Luther comments on the settlement negotiations with the Zwinglians, for which Melanchthon is about to leave.
Handwritten at Wolfenbüttel, in Cod. Helmut. 107 and in Aurifaber, vol. III, p. 210. Printed in Schütze, vol. II, p. 326 and in De Wette, vol. IV, p. 569.
Grace and peace to you, best Jonas, but death and hell to your stone by the power of Christ. Though I had desired to converse with thee and others before M. Philip departed, yet thou hast not been able to come to me, nor I to thee. But what I shall record tomorrow, 1) I shall record for my credentials and keep a copy, which I shall show to you and to all. For I will do nothing in this matter alone, although I suspect that no agreement will be reached between them and us. Philip also says he will not act in this matter alone. And it is too great for two or three people, even if they have the highest reputation, to be able to carry it out, so that the journey of the very good man Philip seems to me to be completely in vain. I cannot depart from my opinion; although the universe should collapse, the debris will strike me as one undaunted. As soon as you can, you may come here to me. Farewell. December 17 [16], 1534, your Martin Luther.
No. 2094.