Cruciger communicates the names of the persons proposed by the Emperor as negotiators. Of the articles to be discussed (which he appends in the postscript). About the improvement of Melanchthon's hand. About Duke Heinrich of Brunswick.
A copy is found in Cod. Lips. ep. 12, and (of recent origin and erroneous) in Cod. Goth. 189, ep. 53. Printed in Corp. Ref, vol. IV, 182.
To the highly famous and valuable men, Mr. Martin Luther and Mr. Johann Bugenhagen, Pomeranian, doctors of theology, leaders of the church at Wittenberg, his exceedingly dear fathers, Caspar Cruciger wishes
Hail! This convention has not yet given any events that are either significant enough to be written about, or by which we ourselves would be entertained, or in which you would be much interested to know. But nevertheless you have seen the beginnings of the public acts from the letters of Philip. The emperor requested that the princes and the other estates of the empire leave to him the selection of a few whom he would deem suitable to confer with each other about the disputed articles and to initiate ways of unification. Our people agreed that the Emperor should make the selection, because it seemed that nothing else could be obtained. After that, the other part also gave its consent, although some argued vehemently that nothing at all should be negotiated with us about entering into a union. Yesterday, the Emperor presented the names of those elected: D. Eck, Mr. Julius Pflug, Mr. Johann Gropper, Canon of Cologne; of ours: Mr. Philippus, Mart. Bucer, and Johann Pistorius [Becker], Hessian.
Letters from the year 1541. no. 2775. 2776.
Preachers.1) They have received orders from the Emperor personally today. The emperor has indicated that he will also add an arbitrator to preside over the discussion, but ours have asked that several be called in who will be present on both sides as listeners and witnesses. The Emperor has replied that he will consider it. One doubts very much that they will obtain this. The elected ones of the other party, separated from ours, have asked that the Emperor also decide on the order which he wants to be observed in the disputation on the articles. We have seen the note 2) in which a completely different order of the articles is set than in the Confession. In quite the wrong order they put the one that should have been the first in the last place, and the most hateful ones they list in the first line of battle. But it is enough in the day that the whole thing is carried on with deceit and trickery, and that some have been the artists of these counsels and actions, who have long before thus devised everything. And would God that certain people, who should do it least of all, were not silent participants! But we want to ask God to destroy all of Ahitophel's counsels, and to help and free us in these repercussions and dangers. This, we hope, he will do for the glory of his name and for the salvation of the churches, with which, as we know, you pray fervently every day. The Lord Philip, by God's grace, uses his right hand better day by day through the cure of a certain Burgundian surgeon who follows the court of the Emperor because of this one skill that he restores and heals dislocated limbs. The healing would have progressed even more, if it were not for the complaints and indignation about such unworthy and inconsistent actions in such great matters, in regard to which no one with understanding can have any good hope, but must realize that it is obvious that these consultations about the union will all soon fall apart as futile, and the conversation will be over.
1) The names of these negotiators would be given in verses found in Cod. Galli I, p. 45b, and are printed in Corp. Ref., vol. IV, 197. We give here one of the three different redactions:
You plow it, you harrow it, you dig it, you bake it, you mill it, you bake it The noble grain; and do these people, whose name means an actual word.
2) The postscript to this letter.
*) Incorrect in Corp. ref: "Buchts".
between the chosen ones will hardly last three days, as in Worms. We have become very happy about your state of health, my dearest father, because you have shown us good hope. May God strengthen you and keep you alive for a long time for the Church. It is said that Mezentius is trying to cause the Emperor great grief because of the books that have been written against him, and I do not know what he has done against you and sought that it should be printed here, which the Emperor will not allow. Be well and happy. Philip was not there when the mail left, otherwise he would have written to you himself. Time did not permit me to write to D. Jonas, and I believe that he has not yet returned to you from the salt works [in Halle]. At Regensburg, April 22, 41.
Fifteen articles which are to be examined and decided by the doctors and theologians at the present Imperial Diet at Regensburg.
1. of the reverend sacrament of the Lord's Supper.
2. about the power of the church and the pope.
3. from the sacrifice of the mass.
4. from the private masses.
5. of the monastic vows.
6. the priests' marital status.
7. of the communion under both forms.
8. the veneration of the saints, including that the images should not be removed.
9. about the restoration of monasteries and spiritual goods.
10. from the statutes about the church customs.
11. from fasting; among them, difference of food is forbidden.
12. of repentance in general; of repentance, atonement and confession.
13) The use of the sacraments, both in general and in particular.
14. about human statutes.
(15) On justifying faith and on merits and good works.
No. 2776.