Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1521-1530.djvu/91

 contiguous to our lands and duchy,* adherents of their doctrine, have received the holy sacrament in both kinds, as follows: — the said renegade monks consecrate the holy sacrament with German words and in worldly dress, and give it into the hands of those who receive it, allowing them to take it themselves and handle it; in like manner they consecrate the wine in a cup, with German words, and give the same into the hands of the laity and allow them to drink of it as they will.

Inasmuch, then, as these and many other unchristian doc- trines and works, too numerous to write, are preached, taught and practiced in places that border on our lands, and as we have been commanded * by the Imperial Council to take cogni- zance of these things, and so far as possible to suppress and prevent them, it is proper that, as a Christian duty, and as an act of obedience to the Holy Empire, we should, as far as possible, prevent our subjects from being poisoned, to the peril of their souls' salvation, by the forbidden and unchris- tian doctrines of Martin Luther and his followers, as preached by the renegade monks or others. It is, therefore, our desire that you take good heed to this matter, and if there come into your courts, or if you shall discover any such renegade monks in worldly dress, or secular priests or others who are trying to seduce your subjects with the aforesaid forbidden and unchristian doctrine of Martin Luther or his disciples, or any who venture to receive the Holy Sacrament in both kinds, you will place them all in prison and keep them securely until further commands from us, so that we may inflict suita- ble punishment upon them, and you will in no wise allow them to escape you.

Moreover, if you or yours have anyone in universities, schools or other places where these unchristian works are taught and practiced, you will summon them thence, and hereafter neither send anyone there nor allow anyone to be sent, so that the young people, who are inclined to evil, may not be led into these unchristian works and errors. In this matter you will allow nothing to hinder or divert you, but will render us obedience, as we are confident that you desire

t Wittenberg and Eflenbiirg.


 * The text of this "command" in Gesa, i, aso£E.

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