Luther gives him news of his recovery.
Handwritten in Cod. Jen. a, fol. 354. Printed by Buddeus, pag. 255 and by De Wette, vol. V, p. 59. German by Walch, vol. XXI, 1276.
To the highly famous and valuable man, Mr. Georg Spalatin, Archbishop of the Churches in Meissen, his extremely dear brother.
Grace and peace in Christ! Finally I am writing, my dear Spalatin, after I have now spent so many days resting with my pen on the Sabbath; I am gradually recovering, thanks be to God, and am learning anew to eat and drink, even though my thighs and knees and bones are wavering and cannot yet support the body completely. The exhaustion of my strength is greater than I would have believed, but I will take care of myself through rest and other refreshments until I regain my strength through God's help. My Lord Käthe sends you her respectful greetings, and she is sorry that she did not bring anything for your daughters as a gift, but she has books sent to her.
1) Burkhardt (p. 276) summarizes the following in his regest as follows: "Melanchthon could not give good news of his own well-being. This seems to us to be erroneous.
2) In this meaning (but not of his physical suffering) Melanchthon uses the word äolor also in his letter to Agricola, 6orp. Hek., III, 328, where he speaks of the same thing.
which she has decided to send in memory. Meanwhile, she asks that you consider her grateful and ready good will. For she extraordinarily praises your exceedingly kind goodness and benevolent friendliness. Fare well in Christ and pray for us. Wednesday after Gertrude [21 March] 1537.
Your Martin Luther.
No. 2352.