To the Careful Johanni Secerio, Printer at Hagenau, Martinus Luther.
1. grace and peace in Christ JEsu. Although I have never wanted to have a book printed as much as my Ecclesiastes, which I have read here in Wittenberg, by the grace of God (for I also consider it a useful and necessary book for all those who are to rule and preside over others in the external worldly regiment), it has not yet been possible for me to have so much time and strength, and I do not yet know when I will be able to do it, because the press and all kinds of business are increasing daily.
(2) But I am all the more satisfied of this, because I hear that you have undertaken to print Johann Brentii's Ecclesiastes, to which I would also give way with all my heart, if my Ecclesiastes had already begun. For I am quite comforted that Christ our Lord, through the same man, will give us
because he has been so richly endowed with the two high and proper episcopal gifts, of which Paul says [Tit. 1:9], namely, that he is mighty to handle the salvific Scriptures and so well equipped to fight the mobs, and to do both with all humility, diligence and devotion.
3. Christ, our dear Lord, wanted to keep his dear armor pure and fine, and to do much through him, as he has graciously begun to comfort us all, so that we may also see that we can rejoice in our poor little group. For otherwise the ugly, unkind looks of the wretched Satan seem to be everywhere, in his mobs, gushers, and wild, fierce, insolent spirits, as I have never read nor heard. Let us pray and cry out to Christ our Savior without ceasing, for Satan rages without ceasing. Hereby commanded by the grace of God, Amen.
*Joh. Brentii Auslegung des Predigers Salomo" was printed in 1528 by Johann Secerius in Hagenau. This letter forms the preface to this writing. It is found in the Eisleben edition, vol. I, p. 414; in the Altenburger, vol. Ill, p. 769; in the Leipziger, vol. XII, p. 82 and in the Erlanger, vol. 54, p. 59. De Wette also brings the same vol. Ill, p. 414. We give the text according to De Wette.