This obscure letter may refer to the English negotiations.
From the Lorenz collection in Strasbourg in Schütze, Vol. III, p. 110 and in De Wette, Vol. V, p. 212.
Grace and peace in Christ! Our prince does not want this project of his to be published under his name by the printers, and I do not consider it expedient that it should come into many hands. So it seems to me advisable that my advice be published without mentioning the name of the prince; do what you like. I would at least like it to be printed in our country and the copies to be sent to you. We do not want to provoke those of whom we hope that they can be drawn in by prudence, nor is it advisable that those surrender (tradant) of whom it is to be hoped that they will be able to advise the peace of the church. Meanwhile, the Lord must be asked to strengthen the minds of those who seek His glory. It is indeed a human fear, but, if my heart does not deceive me, one that fears that the glory of God and the salvation of souls might be lost. I am waiting for your answer. You have my opinion; do you conclude from the past to the future. I would have written to my Gerbel, but if it can be done through you, I wish him to receive both the letter and the letter.
2) Here, the wrong day of the month is found in the original: "April 16. "This, as already noted by De Wette, can hardly be attributed to Luther's hand. Calixtus is the 14th of October. Therefore, we have omitted the wrong date.
Letters from the year 1539. No. 2588 to 2592.
as well as our entire project. For I like to make use of the advice of old friends. I have no assistants; nor have I leisure nor hands to write again. Give me credit, dear men, for my silliness, and look at my heart, not at my shapeless characters (typos). Be well. October 14, 1539.
Mart. Luther.
No. 2589.
To the Elector Johann Friedrich, together with Melanchthon, Bugenhagen and Jonas.
See St. Louis edition, vol. XVII, 265, no. 1276^.
No. 2590.
To the Elector Johann Friedrich.
See St. Louis edition, vol. XVII, 269, no. 1277.
No. 2591.