Luther's reply to the previous letter, for the Elector.
The original is in the Weimar Archives, HsZ. X, p. 75. Printed by De Wette, vol. I V, p. 576 f. and in the Erlangen edition, vol. 55, p. 78.
4) So put by us instead of: "they the gemelten". - sider" - since then.
5) This warning may refer to the Duchess Elisabeth of Brunswick, and to others like her.
To the most illustrious, highborn prince and lord, Lord John Frederick, Duke of Saxony and Elector, Landgrave in Thuringia and Margrave of Meissen, my most gracious lord.
Grace and peace in Christ 2c. Most Serene, Highborn Prince, Most Gracious Lord! I have received E. C. F. G.'s writing together with the writings of H. Hansen in Saxony 2c. and have read it humbly, to which I am sending E. C. F. G. the enclosed note, my reply. I also thank E. C. F., G. for graciously providing me with my 2c. I also hope that Jesus Christ will instruct E. C. F. G. not to go too far with promises against S. Georgen; for he is, as S. Friedrich says: "My cousin is a coarse man who does not allow him to be satisfied with any answer, and with such heads the first anger is always the best; they do not desist. Hiemit GOtt befohlen, Amen. Wednesday after St. Thomas [23 Dec.] 1534
E. C. F. G. most subservient
Martinus Luther, D.
Submitted Public Response.
Sublime, highborn Prince, most gracious Lord! E. C. F. G. are, according to God's grace and peace, my poor prayer and owed service humbly before. I have received E. C. F. G.'s letter with an enclosed copy of a letter from Duke Hansen of Saxony 2c. and in it I have almost heard how the aforementioned prince is suing me against E. C. F. G., as if I had spoken against his F. G.'s father, H. George, and the Bishop of Mainz with the words mentioned in the letter, as the copy reports at length. E. C. F. G. then asked me to report all this and for what reasons I did so 2c.
Where should I go, most gracious sir? I would have liked it if the aforementioned prince himself had addressed or written to me about such a speech to a lesser person than the Elector. I do not like to see E. C. F. G. serve in such matters; for it does not have to weigh on me a little that such high princes should make me a poor man against my country prince, to whom I have sworn and serve, out of
such flying speeches without seal and letters, in addition without witnesses, so roughly and clumsily are to indicate, in addition still sue. But it may be that George and his family have to have five zipples on their sack.
Accordingly, my humble request is that E. C. F. G. would graciously spare me and not request a report from me in such a matter, not for my sake, but for the sake of H. Georgen; for I would like to answer such a rough, clumsy writing to H. Hans too roughly. But shall I do it and tell E. C. F. G., then I will do it honestly and faithfully and give a right answer to such a writing. E. C. F. G. know what unwashed, coarse pieces we all had to digest, especially before the Grimmish Day, which went out under S. George's name and coat of arms. I have forgiven them, but not forgotten them, and I truly do not want H. George to tear open the old wounds.
I think that E. C. F. G. could not do anything better than to issue an order that one should preach and shout in H. Georgen Landen and confidently print books in Leipzig to disgrace the Elector of Saxony, and forbid that one should not protest in the Electorate; this would please E. C. F. G. not only the enemies, but also perhaps officials and nobles who live from E. C. F. G.'s property.
But, most gracious lord and prince, this is the summa, S. Hans, S. Georg, bishop of Mainz, I cannot suffer doctors to teach me how I should speak, for I know that they cannot. But if they are so excellent and so exceedingly learned, then I sit here in Wittenberg and will wait for their art, and E. C. F. G. be strict and harsh against me. I will suffer my right, where I do not answer for myself. This much I will give to E. C. F. G. this time for a humble report. I will report to the Bishop of Hall myself in public writing (if God allows me to live), even if I should not earn absolution. For Christ will not be so easily frightened as the holy creature Sanctiss. Leonis lets himself think.
E. C. F. G.
subservient
Mart. LutheR, D.
Letters from the year 1534. No. 2101. 2102.
No. 2101.