Wilskamp asks them to give a clear explanation of some words that occur in their letter "to the nine men of Herford" (No. 1889), because the brothers are violently attacked and blasphemed because of them.
Handwritten at Wittenberg, Ms. Pagendarm. p. 49. Printed in Erl. Briefw., vol. IX, p. 305.
Gerhard of Xanthen wishes Martin Luther and Philip
Grace and peace. Venerable fathers! It is in the letter to the nine men 1) the sentence: "Time itself will find counsel", which they take bitingly, and set aside the remaining part of the letter, not considering that this was put in such a way in order to calm the unrest, and twist it as if Luther wanted badly that our house, which through the grace of God is already reformed to the gospel of Christ, should be extinct with us, without? 2) a succession by accepting those who want to let their virgin, who is capable of abstinence through the gift of God, 3) remain according to the counsel of Christ and Paul (Matth. 19,12. 1 Cor. 7, 37Z, and join us so that they can be raised under Christian freedom in the discipline of God. Some of the most prominent evangelicals oppose this way of life to such an extent that they try to win new followers for themselves by means of this secret letter from ours, writing thus: "After all, you may all have the gift of the cut, but it cannot be concluded from this that you must for that reason use special clothing, place, way of life, different from the city. It is not good that man should be alone, he who cannot lie has said so. I am silent now about the
1) No.1889, Col. 1743.
2) Instead of atque, absque is to be read. Cf. Wilskamp's letter of 10 Oct 1533.
3) Instead of capaces, read capacem.
Rage of the flesh, I am silent about the contempt of the ordinance of God, who has given us all the ability and the members to produce offspring. Those who do not carry this out, what do they do but accuse God 4) of foolishness for having created them thus?" These are the words of our disciple of Priapus (priapistae), in whom even the epitome of Christianity stands here, who will be the holy anchor in case of heresy breaking in, yes, a third Cato. I ask for your judgment and interpretation of the saying: "Time itself will find counsel." Farewell. Datum Bonifacii [June 5] Anno 1533.
No. 2004a.
Duke Albrecht of Mecklenburg to Luther.
(Regest.)
The Duke informs Luthern that his trip to him, promised in No. 1997, cannot be accomplished because of his manifold duties. As an answer, however, Luther is to use the fact that he and his brother, Duke Heinrich, had agreed and promised at the imperial congresses in Nuremberg and Augsburg to let the old, laudable and Christian religion remain until a common concilium. He had no doubt that Luther would help to promote this if possible.
The original is in the archives at Schwerin. Printed in Erl. Briefw., vol. IX, p. 342.
No. 2007a.