End of March or the first three days of April 1523.**)
1. mercy and peace. I wonder what you mean by these words, since you say that I would like to remember that something has been done with me in the name of Duke George, apart from the first letter. Either you are prophesying of something still to come, or you are mistaken, if you do not mean what Count Albrecht has done with me in this matter, not only in Duke George's name, but rather in his own name. I know nothing else at all, nor can I recall anything. Count Albrecht's only concern was that, if it could be done without harming the honor of the Gospel, I would appease the tyrant's fury with a softer answer. I answered him that if the honor of the Gospel did not suffer, I would be willing to serve not only him, but also all my enemies, as a Christian man should, and allowed him to promise Duke George all the best from me if he would desist from raging against the word of God. But if he would continue in his rage, then I would do nothing less than
that which would please him after his miserable raving madness and blindness. I would never have thought that he would have such a foolish and nonsensical head. However, I believe that all this will be known to you long ago. Or is it perhaps in your thoughts that I addressed a humble letter of admonition to the bishop of Magdeburg, who also answered me excellently through the provost of Neuwerk? But now, as I hear, it has been changed again by the booklet of secular authorities 1).
We heard with amazement about the marriage of our Wenceslaus before your letter arrived. How beautifully the god-abominating celibate state comes to light, which until now has been unhappily imposed by force and fear! But I rejoice that the name of such a great man is becoming foolish, disgracing that false chastity. The honor of the Gospel will overcome this trouble. Fare well and pray for me. Wittenberg 1523.
Martin Luther.
1) Walch, St. Louis Edition, vol. X, 374 ff.