Luther exhorts him not to let himself be turned away from the Gospel by old papist habits and the letters of some great princes.
From Beckmann's Anhalt History, vol. V, p. 171, in De Wette, vol. IV, p. 441; in the Erl. Ausg., vol. 55, p. 6 (as to Joachim, Prince of Anhalt) and (according to the original) vol. 56, p. 188.
To the "most illustrious", "highborn prince and lord", Herr Johanns, Prince of Anhalt, Count of Ascanien, Lord of Bernburg, my gracious lord.
Grace and peace in Christ. Sublime, highborn prince, gracious lord! Magister Nicolaus Hausmann, E. F. G. preacher, has shown me how E. F. G. is heartily inclined to the Gospel, and yet becomes difficult, perhaps not only because of former habit, but also because of some great princes writing and leading away. Now it is ever the truth that such two things (old habit and present temptation of great men) may well move stronger Christians, neither of whom E. F. G. may be; but nevertheless we must
We will learn by and by (if we cannot do it quickly and suddenly) that Christ is more, and God the Father wants to hear him above all. A council or pope may have the Holy Spirit and order something by his inspiration, but Christ has no devil (Joh. 8), I will remain silent that he has the Holy Spirit without measure (Joh. 1), but all holy apostles, prophets, church, council must have only one part and first fruits of the Holy Spirit, Rom. 8. 1 Cor. 12. If then all prophets, apostles, church, ooneilis, set something, and Christ over it or against it, then Christ, as the one who has the Spirit without measure, even distributes it himself, should be more valid than his saints, who, so deeply unequal to him, do not give the Holy Spirit, but must receive it in part. Therefore I ask the Father of all mercy, to let E. F. G. alone learn the few things and well consider, that Christ and his word is higher, greater, more and more certain, than a hundred thousand holy fathers, ooncülia, churches, popes 2c., for they are called in the Scriptures All sinners and erring sheep, Ps. 119. Therefore let E. F. G. be bold and not be afraid of the world's rulers, Christ is greater than all devils, rather also than all princes; to the same I commend E. F. G. into his grace and mercy, Amen. Friday after Imetare (March 28) 1533.
E. F. G. williger
D. Martinus Luther.
No. 1966.