Report on Whether Secular Authority Should Suppress the Writings of Enthusiasts

falls. Love cannot well restrain itself; it laments and weeps for those who separate themselves from the Church through fanaticism fanaticism: 'Schwermereien', referring to the radical spiritualist movements that broke away from the mainstream Reformation. But for that reason, one must not question God's judgment original: 'in sein vrteil reden', literally 'to speak into His judgment', meaning to second-guess God's justice or the divine will.

IT was indeed announced long ago by Jesus Christ, but to us for comfort. What then? That there will be no measure nor end to the mastery and cleverness the text uses 'meisterns' and 'klügelns' to describe those who presumptuously think they can improve upon or outsmart God’s Word against His simple and eternal truth; so much so that even the chosen children of God—if it were possible for someone to tear those whom His Father gave Him out of His hand—would be led into error. This is said for no other reason than that the Devil's poison and cunning in these final days of wrath—directed against the Word, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper—shall make great progress and inflict great damage on the Church of Christ, as is clearly evident before our eyes. The dear Son of God has also, alongside other signs of His coming in the clouds, commanded us to take note of this: that in the final time before the end of the world, there will be various factions factions: 'Rotten', often used disparagingly for rebellious or unauthorized religious groups and sects sects: 'Secten', groups that have split from the established body of the church. Even among those where five live in one house, the two shall be against the three, and the three against the two a reference to the prophecy of division in Luke 12:52. And that should indeed keep us all in fear, so that having recognized the truth of God’s Word and His Sacraments, we do not become complacent. Just as St. Paul reminds us of such a fall when he says: "He who stands, let him take heed lest he fall" 1 Corinthians 10:12.

BUt enough of that. May Your Worship original: 'E.W.', likely 'Euer Weisheit' (Your Wisdom), a formal title for a magistrate or city councilor accept this service of mine in the best spirit, and [protect] me and this my work against all calumnia... the text cuts off mid-word; it likely intends 'Calumnianten', meaning slanderers or false accusers