About the publication of his works and about a gift to Luther's wife.
The original is at Strasbourg in the archives of the church convent. Printed by Strobel-Ranner, p. 261 and by De Wette, vol. V, p. 70. German by Walch, vol. XXI, 1278.
To the highly famous man, Mr. Wolfgang Capito, Doctor of Theology, the extremely faithful servant in the church at Strasbourg, his brother who is very dear in Christ.
Grace and peace in Christ. Through these Frenchmen, my dear Capito, whom you recommended to me, I wanted to write again; perhaps they will tell what they have seen and heard themselves. With regard to the collection of my books in volumes, I am very unenthusiastic (frigidior) and disinclined (segnior), because, from a hunger equal to the
Letters from the year 1537. no. 2365. 2366.
of Saturnus, 1) would rather wish that they were all devoured. For I recognize none of them as my right (justum) book, except for example that of free will and the catechism. However, I have instructed the matter to D. Caspar Cruciger, if anything is to be done. My intuition told me that you would struggle greatly in this matter [of the Concordia, but at the same time I prayed that our Christ would not let you labor in vain. Others have sufficiently portrayed the Satan of Augsburg 2) to me, but we want to wait for the one who has begun his work; he will certainly come in his time and will not forgive, therefore we do not want to despair. For of you and Bucer I am convinced that you are acting honestly and sincerely, and not only that, but I am also pleased that all who write to me or speak orally have the same opinion of you when they think of you.
For the golden ring, my Catharina thanks you, whom I have hardly ever seen more indignant than when she realized that it was either stolen from her or lost through her carelessness (which is not likely, although I keep bringing it up), because I had assured her that this gift was sent to her as a happy omen and foreshadowing that it would now be certain that your church would be in sweet harmony with ours; this hurts the woman extraordinarily. I write this so that you may know that our hearts are completely and sincerely in the hope of harmony. Let Christ himself accomplish the thing, amen. But this I add: you will not send anything more to my wife, so that you do not make the sadness twofold, because Christ is enough for us on both sides.
Greet all yours and ours much, and urge them to think the best of us, as we do of you. May the Lord Jesus be the seal of this good will; to him be glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever and ever, amen. July 9, 1537.
Your Martin Luther.
1) Saturnus ate his own children, except Jupiter, Pluto, Neptune, Juno, Ceres, Picus 2c. He presents the time which devours years, months, days 2c.
2) Probably the Zwinglian Michael Keller.
No. 2366.