Of Melanchthon's illness, Carlstadt's removal, a passage in the visitation order, Luther's melancholy, Erasmus's rebuttal 2c.
Handwritten in the Zwickau Rathsschulbibliothek, vol. XXXIV. Printed in Aurifaber, vol. II, p. 355 b; in De Wette, vol. Ill, p. 215 and in Erlanger Briefwechsel, vol. VI, p. 109. A part of this letter, namely the last two paragraphs, without indication of the recipient, is found in German in the Wittenberg edition (1569), vol. IX, p. 238 b. (here still a piece, concerning Melanchthon's condition and Carlstadt, is placed between the two paragraphs mentioned); in the Altenburg edition (1569), vol. IX, p. 238 b. (here still a piece, concerning Melanchthon's condition and Carlstadt, is placed between the two paragraphs mentioned). 238 b (here, a piece of the first paragraph, concerning Melanchthon's condition and Carlstadt, is placed between the two paragraphs mentioned); in the Altenburger, vol. Ill, p. 795 and then in Walch, St. Louis edition, vol. X, 1720; however, the editors there have pointed out that the letter is complete in the appendix of the 15th volume.
Grace and peace in the Lord! For lack of a messenger, this letter has remained hidden from me, my dear Philip, until it could be brought to you through this gentleman George 1). I am sorry that you are so afflicted with colic, and I pray to Christ, as much as I can, to make you well and keep you well. For that you survive me, I wish very much in such great turmoil of the church, so that against the unspeakable raging of Satan there may be some left, who in this day of the wrath of the Lord, who (as befits) punishes our ingratitude, will stand as walls for Halls Israel. O Christ, what times will these be in the future, which have such a terrible beginning! Carlstadt has been absent from his place for several weeks; he has traveled to his people, and it is believed that he is looking for a nest. 2) He is going to his place after all, because he cannot be set right by any labor of love.
2. you write that you are being scourged by a conscience 3) because in your visitation.
a "Mr. Georg".
2) Melanchthon wrote (about the beginning of November 1527, 6orp. Rsk. I, No. 519) that Carlstadt had secretly left Saxony for Silesia, and expressed his fear that he would cause a new tragedy. In Silesia, Krautwald and Schwenkfeld were Carlstadt's kindred spirits. But for the time being, he still returned to Kemberg. Cf. St. Louis Edition, Vol. XX, Introduction, p. 25 b ff.
3) Perhaps Caspar Aquila in Salfeld.
you have taught that repentance sucks with the fear of God. Almost the same thing was written by Magister Eisleben, but I do not respect this dispute about words very much, especially among the common man. For how the fear of punishment and the fear of God differ, is more easily said with syllables and letters, than it is recognized according to the matter and heart position (affectu). All the wicked may fear punishment and hell; God will help His own to fear God with punishment at the same time. And it is impossible for the fear of God to be without the fear of punishment in this life, just as the spirit cannot be without the flesh, although the fear of punishment is useless without the fear of God. Therefore, if one teaches the fear of God, I believe, one causes the same thing that one causes by teaching the freedom of the spirit, namely that some draw it to the security of the flesh, but others draw it to despair or the fear of punishment. But who can resist these? Christ hears us and graciously softens our plague. We will take care that when your visitation is sent to us for printing, we will do what you remember.
Pray for me, a wretched and despised worm, who is plagued by the spirit of sadness, according to the good will of the Father of mercy; to Him be glory even in my misery! My honor is only this, that I have taught the word of God purely, and have not distorted it because of any desire for honor or riches. I hope that He who began it will also show Himself merciful to the end, since I seek or thirst for nothing more arid than a merciful God as He presents Himself, and demands that He be so received even by His despisers and enemies. Greet all brothers and command us to their prayers. Christ, who taught us to teach his gospel against the raging Satan, give us through his certain and joyful Spirit to believe and persistently confess this very thing in the midst of this wicked and perverse generation.
4. I believe that Zwingli is exceedingly worthy of a sacred tribute, since he was so impudent and
No. 122.
Luther to Brenz in Schwäbisch-Hall.
Luther praises Brenz, the author of the Swabian Syngramma, for his faithfulness to right doctrine.
Handwritten in Heilbronn, manuscript of the KarlsGymnasium; in the Ooä. Uut26nb.; in the Ooä. Isn. L. 24. n, I. 160. Printed in Aurifaber, vol. II, p. 361; in De Wette, vol. Ill, p. 230 and in Erlanger Briefwechsel, vol. VI, p. 124.
To his exceedingly dear brother and Lord in Christ, Johann Brenz, Christ's sincere disciple and faithful preacher of the city of Hall.
Grace and peace in Christ our Lord! My very dear Spalatin showed me your letter addressed to him, which I read with great joy, my dear Brenz, because I see the grace of God dwelling in you through Christ, His Son, and that you so constantly and loudly preserve and teach the word of Christ in the midst of this wicked and perverse generation. Praise be to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who allows me, among so many evil things that surround me, to see at least some brothers as the true and right seed of Israel; otherwise there are nothing but monsters raging and raging everywhere. Until now, we have lovingly nurtured Carlstadt in our bosom, in the good hope that he would return to the right path, but the wretched man hardens himself more and more every day, and is forced by his pusillanimity to remain silent.
1) Erasmus's rebuttal to Luther. See St. Louis Edition, Vol. XVIII, Introduction, p. 67.
He also still holds on to his Tuto, even though it has been rejected by his own. So great is the wrath, if someone once considers the word of God. I pray to Christ to keep you and your brothers with us in his purity and simplicity until the day of his glory, amen.
Your Spalatin wrested this letter from me (although I did it gladly and willingly), so that I might bring about your friendship by writing the letter, while we are already united in spirit and unity (by God's grace). Pray with your brothers that Christ may make this joy in us complete and constant. Greetings from Pommer, my only comrade, since the others are absent for fear of the plague. Command us, especially me, a wretched sinner, to your church, for Satan has let loose against me and is trying to snatch Christ from me secretly (privately) with his attacks, after he sees that he can snatch nothing from me publicly and in the confession of the Word. I wonder what kind of man Zwingli may be, who is so unlearned in grammar and dialectics, to say nothing of other arts, and yet dares to boast of victories; this honor is too much of a disgrace. Thou, my exceeding joy and my crown [Phil. 4, 1.], be at ease in Christ, our! Master and Lord, with all the brethren. Torgau by Spalatin, 2) 1527, November 28.
With all your heart, your brother Martin Luther.