Luther complains about the lukewarmness of the Dresden court and reports news.
Handwritten in Cod. Goth. 402, fol. 185. 4. and in Aurifaber, vol. III, p. 290. Printed in Schelhorns Ergötzlichkeiten, vol. I, p. 304; in Schütze, vol. III, p. 127; in Strobel-Ranner, p. 283 and in De Wette, vol. V, p. 271.
To the highly venerable man, Mr. Anton Lauterbach, the faithful bishop of the church at Pirna, his brother who is exceedingly dear to the Lord.
Grace and peace! I see well enough, my dear Anton, that at the court in Dresden
6) As a result of a miscarriage, she was so seriously ill on January 22 that there was little hope for life. On February 9, she was on the mend, but still not out of danger on February 12. See Corp. ref. vol. III, 947, 952, 955, St. Louis ed. vol. XVII, 318.
is an extraordinary sullenness to advise the affairs of God and men, so it seems that hopefulness and avarice reign. The old prince cannot do anything; the younger ones do not dare yet, nor could they, even if they dared. May God Himself rule His churches alone, until He finds means-tools through which He visibly rules the church for us. Amen.
There is nothing new here except the raging book of Mezentius^) against our princes. It is said that the Turk is approaching with incredible armor, but in the meantime we drink and play bravely. The Emperor Carl and Ferdinand lead a good life in Flanders. The Lord must be asked for the day of his appearance, that he come as soon as possible. Come, Lord Jesus, amen.
No. 2634.