Luther thanks for poems that have been sent to him. About his desire to depart. About the Diet of Regensburg. Recommendation of Martin Weigher.
Handwritten in Aurifaber, vol. III, p. 336. Printed in Schütze, vol. III, p. 201 and in De Wette, vol. V, p. 390.
To the excellent man, Mr. Wenceslaus Link, Doctor of Theology, Servant of God in the Church at Nuremberg, his highly venerable superior.
Grace and peace! There was nothing I could write, my dear Wenceslaus, except to say thanks for the poems you sent. We are both frail and tired of seeing and suffering the malice and rage of all the devils let loose from hell. Therefore we must ask the Lord for a good hour, that we may wander with grace and blessing to the one we preach and confess. I like such an outcome of the Diet that the opponents have lost some of their party. And although they boast that they are Catholics (catholicos), that is, bad wolves (cacolycos), 3) they have nevertheless attained that they deserve to be called new Protestants. By the way, in order not to complain to you, I have recommended to M. Veit, as one who has more leisure, this very good young man, Martin Weigher, a Pomeranian, of knightly lineage. If you now also in my name recommend him with the words of the
2) Here the text is corrupted; it reads: nam et tuo nomine, quemcunque possum, nosti ... audere, et posse petere, quotquot nobis commendaveris (?). To give some sense, we have made this addition, and inserted the words idem te posse in the gap.
3) Cf. no. 2815.
If you receive peace, it will be very pleasing to him. Greet your vine and all the grapes with love. My vine, Kate, greets you. Fare well in the Lord. August 17, 1541, Martin Luther.
No. 2828.
To Hieronymus Baumgärtner in Nuremberg.
Luther recommends the Martin Weigher to him.
The original is in the Hof- und Staatsbibliothek in Munich. Printed by Burkhardt, p. 396 (after D. Wenzel's copy).
Grace and peace! I have, my dear Jerome, recommended this young man, Martin Weygher, to D. Wenceslaus and M. Veit, but if they perhaps could not or did not want to deal with these worldly matters, then I ask you to assist him with advice and help in depositing money in a bank (bancum), or with what words or in what way this matter is sawn or done. 1) For you know this better. For we, who deal with the Psalter 2) and the Bible, understand nothing of the mysteries of mammon, which are so great. Therefore, if in this matter your help and faithful service should be needed, hold yourself in such a way that we recognize that you have not forgotten the old and contemptible, rather (for Christ's sake) hateful Wittenberg, 3) yes, even your former flame of heart 4) asks diligently for this Martin. He is a young man of rare peculiarity, considering his godliness and sincerity, and is worthy of godly people placing themselves at his service. This testimony of mine is true; he is sufficiently known to me as my table companion, and without me [he is attested to as godly] by the people who are also today
On the same day, Melanchthon wrote to Veit Dietrich (Corp. Ref., Vol. IV, 644, No. 2364): "He wishes to be shown money changers either in Nuremberg or Augsburg, through whom money can be sent to him at certain times.
2) Instead of psalteris (which does not exist) should be read psalterio.
3) Instead of: in totum esse we have assumed oblitum esse.
4) Luther's wife. Compare No. 1714 and No. 769.
No. 2829.