Major reports about his journey, his arrival in Regensburg and that the colloquium had been started, but until then only preparations had taken place.
From a copy in the Wolf Collection of the Hamburg City Library, vol. 66, lol. 3, printed in Kolde, Analecta, p. 425.
To the reverend and highly learned men, Mr. Martin Luther, Mr. Johann Bugenhagen, Mr. Caspar Cruciger, Mr. Philipp Melanchthon, doctors of sacred theology, his fathers and teachers who are to be highly honored with all reverence.
Hail! We arrived in Regensburg on January 21, not without difficulty, because it was so bitterly cold and there was heavy snow everywhere. Immediately, the next day, we announced our arrival to the presidents, the Bishop of Eichstädt and Count Friedrich von Fürstenberg. After breakfast on the same day, they called some of us to them, and first announced in a peevish manner that the colloquium had been postponed until now because not everyone had come together, and then it was decided that the day for the beginning of the colloquium should be January 27. 1) What the manner of the colloquium will be, and on what the disputation will take place, we do not yet know at all. But because the Concilium at Trent was again proclaimed with great pomp, many think that the disputation will be about the prestige of the Concilium and the pope, so that if we do not want to recognize the same, the sentence against us will be passed in the Concilium, which the emperor will have to execute afterwards. For Veit [Dietrich] writes, who, we hope, will attend our meeting today with Herr Hieronymus Baumgärtner, that attempts are being made on our heads, so that some think that this year will be a ruinous one for Germany. But God will still be the protector of those who hope in Him, against this rage of Satan and the world, who will not allow the Church and the teachings brought to light to be destroyed. There is a profound silence here about the arrival of the emperor and the future imperial diet. The meeting with our theologians has strengthened me very much, because I see that they are good, godly and learned men. Therefore, I ask Your Honor to command us in your prayers, that he may govern and guide our actions so that they may be beneficial for the Church. We wanted to send the wagoner back to Torgau again, but because of the melted
1) Kolde offers: this 27. Januarii inchoando colloquio. Sit quae sit ejus futura ratio etc.. We have drawn the first sit to the previous.
Because of the snow and the downpours, all the rivers everywhere were so worn out that it was not safe to make the journey. Therefore, there was no messenger that I could have sent. Yesterday, January 27, the Colloquium began. The presidents have admonished that we should discuss the statements of the Scriptures without any bitterness of the minds. But I am sending here the form of the Colloquium which has been proposed in the name of the Emperor, and in my name and in the name of all of us who are here (for I have been instructed to ask this of Your Honor), I ask that you help us with your counsel and with your prayers. For it is said that our opponents are quite impudent and dishonest people, with whom there will be a colloquium, but no harmony. We have spent today with the election of notaries 1) and other preparations; what will happen afterwards, I will write. May God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, keep us and His Church. Regensburg, January 28, 1546.
Your Honor 2) Most humbled
George Major.
No. 3299.