From the Weimar Archives, Reg. H, fol. 663, N. 203 (by Cruciger's hand with original signatures), printed by Burkhardt, p. 487.
All the Strasbourg writing, whether to propose a new form of the Colloquii from our part, if it would be carried out by the Emperor and his own unequally and unfruitfully, this is our submissive concern. First of all, after the occasion of this time, we consider that no colloquium will be held at all, especially if we do not insist on it, as we consider it good that we keep quiet about it, if the emperor does not do so. For this colloquium is set up solely for a pretense that the one from Brunswick would have room to prepare in the meantime 2c. Thus the emperor knows that ours are easily satisfied with the sweet name of the Colloquii. He will also perhaps make all kinds of inquiries about the prisoner among the princes and chieftains of this part. In addition, it is known that King Ferdinand is fiercely holding out for the Turk, and considers it certain that he [the Turk] will arrive next summer. On the other hand, in the event that a colloquium is to be started immediately, if the emperor orders his theologians from Cologne and Louvain to do so, it will be a short disputation, and will soon clash in such rough articles that we will rise from them with great gloating with an earnest Christian protestation, in which their gross obstinacy against public truth will be denounced. And whoever has been in such matters before, can well be sure that this will soon happen in the first articles, as of original sin and justification. For the theologians of Louvain will also dispute the article de justificatione anew. Item, so one comes soon in the beginning on the article of the church and authority of the Concilien, there they leave nothing. On the other hand, this is not to be conceded in any way, that the churches may not err, as was also the case at Regensburg.
argued for eight days. And since we wanted to overturn the disputation, and they could not pass it, they needed this rank to suspend this article, and nevertheless took the others, in which it soon became even harder, from confession and sacrament apart from the custom. And in sum, it is not difficult to overturn the disputation with gusto, if one wants to show seriousness. And then one can make a written protest, in which one shows how the opposing party wants to defend the inconsistent and crude articles. Thirdly. But that we should afterwards propose a new form of a colloquy is a futile thing, for as little as we can like them as judges, as little do they like us; so we cannot propose persons whom they consider to be impartial, just as their persons are all suspicious to us. Whether someone in Strasbourg may be inclined to another colloquium, we know well that Ulm and other cities will be quite unwilling to do so. So our gracious lord, the Landgrave, knows which articles the opposing party disputes the most, therefore H. F. G. will not be in the mood for it. Therefore we consider that it would be good that our gracious lord, the Landgrave, writes to those of Strasbourg that S. F. G. considers it a futile thing that we should propose a form of a Colloquii, therefore it would be better to leave it at the previous concern. Nor should we worry so much about the concilium, for the pope himself does not suffer a concilium about it; even if a supposed concilium would conclude something, there will be such rough articles in it that it will be too late. But everything is in God's hand, who wants to guide the hearts of all rulers and teachers to His praise and the blessedness of Christendom, Amen.
E. C. F. G. subject Martinus Luther, D. Johannes Bugenhagen, Pomer., D. Caspar Creutziger, D.
Georgius Major, D. Philippus Melanthon.