Luther reports to him from Lichtenberg, where he is visiting the sick Margravine, that he cannot come to Torgau as soon as Jonas expects.
Manuscript in Aurifaber, vol. III, p. 263. From the Gözische Sammlung at Osnabrück in Schütze, vol. III, p. 124 and in De Wette, vol. V, p. 188.
To the highly famous man, Mr. Justus Jonas, Doctor of Holy Theology, Provost at Wittenberg, his superior in the Lord.
Grace and peace! Why do you write so confidently, my dear Jonas, yes, promise Mr. Brück confidently that I am in Lichtenberg, although I had only arrived in Lichtenberg at the hour (namely at three o'clock) when you wrote the letter, so that you could not know it at all? Then Brück is easily at hand with the hope or opinion regarding the execution of the business of others, as if you did not know that I am in such a sea, in which there are many sucking fish 1) and sea urchins, which are the course of the sea.
1) echini and remorae are such animals that attach themselves to the bottom of a vehicle and retard its running.
Letters from the year 1539. No. 2545. 2546. 2547.
of the ship. Therefore, I cannot come tomorrow at six or seven o'clock (as you prophesy about things that are unknown to you and impossible for me). I certainly wish to be released from this body and to be in Torgau, and I will certainly invent that your letter is more urgent than it is, whether I would perhaps like to be released on the morrow. I am very sorry for the extremely good woman, who is of such high origin. May the Lord make her well and give me healing counsel and speech against the arrows of Satan. I will do as much as I can, you may tell Bridge, as much as God gives me grace. We must pray one for the other. He who roars attacks us everywhere. Today to me, tomorrow to you. Fare well in the Lord. In haste, at nine o'clock in the evening, 1539. You will tell Mr. Brück that I have not yet spoken to the mistress; I found her resting after the early meal, and since I was called to supper at about seven o'clock, I could not do anything. Yours, Martin Luther.
No. 2546.
To the Mayor and City Council of Coburg.
Luther punishes them because of an injustice done to the pastor of Coburg, M. Johann Fesel.
The original is at the Coburg fortress. According to a communication he received, which, as he says, appears to be in need of collation, in Burkhardt, p. 324.
G. and F. in Christ. Honorable, wise, dear gentlemen! What you have written to Hans Schotten, with your pious pastor of the Holy Cross, you know well, and have thereby come to disrepute with many pious people, that you so carelessly sought the good man's disgrace in such a backward manner, and should know that I, as soon as I can, do not want to forget this with our Lord and work so that you and Schotten must make things true. I do not want to forget this with our Lord and work so that you and the Scot must make things true. Perhaps the Scotsman's old sins are pressing him, so that he must struggle for shame and also receive his reward from God, who knows his heart well. Do you, as Christians, want to
1) Reconcile with M. Feselius and beg, is good, if not, then let Scotsmen please you about God; because where one wants to act in such a way with preachers, the country will become desolate, so ready too few are in the country. But no further this time, until I report to my most gracious lord. I am sorry for you that you have disgraced yourselves, and [have] had to make Master Feselius pious with your scorn. God grant you better understanding henceforth, and beware of evil counselors another time. Take this from me as a good brotherly warning in Christ, and be hereby commanded to the same, Amen. Tuesday after Viti [June 17] 1539.
Martinus Luther, D.
No. 2547.
June 22, 1539.