Response to No. 2450.
From Faber's collection of letters, p. 18, in De Wette, vol. V, p. 123 and in the Erlangen edition, vol. 55, p. 208.
G. and peace in Christ. I cannot blame E. F. G. as a friend of blood for taking such a hard line against the bishop of Mainz, and for asking so warmly 2c., but I am just and well off. But I hope that when E. F. G. will read my reasons, they themselves will not think nor say much good of the bishop; for as he also let himself be found at Zerbst, in the action with the Elector of Saxony, E. F. G. can learn from the other princes of the noble house of Brandenburg, who were very badly pleased about him, and one said: Ah, that he were not Prince of Brandenburg! 2c. But how should one do it? He overpowers with malice and mischievousness, so that [it] must be obvious to everyone. No lineage has ever been so high and noble; sometimes an ill-bred child has come out of it, and the nobler the better. What boys have come out of the Staunn David! From the chosen apostles kain Judas, from the angels the devil, from the holy bishops the heretics. And where do whores and boys come from, but from pious parents 2c.? It is not a disgrace to have boys in a family, but honest that they are not praised nor defended. Therefore I humbly ask, E. F. G. to let the desperate priest be commanded to God's judgment; he wants it so, I do not want to do him wrong, or let him find me justified here 2c.
In praise of God, the Sacrament is on a good course, I hope to achieve a happy Concordia at last in a short time. Hiemit dein lieben GOtt befehlt, Amen. The Assumption of Mary [15 Aug.] 1538.
E. F. G.
Martinus Luther, D.
No. 2454.