WEe IOHN STGISMOND by the grace of GOD , Marquesse of Brandenburgh , Arch-Chamberlaine of the sacred Roman Empire , and Prince Elector , Duke in Prussia , of Gulyke , Cle●e , Berg , Sretin , Pomern , of the Cass●bians & Wandals ; also in Slesia , of Crossen and Jogernedorff : Vicount of Nurnberg Prince of Rugen , Earle of Marke and R●uensberg , Lord of Rauenstein . To our welbeloued and trustie , the most reuerend religious , high , wel learned and deuoted , all and singular , generall and speciall Superintendants Prelates , Ouerseers . Parish Priests : And in generall , To all Ministers of the Church vnder our Dominions , of the Electorats and Marquessate of Brandenburg , on this and the other side of the Riuer of Oder , doe send our greeting ; And besides we doe declare and let them know , That godly and Religious Princes , Soueraignes , and Magistrates in all Countries , and at all times haue considered properly to belong to their high places , offices , and charges to looke vnto subordinate causes , and to endeuor themselues , That all the vnneedfull and friuolous contentions and disputations in the Pulpits , and all calumniations and comminations may be abolished , put downe , and taken away out of the Church , but especially such as stifle , and ouer-boldly doe vndertake the same , and contrary to all Christian loue and charity , arrogantly doe eyther assume or presume authority , to censure , taxe , and pronounce for Heretickes , yea and wholly to disallow and condemne other churches within and without the Empire ( ouer which they haue not any charge to command or censure ) not only with vnseemly sharp and bitter words , but also with all kinde of notable and malicious surnames and slaunders , whereby the common people is not onely scandalized , and the Church preiudiced : But the edisication thereof is also apparently hindered .

And to omit and leaue all ancient examples and presidents of other Princes , That haue beene carefull and prouident to take order for all such triuiall and friuolous contentions and disputations in the Pulpits or else where , wee finde a commendable Example , and Memoriall of the late excellent prince Elector , Augustus of Saxonia , in the yeare of our Lord God 1566. and of the Dukes also of Brownswicke and Lunenburg , in the yeare of our Lord 1562. in the name of the common and generall churches of lowe Saxonia . Likewise the prince Elector Christian the first of Saxonia , and duke Ioachim Fredericke at Lignitz and Brieg , in the yeare 1601 , Princes of famous memory haue left behind them this most commendable Example to immitate them . And not onely the aforesaid Presidents haue moued vs heereunto , but also amongst others this is not the least ; That we haue had conference with other Electors princes , and States , ( howbeit there are very many amongst them , that do professe D. Luthers doctrine , yet we are agreed together ) That in our countries and dominions also should be taken such order and prouision , that there might euery way bee vsed and obserued all discretion and moderation by the Clergie in the Pulpits , and other publike assemblies : For to shun and auoyd all scandall ; perturbation , or rather an intrication of consciences , and preiudice to the Church . Therefore euery man may easily perceiue and consider , what griefe it hath beene vnto vs . That now , a reasonable long time , there hath , by some of you ( for in generall I can not accuse you ) and surely by such as are induced and entised thereunto , not out of a speciall zeale towards the truth of GOD , but rather out of ambition , arrogancie and pride , yet they could say and speake the least to it , if it should come to a triall , or else , if they could but get a little gaine by it , they would turne quite papists , because that they seeke rather to be praised by men then God ; beene vsed without all shame and feare , so many acclamations , condemnations , slanderings , thunderings , and reproachings , and at many times little regarding whether they bring foorth the truth or vntruth or whether it be fitting or not fitting in the pulpit , but onely to discomfort true Christians , and to make them grieue at it , when they in cooling their stomackes doe powre out their gall and venime , and make the Jesuites and Papists ( our common and publique enemies ) reioyce at it and make a laughing stocke of vs ; besides this , they doe heere withall , but heape vpon themselues , and vpon their Auditors , the anger and wrath of God . For the holy ▪ Scripture teacheth vs quite otherwise , not willing that they that are vnited , and agreed with vs in the true grounds of faith and religion , and constantly and faithfully beleeue onely to be saued by , and through GODS mercy & the most precious merits of our only redeemer , Mediator and Sauiour Jesus Christ ▪ excluding and putting away all other Mediators and helpers , should either haue any priuate disturbance of conscience , or receiue other wrongs by publique scandals and calumniations , nor such as doe with vs also plant foorth Christ his Gospel , and stiffely fight for the same , and for the Gospels sake , yet haue they sustained and suffred of the Pope and his followers ( common enemies of our true Religion ) many innumerable persecutions , and doe daily sustaine and suffer them still , yea they haue very often with a speciall courage and magnanimity , gladly spent their bloods for the Gospels sake , then why should they bee excluded and seperated out and from the Christian Communion ? Moreouer , the Scripture doth very earnestly commaund vs : That all matters in controuersie and in question should not be rebuked , reprooued , and contradicted by friuolous wordes , and slander , ( which is the proper nature of the Diuell ) nor by heare-saying , and false witnesses , nor in malicious and detestable manner , but out of meere ground of the word of God . The Scripture commandeth moreouer , that it shall bee done and performed with Christian loue , and a meeke spirit , with friendship , patience , and with hartie compassion of those that be in error , and not with contentious , slanderous , and iniurious wordes to the vndoing and destruction of the erroneous . Therefore euery one can iudge by himselfe , how farre these thundering exclaimers , aboue mentioned , doe destray from the right way , and what insupportable iudgement in the end shall come vpon them that doe indeuor themselues to rule much more ouer the consciences of man , then to further and increase the Church of God with good examples .

