Luther asks Jonas to translate his writing from the Winkelmesse into Latin. - In the Latin Wittenberg edition, this letter precedes the translation made by Jonas.
Printed in the Wittenberg edition (1558), tom. VII, f. 226 d; in Buddeus, p. 244 and in De Wette, vol. I V, p.534f. German by Walch, vol. XXI, 1260. We have translated according to the Wittenberg edition.
D. Mart. Luther to his [friend] in the Lord, Justus Jonas.
Grace and peace in Christ! My German booklet on consecration and the papist Mass holders has, as I hear from many, greatly offended our (as they say) ungracious papists, although it was written by me more for the purpose of strengthening ours than to anger them. Nevertheless, I am glad that they are offended, because we know that no thing offends them more than the truth. Therefore, as the matter proves, this book is the truth, if it so much displeases these angry and incorrigible artists in lying and reviling. And I hope that this will give them an opportunity to lie and revile far more than before the Diet of Augsburg, at which their quite impure lies were so publicly carried through that they, most shamefully convicted, were forced to confess that our doctrine is the holy Scriptures. Therefore, they will gather other lies anew, so that they too will be pulled through in their own time. But you, my dear Jonas, will do well if you make this book, which is so hateful to the kingdom of Satan, but necessary to our brothers, useful to as many as possible through the Latin language. For henceforth we shall publish more such things. Farewell. But be mindful of my rule, according to which I have asked you to reproduce my opinion in a free manner.
Letters from the year 1534. No. 2055 to 2059.
No. 2055.