Second Commentary on the Doctrine of Abstinence

he inserts them into the annals, preserves them sacredly once inserted, and repels the detractions of others at every turn. The ancients boasted magnificently that religion as well as doctrine originated in Athens, and from there were distributed to all parts. We seem much more fortunate than the Attic citizens. Among us—which is agreed upon by all good men—religion has been reborn from the beginning. Among us, handed down both publicly and privately, it has traveled far and wide with the colonies of Luther and Philipp to the most remote shores of nations. Among us, the same religion has been preserved so purely and integrally to this time that it could not be corrupted from within by any contagion of the age. We therefore rightfully boast of our Elector Princes, divinely inspired to adopt the doctrine of Luther; of our Elector Princes, for whom fame, the guardian of eternity, has established a monument more lasting than bronze, which no oblivion of posterity, no force of time, no series of years, and no antiquity can abolish.

VIIII

So much more easily, I believe, will my purpose be approved by all good men—namely, to scatter flowers upon the tombs of such great Princes and to venerate, as is right, their ancestral reputation, which has been brought into jeopardy by those who, in previous years and in our own, have recounted them with great contention of spirit