(Regest.)
The Elector sends copies of the correspondence between the Landgrave and Bucer in the English matter, then also his own answer to the Landgrave, and asks for Luther's and his comrades' concern about it. He then asks Melanchthon to write a letter to the King of England, but not to have it printed at this time, and orders that the booklet be reproduced from the ecclesiastical estates.
The concept is in the Weimar Archives, Reg. H, fol. 260. 111. Printed by Burkhardt, p. 331. - The letter written by Melanchthon on the order of the Elector, dated Nov. 1, 1539, is found in the St. Louis edition, vol. XVII, 270.
Letters from the year 1539. No. 2586. 2587.
No. 2586.
To Duke Albrecht of Prussia.
Luther recommends Albrecht Hack from Königsberg, who had studied in Wittenberg at the Duke's expense. News about Duke Heinrich of Brunswick, the Turkish War and the danger for the Protestants.
From Faber's collection of letters, p. 25, reprinted in De Wette, vol. V, p. 209 and in the Erlangen edition, vol. 55, p. 242.
G. and F. in Christ! Sublime, highborn Prince, gracious Lord! Because Albrecht, the letter-writer, is returning to E. F. G., I did not want to let him come without a letter (as he also desires), and I hereby humbly command the same Albrecht to E. F. G., that E. F. G. will graciously help him in time).
New newspaper I send a part, as they are printed here against H. Heinrich von Braunschweig, whose unprincely trades come out a lot, and especially the murder of Doctor Embeg or Diligshausen, of which it says here.2) So it is also true that the Turk has won the castle Castell novo on the Adriatic Sea and slain four thousand Hispanics, who were the best warriors of the emperor. It is said that it was the strongest castle of the whole Christendom. So the pope and the emperor had an embassy to the Turks, but both of them were defeated, and the Turk is preparing to attack the pope and the emperor by sea. If it goes away to him, he shall probably take Sicily, Neapolis (Naples) and Rome in the summer. Still our emperor, king and princes are the longer the more senseless on us, want to attack us with the power in the summer (shall be certain), let talk that all their misfortune comes from the Turk, that they let us live, and that God has not long since done such sacrifices and service. Thus France looks with evil confidence on the emperor, England makes its own, takes the name and property of the pope, but strengthens his doctrine and abominations; summa, the devil lets himself be seen everywhere in the world.
1) Albrecht Hack was employed as a Latin chancery scribe after his return.
2) The printed newspaper Wider Herzog Heinrich von Braunschweig, which contains the news about the murder of D. Embeg, is neither found with the letter, nor otherwise in the secret archive (De Wette).
See his great majesty, that he is God and Lord of the world. Therefore we may well pray, and E. F. G. may also pray for us in the churches, that the devil's counsel may be turned back, amen. Otherwise, it is truly terrible enough everywhere, except that our Christ lives and reigns forever, although sin and ingratitude, very great and ripe, well deserves everything that is inflicted upon us. We have also had these 6 weeks in these lands such unusual winds and waters without ceasing that many people have been drowned, suddenly many things have been carried away, that one must say it means something, and without doubt not much good. For one despises God's word too much, and hears no one. So may a rod be tied over our skin, God grant with grace, amen. E. F. G. forgive me so long chatter, and be commanded to the dear God, amen. Monday after Dionysius [Oct. 13] 1539.
E. F. G.
Martinus LutheR.
No. 2587.
To Martin Bucer in Strasbourg.
Luther assures Bucern of his friendly attitude despite his silence. He refuses to write a preface to his Latin postilla. On the Enemies of the Gospel, the King of England and the Emperor. About the complete unbelief of the Italians.
The original is at Strasbourg in the archives of the church convent. Printed by Schütze, vol. III, p. 99 and by De Wette, vol. V, p. 210. German by Walch, vol. XXI, 1465.
To the highly famous man, Mr. Martin Bucer, Bishop of the Church at Strasbourg, the true servant of the Lord, his exceedingly dear brother in Christ.
Grace and peace in the Lord! I think so, my dear Bucer, that you know how it is not necessary to write to you more often. For you have more leisure and fewer years to keep quiet about the affairs and things with which I am overwhelmed at every hour. Therefore, assume that you have been answered as often as you write to me. For I hope that between us there is a sincere
Letters from the year 1539. No. 2587. 2588.
I think the same of all your colleagues whom I ask to greet you on my behalf. I think the same of all your colleagues, whom I ask to greet you respectfully in my name. But it is very pleasant that you do not leave us in ignorance of what is going on among you, especially in the matter of the cross, that is, the word of the Crucified. The word of St. Peter begins to be fulfilled, which says [2 Pet. 2:1.], "They will bring upon themselves swift condemnation." "They will be lost." They again spread great threats and (as they boast) effective ones. Let God destroy their plots, as he has done so far, although our sins, our ingratitude and contempt announce some great misfortune to us. And with us, mau recognizes it as a terrible punishment that the winds and waters raged in a quite unusual way, now already into the sixth week, so that our old people do not remember its like.
Our Crato has asked me for a preface to the Postillen. But I am not experienced in Latin, and even if I had known it, it cannot be otherwise than that I have become ignorant of it through the weaning from it, and the long habituation to use the German language. 1) I have asked him that he should ask you for it, and this I still desire. I have asked him that he should ask you for it, and this I still desire.
With regard to the King of England, I fear that your hope is futile. We have heard that the English themselves, while staying here, complained about their king and admired our freedom. He had an envoy to our prince in these days, but he brought nothing nor reported anything that could have indicated any hope. May the Lord guide his heart and that of all other kings to his glory.
The prophecies about the emperor are certain that, having united with the pope hated by God, he would lose all happiness and blessings of God. But they put all this on us. Farewell, and respectfully greet Johann Sturm and Johann Calvin, whose books I have read.
1) Here we have added et consuetudine.
with particular pleasure. I would like to wish Sadoletus that he believed that God is the creator of men also outside of Italy; but this conviction does not penetrate into the hearts of the Italians, since they alone have completely discarded the human mind before all other men out of hope. Again, take care. On the day of Calixtus [Oct. 14] 2) Anno 1539.
Your Martin Luther, D.
No. 2588.