Luther also gives news of the upcoming convention in Worms and that Duke Heinrich of Brunswick is accused of being an arch-murderer.
From Faber's collection of letters, p.30, in De Wette, vol. V, p. 308 and in the Erlangen edition, vol. 55, p. 291.
4) Johann Lening, the co-signatory of the Rathsschlag (No. 2610), who later (March 27, 1541) wrote the book: "Dialogus, that is, a friendly conversation of two persons, since of, whether it is divine, natural, royal, and royal right measured or contrary, to have more than one wife at the same time. Confederation where yemant at this time such take, whether he as a one
Letters from the year 1540. no. 2714. 271^. 2716.
G. u. F. Serene, highborn prince, gracious lord! Upon E. F. G. Envoy's request on behalf of the bishop of Riga 2c. is easily and recently my concern: Since the pope has been a murderer of souls for so many hundred years, and (as Apocalypsis (Cap. 17, 4. f.) shows) his church is the red whore with the golden cup full of fornication, and on her forehead vain names of all blasphemy 2c. 2c. There is no other counsel here than that which is written in the same book (Cap. 18, 4.): Flee from her, lest her plague fall upon you 2c. For she is drunk with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus 2c. Therefore, let E. F. G. be courageous and confidently help that the devil in Rome is not resisted or confirmed, as it is, 1) since it is to be hoped, because the abomination has been cast out by God, that he shall not return to his power, as Daniel (Cap. 11, 45.) says: Venit ad summitatem ejus et nemo auxiliabitur etc.. Nevertheless, we see that no one helps him (which he himself also feels), even though many kings act as if they wanted to, and yet do nothing. This is how God wants it, because the time of his end has come and wants to be over 2c. Therefore, E. F. G. continue and let either the bishop of Rigen be elected and confirmed by the chapter, or under the name of the bishop be a perpetual electus (as was often done before) or adjutor, until the water runs out 2c.
Others will probably write to E. F. G. in the new newspaper. A day has now been set aside by the Emperor at Worms for Simonis and Judä [Oct. 28], when the theologians on both sides are to hold a sub-speech; this is, they are to lose time, consume money and miss everything at home or suffer damage. The
vnchrist zunerwerffen vnnd zuuerdammen sei, oder nit." 96 quarto. At the end: "Gescheiden auff Sontag Letare. Anno M. D. XLI. By Huldrichum Neobulum." Bucer perused this book, but is not the author. In the last days of the year 154t or at the beginning of 1542 Luther wrote the "Antwort D. M. L. auf das Buch Nebulonis Tulrichii"; however, the same was not finished.
1) To this advice of Luther, the duke replied: that as much as he and his brother would be inclined to follow this advice, the chapter, the knighthood and the countryside nevertheless insisted so firmly on the papal confirmation, consecration 2c., that his brother would not be able to avoid to make himself comfortable to this mummery, and believes that this can also be done with a good conscience, so that the spreading of the divine doctrine is promoted by him (De Wette).
we must let your devil go like this; but what will happen is easy to understand. There is nothing else, except that Duke Heinrich of Brunswick is accused of being an arch-murderer, who is said to have sent out many hundreds of murderers against the Protestant estates, more than three hundred have already been directed, many of whom confess disgrace to His Grace, also to the Bishop of Mainz 2c. What will become of it, God knows. It is impossible that such murder-burning should not come from high estates; for there is money enough, the pope is said to have given eighty thousand ducats for it. We must hear and suffer such things, but God will pay them abundantly here and there, and yet they shall not win; though they burn us all to ashes, yet shall they burn in hell in the fire under our feet forever, amen. Hiemit GOtt befohlen, Amen. Sunday after St. Francisci [10 Oct.] 1540.
E. F. G.
Martinus LutheR.
No. 2715.
10 October 1540.
To the Landgrave Philip of Hesse.
(Regest.)
Luther thanks for the copy of his letter sent to him on October 4.
No. 2716.