g of Babylon. But here perhaps you will
say, "hence, you perceive, that we are to be obedient to the Pope and
are to fall at his feet." Answer: Certainly, if the Pope attains to
temporal power and conducts himself like another sovereign, we are to
be obedient even to him, as when he speaks after this manner: "I
forbid you wearing the cowl or tonsure; besides, on this day you are
to fast, not that it is of any avail before God, nor is necessary to
salvation, but because I, as a temporal ruler, require it." But in
case he goes further, and says, "This, in God's place, I forbid your
doing--this you are also to receive as though it came from God
Himself, and are to observe it under pain of excommunication and
deadly sin," then you are to say, "Pardon, my master, I will not do
it."

To the power we are to be subject, and are to do what it bids, while
it does not bind the conscience and only forbids in respect to
outward things, even though it should proceed tyrannically towards
us; for "if any one will take away thy coat, let him take thy cloak
also." But if it invade the spiritual domain and constrain the
conscience, over which God only must preside and rule, we certainly
should not obey it, but rather even slip our neck out from under it.

Temporal authority and government extend no further than to matters
which are external and respect the body. But the Pope not only
arrogates this to himself, but would seize upon the spiritual also;
and yet he has nothing of it, for his commands have respect to
nothing but clothing, food, canonries and prebends--a matter which
belongs neither to civil nor spiritual control. For how is the world
benefitted by these things? Besides, it is impious to make sins and
good works to consist in such matters, where they do not belong;
wherefore Christ cannot suffer it. But civil government he can well
tolerate, since it does not encumber itself with the matters of sins
and good works, and spiritual concerns, but has to do with other
things,--as protecting and fortifying cities, building bridges,
imposing taxes, gathering tribute, extending protection, guarding the
land and the people, and punishing the evil-doers. Therefore, to such
a prince, while he imposes no ordinance upon the conscience, a
Christian may readily render obedience, and he does it
unconstrainedly, since he is free of all things.

Therefore, whenever an emperor or a prince asks me what my faith is,
I shall tell him, not becaus