320 LETTERS OF MARTIN LUTHER 1535 if you might, with a good conscience, have preaching in your house (as your pastor has no objections), solely for your own people, and no outsiders belonging to the church. If your pastor permit it, then you may have it till it is forbidden you, for you are not expected to please every one, although eventually you may be compelled to give way to the powers that be. Each one in things like these takes the responsibility upon himself. And do not mind although the preacher may not have been consecrated by a bishop, for it is not to the office of preacher he is set apart, but rather to the practice of private mass, and such priests are Baals and Jeroboams. Whoever is called is consecrated, and may preach to those who have called him ; that is our Lord's consecration and ordination, and is a right honourable one. My housewife sends her kind regards to you all. I commit you to God, Amen, At Wittenberg, Sunday. Martin Luther, (De Wette.) CCCXXXIV To Gereon Seiler, Doctor of Medicine in Augsburg Luther wrote seven letters on this day, although very weak at this time. October 5, 1535. Grace and peace in Christ ! Your letter, my excellent Herr Doctor, was a great joy to me, not only for itself, but because so many dear travellers accompanied it, whom I received as emissaries of good tidings of peace and salvation with every respect and delight. Christ, who laid the foundation of this unanimity, will perfect His work. Amen. At your request I communicate to all the brethren, with every expression of esteem, my heart- felt satisfaction at the renewed efforts for union. You can discuss my proposal for meeting together with vour party, and communicate your decision to me, so that I may let the Prince and all our people know. Herr Melanchthon has, for many weighty reasons, given up his proposed journey to PVance. For we have
