Luther wishes that Amsdorf's letter messengers should always wait for an answer from him; he forbids gifts to Wildpret and recommends a painter, without, however, wanting to bother Amsdorf with him.
6) This was done by the writing: "Exemplary to consecrate a right Christian bishop", which was published at the beginning of March. See St. Louis edition, Vol. XVII, 88, No. 1257.
7) What is meant is No. 2870, not, as Burkhardt says in the table of contents, a writing against the landgrave.
8) So put by us instead of: "nit volgen konnte, vmbgangen werden".
The original is in Cod. Seidel. at Dresden. Printed by Schütze, vol. I, p. 184 and by De Wette, vol. V,
German in Walch, Vol. XXI, 1482.
To the man venerable in Christ, Mr. Nicolaus von Amsdorf, the loud and exceedingly faithful bishop of Naumburg, his superior who is to be highly honored in the Lord.
Grace and peace in the Lord! I hope, dearest brother in the Lord, that my letter has been delivered to you. One thing I ask of you, that as often as you write to me, you may at the same time command the messenger to request an answer, or you may indicate through whom I should answer you. For Jonas also troubles me with this, that he so often desires that I should answer, but no one 1) demands [the letters]. For after the letters are delivered, the messengers go away and do not return. The same happens to me more often, so that they often leave written letters with me to perish. And it would require great wealth if I had to send a special messenger for each letter. Nor am I so idle that I would have free time to write letters in vain, since I do not have much leisure and time even for the necessary ones.
Then, what you write about the wild game, that my request may not be fulfilled, but during my stay in the country (in rure meo) such winged words were uttered. For I do not want you to doubt that I have resolved never to ask anything from you; so I will do now; not because I despise you, but because I do not want to arouse their courtly suspicion among our centaurs, who, corrupted by ardent hatred, are looking for opportunities to belittle us as if we wished to rule through you; secondly, because I know that you have turned from a rich preacher (in Magdeburg) into a much poorer bishop, who has more needs than in Magdeburg. But I also want you not to care about my letter of recommendation in any way, unless it should be entirely convenient for you. For I believe that you are firmly convinced of this through our long friendly contact.
1) Instead of millies at De Wette we have assumed nullus. Walch offers: "but nobody demands them from me".
that I am such a man, who wants to be a burden or a complaint to you least of all, but rather a comfort and a relief. Therefore, you should do so here: because you want to use the service of the painter M. Sebastian, you should not use him, if you do not also want to use any painter. He is known to you, and you have used his work in Magdeburg. But he asked that I recommend him to you, which I could not refuse the good man; perhaps 2) he is thinking of greater things than really exist. I also do not know whether there will be a use for him there. But whatever it may be, you will see to it. But I would wish that you had a little better furnished and daintier dwellings, for the sake of the flesh, which must not lack its care and rest, since this is without sin and guilt. The Lord be with you, for we too are continually with you in spirit, Amen. On Monday after the Purification of the Virgin Mary [6 Feb.] 1542. Yours, Martin Luther.
No. 2883.