December 29, 1519.
To the Highborn Prince, Lord George Duke of Saxony, my friendly dear betters.
1. highborn prince, kind dear cousin, I have E. L. letter, concerning a printed booklet, so D.. Mart. Luther has sent out, which contains a sermon on the most reverend sacrament of the true body of our Lord Jesus Christ, together with your kind opinion.
2. the L. does not want to behave in this way, that I have never submitted to D. Martinus' preaching or disputing. Martinus' sermons or disputes, nor have I ever submitted to them, nor do I yet submit to them, nor have I completely renounced such matters; as I have then indicated to Papal Holiness' Legate, the Cardinal, and also to Her Holiness Nuncio, Mr. Carl von Miltitz, in writings and words.
3) And although I can not consider what the booklet in question wants to be considered for, I nevertheless hear that up to now Martinu's teaching has been respected and considered Christian by many scholars and persons of understanding, which I leave at its value and its responsibility; after E. L. know that D. Mart. Luther's action and disputation is based on knowledge, for which he also
has offered before papal commissaries, who also ordered him to come forward and be instructed in equity, as his inheritance can be.
4. from all this (if God wills) it shall be found that with fairness some imposition of no one shall happen to me 1). For I should be truly sorry, where in my newspapers 2) misconception of faith should arise in my brother, E. L. and my countries, or also at other ends, and much more troublesome, if it should be promoted by me, for which God will protect me!
5 And please kindly ask E. L. to understand this announcement of mine very well, because I am writing about it, because it is also meant by me faithfully. I did not want to leave this unopened to E. L., whom I am kindly willing to serve. Date at Lochau, 3) on Thursday after the innocent child's day, Anno 1520. 4)
Duke Frederick Elector.
1) In the old editions: beschehen.
2) d. i. times.
3) Jenaer: Loch; Wittenb.: Locha.
4) d. i. the 29th Dec. 1519.