# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1884_S77
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

of the Ev. Luth. Synodical Conference of North America. 1884. 75

took the matter seriously. Yes, I hold that they still mock the Pope only as Epicureans; but I took up the matters in earnest, as one who feared the Last Day anxiously and was dismayed, and yet from the bottom of my heart desired to be saved. Therefore you will find, Christian reader, in these my first writings how many and how great articles I humbly conceded and granted to the Pope, which I afterwards, and at this time, held and condemned as the highest blasphemies and abominations, and so still hold and condemn. Be pleased, therefore, to ascribe this my error, or (as my adversaries spitefully interpret it) unequal, contradictory speeches, to the time and my ignorance. . . I tell this in order that, when you, dearest reader, run through my books, you may remember that I too am one, as said above, of those of whom St. Augustine writes of himself, who have grown by writing and teaching." (Preface to the first volume of his Latin books. From the year 1545. XIV, 428 f. 463.)

Luther also expresses himself on the right position of a Lutheran toward him and his writings as follows: "Many are they who believe for my sake, but those alone are the upright who remain therein, even if they heard that I myself (God forbid) denied and renounced it. These are they who ask nothing as to what evil, horrible, shameful things they hear of me or of our people. For they do not believe in Luther, but in Christ himself. The Word has them, and they have the Word: Luther they let go, whether he be a knave or holy. God can speak through Balaam as well as through Isaiah, through Caiaphas as through Peter, yes, through an ass. With these I hold too. For I myself also do not know Luther, nor will I know him; I preach nothing of him either, but of Christ. The devil may take him, if he can; but let him leave Christ in peace, and we shall do well enough." (Missive to Hartmuth von Cronberg, of the year 1522. XV, 1988 f.)

God help us to be such Lutherans and ever more to become such! Amen, in Jesus' name, Amen.