Luther wants to read the "Regensburg Book" sent to him by the Elector in secret and soon report his misgivings. He does not want to gloss over the imperial edict from Brabant; he is writing his book "Wider Hans Wurst". - This letter is the first, provisional answer to the letter of the Elector of February 4 (No. 2749).
From a copy in the archive at Kassel in Neudecker, Merkwürdige Aktenstücke, erste Abth., p. 260 and in De Wette- Seidemann, Vol. VI, p. 280.
Most Serene, Highborn Prince, Most Gracious Lord! I will secretly read over the received writing very soon, and E. C. F. G. my concern. I have no objection to the imperial edict 1) because it is far too obscene for me to bother with it, or to want to gloss over it 2). But the murderer in Wolfenbüttel has published a blasphemous book against my lord. In it I have also been called by name, and we have all been heretized. Thereupon I write a short and gentle booklet 3) about our cause, not that it should please him, nor the papists, but that pious people may see their lies and our truth, and them too, if they wish. Hiemit GOtt befohlen, Amen. Sunday after Scholasticä [13 Feb] 1541.
E. F. G. williger
Martinus Luther.
1) Cf. no. 2735. It was issued on Sept. 1, 1540, in which Luther's writings and the translation of the New Testament were banned.
2) Seidemann: "darein".
3) "Wider Hans Wurst," St. Louis Edition, Vol. X VII, 1311, No. 1436.
No. 2753.