Hand-painters, carvers and goldsmiths,
Glass-painters, silk-workers, coppersmiths,
Stone-masons, carpenters and joiners,
’Gainst all these did Luther wield a sword.
From Thee we ask a verdict, Lord.”
In the poet’s industrious and artistic native town the decline must have been particularly noticeable. According to the popular Lutheran poet of Nuremberg the fault is with the complainants themselves, who,
“With scorn disdain
From greed of gain”
the Word of Christ. “They must cease worrying about worldly goods like the heathen, but must seek the Kingdom of God with eagerness.”[797]
It is perfectly true that the words that Hans Sachs on this occasion places in the mouth of the complainant are unfair to Luther:
“All church building and adorning he despises,
Treats with scorning,
He not wise is.”[798]
For in spite of his attacks on the veneration of images, on the Catholic doctrine of the Eucharist and the meritoriousness of pious foundations, Luther was, nevertheless, not so “unwise” as to despise the “building and adorning” of the churches, where, after all, the congregation must assemble for preaching, communion and prayer.[799]