I. Letter to Conrad Cordatus, May 23, 1531.
Grace and peace in the Lord, my dear Cordatus. I ask you for Christ's sake to make yourself out of this Babel (Zwickau), where you are now, and give room to the wrath. You see that they are given over to Satan, as the wrath of God has already finally come upon them. Truly, I am afraid that Satan will stir up some kind of trouble that will be attributed to you afterwards. Let them do what they do. They do not want, even despise, as you see, your peace, your care, your faithful service.
In addition, you also have all kinds of danger to worry about; what do you want to serve unwilling, stubborn, desperate people for so long? so that you do nothing but agitate them even more and give them cause. To attack and persecute you more. Go away always and shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them, Matth.
10, 14. Marc. 6, 11. Luc. 9, 5. Apost. 13, 51. 18, 6. before the matter becomes even worse and neither counsel nor help is possible. We will discuss everything else when you come to us. I have recently written to your pastor (Nicolaus Hausmann)*) that he should also depart. You cannot let their sin go unpunished, as pious, faithful preachers are entitled to do; so they can neither hear nor suffer your punishment; therefore let them rage on; we have done our part, and are therefore safe and excused before God and the world. Fare well in the Lord, and greet the
Mr. Nicolaus, your pastor. Do not mourn, but be glad that you are suffering for the sake of Christ.
But I did not want you to shake the dust off your feet publicly and under their eyes, otherwise they might prove a trick to you on the way; but tell them
Martin Luther.
II. letter to Nicolaus Hansmann dated May 26, 1531.*)
Grace and peace. I beg you, my dear househusband, for the sake of Christ - I write in all haste, since I am too busy - that you come here to me as soon as possible; you will be the dearest and most pleasant guest to me. You finally see the reward your Zwickauers are giving you, but do not let their malice grieve and sadden you. I am glad that such an opportunity presents itself to show them their due contempt.
If Cordatus should come with you, he will be taken care of to the best of our ability. Let the boys have a good year, but in such a way that you do not completely give up your office, but only take the opportunity to visit me and in the meantime let them have their one and only year.
Leave the stubborn idols to themselves until you see where the matter is going. You shall inform them of this in a protest. We will discuss everything else when you are with us.
Do not let yourselves be moved by the annoyance that this might cause your neighbors; the fault is not yours. What can we do if sects and mobs arise against our will? The rest orally. Meanwhile rejoice and be strong that for the sake of truth you are struck in the face and suffer shame from the ungrateful. The Lord be with you. Friday after Ascension Day, Anno 1531.
Respectfully greet the Cordatus from me. Yours, Martin Luther.