See St. Louis edition, vol. X, 196.
No. 30 81.
Concerns about a council of the cities in the Brunswick matter, jointly with Bugenhagen.
It seems that a town meeting took place in Constance, and the town of Constance sent in its council. Luther and Bugenhagen spoke out against it.
The original is in the Weimar Archives, Reg. H, p. 1122. 9th chancery hand with original signatures. Printed by Burkhardt, p. 438.
The council of the Duchy of Brunswick in Costentz says that it would be laudable not to give the land out of one's hands or to cede it by some means, and [they] complain about this to their consciences. Now it is true: it would be praiseworthy if one wanted to preserve the hut and do what belongs to it; but to argue about it alone and not want to do anything or little about it is not enough. And the matter is highly weighted down with words in the reported council, as Demosthenes puffs up his speech that it is very inglorious for the praiseworthy city of Athens, which has waged such great wars and defeated the foreign nations, to make peace with the king of Macedonia. To such speeches also belong willing people who want to add their goods, life and limb, and do not push other people forward. We have not heard anything about whether the cities 1) were thus minded. Now we do not want to dispute what "laudable" means, but what is necessary and what concerns the conscience. 2) What is necessary is what God has commanded, and each class is obliged to do according to its profession or ability.
1) This passage has led us to the assumption that a so-called city council had taken place at Constance, on whose behalf this city had sent the council. Burkhardt in his table of contents only says: "Bedenken über den von der Stadt Costnitz eingesandten Rathschlag" 2c.
2) Here Burkhardt has no interpunction sign.
Kings, princes and sovereigns are commanded to protect Christians against Turks or tyrants as far as anyone can. If, however, a pious ruler, who would gladly give his body and goods, has no help from others, or if private individuals are abandoned, they do right to accept a tolerable peace, which God's word does not forbid, with the enemies, to whom they alone are too weak, as Judah accepted peace with the Romans, who left them their temple and worship, although it would have been much more beautiful and praiseworthy if they had chased Herod and Pilate out of Judea, as Esaias chased Sanherib. There were also some holy people at the time when Esaias was, namely Mary, John Baptist and others. But this time should not have such great honor, because it was the time of punishment, therefore the people did not stick together, as it is unfortunately now, that nothing sticks together. And this case of Brunswick is quite equal to the Elemosyns. For the fact that these estates took the land from the tyrant out of right causes and brought it to right teaching, this is a high, God pleasing elemosyna. Now no one is obliged to give elemosyna above his ability, as Christ says: Prayer elemosyna 2c., and Paul 2 Cor. 8 says, one should give so that we do not suffer need, and others have lazy days. So a gentleman is not guilty of neglecting, putting in danger and spoiling his own churches and country, so that others who should be working with him may have gentle rest. Further, Paul also says that one should give elemosyns, each first to his relatives. Thus a gentleman is obliged to help his country and his people first, and then, as much as he is able, others as well. And there are many of these sayings in God's Word, which teach that each one should take care of his house, his land, his profession and his office; in this diligence God gives blessings and happiness. It is beyond human ability to rule one's own house; but because the householder remains in his profession, and this is his own and necessary work, God is there and helps to keep house. But if the householder wants to burden himself with many other people's things, that is out of the rule, God is not always there. It is true that
God often gives great victory through weak people, as through Gideon, Jonathan, David 2c. But these are special works, which God Himself brings into being, and does not keep counsel with men beforehand. If now one or two would find the burden of Brunswick alone, and their churches, land and people too heavy to bear, it would be an elephant in their power, which they are not obliged to do, and their consciences are excused, especially if they nevertheless reserve this in this cession, so that the right order of the churches is not disrupted. And it is true that this is a matter of concern, but the blame for the non-observance of the land lies with those who do not want to help, but rather drag themselves out, and want to blame misfortune, danger, costs, and damage on a few. We also want to assume that the emperor would have proposed these two things, to agree to sequestration or to wait for war; and to assume that such a proposal would be a true seriousness, as one nevertheless sees that the emperor has strange suggestions: what should a preacher, whom one asks for advice, answer? Should he advise war in the fatherland, so that no one can see no head, no end, no means? Thus the histories remind us, when such fires once start, that after that one burns for and for another. How Athens, Sparta, Corcyra, Platea, Argos, Thebe have ruined themselves one after the other! Therefore we cannot and should not advise war, except for the public necessity of resistance. But if there are people whom God has awakened, he will give it into their hands and does not need to ask. If God wants to make a salutary change in the world through war, he will give the beginning to it in such a way that we must defend ourselves and not hurry to do so. Yes, some say, then it is too short, and we will be overhasty. All this is human fidgeting and faintheartedness, and is contrary to the teaching in the 46th Psalms [v. 11]: "Stand still, and you will see that I am God" 2c. And Moses says: "Stand still, and you will see the glory of God. The wisdom and strength of Christians is not to hurry without a certain calling, but to stand still in faith and await the time. Human fear hurries and runs away. In the Costenzer Rathschlag are many worldly argumenta
The preservation of the land would have been a fear to the persecutors of the gospel. These and similar arguments do not trouble consciences, and wise men can speak much against them, and their arguments are well made, if the help also follows.
Martinus Luther.
Johannes Bugenhagen, Pom., D.
No. 30 82.
To the Elector Johann Friedrich..
Intercession for M. Ambrosius Scheffer and for the widow Johann Mantels.
This is an inscription by Luther in a register of scholarship holders. In the Weimar Archives, Reg. O. pag. 160. NNN. 4 Printed by Burkhardt, p. 438.
And I also ask humbly for the preacher at Pretyn, M. Ambrosius, who has many children, and he is well skilled. Item, for Johann Mantelin, a poor widow.
E. C. F. G. willing and submissive
Mart. Luther.
No. 30 83.