Güttel sends Luther a copy of Agricola's letter to the preachers etc. in the county of Mansfeld from January 27, 1540 (see St. Louis edition, vol. XX, introduction, p. 55b). Before the Mansfeld preachers reply, they wish to know whether Luther knows Agricola's writing or not.
Alls the original printed in Förstemann's "Neues Urkundenbuch", p. 327.
Grace and peace from God the Father through Christ our Lord. Respectable, highly esteemed Doctor, Preceptor and Father! The ungrateful man, M. Johann Agricola Eisleben, my godfather, has complained about E. A. W. to three city governors, all parish priests and preachers, with attached words of shame, as if he wanted to disgrace his fatherland, E. A. W., and all of us. [and] put us all to shame and punish us with lies, purging himself alone and cleaning himself up nicely, as if he had never stumbled and transgressed in such highly important matters, nor even been found to be lying, you will well hear from the copy you have, from the original and handwriting of his cousin Andreä etc. Since the honorable three city governors, my favorable lords, friends and cousins, have been with me, they have asked to meet at a convenient time with D. Wendelino) 3) and He Michael Celio 4) together with other cousins.
1) In Burkhardt: "erfahren wollt, lernen wollt". Because we consider the latter to be a correction of the former, we have omitted "erfahren wollt".
2) Maybe: "postpone"?
3) D. Wendelin Faber zu Seeburg.
4) Michael Coelius, pastor in the Mansfeld valley.
Letters from the year 1540. No. 2640a. 2641.
The question of how to reply to the said Magister Eisleben, and [that] for the sake of the homeward journey (heymfort) 1) of our superiority on account of the young lord, Count Albrechten von Mansfeld, might be protracted, is a concern of many honorable, good-hearted people, whether E. A. W. such ingratitude, disgraceful word is also knowingly or concealed. Therefore, I have decided in the best way and considered it good to inform E. A. W. of his complaint and letter before anything else, which I do herewith, considering that E. A. W.'s letter against the Antinomians 2) (Antiqmünche) was first dedicated to me, from which the wounds were partly hewn and the horse was running and the bear was humming, so that E. A. W. may first have knowledge of such a violent and poisonous letter, [and] the reason. We want to respond to this pestilence and poisonous worm with salutary theriac (Tiriack), if necessary and in all fairness, through Christ, our Lord and Savior. To E. A. W. now and [with] all yours be eternally commanded. Dated Eisleben, April 7, 1540.
E. A. Würden unterthäniger pupil Caspar Guethel.
No. 2641.
To Melanchthon in Schmalkalden.
Luther writes about the emperor's attitude and the state of affairs. Lastly, about Agricola.
Handwritten in Cod. Goth. 185. 4. and in Aurifaber, vol. III, p. 294. Printed in Unschuldige Nachrichten 1722, p. 188; in Strobel-Ranner, p. 27; in Schütze, vol. III, p. 197 and again vol. III, p. 128 (as addressed to Jonas, Bugenhagen and Cruciger with, from the Wetstein collection in Amsterdam); in De Wette, vol. V, p. 275 f. German in Walch, vol. XXI, 1300.
To the highly famous man, Magister Philipp Melanchthon, the faithful disciple of Christ, his exceedingly dear brother.
Grace and peace! That you write, my dear Philip, that the emperor promises a private conversation, I also wonder very much about what that means. I believe that the emperor is uncertain what he wants to do.
1) "Going home" == leading home, wedding.
2) St. Louis edition, vol. XX, 1648.
He should take care of all things. It is necessary for him to have a hidden heart, since he is caught among so many vipers that he can do neither us nor them enough by making certain promises. For I think what I should do if I were caught in his place, especially since I am not at all knowledgeable about things. God must be asked for him. It is indeed no small miracle of God that he has held back the Emperor's hand for so many years, while the Cardinals and Bishops raged in vain, inciting, urging and driving him; it is incumbent upon us to thank God for this. But whatever happens, happens or happens, we will accomplish everything through prayer, which alone is the almighty ruler in human affairs; Through it we will direct what has been decided, correct errors, bear what cannot be corrected, overcome all evils, preserve all that is good, as we have done until now, and we have experienced the power of prayer, of which the papists know nothing, the obdurate people who have become disgraced in so many counsels; they will not and cannot repent. And the final wrath of God comes upon them, who have filled their hands with the blood of Christ and the Christians; yes, they have long since been completely drowned in the blood of the saints, as it were. For though we wretched sinners live in the sinful flesh, yet we are pure of blood, yea, we hate the bloodthirsty and the blood god that possesses and drives them. This I have written only to answer, and to testify that I have received your letters; 3) for such things we are wont to communicate with one another.
3) Here, Schütze, Aurifaber, Wetstein and Cod. Goth. The following with deviations: Everything stands well here. We pray and certainly believe that we will be heard. Although it is still uncertain, we also believe about our understanding or request. We will nevertheless attain what we have prayed for, as we have attained it so far. It is God who gives life in the midst of death, and has mercy in the midst of anger, and laughs in the midst of wrath, so He will give the fulfillment of petitions in the midst of rejecting them. All his works are divine and marvelous and incomprehensible: for him there is that which is not; there is that which perishes; there stands that which falls, and for him nothingness is everything; to him alone be the glory, who alone is God; he alone makes everything, he alone governs everything. Whether you bring us peace, we will receive it as brought from the midst of war; whether you bring us peace, we will receive it as brought from the midst of war; whether you bring us peace, we will receive it as brought from the midst of war; whether you bring us peace, we will receive peace.
to speak confidentially when we talk about these things. Finally, I hope that you will receive other letters on the journey.
Everything is fine here by God's grace, only that I would like you to return as soon as possible, yes, to have returned long ago. I am even angry with Master Grickel, whom I wish to leave behind before my death, graced with his virtues. 1) Fare well in the Lord. Greet all my people and tell them that everything is well in their houses. On the day after the eclipse of the sun, 2) which in its distress we saw exceedingly sad for two hours, from 5 o'clock until about 7 o'clock. Turn the misfortune, O Lord, against the enemies, and save us in your name, Amen. My Käthe, who is completely restored, sends you her most respectful greetings; she is very fond of you and loves you dearly. (1540.)
No. 2642.