At the command of the Elector, Luther asks Spalatin to come to Wittenberg.
The original is in Dessau (with the inscription Spalatin: Uebergeben Dienstags nach Luciä [19. Dec.]). 2) Printed by Buddeuus, p. 255 and by De Wette, vol. V, p. 36. German by Walch, vol. XXI, 1277.
To the highly famous man, Mr. Georg Spalatin, Bishop of the Churches of Meissen, his brother who is extremely dear to the Lord.
Grace and peace in Christ! God wants it to be done this way, my dear Spalatin, that I should call you here according to the will of the Prince. Therefore, I ask you to be here on the Day of the Innocent Children [Dec. 28] or on the following day after the birth of Christ, to celebrate with us the
1) actionem. Cordatus himself, since he writes (Corp. Ref. III, 203) of it in German, does not translate this expression, but says: "action".
2) From this we get our approximate time determination.
to negotiate what must be negotiated. But without your expenses, as you will realize. But this you may keep as secret as you can, and give other causes of your departure. Farewell.
Your Martin Luther, D.
No. 2324.
Concerns about the Concil tendered to Mantua, and of the opposition.
This concern consists of two parts; the first deals with the Concilium at Mantua, the other with the counter-defense. It is taken in its entirety from a copy in Cod. Galli I, p. 115, printed in Corp. Ref., vol. III, 126. The second part alone is found in the Wittenberg edition (1559), vol. XII, p. 220b; in the Jena edition (1568), vol. VII, p. 280b; in the Altenburg edition, vol.VII, p.305; in the Leipzig, vol. XXI, p. 304; in Walch, vol. X, 662; in the Erlangen, vol. 64, p. 270 and in the St. Louis edition, vol. X, 562. - We insert here the first part after the Corp. Ref.
If the pope or the council cites this part in particular ad respondendum or ad audiendum declarari 2c., then this matter can be dealt with much more conveniently, as it was previously discussed in the same case: whether the citation or with what protestation such citations are to be accepted. And if one considers the proceedings of the Concilii at Costenz and the like, it can be assumed that the Concilium would undoubtedly cite the prelates, even if one did not cite the princes.
But if this citation goes or not, we consider in all ways that it is useful and necessary to send a message to the Emperor and all potentates, and also to let it go out publicly, in which we indicate as much as possible the opportunity for these important and high things, and ask that they
3) In the editions this concern is dated (according to Bretschneider) August 20 to 30, but with the reservation that it may also belong to December. Since now in the source of the same, the Cod. Galli, the title is: "Der andere Rathschlag 1536", also in the letter of the Elector from Dec. 11 (No. 2320) Amsdorf is required as a co-counselor in this matter, who also co-signed, furthermore the Elector was personally in Wittenberg at the beginning of Dec. (Corp. Ref., III, 126), so we do not doubt that this concern is the answer to the letter just mentioned. Burkhardt, p. 264, also places it in this time.
Letters from the year 1536. No. 2324. 2325.
I would like to think of ways to ensure that a proper trial is carried out, which may serve Christianity for proper Christian unity, as the forma literarum may be considered in the easiest possible way.
And so a forma is set up, that the same is held up to the fellow relatives, and on the concerns of all states is improved and brought to light in the most beneficial way. Nor shall there be any lack of us; with God's help and by the command of our most gracious Lord, we also want to do our part. For be it as it may, it is useful to be prepared and equipped for it.
Whether or not to send a special message to the Concilium in this case, we believe, can be determined in time, although we believe, if the Concilium is concerned, that it will be necessary to send a message for the sake of protest.
Our concern about the counterconcilium is that it should not be hurried in all ways. For to make a counterconcilium has a great terrible appearance, to cause a schism, and that one wants to set oneself against the whole world, no less than if one wanted to go to the field. Therefore, such a great apparent opposition should not be made until one intends to do something publicly with it. There must also first be an understanding among all the estates that they will come together in unity. For if we were to disagree with one another, it would not only be a mockery, but also a great disruption among ourselves and a deterrent to other countries that might otherwise have good will toward us. In this case, it will be necessary to send letters, namely, common notices, in which the cause of the attraction is indicated, item, a warning, why men and other principalities and countries should not help against us, so that no one will be guilty of Christian innocent blood. Item, that they do not help to strengthen unrighteous worship and public sins of the priests. Item, one must offer to help the world, if things are disputed, in which the common man is mistaken and doubtful, that we want to think of ways to bring these inequalities into right consistent, thorough and Christian unity. We must then be prepared with such and suchlike tenders, not to speak of them at present, and also
not to hurry with it. Therefore, we cannot yet speak of the counterconcilio. Their proceedings must be started beforehand. So it is also better to stop dressing. Item, that this part be united beforehand.
No. 2325.