Answer to Letter No. 2425, with which Bullinger had sent his writing De autoritate Scripturae et functione Episcoporum. Luther does not hide the fact that he cannot agree with Bullinger's opinions and wishes that they and their parties would still come to an agreement.
The original is in the Zurich government archives, but the beginning is missing, and it only begins with Nosti vero. Printed by Hottinger, Hist. Eccl., VI, 730 and from it by Strobel-Ranner, p. 268. According to the original by De Wette, Vol. V, p. 111.
To the highly placed man, Mr. Heinrich Bullinger, the industrious and diligent servant of the church in Zurich, his dear [friend] highly honored in the Lord.
Grace and peace in Christ! Your letter has been handed over to me, my dear Bullinger, at the same time as your book on the reputation of the
Letters from the year 1538. no. 2433. 2434. 2435.
Scripture and the administration of the bishops. Of course, I have not yet read through the book, since I am busy with other and many things; however, I did not want to postpone the answer beyond this Leipzig fair, although I cannot indicate what you desire, my judgment about your book, with such a great lack of time. You know, however, that otherwise we do not dislike the way of writing and the content of the things you deal with, but we are different in our opinion and attitude. I will say it freely: after I saw and heard Zwingli in Marburg, I thought that he was a very good man, as was Oecolampad, so that your accident almost deprived me of life, for no reason more than because I was forced to believe that he was a stranger to our opinion, or rather that he remained a stranger to it, which we consider no less true than you do yours. And that also hurt me, that afterwards you praised and published under your name the book that Zwingli wrote to King Christian with extraordinary praise, even though you knew that there were very many things in this book that are not only annoying to us, but with the greatest right to all godly people; not as if I were envious of Zwingli's honor, over whose death I felt such great pain, but because the integrity of doctrine must not be disregarded for the sake of any man. I write this so that you may see that I am dealing with you in right sincerity without all hypocrisy. You may think that we are mistaken; this I commend to God's courts. Certainly, even we cannot approve all that is yours, if we did not want to burden our conscience; you will not ask that of us, as I do not doubt. But before my departure, nothing could be more joyful to me than if, at last, by the grace of God, the Spirit were given to refresh my heart and soul in the Lord, so that we might keep and speak one accord in Christ for the glory of God the Father and the salvation of souls. Meanwhile, take this for the best, until, God willing, I have read your booklet. Fare well. Wittenberg, May 14, 1538.
No. 2434.
To Sebastian Heller, Ansbach Chancellor.
Recommendation of a young clergyman.
From the original in the Imhof Collection in Nuremberg in Schütze, vol. III, p. 71 and in De Wette, vol. V, p. 112. From Strobel's Melanchthoniana in Corp. Ref., vol. III, 526. Bretschneider claims that "according to the way of writing" Melanchthon is to be regarded as the author.
To the highly respected man, Mr. Sebastian Heller, the Right Doctor and Chancellor of Margrave George of Ansbach.
Dear Lord Chancellor! I hear that Sebastian Stibarus of Schwabach is known to you. Since he was here recently, he has offered us his work if he should be called to lead any church. He is, however, of good and gentle character, and his age is already suitable for public office. Although he has devoted himself primarily to the Holy Scriptures, he is also well educated in common philosophical doctrine. However, I believe that those who are distinguished by scholarship are more yielding and have a more sound judgment 1) [than others]. He has a modest and chaste wife. Therefore, since he is still in need of a job, I ask very much that you take him into consideration if there will be an opportunity. I see that he has to struggle with difficulties in housekeeping. I therefore ask that you let this righteous person, who can be of use to the community, be commanded to you. Be well and happy. On the 18th day of May, Anno 1538, your Mart. Luther.
No. 2435.