Luther thanks him for the applause he has given his book Wider das Papstthum (Against the Papacy), which, by the way, many do not like. About a writing of the Zurich preachers Against him. About the persecutions that the Protestants have to suffer in various countries.
The original is in Cod. Seidel. at Dresden. Printed by Schütze, Vol. I, p. 34l and by De Wette, Vol. V, p. 727. German by Walch, Vol. XXI, 1539.
Your in Christ venerable father and lord, Mr.. Nicolaus, your right and fair bishop of the church at Naumburg, his superior who is highly honored in the Lord.
Grace and peace in the Lord! I thank you, venerable Father in Christ, for your honorable testimony about my book against the papacy. Not everyone likes it equally. But your prince liked it so much that he distributed copies for 20 guilders. But you know my manner, that I do not
I do not believe that they are evil, but that they are either the essence, the size, and all the categories, the species, the subspecies, the peculiarities, the differences, and the accidental things. For I do not believe that they are evil, but that they either do not understand the essence, the greatness, the nature and all categories, the species, the subspecies, the peculiarity, the differences and the accidental things, that is, all the abominable and horrible monstrosities of the papal abomination, 1) for no eloquence or understanding can attain and measure them, or that they fear the wrath of kings.
The Zurich sacramentarians have written against me in Latin and German, 2) because of my booklet "Kurz Bekenntniß". I have not yet decided whether I want to answer them, since they have been condemned by me so often, before and now. These people are enthusiastic, hopeful, then also idle. Although they were bravely silent in the beginning of the matter, when I alone had great difficulty in enduring the rage of the pope (sudarem), and looked on at my success or my danger, they soon burst forth, after the pope's power had been broken to some extent and room had been made for freedom, as glorious triumphants, who had nothing from others, everything through their own powers. Thus, yes, thus one works, and another enjoys it. Yes, they direct their attack at me, through whom they have been liberated. A cowardly cattle of drones, which has learned to consume the honey, which has been brought about by other people's work. Their judgment will find them. If it will seem good to me to answer, I will make it short and confirm my verdict of condemnation. For I have set myself to read the rest of the booklet.
1) Here we have deleted the punctum, because vel-vel belongs together. The thread is: that they either do not recognize the abominations of the papacy, or fear the wrath of the kings.
2) The title of the writing is: Orthodoxa Tigurinae Ecclesiae Ministrorum Confessio, illorum et fidem et doctrinam, quam eunti catholica Sanctorum Ecclesia communem habent, continens, inprimis autem de coena Domini nostri Jesu Christi, una cum aequa et modesta responsione ad vanas et offendiculi plenas D. Martini calumnias, condemnationes et convicia, quae tum alibi, tum in novissimo libello, quem Brevem de sancto Sacramento Confessionem appellavit, potissimum edita et vulgata sunt. 1545.
against the papacy, if the forces allow it.
The emperor in the Netherlands, the Frenchman in France rage cruelly against the gospel, and Ferdinand in Hungary and Austria is not milder. Thus Caiphas advised that the Son of God must be slain, lest they lose their land and people. Thus they cannot overcome the Turk unless they have defiled their hands with the blood of the martyrs and the brothers of Christ. The final wrath of God has come upon them. May the Lord hasten the day of our redemption, amen. May Your Honor be well in Him. On the day of Tiburtius [April 14] 1545.
Your Martin Luther, D.
No. 3205 - Wittenberg. April 17, 1545.