Luther exhorts the princes to steadfastly hold to the Gospel and gives them rules of conduct for the upcoming presence of several Catholic princes.
From a copy in the 1587 handwritten chronicle of Anhalt by Bartholomäus Schwanberg in the state archives at Zerbst printed in Kolde, Analecta, p. 194.
Guade, comfort and peace in Christ. Sublime princes and gracious lords! We hear here, how until Sunday sJ9. October^ the Cardinal, Margrave House, 1) George 2c. are to arrive in Dessau for the day. Nuu
1) "The Cardinal" is Albrecht, Archbishop of Mainz; "Marggraff Hanns" is probably his brother, the Elector Joachim of Brandenburg (see Köstlin, M. Luther [3.^, vol. II, p. 295); "Georg" is Duke Georg of Saxony.
We think that they will not let it go, and that they will fight against us with words for the sake of the gospel, and we will also take care of the temptations of us, and therefore we call upon our Lord and Savior with all our heart and faithfulness, and ask that he will strengthen and preserve us in his word and in the work that we have begun, amen. About this we do not know how to fight with such heads, because they neither want to see nor hear. But E. F. G. can, in my small opinion, protect themselves a little with the name of the Concilii, because one appeals to it all over the world; on the other hand, they can speak out on my behalf and say: We do not hear Luther. Thus E. F. G. Pfarrherr 2) is such a sedentary man, whom they cannot accuse of anything. But since no one can guess how the speeches will take place, it is best to let it go, as Christ says [Luc. 21:14. f.]: When you are to stand before princes and lords, "do not worry about how you are to speak. I will give you a mouth and wisdom that all your adversaries shall not withstand. Although such hardened hearts are not worth speaking much to, as Solomon says, "Where there is no hearing, do not pour out the word;" and Christ [Matt. 7:6], "Do not give the sanctuary to the dogs." Therefore short answer, and fallen on other3 ); that is answer for them. E. F. G. graciously accept my letter. Christ grant E. F. G. his spirit of wisdom and all comfort, Amen. Midweek, St. Gall's evening [15 Oct] 1533.
No. 2009.