Luther asks him to get the princes to settle the disagreement between a nobleman and his pastor; likewise, that he cooperate in finding out to whom Luther had promised to be his spouse.
The original is in Dessau. Handwritten in Aurifaber, vol. III, p. 212. Printed in Schütze, vol. II, p. 322; in Strobel-Ranner, p. 239 and in De Wette, vol. IV, p. 558. German in Walch, vol. XXI, 1420.
4) In what follows, Luther plays with the word xratus, which he takes sometimes in the meaning of "pleasant", sometimes in that of "grateful".
Letters from the year 1534. No. 2082. 2082a. 2083.
To the worthy man, Magister Nicolaus Hausmann, Bishop of the Church in Dessau, his extremely dear brother.
Grace and peace! There is a great dispute, my dear househusband, between the nobleman in Resen and his priest. And also the priest does not seem to act moderately enough, especially against the mistress, since they are otherwise, not to say quite foreign, but at least weak in the word, which has only recently been adopted. Therefore, you see to it that this annoyance is lifted by your princes, as far as it can be done.
I have ordered Magister Franz to find out what I have neglected and dreamed away, namely, it has occurred to me that I have promised my future spouseship, and I do not know to whom. I wish to know this now, as the delivery is approaching, so that I do not break my word. Cooperate as much as you can. Fare well in Christ and pray for me. 1534 October 14. Yours, Martin Luther, D.
No. 2082a.
First half of October 1534.
Landgrave Philip of Hesse to Luther.
The Landgrave asks Luthern, because of the great danger that the sacramental controversy brings with it, to be concerned about a constant unification, especially since the Oberlanders have also made their confession in such a way that there is no longer any reason for discord. Answered in the following number.
Since the dualism that occurs because of the Sacrament brings great disruption and harm to our Christian faith, and is evidently present, God prevent and forbid that, due to the diligent persistence of the papists, a great bloodshed may arise and develop for the poor people in the Upper Lands: Since the majority of the preachers in the Upper Lands, and Bucerus in particular, have nevertheless directed and placed their confession in such a way that it is now considered and believed unnecessary that there should be further discord or strife because of it, since Christ and one faith will ever be confessed by all parts, therefore our gracious request goes out to you that you take this matter, which is important to everyone, into Christian and faithful consideration, and
that a constant unification and settlement of the same article may be undertaken and granted in unison; what we then shall and may do in the same, we do not want to incur any diligence, expense or effort, and are graciously disposed toward you. We have also likewise given Bucero and other preachers in the upper country to know our mind in this way. 1) Dat.
To M. Luther.
No. 2083.
To the Landgrave Philip of Hesse.
Luther agrees to help settle the disputes over the doctrine of the Lord's Supper.
From the collection of Caspar Sagittarius in Jena in Schütze, vol. II, p. 393; in De Wette, vol. IV, p. 559 and in the Erlangen edition, vol. 55, p. 65.
To the illustrious, highborn Prince and Lord, Philipsen, Landgrave in Hesse, Count of Katzenelnbogen, my gracious Lord.
Grace and peace of God in Christ. Sublime, high-born Prince! I have received E. F. G.'s writing, in which E. F. G. desires me to put the matters of the Sacrament in Christian and deep concern. F. G. request that I should take the matters of the Sacrament into Christian and deep consideration, so that a constant unity may be established between us and the preachers of other countries. Now, Your Grace knows very well that I, of course, always desire to have unity, because I am annoyed enough (and detrimental to the Kingdom of Christ) by the overpowering defiance of the papists, so strengthened by such disunity that without it he would have long since become more humble, if only E. F. G. had asked M. Buzek. F. G. could obtain from M. Bucero and his followers whether they would be willing to do and give in this regard or not; after all, I would also like to be found, whatever I want to clear my conscience. Dear God, I hardly come to the things that not I but others have started, and it seems to me that among them, even the preachers from abroad, there are few who also follow Bucero, and perhaps afterwards should cry out against both. Nothing is dear to my heart.
1) This "become" is obviously too much.
Letters from 1534. no. 2083. 2084. 2085.
But if it should be fragile and uncertain at the bottom, then the faithfulness is lost. As much as the F. F. G. can help and advise in this, I ask, for God's sake, to continue. If I can do something against the murderers and bloodhounds, the papists, who cannot and will not stop, for they have rejected Christ 1) or are themselves down and out: then there is no lack and shall not be lack of my poor prayer, doing, suffering, speaking and writing. Christ, our Lord, strengthen E. F. G. to do his will in the grace 2) of his church to wrath against the papists, amen, urns. Wittenberg, Saturday after Galli [Oct. 17] MDXXXIV.
E. F. G. williger
D. Martinus Lutherus.
No 2084.