Mid-September 1524

In the name of Jesus. In order to praise God, the community of Mühlhausen, [including the congregations] of St. Nicholas, St. George, St. Margaret, the linen weavers of St. Jacob, and many other craftsmen of the city, have taken action themselves and derived their decisions from the word of God. Where this resolution contradicts God's word, however, it should be changed and improved.

[1] An entirely new council should be established. The reasons for this are so that it will act according to the fear of God, so that old hatreds and despotism are ended, and in order to insure that those who do evil, and those who allow and approve it, receive the same punishment- Romans 1[:32], Luke 19[:20–27] on the willful servant – so that there is no confusion in the community about those who are outside it and those who are inside it. From this [confusion], harm to the community can result, for it is difficult to accept as judges those who are themselves guilty.

[2] Judgments should be made according to the [standard of] justice in the Bible or holy word of God. This is so that the poor man is treated like the rich, as in Zechariah 17 [rather, Zech. 7:10], Leviticus 19.[:15] and 26[:3], John 7[:24], Matthew 5[:19], and Luke 18[:2–8].