Luther, together with his "college", advised to open the Moritz Church in Halle, which the Cardinal had closed, for Protestant worship.
The original in Luther's hand is in the library at Basel, in Autograph. Vol. 25, fol. 46. Printed by Seckendorf, Hist. Luth., lib. III, p. 373, sect. 24, § 91; in Strobel-Ranner, p. 305 and in De Wette, vol. V, p.490. German in Frick's Uebersetzung Seckendorfs,p. 204l; in the Leipzig edition, vol. XXI, p. 412 and in Walch, vol. XXI, 475 (among the letters originally written in German).
To the highly famous man, Mr. Justus Jonas, Doctor of Theology, Provost at Wittenberg, Christ's envoy at Halle, his superior in the Lord.
Grace and peace! What is it that you ask, or have misgivings, my dear Jonas, about opening the third church, that of St. Moritz? These are the days which, as we judged in our last deliberation, should have been expected when your mayors and the Syndicus, Mr. D. Kilian, were here. The trampled Son of God has also glorified himself on his enemies. This unexpected and unbelievable victory has been given to us; in all, both in ours and in the adversaries, the appearance of the Lord has become manifest. And although I do not wish the wrath of God and damnation upon this monster from Mainz, I am glad that this wicked old rascal (Dau. XIII, 52. Hist. von der Susanna)
1) See St. Louis edition, vol. XIV, 600.
2) St. Louis edition, vol. XIV, 584.
He has lived so long that he has had to see this terrifying condemnation of his exceedingly diabolical counsels and the irretrievable fall. Praise be to God, who establishes justice on earth and catches the wicked in the works of their hands, so that they cannot bring their days to the half. Now let him weep as he is worthy, and live to his own punishment, since he has so far had so many triumphs in the joy of his unworthiness, against GOD and all that is GOD's. Give thanks, I pray, publicly and solemnly with us, for GOD has done wonders with us for His glory, and has not despised the supplications and groaning of His poor, but in a short time has directed the vengeance of His own who cry out to Him. So may all your enemies perish, O Lord, Amen. Given August 18, 1542.
Your Martin Luther, D.
Johann Bugenhagen, Pomeranus, D. Caspar Cruciger, D.
Philip Melanthon.
No. 2940.
To the Elector Johann Friedrich.
Intercession for Christoph von Schulenburg, who had been harmed by Heinrich von Braunschweig.
The original is in the archives at Weimar, RoZ. X, fol. 108. 4l. Printed in the Leipzig Supplement, p. 101, no. 187; in Walch, vol. XXI, 476; in De Wette, vol.V, p. 491 and in the Erlangen edition, vol. 56, p. 31.
To the most illustrious, highborn Prince and Lord, Johann Friedrich, Duke of Saxony, Archmarshal and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, Landgrave of Thuringia, Margrave of Meissen and Burgrave of Magdeburg. The most gracious Lord, the Archmarshall and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, Landgrave of Thuringia, Margrave of Meissen and Burgrave of Magdeburg.
God and peace in Christ. Most Serene, Highborn Prince, Most Gracious Lord! Christoph von Schulenburg asked me diligently to write to E. C. F. G. on his behalf, that E. C. F. G. would graciously support him in his cause. I have seen his printed report, how the Heinz Mordbrenner so thoroughly mänzisch and päbstisch with
Letters from the year 1542. no. 2940. 2941. 2942.
him. Although I now know that without my letter, E. C. F. G. must be more justly opposed to the desperate man than I am, but because I can well be sure that many such things will be found, so that E. C. F. G. will have to do well (for the desperate murderer will not be the only one), I ask all the more humbly for this Christoph. (for the desperate murderer will not have done it to one alone): so I ask all the more humbly for this Christoph, that C.F.G. will do the best for him, so that he will not be so completely abandoned, purely eaten out by the envelope. May the merciful God be with E. C. F. G., and help all things to a good end, to His praise and honor, Amen. Wednesday after Agapiti [23 Aug.] 1542.
E. C. F. G.
subservient
Mart. Luther.
No. 2941.
To Marcus Crodel, school teacher in Torgau.
Luther sends him his son John as a pupil.
Handwritten in Aurifaber, vol. III, p. 380, printed in Schütze, vol. I, p. 217 and in De Wette, vol. V, p. 492,
To the worthy man, Marcus Crodel, the extremely faithful instructor of the youth at Torgau, his very dear [friend[ in the Lord.
Grace and peace! As agreed between me and you, my dear Marcus, I am sending my son John to you, so that you may teach him grammar and music, and at the same time take care of his manners and improve them, for I have great confidence in you in the Lord. I will provide the expenses in abundance, and you will show me in due time what progress he has made and how far he can be brought. I have added the boy Florian, primarily for the reason that I see that this boy needs the example of a group of very many boys; this seems to be the case.
1) Florian von Bora, inscribirt in Wittenberg in the winter of 1543 (Album, x>. 208).
I want him to be more useful to me than private lessons, separated from others. But you will treat this one a little more harshly, and if you can place him with any citizen, you will do so; if not, send him back. May God prosper this undertaking. If I see good success with this son, you will soon have my other two, if I remain alive. For my thoughts are such that after you there will be no schoolmasters equal to you in diligence, especially in grammar and strict adherence to good manners. Therefore mau must be aware of the time; the time flees with fast foot, and much faster still go careful teachers there. Afterwards they will return here more successfully for higher studies. Fare well in the Lord and tell Johann Walther that I wish him well through my prayers, and that he may have my son commanded in music. For I give birth to theologians, but I also wish to give birth to grammarians and musicians. Again, farewell and greet Gabriel [Gemini] also with his own. For the third time and for eternity GOtte commanded. On Saturday after Bartholomew [26 Aug.] Anno 1542.
Your Martin Luther.
No. 2942.