in which such authorities
shall rule. For it seems as if we resisted their power if we do not do
and leave undone all that they prescribe. Therefore we must take hold
of the first three Commandments and the First Table, and be certain
that no man, neither bishop, nor pope, nor angel, may command or
determine anything that is contrary to or hinders these three
Commandments, or does not help them; and if they attempt such things,
it is not valid and amounts to nothing; and we also sin if we follow
and obey, or even tolerate such acts.

From this it is easy to understand that the commands of fasting do not
include the sick, the pregnant women, or those who for other reasons
cannot fast without injury. And, to rise higher, in our time nothing
comes from Rome but a fair of spiritual wares, which are openly and
shamelessly bought and sold, indulgences, parishes, monastic houses,
bishoprics, provostships, benefices, and every thing that has ever been
founded to God's service far and wide; whereby not only is all money
and wealth of the world drawn and driven to Rome (for this would be the
smallest harm), but the parishes, bishoprics and prelacies are torn to
pieces, deserted, laid waste, and so the people are neglected, God's
Word and God's Name and honor come to naught, and faith is destroyed,
so that at last such institutions and offices fall into the hands not
only of unlearned and unfit men, but the greater part into the hands of
the Romans, the greatest villains in the world. Thus what has been
founded for God's service, for the instruction, government and
improvement of the people, must now serve the stable-boys,
mule-drivers, yea, not to use plainer language, Roman whores and
knaves; yet we have no more thanks than that they mock us for it as
fools.

X. If then such unbearable abuses are all carried on in the Name of God
and St. Peter, just as if God's Name and the spiritual power were
instituted to blaspheme God's honor, to destroy Christendom, body and
soul: we are indeed in duty bound to resist in a proper way as much as
we can. And here we must do like pious children whose parents have
become insane, and first see by what right that which has been founded
for God's service in our lands, or has been ordained to provide for our
children, must be allowed to do its work in Rome, and to lapse here,
where it ought to serve. How can we be so foolish?

Since then bishops and spiritual prelates stand idle in this matter,