¶ A compendious letter which John Pomerane curate of the congregation at Wittenberg sent to the faithful christian congregation in England.  
1536.   

GRace be with you, and peace from god our father, & from our Lord jesus Chryst. We could not but rejoice, when we heard that in England as in other countries the joyful message of the glory of God was very well taken of diverse. Not withstanding, this also is showed us that many weaklings yet be drawn bake again because of unknown rumours that there be noised of us by them that withstand the gospel of God, This is our rejoicing: Nevertheless I think it not need to withstand such lies as be uttered against the preachers of the gospel. For whereto should this blessing be meet else, namely Blessed be ye 
Math. 5.  when men curse you, and revile you, etc. But we do not allow, & support if any body under pretence of christian liberty behave himself unchristenly: for all they that have taken upon them the name of Chryst, have also put on Chryst. And this we marvel of, why some with you fear to take upon them the holy gospel of Christ by reason of the mysreporte that we are misreported not remembering that it behoveth the son of God to be reproved of the world & the preaching of 
Math. 16. 1. Corin, 1.  the cross to be counted foolishness Though it were true that men do falsely surmise upon us, for Christ's cause, should not they therefore accept the glad tidings of health so freely offered them of God? What point is more foolish than this, namely that you be more curious unto my wickedness than to your own health. Wilt thou therefore be no Christian, because I am a sinner? Why do not they rather follow the rule of Paul saying: Prove all 
1. Tessa. 5  things, & keep that which is good. If I shall have respect to man's righteousness or unrighteousness, when shall I be delivered from error (whereby the whole world did near perish) and know the rightwiseness of god? Now will the rude say who can perceive this doubtful things? for men dispute of man's free will, of vows, and monastical sects, of shrift & satisfactions, of the abuse of the blessed sacrament of worshipping of saints that be dead, and such like. Some other say we fear lest under this variance be some poison hid, and mychefe. As though we went about with enticing words of man's wisdom, 
1. Cor. 2.  and not with evident scriptures against whom the gates of 
Math. 16,  hell hitherto could not prevail? Or as though our adversaries brought any thing else for them against us save statutes, and traditions of men, the which God doth damn Isaiah. xxix. and Christ Math. xv. But what poison do ye fear here, whiles we attempt nothing in secret: but we propone all our doings to the whole worlds judgement And because thou shalt not excuse thyself with the diversity of 
joh. 18,  doctrines, to be short, we teach but one artikle, though we preach much daily, and write much, and do many things for our adversaries, that they also may be saved. And this is the artykle, namely:  

¶ Christ is our ryghtuysnese.  
〈◊〉 he is become unto us of ●od the father, wisdom, justice satisfaction, and redemption. 
Ephe 1, 2.  He that doth not grant us that, is no Christian man, and he that doth grant us it, will soon give over all rightwiseness of men. Here shall the heresy of Pelagius nothing avail, wherewith (though they have altered the words) those persons are infect, which boast themselves only to be Christians. The con fydence of sects, and outward works as are now adays shall not profit us, the which our Pharisees have brought unto us refusing the shame of Christ's cross, in that they set our works in Christ'S stead.  
Against whom, and against the whole kingdom of Satan, we bring forth this most sure argument with Paul saying: If ryghtwesnesse come by the law 
Gala, 2,  & our own free will, than died Christ in vain Gala. two. This rightwiseness which is Chryst, hath witness of the law, and prophets. But they that follow 
Rom. iii  their own rightwiseness, do never attain to the true righteousness 
Rom. 9  as the jews did. For they can not be brought subject under the rightwiseness of God 
Rom, 10  This rightwiseness of Christ is thine if thou receive Christ by faith. For Chryst died not forhymself 
1. Petri. 2.  or for his own sins, but for the and thy sins. therefore, what other thing soever thou attemptest to be made righteous by (that is) to be made fire from the displeasure of God, from sin, from death, and from hell, it is all but hypocrisy falsed, and wickedness, hath it never so fair a pretence of holiness. For it shall strive against the grace of God, and deny Christ. Peradventure thou wilt ask what our opinion & teachig is of costumes, of worshipping of God, of the sacraments, and such like. To this I answer, that Christ which is become our rightwiseness, is all so our teacher: What soever he hath taught us by his word that council we to be observed, like as he himself hath commanded in the last chapter of Matthew. first of all he hath taught this to be the work of God, that we 
joh. 6.  believe in him whom the father hath sent us. And who so believeth in him he is a good tree, & 
Math. 7  can not but bring good fruit at his season: not that fruit which hypocrisy feigneth, but that fruit which the spirit of God bringeth forth there, of his own accord. For they which be led 
Cal. 4 1. Petri. 4  with Christ's spirit, they be the children of God. Wherefore he shall live soberly, godly, and righteously: he shall worship God in spirit and truth, and 
Ioll. 2.  not in elements of this world, not in change of meats, and diversity of vesture, or other hypocrisy. He shall believe or feel of the sacraments that, which God hath taught and ordained. He shall serve his neghburei tea chige, counsel, prayer, in his substance, ye with the apparel of his life also, not to his friend only, but also to his enemy. These things hath Christ taught. To these draweth the nature of the spirit the hearts of them that believe: & all these teach we to be done. And for as much as we be yet in the flesh, whatsoever is not done by the motion of these, doth not satisfy and recompense God. And because we sin day lie, therefore we teach with christ that forgiveness of sin be continually desired. Christ's command dement to pray was: forgive us our debts. etc. And for this faithful trust i god we assure them that the sin which resteth yet in the flesh shall not once be imputed unto them. Paul sayeth: I find in me (that is in my 
Rom. 7  flesh) no good. But thanks to God that Christ is not 
Mat. 9 Luc. 5.  come hither for the rightwise, but for the unrightwyse & sinners. For publicans & whores shall enter into the kingdom of heaven before the Pharisees supposing them righteous by their works. What will the wicked mouth babbell and say skornfully, seeing we preach, nor teach other things? God sayeth by Moses: Whoso doth not hear 
Deut. 1●  that prophet (meaning Christ) I will be avenged upon him: Let these enemies of the gospel thick this sentence spoken against them. The father also sayeth of Christ: Hear him. And Christ 
Math. 17. joh. 10  himself sayeth: My sheep shall hear my voice and not the voice of strangers. This have I written to you brethren in few words, to testify unto you the rejoicing that I have of you 
Phi. 4 1. Petri. ●  and also to give accounts unto you of the good hope that we have to God against them, that with on shame fast lies pervert and overthrow all that we build. Pray ye to God for us, and for all the saints, and for all our adversaries, that the word of God be known and grow 
Coll. 4  in the world, to his glory and the health of men, thorough jesus Chryst our Lord & savour To whom be glory and power for ever and ever.  
Amen.    

Psal. thirty.  
Let the dying lips be put to silence, which cruelly, dysdaynedly, and despytefully speak against the righteous.