Melanchthon reports on the negotiations of the Frankfurt Convention up to March 3. About the peaceful attitudes of the Protestants and the opposing ones of the opposing party.
Handwritten in Cod Bav. I, p. 995; in Cod. Goth. 190, p. 196; in Cod. Goth. 401, p. 95b; in Cod. Mehn. III, p. 186 b; in Cod. Lips. ep. 117 and in Cod. Basill. 39, p. 29. printed in Manlii Farrago, p. 406; in Mel. Epp., tom. II, p. 15 (ed. Lond., lib. II, 6p. 4.) and in Corp. Ref., vol. III, 641.
To the highly famous and valuable man, Mr. Martin Luther, Doctor of Theology, restorer of the evangelical doctrine etc., his highly venerable father in Christ.
Hail! At this hour, Franz, 1) the teacher of your sons, has given me your highly desired letter, on the third of March. I wrote to you a few days ago about the beginning of the Convention. Afterwards the imperial orator arrived and brought with him a mandate which was more liberal than everyone hoped and expected, namely that the peacemakers should not only make a truce but also peace by their judgment. This mandate was publicly proclaimed to our people, and two Electors, the Palatine and the Margrave, ordered that a peace formula be drawn up so that they would know what had been omitted from the Nuremberg peace treaty. Our people have already submitted a formula in which they request that security be granted not only to the allies, but also to other estates which might accept the teachings of the Gospel. They also request that the tyranny of the Speier judgment be resisted. Now the peacemakers deliberate and say that the will of the imperial orator is not at all in accord with the liberalism of the mandate, xxxxx xxx xxxxxxxxx,,, xxx
1) Franz Groß von Oschatz. Seidemann at De Wette, Vol. VI, p. 226.
If I were not moved by compassion toward the young, who need the discipline and instruction that war hinders, I would not fear arms. Among the adversaries there is such a great godlessness, such a great rage, and also such a great nonsense that I have no doubt that they will perish through some fatal noise. The Mainzer asked a magistrate, a soothsayer (magum), "von Walthausen", not far from Worms, for advice on whether a war should be undertaken. He promised him, as they say, good things. He consoles himself with such mockery of the devil, and yet he stands in the greatest fear, and not only in fear, but he is also hated. All, high and low, judge that by his artifices these dangers have been brought about. Therefore, let us pray that God will protect us and sanctify a church among us and free us from Doeg's helpership (satellitio). The Convent has not yet given me a longer message, so you may interpret this letter for the best, D. Brück and M. Franciscus 2) send you their best regards. God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ keep you and your family. I commend my family to you and your prayers. At Frankfurt, on the third of March. Greetings in my name to your esteemed spouse. Farewell. 1539.
Philip Melanthon.
No. 2518.