About Luther's journey to Anhalt (see No. 2431) and about the Turkish War.
Handwritten in Aurifaber, vol. III, p. 252. Printed in Schütze, vol. III, p. 72 and in De Wette, vol. V, p. 113.
1) We have adopted here the Corp. Ref. reading: sanioris judicii instead of saniores in De Wette. - This and the preceding sentence do not seem to fit Luther.
Grace and peace in Christ! I am surprised that my letter was handed over to you so late, my dear Jonas, or that you answered so late. But let it be done what it can, for the convenience of the princes. I hope that I can appear on the appointed day and place, by the power of Christ, if the holiday (sabbathum) of the stone and the fist of Satan so continue.
No. 2436.
To Georg and Joachim, Princes of Anhalt.
Luther reports that he cannot come to the princes today, but is willing to come at another time.
First printed in 1830, after the original, in Lindner's "Mittheilungen," II, p. 46; in the Erl. Ausg.) Vol. 56, p. 210 and in De Wette-Seidemann, Vol. VI, p. 197.
To the noble, highborn princes and lords, Mr. Georgen, provost of Magdeburg, and Mr. Joachim, brothers, princes of Anhalt, counts of Ascanien and lords of Bernburg, my gracious lords.
God and peace in Christ. Sublime, high-born princes, gracious lords! Because
it might not have been that I would have come to E. F. G. today, in the middle of the week, so let it happen when it will be convenient for E. F. G., but that it will not happen on Monday, Tuesday 2c., when I must be here and work, because God gives me strength; for without that I am uncertain and must miss and celebrate more than is dear to me, as I have written to D. Jonas before. Jonas before also wrote. For I am willing to serve E. F. G.. Hiemit dem lieben GOtt befohlen, Amen. Midweek after Cantate [May 22] 1538.
E. F. G. williger
Martinus Luther.
No. 2437.