Report on Whether Secular Authority Should Suppress the Writings of Enthusiasts

...committed, in which the books of the EnthusiastsOriginal: Schwermer. A derogatory term for radical reformers who claimed direct inspiration from the Holy Spirit, often bypassing traditional scripture and church structure. were taken from them, and in some cases, there was an intent to take them.

I have diligently read through such a booklet, favorable dear lords and friends, but I certainly can find nowhere that he Referring to Martin Luther. forbids the taking away of those writings and books that put forward error and unfairly blaspheme God, His word, Sacrament, and Church. But I do find in Doctor Luther’s books that all authoritiesOriginal: Obrigkeiten. The ruling governing bodies or magistrates. are duty-bound to honor God and to serve the salvation of mankind, to plant pure Christian teaching, and to do away with error and blasphemy (as the SchwenckfeldianFollowers of Caspar Schwenckfeld von Ossig, a contemporary of Luther whose mystical views on the Eucharist led to his persecution by both Catholics and Lutherans. books are full, full, full of such horrors). And he admonishes the secular authorities to use their office diligently in this matter, for the honor of God and for the benefit of themselves and other Christians and for posterity—which is truly not the least of the duties of a Christian authority.

It is true, Doctor Luther writes in the aforementioned booklet and says: "If your prince or secular lord commands you to hold with the Pope, to believe this or that, or commands you to surrender your books, you should say: It is not fitting for LuciferA reference to the pride of the fallen angel; here Luther suggests a prince exceeds his authority by trying to rule over the conscience, which belongs to God alone. to sit next to God. Dear lord, I am duty-bound to obey you with body and property, etc. But if you command me to believe, and to surrender my books, then I will not obey." original: "Hæc Lutherus" These are the words of Luther.

But listen: he was prompted to write such things because at that time (as indeed, unfortunately, even to-