The Countess agrees to give him advice on how to alleviate his suffering, but first asks for more precise information about the nature of the same.
From the original in the Wolf Collection of the Hamburg City Library in Kolde, Analecta, p. 391.
[To Do]ctor Martinus [Luther z]u 3) own hand.
Dear Doctor (togktor)! I have read your letter and from your report I find that it is not a river (fluss) nor will it be, but only a woe (wettagen) of evil blood (gebleutt). If it is on the right side, it comes from the liver; if it is on the left side, it comes from the spleen. It is necessary to know this, otherwise I cannot give my advice. But when I am informed of this through your writing, then I will, through the help of Almighty God, continue to give you my advice, and I hope to God that it will ease your pain and be for your good. So I hear that you are burdened with the stone. Write to me how long it has afflicted you and what time (wilczeit) in the year, and how often, [so] I hope to God that I will also give you help by God's grace. You are commanded to do so and remember me in your devotion to God. Given on Friday, the 14th day of the autumn month of Anno 43 Jare. Dorothea, Countess of Mansfeld, 4) Witt[ib].
No. 3046.
To Joachim Mörlin, pastor at Arnstadt.
Luther consoles him for fretting with his congregation, and praises his adherence to the Word.
3) Added by us.
4) According to Prof. Kawerau's communication, Kolde notes: She died in 1578. General-Superintendent Hieran. Mencel gave her the funeral sermon: "Zwo Predigten von der Thabea" 2c. Halle 1578.4 Her husband, Count Ernst, died in 1531. Of him is mentioned in Cod. Goth. 402, fol. 368d tells: "When Count Ernst zu Mansfeld heard singing: Ein feste Burg 2c., he said: I will help to destroy the castle and will not live; and after three days he died, Count Ernst zu Mansfeld, who wanted to destroy the strong castle and cried: The Emperor, the Savior is coming, he died without confession and sacrament."
Letters from the year 1543. No. 3046. 3047.
Handwritten in Cod. chart. Goth. From the Wernsdorf collection at Wittenberg in Schütze, Vol. I, p. 275 and in De Wette, Vol. V, p. 589.
All Joachim Mörlin, the theologian steadfast in Christ.
Grace and peace in the Lord! I have heard Styger, 1) the teacher of your school, who has explained to me your and that part's (illius) matter. But I rejoice and wish happiness to the courage that despises the devil and his wickedness. Continue thus in the Lord and shake the dust from your feet over them. I wish that we would be so ready to take the walking stick if the Lord wills it. Now if we were of the world, the world would love what was yours. The thing is a very good thing, for the sake of which it troubles us so, namely the word of God. Therefore, we do right if we are cheerful, laugh and despise the fury of Satan until his judgment comes, which we unanimously pray will happen in a short time, amen. Styger will tell other things, if necessary. Fare well in the Lord. Tuesday after Matthew [Sept. 25] 1543.
Your Martin Luther, D.
No. 3047.