Works of Martin Luther, with Introductions and Notes (Volume II)

Produced by Michael McDermott, from scans obtained at the
Internet Archive
PHILADELPHIA A. J. HOLMAN Company 1916
Copyright, 1915, by A. J. HOLMAN Company
A TREATISE CONCERNING THE BLESSED SACRAMENT AND CONCERNING THE BROTHERHOODS (1519). Introduction (J. J. Schindel) Translation (J. J. Schindel) A TREATISE CONCERNING THE BAN (1520). Introduction (J. J. Schindel) Translation (J. J. Schindel) AN OPEN LETTER TO THE CHRISTIAN NOBILITY (1520). Introduction (C. M. Jacobs) Translation (C. M. Jacobs) THE BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY OF THE CHURCH (1520). Introduction (A. T. W. Steinhaeuser) Translation (A. T. W. Steinhaeuser) A TREATISE ON CHRISTIAN LIBERTY (1520). Introduction (W. A. Lambert) Translation (W. A. Lambert) A BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, THE CREED, AND THE LORD'S PRAYER (1520). Introduction (C. M. Jacobs) Translation (C. M. Jacobs) THE EIGHT WITTENBERG SERMONS (1522). Introduction (A. Steimle) Translation (A. Steimle) THAT DOCTRINES OF MEN ARE TO BE REJECTED (1522). Introduction (W. A. Lambert) Translation (W. A. Lambert)
1519
This treatise belongs to a series of four which appeared in the latter half of the year 1519, the others treating of the Ban, Penance, and Baptism. The latter two with our treatise form a trilogy which Luther dedicates to the Duchess Margaret of Braunschweig and Lüneburg.
The treatise consists of three main divisions: sections 1 to 3 treating of the outward sign of the sacrament; sections 4 to 16, of the inner significance; sections 17 to 22, of faith. Added to this is the appendix on the subject of the brotherhoods or sodalities, associations of laymen or charitable and devotional purposes. Of these there were many at this time, Wittenberg alone being reported as having twenty-one. Luther objects not only to their immoral conduct, but also to the spiritual pride which they engendered. He finds in the communion of saints the fundamental brotherhood instituted in the holy sacrament, the common brotherhood of all saints.