And forasmuch as it belongeth vnto vs , as Soueraigne of these countries ▪ by God appointed to follow and vse our office according vnto the first and the second Table of the ten Commandements of God ; and because we will not make our selues partakers of such heauie sins : Therefore we doe statute , ordaine , and command ( howbeit many of you are already personally admonished thereof , although little by you regarded , ) That yee heereafter shall indeuor your selues to preach and teach to the congregation and flocke committed to your seueral charges , the pure and cleare word of GOD , out of the Scriptures , of the Prophets , and Apostles , out of the foure capitall Symboles or Creedes , out of the reformed confession of Augspurg and the Apologie thereof , and without any deprauation and falsifying of the Scriptures , as also without the formular glosses of new Doctrine , which some lazie , curious , and prowd Theologians haue deuised and forged amongst themselues , to obtaine therewith the primacie in the Church and Secular power to themselues ye shall teach therefore and instruct the people with the pure word of God : For you shall draw more soules to the church of Christ , in seeking only the honor and glory of God , and the saluation of the people . And to the contrarie , you shal leaue and shunne all railing , slandering , cursing , and banning other Churches that are not committed to your charges , and which as yet neuer were conuicted of anie errour by their due confession . For we cannot for conscience sake , longer abide and be silent vnto the same , and therefore if wee doe heare and perceiue , That one or more amongst you ( whosoeuer hee or they bee , none excepted ) that shall heereafter contemptuously transgresse this our earnest and straight Edict , being conformable to the word of God , they may certainely assure themselues , that they shall be sent for foorthwith to appeare at the Court , and there in our behalfe to be heard , and our meaning propounded vnto them . And if we then yet cannot perceiue amendment in them , that he or they shall be put out of their place and office , and dismissed the same . Likewise they there shall be proceeded against with due iustice , and seueritie of the Law that being sent for will not appeare , that they may bee brought to obedience : And wee doe admit and grant , and it is not against our will and pleasure , that if there be any zealous and curious among them that shall thinke their consciences to bee too straightly and narrowly charged with this our Christianlike and well-minded Edict and Proclamation , that they may prouide themselues otherwise with our full and free liberty and consent , and depart out of our Dominions , and take their residence in such places where such vnchristian contentions , railings , calumniations , slandering , cursing , and banning other Christians and their co-members may be permitted and allowed vnto them : For which they may expect , in time , of God Almightie their reward . Moreouer , we do statute , and our will and pleasure is , That if any of our Clergie for obeying this our Edict & commaund should be inuaded by other peace-hating people , and prouoked and entised to enter into dispute with them by preaching or writing . That they to the contrary shall not commence nor beginne any thing without our speciall priuitie , consent and leaue , much lesse to make any strife amongst them , but rather shall bee contented by the testimony and witnes of his conscience , and that he or they are innocent and vnguilty to the actions and doings pretended by other vnquiet spirites . And we doe not doubt , That as we haue publikely proclaimed and openly published vnto all men this our Edict or Proclamation by induction of the word of God , onely to the end to procure , establish and further the peace , quietnes , vnitie , and edification of the Church in those Countries which are by the Almightie GOD committed vnto vs in these last and very dangerous days , wherein the Roman Antichrist thirsteth more , then before , after the blood of true Christians . That also euery one amongst you will be diligent , and indeuour themselues to maintaine peace , and vnitie , to auoyd all scandalls , and to shew their duetifull obedience , considering the command of the Apostle Paul , whereby hee doth admonish and exhort euery one to be obedient to their Soueraignes and Magistrates , and that yee may know that they doe not beare the sword for nothing , and in vaine , and that yee doe not moue vs to displeasure or indignation , or to vse against you the streight and sharp course of the Lawe . And hereby you shall fullfill our gracious , and likewise finall will , and good meaning , which towards you ( vpon sure confidence of duetifull acknowledgement and obedience ) we will be alwayes willing and ready to make manifest . In witnesse whereof wee haue commanded our Signet to be heereupon imprinted . Dated at our Court at Colln vpon the Riuer of Sprew the 24. day of the moneth of February 1614.