My willing service ... dear, esteemed Sir Volckamer. I have received your reply and I do not doubt that Karlstadt's error regarding Corpus Christi will not persist in any one place for too long, but rather lose favour from day to day. For this error is clearly contrary to Scripture and the Word of God; it is the brainchild of Karlstadt, the product of reason alone with no foundation in Scripture. Truly, Luther has taken him to task in such masterly fashion in his Against the Heavenly Prophets. I wait with some anticipation to see and hear what will come of it. This opinion of Karlstadt has proven offensive to both Christians [Evangelicals] and Catholics alike, which, in my opinion, was why the opposition was that much weaker.
Here the matter stands in good stead. I don't think there is any need to worry that the issue will give rise to bickering or error. For the preachers and my Lords have taken this illness well in hand and as the preachers are against it, there is good reason to trust their followers [will be of the same mind].
At the moment my Lord's dealings with the said clergy stand as follows: fourteen days ago each pastor was given a written copy of the twelve articles (those which Hans Haßler gave to you) and a day has been set on which to meet - not with the intention, however, to allow for disputation (for disputation in this matter has been forbidden [by the Emperor]), but rather just to sound out the clergy on what they think of each article and how they have dealt with the [themes of the] articles in their sermons from the pulpit and how they intend to deal with them in the future. In this way, as Saint Peter says, the believer may give witness to his faith and we will also attempt to see whether they could not be brought to share a common opinion.
For three days now this encounter has taken place in the Town Hall in the presence of the Councillors and other Worthies. On the first day the monks refused most adamantly to attend this meeting, making reference to the recent Imperial mandate which makes their attendance inappropriate. By the second day, however, when they realised how this meeting might affect their lives, they joined in the meeting. They are poor, pitiable people, with no understanding of Scripture, and they have no notion or comprehension of Holy Writ, take legem peccati pro lege gratie, Moses for Christ, and legem pro gratia. In sum, they have no idea. And yet we are strange people to be lenient toward the monks in their dealings, yet we praise them, and we will support them with force. I do not know what end will come of this matter, but as we have started the song on such a high note, so we will, God Willing, (although I have grave doubts concerning this) carry on with it.
Our evangelical preachers bear themselves well. The abbot of Saint Aegidius [Friedrich Pistorius], the two priors [of Saint Sebald and Saint Lorenz], Johann Graumann, Cathedral Preacher of Würzburg (whom my Lords summoned here), and Doctor Christoph Scheurl are presiding over the debate. My Lords have allowed for the public sale of meat two days of the week (Friday and Saturday). This has incited many people to leave and renounce their citizenship. (Psalm 98: The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble.) One must render favour to the people if one wants to maintain God's mercy.
Sir Christoph Kress had some harsh words about my Lord's recent meeting in a letter of complaint to Hans Ebner. He is of the opinion that they are too eager to support the evangelical movement. Eberhard von Radenhausen, the Hessian Councillor, also let it slip that he thinks his lord [Philip of Hesse] has lost his senses in his acceptance of this doctrine. Further, although it would trouble him to get caught up with the rebellious peasants at Ulm, nonetheless he would rather do that than remain here with us and see how our preachers dominate. Now I don't know what Sir Christoph thinks of the matter, but I know, however, that he has never seen the like of it before, how on account of the disputatious sermons it could lead to unrest. For this reason my Lords have done well to get the monks to participate in this undertaking, otherwise the quarrels among them may have put an end to the sermons. [It is better] to have taken this course, to settle and discuss things in a friendly and brotherly manner and come to a unanimous agreement.
I would fain hear whether people think it would be better to wait upon insurmountable harm here at the hands of the common man or adopt the evangelical faith 'too rashly' so that there is uniformity in preaching, which is the bound duty of authority. On the day of the first hearing a considerable number of people gathered before the Town Hall. They wanted to see how it would turn out. They waited on the monks, and would have torn them to shreds. Many cried, they should throw the monks out the windows. Many others said, they should let them [the people] deal with the monks. They know rightly how to debate with them. The monks were followed to their monasteries, the crowd in tow crying at them with insults. If my Lords had not provided the monks with plenty of protection and city soldiers, it would have come to something.
In my opinion it is reasonable to be a bit cautious, though there is no need to attribute incompetence to my Lords in this matter (in which they are so sincere). With this, I place myself at your service. Give Sir Christoph Kress my willing service.
8 March 1525, Lazarus Spengler, City Secretary.
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