Luther excuses his rare writing. News.
Handwritten in Aurifaber, vol. III, p. 346. From the Kraft collection in Husum in Schütze, vol. I p. 155 and in De Wette, vol. V, p. 378.
To the excellent and worthy man, Wenceslaus Link, the faithful servant of the Word in Nuremberg, his exceedingly dear brother in your Lord.
Mercy and peace! I have had nothing, my dear Wenceslaus, that I could write, except that I wanted to forestall you and take away your complaints beforehand, with which you are in the habit of scourging me that I write to you exceedingly seldom. You know, however, that I am now old and tired, and indolent to write letters that are not necessary, since I am
1) In Latin: Ps. CXVIII instead of: CVIII according to the Vulgate.
I must also refrain from the necessary many times, which are demanded of me from many and various places and causes. Therefore, according to your kindness, you will easily forgive my silence, my laziness and, if you want to call it that, also my negligence.
About the harmony of Christ with Belial in Regensburg I hear nothing new; I have predicted that it will be such a harmony, because the wrath of God has come upon the papacy and the hour of its judgment is here. Therefore, no one will be able to help it, as Daniel prophesied. In our country, the raging of the murderers does not cease, but rather increases. In Prussia 170 are imprisoned, in Pomerania not a few, more than 60, and there is a cry that these evils are caused by the pope and the canons. It would be surprising if they did not bring misfortune upon themselves, in order to fulfill the old word: "One must strike the clergy to death (todt)." Praise be to God, who did not want us to stay longer in the company of those people, but brought us out in time from this Egypt and Sodom, which the Red Sea drowned with moisture, and the fire of heaven consumed with heat. Farewell and pray for me. Anno 1541.
Your M. Luther.
No. 2808.
To the Elector Johann Friedrich, together with the other theologians.
(Missing letter.)
Burkhardt, p. 388, says: The letter was available after a decree of the Elector, dated Torgau, July 19, according to which the chamber clerk Christoph Heynebolh had to give 20 florins to the Greek. In the Weimar Archives, Reg. p. 137. 2.
No. 2809.