An exposition of the second chapter of Daniel the prophet, preached at the castle of Allstedt before the active and dear dukes and rulers of Saxony by Thomas Müntzer, servant of the Word of God.

Allstedt, 1524.

First

The text of the above-mentioned chapter of the prophecy of Daniel the prophet was set forth and translated [from the Vulgate] in its clear literal sense and then the whole sermon, with the correct context, was set down as follows:

It is to be understood that poor, miserable, disintegrating Christendom can neither be counseled nor assisted unless diligent, indefatigable servants of God promote the Bible daily by reciting, reading and preaching. But if this is done, the head of many a pampered cleric must either suffer a continuous rain of hard blows or he will have to give up his profession. How can this be avoided when Christendom is being so terribly devastated by ravaging wolves? — as it is written about the vineyard of God in Isaiah 5[:19.] and Psalm 80[:9–14]. And St. Paul teaches in Ephesians 5[:19] how one should train oneself in the recitation of divine praises.

At the time of the beloved prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the others, the whole community of God's elect had fallen so totally and completely into idolatrous ways that even God himself could not help the people.