About Wicel, whom Count Hoher von Mansfeld had employed as a preacher at the St. Andreä church.
Handwritten in Cod. chart. 461. f. and Cod. 402. f. Bibl Goth.; in Aurifaber, vol. III, p. 179. From the Schmid collection at Helmstädt printed in Schütze, vol. II, p. 297; from the Litter. Wochenblatt, II, 300, at Strobel-Ranner, p. 223 and at De Wette, vol. IV, p. 488.
1) Thus set by us; in Kolde: "auch anndern vnnser kirchen bisshere obgelegen, notturfften" 2c.
2) Here we have deleted "to".
3) Kolde: "des".
To Mr. Johann Agricola, Christ's servant.
Grace and peace in Christ! So, my dear Agricola, you will finally have a beautiful opponent. This man Wicel, who, as his appearance, let alone his words and writings, indicate, is entirely composed of lies and empty pretense, and truly lost and despairing of himself, as he has also always been with us, though concealed and pretending everything. You (of this I am convinced) will act the cause of the gospel in such a way that you will think that this viper is not yet born (not merely dead). For what he holds and teaches is all too nothing, quite unworthy that anyone experienced in our doctrine should be troubled for his sake. He will fall by himself if only what is ours is taught clearly and abundantly. For his is such that it can neither be taught nor easily understood, being understood neither by himself nor by his kind. The LORD be with thee and thy vine and thy grapes. Greetings to you and yours, my Lord Käthe. Respectfully greet Doctor Caspar [Güttel] and all of us. 1533, Wednesday after the eleven thousand virgins [October 22].
Your Martin Luther.
No. 2013.