Translated from Latin.
He complains harshly about Spalatin, that either his letters and works had been intercepted, or that he himself had suppressed them so that they would not be printed. He then asks that he recommend him to the prince and not think anything against him from his trip to Wittenberg.
To the servant of Christ, Georg Spalatin, his dear friend.
Hail. In addition to letters, I also sent you my little books on the vows, on the mass, and against the tyrant of Mainz, and hoped that everything would be delivered to those to whom it should have been sent. But now, since I find everything quite different, I must have all sorts of thoughts. For I worry that they might have been intercepted on the way or lost in some way by the messenger. But if I should know that they have come to your hands
If I were a prisoner with you, nothing could be more burdensome to me at this time, because I have done in these little books what should be hastened the most.
Therefore, if you have them with you, set a goal for your restraint and prudence, of which I suspect you. For you are not doing anything by rowing against the current. I want to have printed what I have written, if not at Wittenberg, certainly elsewhere. If the copies would either be lost, or if you should withhold them, my spirit will become embittered, that I would
*This letter is found in Latin in Aurifaber, Vol. I, p. 366b and in De Wette, Vol. II, p. 109. We have translated it according to the latter. In the old edition of Walch it is twice, namely here and vol. X V, appendix, no. 98. The time determination, which was given so far in the editions either wrongly, namely "end of November 1521", or not at all, results from the time of the secret visit, which Luther paid in Wittenberg. On December 3, Luther was on the outward journey in Leipzig and about eight days later on the return journey to the Wartburg again there. If we now assume two day journeys between Leipzig and Wittenberg, Luther will have arrived in Wittenberg on December 5, stayed there for three days and was back in Leipzig on December 11. Accordingly, our letter would have to be placed between December 5 and 8. Cf. Köstlin, Martin Luther, Vol. I, p. 510 f.
562 De Wette n, 109 f. XV Luther's dispute with Churf. Albrecht zu Mainz. W. XIX, 671 f. 563
Nevertheless, I will use much stronger means in this matter. For he will not also destroy the spirit that destroys lifeless paper.
I have come to Wittenberg, and among the most pleasant amusements of my friends I have found this wormwood, namely, that no one has neither heard nor seen anything of the little books and the letters. Judge for yourself whether this pain is not to be considered well-founded. What I see and hear pleases me very much. May the Lord strengthen the spirit of those who wish us well; but since I have heard various rumors on the way about the impetuosity of some of our people, I have resolved to make a
public admonition 1) as soon as I will have returned to my solitude. About the rest another time.
Command me to the Most Serene Prince, to whom I would like to keep my arrival in Wittenberg and my return hidden; for what reason? you know yourself. Farewell. Wittenberg at my Philip in Amsdorf's house. Anno 1521. Martin Luther.
Philip will have the Latin Bible sent to you and through you to me, which I ask you to accept and faithfully provide.
1) This probably refers to the writing that appeared on January 19, 1522, under the title: "A faithful admonition to all Christians to beware of sedition and outrage." (Cf. Köstlin, I, 511.)
The following writings still belong to this section:
a. Luther's letter to Nie. Walch, old edition, vol. XV, appendix, no. 71, § 5.
"I have finished a public punishment against the Cardinal of Mainz, because he has erected anew the idol of indulgence in Halle."
b. Luther's letter to Spalatin, Nov. 11, 1521. Walch, old edition, vol. XV, appendix, no. 80.
Luther is reluctant that the court wants to prevent him from writing against the Archbishop of Mainz because of the renewed indulgence fuss in Halle, declares his firm will that he does not want to be hindered, and sends the finished writing.
c. Luther's letter to Melanchthon, January 13, 1522. Walch, old edition, vol. XV, appendix, no. 103.
The Cardinal's falseness in his answer to Luther has come to light through Capito's letter, which was received at the same time, defending the Cardinal and indicating that he had only admitted his personal sins.
d. Luther's serious letter of reprimand to Cardinal Albrecht for murder and persecution. In this volume, appendix, no. 31. Cf. Tischreden, cap. 76, § 24. Walch, St. Louis edition, vol. XXII, 1626.
e. Luther's severe punishment and warning to the Cardmal. Before January 12, 1536. In this volume, Appendix, No. 33.
f. Luther's letter to George, Prince of Anhalt. Erlanger Ausgabe, Vol. 56, p. 199. De Wette, Vol. VI, p. 166.
The Bishop of Mainz wants to put the case of Antonius Schenitz (brother of Hans Schenitz) in default.
Luther asks the prince to let the matter go and come to an end. "Without that," Luther continues, "I have to let something go out now, so I will take the Cardinal with me, God willing, amen.
g. Luther's letter to Brück. Dec. 10, 1536. In this volume, Appendix, No. 32.
The Elector, moved by a letter from the Elector of Brandenburg and his cousins, asks Luther how he is doing with his letter against the Cardinal of Mainz. Luther answers that he wishes the princes all the best and would prefer that they ask their cousin, the Cardinal, to improve himself. They would also consider that it would not mean a tribe reviled if Luther had to tell the truth to a boy.
h. Luther's letter to Duke Albrecht of Prussia. August 15, 1538. De Wette, vol. V, p. 123. Erlanger Ausgabe, vol. 55, p. 208.
To defend himself against the Duke's accusation (July 24, 1538) that he had attacked the Elector of Mainz too harshly in the Epigrammata of M. Simon Lemnius, Luther wrote: "It is not a disgrace to have boys of one sex, but honest that they should not be praised nor defended."
i. Luther's writing "Against the Bishop of Magdeburg, Albrecht, Cardinal," concerning the innocently hanged Hans Schenitz. In this volume, appendix, no. 34.
k. Luther's letter to J. Jonas concerning his mocking note of the Cardinal's sanctuary at Mainz. November 6, 1542, in this volume, Appendix, No. 35, -The "Mocking Note" there.