Answer to the invitation to the doctorate, No. 3051. The Wittenbergers have to decline the invitation because Erasmus Alberus wants to take his doctorate with them on the same day. However, they send D. Caspar
Cruciger and M. Paul Eber to be represented by them.
Letters from the year 1543. No. 3053.
From the rare book: In hoc libello exponuntur quaestiones V, quibus tota doctrina et universum negotium Evangelii comprehenditur, propositae Lipsiae futuris doctoribus theologiae --- --- cui inclusa est oratio --- --- additae sunt duae epistolae etc. Lipsiae 1544, 8vo. reprinted in Corp. Ref., vol. V, 192 and in De Wette-Seidemaun, vol. VI, p. 349. Melanchthon is the author of this reply. The postscript and signature are by Luther. Melanchthon also wrote the above-mentioned speech for Bernhard Ziegler. The letter inserted in the booklet is the invitation of the Leipzigers.
Martin Luther, Johann Bugenhagen, both doctors, and 1) Philippus Melanchthon say their greetings to the highly famous men, who are gifted with excellent scholarship, godliness and wisdom, the doctors of the Collegium of the Faculty of the Academy at Leipzig.
We had also promised the highly famous Mr. Bernhard Ziegler, who asked for it in the common name of all [to be graduated], that we would come to the public proclamation of his and his comrades' [doctoral] degrees, and after we received your letter, which is written very urgently and honorably, we were even more moved to wish that we could comply with you. For although in these sad times some ill-wishers will judge these meetings of ours differently, the reason mentioned in your letter is a very honest one, namely that it is useful to give expression not only to our agreement but also to our true goodwill towards each other. But by chance we are held back here against our will, because Erasmus Alberus will bring his friends here on the same day, which is intended for your celebration, in order to attend the proclamation of his [Doctor's] degree, and another day could not now suddenly be indicated to them. Since it is necessary that some of our college be present, we are sorry that we cannot be at your beck and call, and ask that you do not think that we are being held back by any other cause. According to your wisdom and
1) In the prints we find: "Dr., D.", which we consider incorrect. Melanchthon would not have attached the title D[ominus] to himself. We assume: et, read in "d.".
But you will accept the necessity as an excuse.
We hope, however, that our unity and mutual love has often been demonstrated by other, greater ministries, and with the help of God we will strive with all diligence to preserve and demonstrate it in the future as well. For in and of itself it is a necessary thing that those who have the right doctrine be united, especially those who lead the churches and the studies of doctrine, and in these areas it is exceedingly useful for a peaceful life. However, the prestige of our ministry (ministerii) could not be preserved if, out of spite, we ourselves began to quarrel and bicker among ourselves, which God would prevent. Therefore, your whole argument about the harmony of our state (ordinis) was very pleasant to us, and we ask the eternal God, the Father of our Lord JEsu Christ, with all our heart that He may always protect the union of those who have right doctrine in these churches. It is praised what Dion, since he wrote to his kinsman! Dionysius writes, or perhaps the author of that letter, Plato, cites: No shining 2) gold, no demant shines so in the eyes, as the perception of good unanimous men. This is certainly true and very sweetly said. True is also the word of Basil: The left does not need the right as much as the church needs the unity of the teachers.
But you know many similar divine sayings; God wanted that everywhere all those who express zeal for the right doctrine would be moved by them; and yet they often arouse, by the most heinous storms, as in a ship, harmful upheavals, confuse the doctrines, separate the churches. From this arises among the people either superstition, or contempt of God and hatred of all religion, destruction of discipline, parties, discord among princes, murder of citizens and endless desolation. What can be thought sadder than these evils? Therefore, let us also ask God to bind the hearts of all teachers with the eternal bonds of right opinion and His Spirit, and let us ourselves
2) Instead of xxxxxx in the prints, read.
Letters from the year 1543. No. 3053. 3053a. 3054.
We must love each other's counsel and direct our actions toward common tranquility.
In order to show you our good will, we have ordered our friends, Doctor Caspar Cruciger and Magister Paul Eber, to travel to you in their name and in ours, since we are not all allowed to be absent. We knew that they would be very pleasant to you, both because of their virtues and their diligence in every task, and especially because of the private and old intimate connections. Be well. Wittenberg, October 7, 1543.
[Postscript of Luther.]
May the Lord out of Zion bless your endeavors, that is, in Christ our Lord, so that the Father may be glorified by your bearing much fruit, and we may all become His disciples, Amen. M. Luther with his hand.
No. 3053a
October 12, 1543.