Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1521-1530.djvu/87

 him are heretics. The letter concludes with the praises of Pace, who is in great favor with princes, not less abroad than at home.

524. LUTHER TO MELANCHTHON.

Enders, iii, 272. (Wartburc), January 13, 1522.

Greeting. Had the letter of the Archbishop of Mayence* come alone it would have satisfied me, but now that Capito's letter is added it is evident that there is some plot. I am greatly disappointed in Capito. I wished to put a stop to that impious trade,* but he pleads for it like an attorney, and by teaching the Archbishop to confess his private sins thinks to impose on Luther beautifully. I shall restrain myself and not treat the man as he deserves, yet I shall show him that I am alive.

Coming now to the "prophets," * let me first say that I do not approve your irresolution, especially since you are more richly endowed with the Spirit and with learning than I am. In the first place they bear witness of themselves and are not to be listened to at once, but according to John's advice,* the spirits must be proved. If you are not able to prove them, you have the advice of Gamaliel* to postpone judgment. Hitherto I have heard of nothing said or done by them which Satan could not emulate. Do you, in my place, search out whether they can prove their calling. For God never sent anyone who was not either called by men or attested by mira- ,dfis, not even His own Son. The ancient prophets had their authority from the law and from the prophetic rank, as we now have ours from the appointment of men. Do not by any means receive them if they assert that they are called by mere revelation, for God would not speak even to Samuel until Eli knew it and gave his consent. This is the first thing and belong^ to the public function of teaching.

But now to discover their private spirit, inquire whether they have experienced those spiritual straitening^, that divine birth and death and infernal torture. If you find that their

^ Supra, no. 519. Capito's letter, which accomiMmied it, in Enden, iti, tS9fi,

'In indulgences. Vide tupra, no. 515.

"The "Zwickau prophets." V%d§ supra, no. sao.


 * John iv, I.

•Acts V, 38.

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