our opponents condemn themselves. For princes ought to put down public crimes like perjury and open blasphemy of God's name, such as they indulge in, in the meantime not forcing them to believe that what the government prohibits is wrong, not even if they secretly curse at it We speak of public curs- ing and blasphemy, with which they blaspheme our God. This, I say, we ought to put down if we can; if not we are obliged to submit to it. By this no one is forced to the evangelical faith, although our enemies would, if they could, force men to their impious opinions, and not being able to do it, conspire with those who do it, and are therefore worthy of punishment as particeps criminis. As for a precedent, we have a sufficient one in Christ expelling the buyers and sellers from the temple with force and blows. Keep on, therefore, and be not moved by what they say. Farewell in the Lord with your wife. When Brisger goes to your wedding I shall send a little present.
Martin Luther.
716. LUTHER TO THE ELECTOR JOHN OF SAXONY.* DeWette, iii, 51; German. WrrrENBSSG, November 30, 1525.
God's grace and peace in Christ. Highborn Prince, gracious Lord. Your Grac^ has replied to my suggestion that the parishes generally be investigated. It is not my idea that all the pastors should be paid out of your Grace's treasury, but because your Grace graciously asks my judgment about how the matter shall be undertaken, I give it as my humble opinion that your Grace should cause all the parishes in the principality to be inspected, and if it is found that the people desire evan- gelical preachers and the parish funds are insufficient for their support, then your Grace should command that the community must pay a certain sum annually, either through the town coun- cil or otherwise. For if they desire pastors, it is your Grace's office to hold them to the duty of rewarding the laborers, as the Gospel commands.
Such a visitation might be conducted in this way. Your Grace might divide his dominions into four or five parts and send into each part two men, chosen from the nobles, perhaps, or the officials, who would inform themselves about these
- Luther's reply to the Elector** letter of November 7 (nt^a, no. 7x4).
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