exercised only by the ministry of the Word, it does not
interfere with civil government; no more than the art of
singing interferes with civil government.  For civil government
deals with other things than does the Gospel.  The civil rulers
defend not minds, but bodies and bodily things against
manifest injuries, and restrain men with the sword and bodily
punishments in order to preserve civil justice and peace. 

Therefore the power of the Church and the civil power must not
be confounded.  The power of the Church has its own commission
to teach the Gospel and to administer the Sacraments.  Let it
not break into the office of another; Let it not transfer the
kingdoms of this world; let it not abrogate the laws of civil
rulers; let it not abolish lawful obedience; let it not
interfere with judgments concerning civil ordinances or
contracts; let it not prescribe laws to civil rulers
concerning the form of the Commonwealth.  As Christ says, John
18, 33: My kingdom is not of this world; also Luke 12, 14: Who
made Me a judge or a divider over you? Paul also says, Phil.
3, 20: Our citizenship is in heaven; 2 Cor.  10, 4: The weapons