[674] Ibid.
[675] “Allg. deutsche Biographie,” 7, p. 781 (Flathe).
[676] Hausrath, loc. cit., 2, p. 67.
[677] Ibid., p. 68.
[678] “Martin Luthers Werke für das deutsche Volk,” 1907, p. xiii.
[679] Hausrath, ibid., 2, p. 390.
[680] “Briefwechsel,” 11, p. 209, from the original at Weimar, written by Bugenhagen: “Utcunque sint in quibusdam peccatores et non in omnibus puri, calumniantibus hoc etiam vel forte accusantibus adversariis, tamen confidant de Domini bonitate,” etc. And before this, concerning the “adversariorum clamores ‘Rapiunt bona ecclesiastica,’” etc., they were to comfort themselves, “quia non sic rapiunt, quemadmodum quidam alii; video enim eos per hæc bona curare quæ sunt religionis. Si quid præterea ipsis ex talibus bonis accedit, quis potius ea susciperet? Principum sunt talia, non nebulonum papistarum.” The general spoliation of church property disturbed his mind, as we can see, but he overcomes his scruples, and persuades himself that their action, like his own, was really directed against Antichrist: “Iube meis verbis, ut faciant in Deo confidenter pro causa evangelii quicquid Spiritus sanctus suggesserit; non præscribo eis modum. Misericors Deus confortet eos, ut maneant in ista sana doctrina et gratias agant, quod sunt liberati ab Antichristo.”
[681] Ellinger, “Melanchthon,” p. 588.
[682] This ex-priest, Michael Kramer, first took a wife at Cunitz, and when she began to lead a bad life, married a second at Dommitzsch “on the strength of an advice secured.” On account of matrimonial squabbles he married a third time, after obtaining advice from Luther through the magistrates. C. A. Burkhardt, “Briefwechsel Luthers,” p. 87; cp. his “Gesch. d. sächs. Kirchen- und Schulvisitationen,” p. 48.
[683] “Corp. ref.,” 1, pp. 888, 913, 982. Döllinger, “Reformation,” 1, pp. 362 f., 369. Above, vol. iii., p. 324.