Luther excuses Johann von Bora, his brother-in-law, because of his absence from Prussia. About the delay of the concilium and about the good agreement with the Swiss.
From Faber's collection of letters, p. II, in De Wette, vol. V, p. 106 and in the Erlangen edition, vol. 55, p. 199.
Grace and peace in Christ and my poor Father-Our. Sublime, highborn prince, gracious lord! I have been able to write to E. F. G. Hans von Bora, 1) my brother-in-law, who was previously E. F. G.'s servant on the Muemel (Memel). After he had been held up for a long time outside, for the sake of his property, that he also had to move into it himself, and compared himself, until he brought it to himself, nevertheless, he has never yet gone to E. F. G.'s service, but has always thought of E. F. G. with high praise, and desired E. F. G. to be his servant. with high praise, and wished to serve it always willingly and gladly: therefore asks E. F. G. not to understand such delay, which he had to do out of necessity to confirm his and his brothers' goodwill, in any ungracious will, nor to recognize [him] as an ingrate or unwilling to serve E. F. G.. For I can testify with truth that he always praised E. F. G. very highly and considered him a dear gentleman before all others.
Where now E. F. G. (after he has provided for his child the estate and poor inheritance or house, and can also order it) wants to use his service further, he begs to serve E. F. G. with all loyalty and diligence, and desires that E. F. G. be his gracious prince and lord. My humble request is also based on this.
1) He excused himself in a letter dated Wittenberg, April 29, and offered to return to Prussia with his family if the Duke would take him back into his service. On May 24, the Duke replied that Bora's position had already been filled and that no other vacancy existed, but that he was prepared to provide for his continuation if he wished to return to Prussia. (De Wette.)
Please, let us have him graciously commanded and appear conducive to him; this is pleasing to God as a good work. So, as much as I, a poor Christian, am able to do against God, I will gladly help Christians with my poor prayer to command E. F. G., as I do and am obliged to do.
New newspaper from the Turk eight I E. F. G. should know more than we do. The king 2) has no luck, the emperor is back in Hispania; some think he is angry that the pope so shamefully shows up the Concilium, consumes, scares and flies. They are nothing but Roman scoundrels and knaves; but God has begun to afflict them, and he will not let up, but presses on, making fools of them in their cleverness the longer.
With the Swiss, who until now have been at odds with us because of the Sacrament, things are on a good track, God help us; for Basel, Strasbourg, Augsburg and Bern, along with others, are very friendly with us; So we also accept it kindly, that I hope God will put an end to the trouble, not for our sake, who do not deserve it, but for the sake of His name, and to the displeasure of the abomination at Rome; for they are terrified of such a new newspaper, and are afraid, which is why they also shun the Concilium so miserably.
Hiemit dem lieben GOtt befohlen, Amen. Monday after Philippi et Jacobi [May 6] 1538.
E. F. G. willigeR
Martinus LutheR.
No. 2430.
To Sebastian Heller, Ansbach Chancellor.
Luther thanks him for a gift of Franconian wine, and asks that he be excused for having spoken disdainfully, ignorantly, about the same.
From the original in the Imhof Collection in Nuremberg in Schütze, Vol. III, p. 68; in Strobel-Ranner, p. 266 and in De Wette, Vol. V, p. 108.
To the distinguished man, Mr. Sebastian Heller, Doctor of Laws and Chancellor of the Prince, Margrave George.
"Grace and peace in Christ!" I pray, if something should happen to your most illustrious Für-
2) Ferdinand.
Letters from the year 1538. No. 2430. 2431.
No. 2431.