Printed in Aurifaber, Vol. I, p. 299b; in De Wette, Vol.I, p.545 (with the wrong date: January 21) and in Erlanger Briefwechsel, Vol. Ill, p. 72.
6) The legacy of D. Heinrich Schmiedberg.
7) Helt.
8) Duke John Frederick of Saxony. The letter is dated 20 Dec. 1520.
9) On March 3, 1521, Luther dedicated the Latin Postille to the Elector. See St. Louis Edition, Vol. XI, Preface, Col. VII f.
10) Tilo Dene, born 1465, mayor in Wittenberg since 1501, died only on November 29, 1545.
JEsus.
Hail! I have received your letter from Merseburg, venerable father. But how could I have written, since I did not know where the spirit of God was taking you? But I was very surprised that you wrote that I would like to testify in a published booklet that I have written nothing against the worldly rule, since all my writings show the opposite. But who can shut everyone's mouth, since very many do not want to read my things, for the sole reason that they have heard that mine cannot be read and rebuked, or not believed. What shall I do here with the impertinent people?
I was appointed by the emperor, and now this appointment has been revoked. Emser writes against me; I will meet that beast. For he acts on the orders of his furious Duke George. We have heard bad things about Teschius 1). With us, everything is as it was. I have received my hundred florins and have pleased the prior with the money and even more in the Lord.
3. be well and pray for the word, since you see that the matter is in the wildest turmoil; perhaps this is the flood of sin of which it is foretold that it will happen in the year 24. 2) Wittenberg. Philip greets you. On the day of Felix [January 14] 1521, your Martin Luther.