Melanchthon: Articuli de quibus egerunt per visitatores in regione Saxoniae. Wittenb., 1527.
Reprinted in the Corpus Reform., vol. XXVI. (1858), 9–28. The same in German with preface
by Luther: Unterricht der Visitatoren an die Pfarrherrn im Kurfürstenthum zu Sachsen. Wittenb.,
- In Walch, X. 1902, and in Corp. Reform., XXVI. 29–40. Also Luther’s Letters to Elector
John, from the years 1525 to 1527, in De Wette, vol. III. 38 sqq.
Burkhardt: Gesch. der sächsischen Kirchen- und Schulvisitationen von 1524–45. Leipzig, 1879.
Köstlin: M. L., II. 23–49.
In order to abolish ecclesiastical abuses, to introduce reforms in doctrine, worship, and discipline,
and to establish Christian schools throughout the electorate of Saxony, Luther proposed a general
visitation of all the churches. This was properly the work of bishops. But, as there were none in
Saxony who favored the Reformation, he repeatedly urged the Elector John, soon after he succeeded
his brother Frederick, to institute an episcopal visitation of the churches in his territory, and to
divide it into three or four districts, each to be visited by two noblemen or magistrates.^724 He
presented to him, in his strong way, the deplorable condition of the church: the fear of God, and
discipline are gone; the common people have lost all respect for the preachers, pay no more offerings,
and let them starve; since the Pope’s tyranny is abolished, everybody does as he pleases. We shall
soon have no churches, no schools, no pupils, unless the magistrates restore order, and take care
at least of the youth, whatever may become of the old people.^725
It was a dangerous step, and the entering wedge of a new caesaropapacy,—the rule of
statecraft over priestcraft. But it seemed to be the only available help under the circumstances, and
certainly served a very useful purpose. Luther had full confidence in the God-fearing Elector, that
he would not abuse the authority thus temporarily conferred on him.
The Elector, after considerable delay, resolved upon the visitation in July, 1527, on the
quasi-legal basis of the Diet of Speier, which a year before had temporarily suspended, but by no
means abolished, the Edict of Worms. He directed Melanchthon to prepare a "formula of doctrine
and rites" for the instruction of the visitors. Melanchthon elaborated in Latin, and more fully in
German, a summary of the evangelical doctrines of faith and duty, which may be regarded as the
first basis of the Augsburg Confession. He treats, in seventeen articles, of faith, the cross (affliction),
prayer, the fruits of the Spirit, the magistrate, the fear of God, righteousness, judgment, the
sacraments (Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and Confession), the sign of the eucharist, penitence,
marriage, prohibited cases, human traditions, Christian liberty, free-will, and the law. The order is
not very logical, and differs somewhat in the German edition. The work was finished in December,
1527.
Luther wrote a popular preface and notes to the German edition, and explained the object.
He shows the importance of church visitation, from the example of the apostles and the primary
aim of the episcopal office; for a bishop, as the term indicates, is an overseer of the churches, and
an archbishop is an overseer of the bishops. But the bishops have become worldly lords, and neglect
their spiritual duties. Now, as the pure gospel has returned, or first begun, we need a true episcopacy;
and, as nobody has a proper authority or divine command, we asked the Elector, as our divinely
(^724) See his letters of Oct. 31, 1525, Nov. 30, 1525, Nov. 22, 1526, Feb. 5, 1527, Oct. 12, 1527.
(^725) "Wollen die Alten ja nicht, mögen sie immer zum Teufel hinfahren. Aber wo die Jugend versäumet und unerzogen bleibt, da ist die
Schuld der Obrigkeit" (De Wette, III. 136). In the same letter he says that the people live "wie die Säue: da ist keine Furcht Gottes, noch
Zucht mehr, weit des Papstes Bann ist abgegangen, und thut jedermann was er nur will."