Luther's reply against the Louvainers and the Cologneers is printed. Von Eck's journey to Rome. About the imminent death of D. Eschhausen's wife. Postscript on the imminent death of Aesticampianus.
Handwritten in the Ooä. botd. 399, toi. 130d. Printed in Aurifaber, vol. I, p. 252; in De Wette, vol. I, p.429 and in Erlanger Briefwechsel, vol. II, p.365.
To the venerable and highly esteemed father, Johann Lang, Master of Holy Theology, Vicar of the Hermits of St. Augustine, who has his being in Erfurt, his [friend] in Christ.
JEsus.
Hail! I believe, venerable Father, that you received my letter through Brother Martin Benedictus. Now there is nothing new with us. For my answer against the reprobates, 3) the bad theologians, is under
1) Around this time, Melchior Lotther Jr. moved from Leipzig to Wittenberg and established a printing press there. The writing just mentioned, "Luthers Antwort auf den Zettel, so unter des Officials zu Stolpen" 2c., was, as we can see from the Weimar edition, vol. VI, p. 136, still printed by Melchior Lotther in Leipzig, whereas the Latin adaptation of this writing (St. Louis edition, vol. XIX, 468), which Luther produced very shortly thereafter, was printed by Melchior Lotther Jr. in Wittenberg. See Weim. Edition, 1.6. p. 143.
2) Philippieas super sententiarum. The Erlangen correspondence remarks: "Probably the I^ueudratiuueula, published against Melanchthon's will and therefore later suppressed by him; cf. Oorp. Ret. XXI, 6 ff. 59."
3) No. 421 in this volume.
the press. My corner goes to Rome and wants to set fire to the forest of Lebanon. But I believe that Rome is also subject to Christ, the Lord above all, who, if I am worthy, will work for me there; but if I am not worthy, then I do not want him to work for me here either. You will ask the Lord for me, that I finally become pious and lead his cause worthily in this wicked world. I recommend the wife of D. Thomas Eschhausen to you, who, as I believe, is either already deceased or will pass away today, because there is no hope for life. Farewell in Christ. Wittenberg, 1520, Wednesday after Lätare [March 21] Brother Martin Luther, Augustinian.
Aesticampianus 4) also suffers from respiratory problems. He has been given the last ointment and prepared for retirement, although he still walks around his room with a pious and confident heart and is not at all afraid of death.