Books from the Protestant Reformation

Das hailig ewig wort gots, a sermon on the Christian life, was written by Haug Marschalck, one of the greatest of the lay reformers who was also one of Luther’s earliest supporters. A former soldier with little education, Marschalck developed a mastery of Biblical texts. There is title border and a woodcut at the end showing Christ as “Good Shepherd.” An utterly appealing work for simple laypeople.

In 1520, Hans Sachs became a follower of Luther and devoted himself to the Reformed faith. In Ain Gesprech von den Scheynwercken der Gaystlichen, a dialogue with the baker Peter, Sachs discusses votive offerings and the Mass. There is a woodcut of Peter and Sachs on the title page.

Jakob Strauss' Eyn verstendig trostlich leer uber das wort is an evangelical sermon on St. Paul’s text that a person should first examine themselves before partaking of Holy Communion, which is contrary to the Catholic practice of auricular confession.

An important reformer, Andreas Rudolph Bodenstein von Karlstadt introduced a shortened Mass in German, with a lay chalice. He later broke with Luther. Predig Andresen Bodenstein von Carolstat tzu Wittenberg, Von empfahung des heyligen Sacraments is a sermon by Bodenstein in Wittenberg on the reception of the Holy Sacrament.

Prieres ordinaires des soldatz de l'armee... features bilingual prayers in French and German commissioned by the Prince of Conde for use by the Calvinist and Lutheran troops during the French civil wars.