About Luther's promised journey to the prince (see No. 3285) and about the Concilium.
Handwritten in Aurifaber, Vol. III, p. 473. Printed in Schütze, Vol. I, p. 379 and in De Wette, Vol. V, p. 781.
To the reverend Father in Christ and Lord, Lord George, the extremely vigilant bishop of the church at Merseburg, noble prince of Anhalt, well-born count of Ascanien, famous lord of Bernburg, his extremely highly honored lord.
Grace and peace in the Lord. Sublime Prince! I have received the letter of E. F. G. addressed to M. Philip and me. But the sickliness of U. Philippus has kept him back to Hanse. I am here alone with D. Justus Jonas. I am fully mindful of the promise given and not yet fulfilled, but wagon and rider
1) Instead of notoriis, notariis will be read.
2) V. C. (vestrae celsitudinis) will be an oversight of the copyist.
are not in my power. The Counts of Mansfeld have summoned me and led me away with a large number of horsemen, with whom I must go and return by the way and the road that they have determined. But I will make an effort, namely that I will fulfill my promise once in the springtime. For I hope that then everything will be safer. Therefore, E. F. G. may meanwhile take up this prevention to the order.
I have no news. For I believe that E. F. G. have heard that the Concilium has been opened, that is, begun, by your pope (as they call it). But the middle will be slow and the end nothing, but that the Roman sirens plague the people, as it is custom, style, nature and already from age ingrained unworthiness in this Babylon. Let the Lord arise and scatter his enemies, amen, amen. In Him, E. F. G. is quite at ease, whom I entrust to her godly prayers. January 29 from Eisleben, Anno 1546.
E. F. G. devoted
Martin Luther, D.
No. 3300.