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Summary: Melanchthon first wrote the Instructions for Church Visitations in 1527 in both German and Latin. He was himself one of the first visitors to put the work to use. As a result some changes were made to the manuscript, and the whole was sent to Luther for the purpose of securing a preface. Luther thought so highly of it that he "adopted" it, and revised it for publication in 1538.

Summary: Melanchthon first wrote the Instructions for Church Visitations in 1527 in both German and Latin. He was himself one of the first visitors to put the work to use. As a result some changes were made to the manuscript, and the whole was sent to Luther for the purpose of securing a preface. Luther thought so highly of it that he "adopted" it, and revised it for publication in 1538.

Summary: Written in Latin in the fall of 1521 under the title De abroganda missa privata, this is the third printing of the first German edition of Martin Luther's important tract on the celebration of private masses. Luther opposed any celebration of the Eucharist that was not accessible to or provided for the congregation at large and felt so strongly about this material that he translated it into German himself.

Summary: Written in Latin in the fall of 1521 under the title De abroganda missa privata, this is the third printing of the first German edition of Martin Luther's important tract on the celebration of private masses. Luther opposed any celebration of the Eucharist that was not accessible to or provided for the congregation at large and felt so strongly about this material that he translated it into German himself.

Summary: This sermon on marriage is an elaboration of an earlier work no longer extant. In its present form there is no set Bible text, nor is the sermon designed for a particular place in the Church year.

Summary: This sermon on marriage is an elaboration of an earlier work no longer extant. In its present form there is no set Bible text, nor is the sermon designed for a particular place in the Church year.

Summary: This sermon on marriage is an elaboration of an earlier work no longer extant. In its present form there is no set Bible text, nor is the sermon designed for a particular place in the Church year.

Summary: This sermon on marriage is an elaboration of an earlier work no longer extant. In its present form there is no set Bible text, nor is the sermon designed for a particular place in the Church year.

Summary: Luther always felt a special fondness for this work. Nearly two decades after writing it, he remembered it as being especially powerful. It elicited response from Catholic opponents five years hence. Luther felt so strongly about this material that he translated it into German himself. The abuse of the title refers to the masses sung by chantry priests for individuals. Luther opposed any celebration of the Eucharist that was not accessible to or provided for the congregation at large.

Summary: Luther always felt a special fondness for this work. Nearly two decades after writing it, he remembered it as being especially powerful. It elicited response from Catholic opponents five years hence. Luther felt so strongly about this material that he translated it into German himself. The abuse of the title refers to the masses sung by chantry priests for individuals. Luther opposed any celebration of the Eucharist that was not accessible to or provided for the congregation at large.

Summary: Second printing of Luther's response to a catechism of the Bohemian Brethren, with special attention to the Adoration of the Host, and to the Real Presence.

Summary: Second printing of Luther's response to a catechism of the Bohemian Brethren, with special attention to the Adoration of the Host, and to the Real Presence.

Summary: First published earlier the same year, Luther's pamphlet Defense of the doctrines of men was one of Luther's most widely read writings with approximately twenty editions appearing in the years 1522 and 1523. Written in honor of Hans von Belepsch who had hosted Luther at the Wartburg as the reformer translated the New Testament. Luther argues that church teachings that have no basis in the Bible, in particular fasting and celibacy, are illegitimate and are to be avoided.

Summary: First published earlier the same year, Luther's pamphlet Defense of the doctrines of men was one of Luther's most widely read writings with approximately twenty editions appearing in the years 1522 and 1523. Written in honor of Hans von Belepsch who had hosted Luther at the Wartburg as the reformer translated the New Testament. Luther argues that church teachings that have no basis in the Bible, in particular fasting and celibacy, are illegitimate and are to be avoided.

Summary: A treatise by Luther on the relationship of belief and practice, intended for those "poor consciences, that lie captive to human laws in cloisters and monastic foundations", as he puts it in his preface. It is also noteworthy that Luther assumes his audience includes both those who could read his writings directly, and those who heard them read by others, when he dedicates his pamphlet "to all who read or hear this little book".

Summary: A treatise by Luther on the relationship of belief and practice, intended for those "poor consciences, that lie captive to human laws in cloisters and monastic foundations", as he puts it in his preface. It is also noteworthy that Luther assumes his audience includes both those who could read his writings directly, and those who heard them read by others, when he dedicates his pamphlet "to all who read or hear this little book".

Summary: After Luther published his "Eight Sermons" of 1522, he decided that there was needed a shorter, more concise statement of these sermons' arguments. This is the third printing of the resulting précis.

