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296 LETTERS OF MARTIN LUTHER 1534 in view, and that you might soon regret the step. But I may be wrong. Only I fear our friend might be deprived of his repose and launched into unrest and storms. You are a clever man, and will weigh what is most conducive to your peace. On the other hand, I see that the wind has changed, and the princes and towns are most anxious to get eloquent preachers, if only to vie with and boast of to others. I am curious to hear your opinion of my pamphlet on private mass. It is said that I have offended many good and weak consciences. My Kathie sends greetings. I commend you to Christ, Martin Luther. CCCVII To Nicolas Hausmann Hausmann invited by the Prince of Anhalt to preach before him. February 8, 1534.. Grace and peace ! Magister George Held asked me, in your name, to let you know how you should preach on baptism, as the Archbishop of Mayence and his brother are to be present. First of all, handle the doctrine in an amicable spirit, not trying to refute the opposite party, so that this God- forgotten oppressor may not fancy the sermon was intended to embitter them. And then enlarge on baptism, even as the Papists themselves would have to do, but never name them, to avoid occasion for reproach, giving a simple exposition of the subject. The prerogatives of baptism are these. The sacred water is administered according to God's Word, and is not of man's invention — that it is a fresh covenant between God and the nations, to their everlasting salvation, and is God's work, and therefore cannot be sulHed by any sin on the part of the dispenser. That there is one baptism, which must be appropriated through faith to be efficacious, and dare not be repeated, except through a blasphemous denial of the first ceremony, cannot be denied. It must accompany us through Hfe, adorning the walk with the fruits of faith, thus surpassing