified by the appearingof the Father in the voice from heaven, of the Son in human form, and of the Holy Ghost in the shape of a dove, all having been embodied in the words
Father, the Son, and the Holy Son has been offered us by the Father,and glorified as Bishop of souls,in whom all is well-pleasing to Him, and without whom nothingis of any avail which we do.
Son is the heir of all things. Herr George will tellyou the rest.
Petition for a house for a preacher.
Grace and peace in Christ, Most (Beier), pastor at Zwickau, has just been here, begging me to intercede with your Grace to let him have one of the priests' houses in Zwickau, which is or will soon be empty, for his wife and child,whom he cannot leave any longerbehind him, as in these times it is impossible to gatheranything,and one is gladto live from hand to mouth.
Court havingpromisedto helphim alltheycan, if I would only write for them, I gladlybear testimony,as he has grown up under me, that he is worthy of this favour.
And such houses must be cleared out, so I humbly plead, if it be not burdensome to your Grace, that you would givehim one of them.
He is one of the most piousof the clergy. I am as sure of it as it is possible to judge.
Grace will act in a gracious manner.
Christ strengthenand direct you.
Grace's humble servant,