Melanchthon thanks him for his letter (No. 3311); wishes that he may return safely, and sends him writings about events in Hungary. They would not have known about the death of the pope before his letter 2c.
From Melancht. Epist., lib. III, p. 146 (ed. Lond. lib. III, ep. 72) in Corp. Ref, vol. VI, 53.
To the venerable man, distinguished for scholarship, virtue and wisdom, Mr. Martin Luther, Doctor of Theology, the restorer of the pure doctrine of the Gospel, his extremely dear father.
Hail. Venerable Doctor and dearest Father! I thank you for writing to us so often and so lovingly. Now we pray to God, the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that He may lead you all back to Haufe unharmed. I am sending you and the other friends a booklet containing small Hungarian histories, written by honorable men, whose integrity and loyalty is known to us. We have not heard anything about the death of the Roman pope and the other things you indicate before your letter. But I hope that within three days we will have parcels of letters from the banks of the Danube. Your honored wife sends the medicine you requested. Be well and happy. February 18.
No. 3317.
Johann Anrifaber to Michael Gutt in Halle.
He reports Luther's death.
The original is in the state archives at Zerbst. Printed by Kolde, Analecta, p. 427.
To Micheln Gutt, Kammerschreibern zu Hall in der Schmerstraßen.
Hurry, hurry to your own hands.
Oh, how sorry I am that with a saddened heart I must inform you of the great accident (vnfhal), that unfortunately, lamented to God, the venerable Doctor Martinus Luther here in Eisleben today between 2 and 3 in God's Christian misfortune, after he had eaten (gesse) and drunk yesterday evening, had been very merry. But after eating, the illness of the measure struck him, and when it came to him again today in the night at one o'clock, we tried all human help on him, but God graciously wanted to take him away from this misery. Prince Wolf von Anhalt, Count Albrecht von Mansfeld, Philips and Hans Jörg, Count, and Vollrath, Count Heinrich von Schwarzburg, Count Albrecht's husband, von Schwarzburg's husband, Doctor Ludwig and Magister Simon Wilde, Doctor Jonas, Michel Celius and many of the nobility were present. Is Christian and well different. His souls were saved 1) and God Almighty will be merciful and gracious to us all. He is a child of eternal blessedness, as I want to tell you at present. February 18, 1546.
E. W.
Joannes Aurifaber.
[Oh, that God would have mercy in high heaven, that I should report such a sad message to you.
No. 3318.