On the Cologne draft of the Reformation; on the meeting of the confederates in Arnstadt concerning the surrender of the Duchy of Brunswick to the Emperor; thanks for gifts.
The original is in Cod. Seidiel. at Dresden. Printed by Schütze, vol. I, p. 312 and by De Wette, vol. V, p. 669 f. German in Walch, vol. XXI, 1533.
To the venerable father in Christ, Mr. Nicolaus, the right bishop of the right church at Naumburg, his superior who is highly honored in the Lord.
Grace and peace in the Lord! I have, my bishop venerable in Christ, neither seen nor read the Cologne Reformation, although I hear that it is praised. I have asked M. Philippus, who says that it is such, that the right understanding and custom of the Word and the Sacraments are taught in all churches, with the removal of all superstition. But the monasteries and convents are to remain undisturbed as they are now. If this were to be the case, it would be tolerable until God would give something else. For this robbery, or rather the rapacity of the princes, the nobles and the authorities, is hateful and detestable, and by their example will bring great ruin, or even the devastation of the parishes and schools. "They want it all, and that too, what the princes have." And there comes the end 2c. Orally and in short more. For the prince writes
Letters from the year 1544. No. 3127 to 3130.
will be there in a short time. There is a meeting of our alliance in Arnstadt 1) because of the handing over of the Duchy [Brunswick] (I want to have said this secretly) into the hands of the Emperor; I wish this to happen because it is difficult for our Prince to bear such great expenses 2c. This meeting will be finished in about three days. In the meantime, be well in Christ.
We have received the gifts you sent me and the children, but I ask you, if you have anything left, to give it to your sister children (nepotibus) and to their mother, the very good woman whom I cannot remember without sighing because of her husband's misfortune. But as often as I see her children, I remember 2c. You would do well to give her everything you can, and at the same time you owe it to her. Yes, you are a poor bishop, while you were a rich priest. I often think of the saying of Pope Alexander the Fifth, who said: "I was a rich bishop, then a poor cardinal, now a begging pope. You also seem to be such a beggar to me. But this is what he wanted, who became poor for us, even died for us; we must serve him in poverty, yes, in all our life and in death, according to his good, pleasing and perfect will. To him be glory from everlasting to everlasting, amen. On the day before St. John's Day [23 Juil] 1544. Yours M. Luther, D.
No. 3128.