Luther apologizes for not having written to the Elector so far; he warns him against the Jews who abuse him with his preference for alchemy, and asks for a scholarship for Buchholzer's sons.
The original is in the church library at Landshut in Silesia. Printed in De Wette, Vol. V, p. 724 and in the Erlangen edition, Vol. 56, p. 128. David Schulz in Breslau corrected this letter according to the original in Illgen's Zeitschrift für die historische Theologie, Vol. II, Stück 2, Leipzig 1832, p. 222. The corrections are printed in De Wette-Seidemaun, Vol. VI, p. 477, Note I. We have used the same.
G. u. F. in the Lord and my poor prayer. Most Serene, Highborn Prince, Most Gracious Lord! The worthy Mr. George Buchholzer, provost of Berlin, has informed me that E. C. F. G. sends me her gracious greetings through him and is surprised that I do not write anything to E. C. F. G., and also requests that I send out a booklet against the two women. First of all, I humbly thank
E. C. F. G. gracious greetings. However, E. C. F. G. should not interpret the fact that I do not write anything to E. C. F. G. as if it were out of displeasure. For my heart is such that I am not hostile or disfavored toward any man on earth; especially toward you princes and lords I cannot be disfavored, because I must pray for you daily, as St. Paul teaches in 1 Timothy 2. 2 See also what a poor thing it is for a ruler in this shameful time, when there is so much unfaithfulness among the rulers, and the devil of the court is a mighty lord; therefore discord and displeasure arise among all kings and princes. So I had no special reasons to write to E. C. F. G.. Therefore E. C. F. G. may be sure that it will not remain due to any! Unwillingness remains. I have often said and preached that I am not angry with the Cardinal at Mainz either. Yes, I do not wish that he should have my calculum for an hour, although I attack him harshly; for I do not like to see him hurry and run to hell as if he were worried that he might miss it, if he can enter in time enough, when he is already slowly trying to enter foot by foot. But no admonition wants to create something there.
For E. C. F. G. I am very worried that the Jews will prove their Jewish perfidy one day. But C.F.G. has such a strong faith and trust in them that my letter would be in vain, but I would have no faith at all; therefore I ask God to graciously protect C.F.G. from them, and also the young margraves, so that C.F.G.'s faith would not be too strong in this, lest something happen which would be too slow and futile for all of us afterwards. The provost pleases me beyond measure that he is so vehemently against the Jews. He loves E. C. F. G. with earnestness, I feel it well, and means them with loyalty. And I have strengthened him to stay on the track. For what they pretend with the alchemy is a great, shameful deception. It is well known that alchemy is nothing and can make no money without sophisticetum, which does not hold fire, like other gold, which some goldsmiths also know.
Mr. George also admonished me and asked me to write E. C. F. G. for him.
Letters from the year 1545. No. 3193 to 3197.
We ask that E. C. F. G. graciously grant his two sons a spiritual fief so that they may be kept in the studio. It would be a pity that they should be neglected and abandoned.
Summa, E. C. F. G. does not consider me an enemy, but I cannot believe that E. C. F. G. can believe, namely that the Jews mean E. C. F. G. with loyalty. And the alchymists certainly play with E. C. F. G. that they mean everything, and E. C. F. G. the niece, Doctor Jeckel makes me more devout than many others have told me.
Hiemit dem lieben GOtt befohlen sammt die jungen Herrschaft und dem ganzen Regiment, Amen. On 9 March 1545.
E. C. F. G. williger
Martinus LutheR, D.