How to Preach in Three Brief Steps

In August 1540, Conrad Cordatus said to Martin Luther, “Teach me in a brief way how to preach.”

Luther responded briefly, “First, you must learn to go up to the pulpit. Second, you must know that you should stay there for a time. Third, you must learn to get down again.”

Anybody who keeps this order will be a good preacher.

First, he must learn to go up to the pulpit, that is, he should have a regular and a divine call.

Second, he must learn to stay there for a time, that is, he should have the pure and genuine doctrine.

Third, he must also learn to get down again, that is, he should preach not more than an hour.