[670] To Wenceslaus Link, Sep. 8, 1541, “Briefe,” 5, p. 399.
[671] Pars 3, art. 9: “Maiorem excommunicationem, quam papa ita nominat, non nisi civilem poenam esse ducimus non pertinentem ad nos ministros ecclesiæ.” “Symbol. Bücher,” ed. Müller-Kolde10, p. 323.
[672] To Tileman Schnabel and the other Hessian clergy, June 26, 1533, “Briefwechsel,” 9, p. 317: “Hoc sæculo excommunicatio maior ne potest quidem in nostram potestatem redigi, et ridiculi fieremus, ante vires, hanc tentantes. Nam quod vos sperare videmini, ut executio vel per ipsum principem fiat, valde incertum est, nec vellem politicum magistratum in id officii misceri,” etc.
[673] N. Paulus, “Hexenwahn und Hexenprozess,” 1911, p. 32, with reference to “Luthers Werke,” Weim. ed., 29, p. 539, where the note of the Wittenberg Deacon, George Rörer to Luther’s sermon of Aug. 22 of that year says: “Hæc prima fuit excommunicatio ab ipso pronuntiata.”
[674] Luther to Leonhard Beier, 1533, “Briefwechsel,” 9, p. 365.
[675] Köstlin-Kawerau, 2, p. 275.
[676] Cp. the passages quoted, ib., p. 675, and Lauterbach, “Tagebuch,” p. 167.
[677] “Colloq.,” ed. Bindseil, 1, p. 291 sqq. Cp. Köstlin-Kawerau, 2, p. 440.
[678] On April 2, 1543, “Briefe,” 5, p. 550. Cp. “Werke,” Erl. ed., 59, pp. 162 ff., 159 f.; “We must set up excommunication again.” In the latter passage he speaks of his action against the Wittenberg Commandant, Hans v. Metzsch.
[679] Lauterbach, “Tagebuch,” p. 42. His words remind us of Luther’s own; above, p. 139.