News from home, likewise about those from Italy. From the Archbishop of Mainz.
Manuscript in Aurifaber, vol. III, p. 245 and in Cod. Goth. 4 Printed from the collection of Sagittarius at Jena by Schütze, vol. III, p. 50 and by De Wette, vol. V, p. 100,
Grace and peace in Christ! There was nothing I could have written, my dear Jonas, but to indicate to you that I would like to write more often, if it were either for the sake of business or because of Satan's angel and his fisticuffs. But here, too, there is no news that would be so important that it should be written to you, since you are in such a close place as an envoy. Your house is fine, thanks be to Christ, but your beer is spoiled if the same is in your cellar as the one you gave me as a gift. But the beer may spoil and at the same time the old man, the vessel or rather the hose of this water made a martyr, if only the incorruption of the inner man, who drinks the water and the living spring that quilts into eternal life, increases day by day, amen.
Philip sends news from Italy. I draw from the same the hope that it will be
1) Instead of corrumpitur we have assumed corrumpatur.
that Christ, after the world has shattered itself among itself, will hasten his day and make the world shatter and collapse. The fearful may indeed be struck by the ruins, but we shall be granted imminent salvation, amen.
It is said here, but I do not believe it, that ours have forgotten in their matter that that epicurer at Halle (since he killed Hans Schenitz disgracefully) had despised the restraining order of the empire, and that he now wants this restraining order to be upheld against our prince. This would clearly mean forgetting Cato's well-known saying: It is shameful for a teacher if the accusation falls back on him (Turpe est doctori, cum culpa redarguit ipsum). For if the order of the empire did not have validity against him then, why should it have validity for him now? But, as I have said, I do not believe that ours have forgotten this fraud, unless perhaps the honor is reserved for Luther, if he remains alive, to interpret this revelation (Apocalypsis), with due credit. If you have something certain about this matter, show it to me. For as I beseech God against this Pharaonic monster, so I hear nothing rather than God's judgment against him. For it resists and harms the Church greatly this vessel of wrath and sin, and I do not pray for him.
Satan showed us our safety last Sunday, since God allowed it, and taught us that one must watch and live moderately. For he has caused a murder to be committed by a man who, being sober, was gentler than a lamb, but, being drunk, was a warrior. At times he has been a very hard-working and good wage-earner for my Käthe. May God have mercy on him and protect us against all temptations of Satan through Christ, our Lord, amen. Therefore, the rumor may come to you that he was the servant of Luther; so it was said in this city for a whole day. Of course, he fled after saying goodbye to his wife with tears, and left three children with their mother in great poverty. But may Satan be so with ours: Misery
But woe to you, says that judge, who laugh, especially at the misfortunes of others; this comes to Satan and the Epicurer of Halle and his like. For this Herodian laughter and mockery Christ indeed understands, and has willed that we also understand it. Finally, they will weep after our sadness is turned into joy. In a short while, if I can, more. For you, who are so joyful and calm in the rich peace of Christ (which I greatly wish for you), owe me ten more detailed letters, or rather a thousand. Fare well in the Lord. February 12, 1538.
Your Martin Luther.
No. 2418.