Cordatus informs Luther that he wants to take his matter out of Luther's hands and place it in the hands of the Rector, thereby making the hitherto private matter a public one. However, since the Rector and the other theologians did not want to pass judgment on his written petition, nor did they want to counter the annoyance caused by Cruciger, he would refer to the decision of the prince.
From a copy in Cod. Guelph. fol. No. 11. 10, p. 613b, in Corp. Ref., vol. III, 205 f. A not entirely accurate regest in Burkhardt, p. 272.
To Doctor Martin Luther. 2)
Grace from God through Christ! Since I have heard everything that happened without you (I will remain silent, against you) in Wittenberg in matters of faith, I have to say that I am not a believer.
2) Luther was dean of the theological faculty at that time.
Letters from the year 1536. No. 2322. 2323. 2324.
I want you to know that tomorrow I will transfer the known matter from you to the Rector, that is, I will make the hitherto private action 1) into a public one. Since even the worthy (Magnificus) Rector and even the theologians, who until now have stood firm in the sound doctrine, which we have all learned from you, did not want to pronounce a judgment on my written petition (actione) immediately,.nor also to counter the annoyance of D. Cruciger and all his supporters and to bring about a proper end, I will transfer the judgment to the Prince; I will state the causes of my so great contradiction before the college of theologians. Farewell and rejoice that your great gifts will again be wonderfully stimulated for the fight of God. From Niemeck, December 16.
Conr. Cordatus.
Send me, venerable father, the petition (actionem) back, because I must have it in any case, so that I can also speak with Cruciger tomorrow, and that I may learn from him at the beginning whether he wants to continue to defend his lecture.
No. 2323.