Luther expresses to him his joy at having accepted and loved the gospel.
In Sculteti Annal., p. 399; in von der Hardt, Hist. litter. Reform., P. V, p. 184; in Strobel-Ranner, p. 220 and in De Wette, Vol. IV, p. 440.
Grace and peace in Christ! I can rightly call you both the most venerable bishop (let alone provost) 1) and the most illustrious prince, dear and noble sir, since I see that you alone in the whole realm, especially in such a position and of such standing, sincerely love and faithfully promote the word of Christ. And it has often been a wonder to me when I have considered this, and I am forced to acknowledge it as a very special gift from God that you have freely begun to teach this doctrine among the people who are subject to you. I do not flatter and caress (God knows), but I praise and extol the grace of Christ that shines forth and shines in you so wonderfully. At the same time, I pray and hope with all my heart that He who has begun such a great work in this breast will also complete it, even though at times weakness appears in this work, and it is greatly troubled and hindered by Satan, the world and the devil through various attempts. But He says, "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." But when the world is overcome, then the prince of the world is also overcome, just as when
1) The prince was governor of Magdeburg (De Wette).
Letters from 1533. no. 1964. 1965. 1966.
When a kingdom is defeated, the king is also defeated. Since the king of the world has been conquered, his rage, wrath, sin, conscience, death, hell and everything on which this mighty one relied as on his weapons have also been conquered. Therefore, thanks be to God who gave us this victory. That E. F. G. may live and boast in this victory until that day, I ask and implore with great desire of heart from our Father in heaven. To this I command E. F. G. as diligently as I can. Let E. F. G. give me credit for this boldness in writing to her, for I could not refrain from expressing my gratitude to GOtte through this short letter, while at the same time wishing her good luck for the gift of God, which I have recognized to have taken root in the breast of such a great prince. Wittenberg, Friday after Lätare (March 28) 1533.
E. F. G. most devoted Martin Luther.
No. 1965.