About the printer Hans Frischmuth, who was imprisoned in Halle. Luther writes against the Jews.
From the original at the university library in Helmstädt in Schütze, vol. I, p. 232 and in De Wette, vol. V, p. 517. Aurifaber, vol. III, p. 384, has a worse text.
To the highly famous man, Mr. Justus Jonas, Doctor of Theology, Servant and Messenger of Christ at Halle ill Saxony, Provost in Wittenberg, his extremely dear [friend] in the Lord.
Grace and peace! That I did not answer your two letters, my dear Jonas, - I had to think that I had written before what my opinion would be. For you wrote that Frischmuth had also allegedly acted against the council, so that he was detained. Now, if he has no other guilt on him than that he has sinned against the bishop, and you cannot drive back force with force, or undo one trick with another, then it is done for him. For I will easily avenge and defend myself. But if these furies of insatiable vindictiveness should have even one thing, that a hair has been lifted from the alley, they will not cease to want to sate their insatiable mind on you and yours. Therefore, if you lack counsel against violence, how can I have it? But I believed that the prisons were under the right of the council, which could release the prisoners against the will of the bishop, if he wanted to convict an accused or guilty person. If you now dare nothing, then I for my part will easily defend my note 1). But he who leaves you full will not be freed by this, but driven more into a corner. That is my opinion. Therefore, I have thought it good not to follow your advice, so that I do not want to burden the poor man any more, as he will indeed be burdened if I take revenge sooner.
1) We assume that we are talking about the "Spottzettel" (see No. 2957) and that Hans Frischmuth printed it.
Letters from the year 1542. No. 2971. 2972.
than he is free. For the Cardinal is a devil, on whom only force or a resistance grown on him exerts a commanding influence. Fare well in the Lord. So far I have immersed myself in the frenzies of the Jews 1); after you advised that one must keep still while you tried another way, I have not yet gotten out [of this work]. Given on St. Thomas' Day [Dec. 21] Anno 1542.
Your Martin Luther.
No. 2972.