Luther informs him that he has written to the princes of Anhalt about the enemies coming to Dessau, the Catholic princes mentioned in the previous letter. Their deliberations would probably concern the city of Erfurt. Luther exhorts him to confidently despise them and to stand firm against them.
The original is in Dessau. Manuscript in Aurifaber, vol. III, p. 177 and in Cod. Helmst. 94 Bibl. Guelph
From Börner's collection in Schütze, Vol. II, p. 283; in Strobel-Ranner, p. 228 and in De Wette, Vol. I V, p. 487. German in Walch, Vol. XXI, 1409.
2) Househusband.
3) "other" put by us instead of "others". The latter could remain if "speech" is added.
Letters from 1533. no. 2009. 2010. 2011.
To the man to be highly honored in Christ, Mr. M. Nicolaus Hausmann, the extremely faithful servant of the Word in Dessau, his brother who is extremely dear to the Lord.
Grace and peace in Christ! I have written to your princes, dear man and exceedingly dear brother in the Lord. I hear that those Cyclopes are coming to your town who are hostile to our Gospel and to us. It is easy to sense what they will discuss and do, for Erfurt may be the scene of these movements. May the Lord destroy the plots of the wicked, and may the will of our Father be done, on earth as it is in heaven, amen. By the way, I hope the greater tyrants will not dignify you with either a greeting or a salutation. But to the other two, one of whom is called Julius [Nobody] and the other Nemo [Nobody], you will easily answer with a certain greeting, if they consider you worthy of sight and address. Be a strong man, and if the occasion should arise, answer them with short and serious words, namely, with a mind raised in Christ, bravely despise these Goliaths, because it is written that even these, if they do not desist, will be a footstool for the feet of the Lord. Christ laughs at their rage; we suffer it, but one day we will also laugh. Therefore receive them as water bubbles with a steady mind and a firm eye (if they should want to speak), and think that you are speaking to those whom our Lord Jesus greatly despises, and whom he will bring before us in that day to judge them. Then they will throw away their boasts and great (sesquipedalia == a foot and a half long) words, of which they are now brimming this moment and are puffed up against us, who will be their lords and judges for eternity. May the Lord strengthen you and glorify His name through you, as He began, to the end, Amen. We pray for you against those, and we will pray; doubt not. Christ will keep his word; we are without worry, he cares for us. My Lord Käthe and all our people greet you respectfully. There is no news, except that it is said that the un
The people of Erfurt do not keep their measure. But such is the rule of the centaurs, who are more concerned about their inclinations than about the advantage of their princes. Let us pray, let us pray. Fare well in Christ. The day before St. Galli [Oct. 15] 1533.
Your Martin Luther, D.
No. 2010.
The Augsburg City Council to Luther.
The council sends the response of the local preachers to Luther's letter of August 8.
From a copy in the Weimar Archives, Reg. H, fol. 97, No. 41, printed by Burkhardt, p. 216.
To the worthy and highly learned Mr. Martin Luther, Doctor of the Holy Scriptures, we, the councillors of the city of Augsburg, offer our friendly and willing services beforehand. Your letter concerning our preachers, dated August 8, and due to arrive on the next day of September, we have heard all the contents and have had your letter sent to our preachers, who have answered us, as you have to understand from 1) the writing preserved here, 2) that we do not want to save you, because we are ready and willing to prove our friendly will to you. Date the 16th day of Octobris Anno 1533. 3)
No. 2011.