Handwritten in Aurifaber, vol. III, p. 378. Printed in Schütze, vol. I, p. 210 and in De Wette, vol. V, p. 479. German in Walch, vol. XXI, 1492 (in poor translation).
Grace and peace! My dear Anton, you may believe Pistor so that you always remember what I have said and written. The Mainzer is a great warning example for me, what and how characters of this kind tend to act. Carlewitz is Carlewitz, and has people who keep him warm. Therefore, you should not trust the words until you have seen the deeds. I would easily excuse the prince himself, who according to his age is still clumsy and inexperienced, but the nobility and the host of Satan are raging, so that it is necessary to pray for everything, to fear everything, but to hope for better things, because Christ lives. Greet the Lord Rivius and Greser (Cresserum), 2) and admonish them not to doubt that they are (because they will persevere) warriors of the Son of God, who is called the Lord of hosts. For they do not fight with flesh and blood, that is, the courtiers, 3) not for this mortal life and stinking matter, but against the evil spirits under heaven, that is, for the life which is eternal and glorious and incorruptible and imperishable. Therefore we should do so, Ps. 27, 14: "Harvest the Lord, be of good courage, and do not fear, and wait for the Lord." [John 14,
2) The following spellings occur: Greser, Gresser, Greiser and Cresser. See Burkhardt, p. 414, Seidemann in De Wette, Vol. VI, p. 488, note 2.
3) The words: i. e. aulicorurn stand in Latin at the end of the previous sentence, after exercituum. We have moved them here.
Letters from the year 1542. No. 2929. 2930.
19. "I live, and you also shall live", although we die, as you know better in which I wish you and all yours good health. Pray for me and give my regards to Agnes (Nisae) and your Elsa. Wednesday after the Visitation of the Virgin Mary [July 5] 1542 M. L.
No. 2930.
Schmedstädt was appointed professor of theology in Rostock.
Handwritten in Cod. Goth. 186. 4. printed by Schütze, Vol. I, p. 211 and by De Wette, Vol. V, p. 480.
Martin Luther, Doctor of Theology, Dean of the College of the Theological Faculty, says his greetings to all who read this letter.
Heinrich Schmedstädt from Lüneburg stayed at the school of our church in Wittenberg for about eighteen years, 1) with extraordinary praise of virtue and godliness. And since he had made excellent progress in philosophy, and had been decorated with the degree of Master, he took good care to teach others at the school. In the meantime, however, he always added to his other work the study of Christian doctrine, diligently listening to the interpretation of the prophetic and apostolic Scriptures, researching the antiquity of the Church, comparing the opinions of all, and speaking out about the whole doctrine in a precise manner. And because he correctly understands the doctrine of the church of Christ, and accepts the pure opinion of the gospel, which our church confesses in one spirit and with one voice with the general church of Christ, he has also been commanded to preach here with me, and he has given a specimen of his learning, and testified quite clearly that he has the same opinion which our church confesses. Now the noble prince, distinguished by wisdom and virtue,
1) Instead of commotus we have assumed commoratus.
When Duke Heinrich of Mecklenburg called Heinrich Schmedstädt to the academy in Rostock to teach theology and asked him to bring our testimony with him, we were pleased that the noble prince, Duke Heinrich, would see to it that the churches were advised and that the salutary teachings were preserved and propagated. For truly, this must be the first concern of all rulers, that they teach the nations the true knowledge of God and glorify the honor of His Son JEsu Christ, as the word of the Psalm [Ps. 72,11.] reminds us, that the nations should all convert, and the kings that they serve the Lord. And because we approve of the manners and scholarship of Heinrich Schmedstädt, since he lived with us for so many years and taught publicly, and promised faithfulness and constancy in godly doctrine, we have gladly given him a testimony. So that this would be a public one, according to the usual custom of schools, the degree of Doctor of Theology has been conferred on Magister Heinrich Schmedstädt by the judgment, vote and approval of our College, after a public disputation. And only implore God to govern his actions, and also commend this Doctor Heinrich to the noble princes, the Dukes of Mecklenburg, and ask that they may well protect him. For it is useful for the church and for the community that good teachers are protected and assisted by the reputation of the princes. And that this service is pleasing to God, many sayings of God (coelestes) and examples testify. How rich a reward God promises to the prince Ebed Melech [Jer. 38, 7. ff. 39, 16. ff.], who pulled out Jeremiah, who was thrown into the pit, and received him. We also exhort Doctor Heinrich to endeavor to maintain the harmony of the church and academy at Rostock with ours, especially because it is to be desired that the academies, which are commanded to lead in doctrine, sing in one spirit and with one voice with the angels the glory of God and peace on earth. For God wants the teachers to be the comrades of this choir and ministry of the angels. Given at Wittenberg, July 10, 1542.
Martin Luther.
Letters from the year 1542. No. 2931. 2932.
No. 2931.