Summary: After Luther published his "Eight Sermons" of 1522, he decided that there was needed a shorter, more concise statement of these sermons' arguments. This is the third printing of the resulting précis.

Summary: One of three 1522 printings of an essay on monastic vows written by Luther during his stay at the Wartburg Castle after the Diet of Worms. It is addressed to monks, whose conscience is troubled by the conflict between their vows and their desire to leave the monastic life. Luther frequently referred to this piece throughout his career, and it became one of his most influential works.

Summary: One of three 1522 printings of an essay on monastic vows written by Luther during his stay at the Wartburg Castle after the Diet of Worms. It is addressed to monks, whose conscience is troubled by the conflict between their vows and their desire to leave the monastic life. Luther frequently referred to this piece throughout his career, and it became one of his most influential works.

Summary: This is Luther's tract on auricular confession. The sacrament of penance was the focus of Luther's most vehement criticisms. Not only was the sacrament the course of numerous abuses, indulgence selling among them, but attacks on the efficacy of priestly absolution called into question the sacramental authority of all priests, the pope included.

Summary: This is Luther's tract on auricular confession. The sacrament of penance was the focus of Luther's most vehement criticisms. Not only was the sacrament the course of numerous abuses, indulgence selling among them, but attacks on the efficacy of priestly absolution called into question the sacramental authority of all priests, the pope included.

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Summary: The catalyst for this famous Luther letter was the removal by stealth of nine nuns from the cloister of Nimbschen bei Grimma at Easter in the year 1523. Luther names the nine, which include a sister of Johann Staupitz, Luther's father confessor, and Katharina von Bora, who was to become Luther's wife.

Summary: The catalyst for this famous Luther letter was the removal by stealth of nine nuns from the cloister of Nimbschen bei Grimma at Easter in the year 1523. Luther names the nine, which include a sister of Johann Staupitz, Luther's father confessor, and Katharina von Bora, who was to become Luther's wife.

An engraving depicting the torture of Ursel, a schoolteacher. The image shows Ursel hung by her wrists from a post in a torture chamber being scourged by a man while a crowd watches.

An engraving depicting the torture of Ursel, a schoolteacher. The image shows Ursel hung by her wrists from a post in a torture chamber being scourged by a man while a crowd watches.

Summary: In this piece, Melanchthon sharply attacks the major Anabaptist theological points. This is the second printing of the tract.

Summary: In this piece, Melanchthon sharply attacks the major Anabaptist theological points. This is the second printing of the tract.

Summary: Luther wrote this "Exhortation to the sacraments" during his stay at Coburg Castle in 1530, during the Diet of Augsburg.

Summary: Luther wrote this "Exhortation to the sacraments" during his stay at Coburg Castle in 1530, during the Diet of Augsburg.

Summary: First edition of a brief report of the first Zurich Disputation followed by the 67 Articles read by Zwingli on January 27, 1523. The 67 Articles are often cited in discussions of Luther's 95 Theses and the Augsburg Confession.

Summary: First edition of a brief report of the first Zurich Disputation followed by the 67 Articles read by Zwingli on January 27, 1523. The 67 Articles are often cited in discussions of Luther's 95 Theses and the Augsburg Confession.

Summary: An interpretation on 4 Consolation Psalms (Ps. 37, 62, 94, 109), written by Luther for Queen Mary of Hungary, sister of the Emperor Charles V, after the death of her husband Louis in the battle of Mohács.

Summary: An interpretation on 4 Consolation Psalms (Ps. 37, 62, 94, 109), written by Luther for Queen Mary of Hungary, sister of the Emperor Charles V, after the death of her husband Louis in the battle of Mohács.

A woodcut depicting Saint John the Apostle kneeling before a scene where God, seated on a throne and flanked by the four beasts described in Ezekiel 1, hands a book to the Lamb of God as a number of angels surround them and a group of elders kneel, crowns removed with harps and incense in hand. The image appears in the September Testament, Martin Luther's first printing of his German New Testament.

A woodcut depicting Saint John the Apostle kneeling before a scene where God, seated on a throne and flanked by the four beasts described in Ezekiel 1, hands a book to the Lamb of God as a number of angels surround them and a group of elders kneel, crowns removed with harps and incense in hand. The image appears in the September Testament, Martin Luther's first printing of his German New Testament.

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Saint Vitalis of Milan. The image shows Vitalis being buried alive as a crowd watches.

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Saint Vitalis of Milan. The image shows Vitalis being buried alive as a crowd watches.

Summary: Polemical tract against celibacy, attributed to Michael Keller, who was married August 10, 1526 in Augsburg.

Summary: Polemical tract against celibacy, attributed to Michael Keller, who was married August 10, 1526 in Augsburg.