Ratio ineundae Concordiae inter Ecclesias reformatas, sive, quibus modis occurri possit mirificis artibus, quibus pontificii per quosdam imprudentes theologos universas Christi ecclesias potissimum autem et primum Germanicas pessundare conantur

I for one will gladly acknowledge him as a brother. For the mysteries of our religion must be treated and explained with great consideration, piety, and the fear of God. But I wish that controversial matters were brought to a point where this subject became merely a matter of testimony: for I am firmly persuaded that the presiding officers and all pious theologians who are to attend the Synod will easily approve and confirm this medium by unanimous consent, for the sake of concord and tranquility. Furthermore, I do not doubt that the Most Serene Queen of England, out of her singular kindness and incredible zeal for establishing public peace, will not only approve such a decree as most necessary, but will also promise that if anyone in her empire violates it in writing, or publicly or privately, or in any way, she will severely punish them as a disturber of the public peace. And if other Kings, Princes, and Evangelical Magistrates were to do the same, peace would be easily maintained and preserved. It is to be hoped (once that fervor of contention has subsided somewhat) that soon after, with divine help, the prudence and authority of Princes, and the salutary counsels of pious theologians, a general, firm, certain, and inviolable peace will be restored to the Churches of Christ. This is Luther's counsel and judgment for restoring and preserving peace, as is manifest from the letter he wrote to the Helvetic Swiss Churches on the 1st of December 1537. For this reason, I thought I would be doing something worthwhile if I appended it to this writing.

THE RESPONSE OF DOCTOR MARTIN LUTHER, to the Declaration transmitted to him by the Evangelical cities of the Swiss, for the sake of Concord.

To the distinguished and prudent men, the Lords Consuls, Aldermen, Mayors, Senators, and to all the citizens in general of the confederated cities of Zurich, Bern, Basel, Schaffhausen, Saint Gall, and Bienne, my singular Lords, patrons, and best friends.