About the situation in Naumburg and Luther's intended journey there. About the world trade and the Cologne Reformation.
The original is at Dresden in Cod. Seidel. Printed by Schütze, vol. I, p.272 (very erroneous) and byDe Wette, vol. V, p. 583 f. German in Walch, vol. XXI, 1506 f.
To the in Christ venerable and right bishop of the true church at Naumburg, Mr. Nicolaus von Amsdorf, his high honorable superior.
Grace and peace in the Lord! I have not yet heard or read, venerable man in Christ, what has happened to you in this much talked about visitation of the prince,
1) Instead of sancti we have assumed defuncti. Cf. no. 3037.
2) We suppose that de fell out before ludi-magistro fei, and have translated after it.
whether the visitation of the churches had been started or finished? whether the consistory had been arranged? whether your Creiz had been deposed or confirmed in his office? Only that Nicolaus Medler has written that at least he has been heard, and that splendid promises have been made to him. I have not yet talked to D. Brück, nor do I wish to hear much from him, but I wish it all the same to you. It seems to me that it is strange what the world is doing nowadays. Either I have never seen the world, or, while I sleep, a new world is being created every day. Every man complains that he suffers injustice, and yet there is no one who does it. All are righteous when they are admitted to answer. Verily, now is the time when righteousness has arisen and is abounding: and yet there is no peace, but unrest in multitude. Perhaps we shall now learn that in the days of Noah it was thus said [Mos. 6:13], "The earth is full of iniquity," that is, full of righteousness and truth. No one is unjust, no one lies, no one sins; only those who suffer injustice are unjust, liars, sinners. "It will rain filth!" The day of redemption hastens its arrival, amen.
I still think about the trip to you, but I would like the condition of my head to be firmer first.
I have nothing of news or trifles that I think you do not know. They want to force me to believe that the emperor is alive, and truly, I would rather he were alive than dead. Ferdinand is becoming more and more satanic and furious from day to day, so that he may hasten his downfall, amen. Our prince is said to have received 40,000 men at his expense in the Jülich affair, and to have stopped only now, after nothing has been done; certainly quite late, after the purse has been well emptied. Mall says that the Jülich war is being waged unwisely and unhappily; God Himself gives a good outcome. But the. But the world may be crushed, shattered and destroyed as it wants, since it not only despises and persecutes the word of God, but also puts its own sound judgment behind its rage. Therefore, she may have a good
year. Philip has told us cheerful things about the bishop of Cologne, how sincerely he acts, how correctly he understands and accepts the word. And the whole diocese agrees with this. Only seven devils, namely the first ones of the cathedral church with some of the senate, do not agree. But even these will be broken by the Lord, who breaks the cedars of Lebanon. Let us rejoice in the Lord, who proves his power by his word before our eyes.
See that you in turn write me some things. This I have written after supper, for soberly I do not look at books without danger, so that I wonder what kind of disease this may be, whether a fist blow of Satan or a weakness of nature itself. Fare well in the Lord and pray for me. August 18, 1543.
Your Martin Luther.
No. 3037.