About an unusual behavior of foxes, about which Luther asked hunting experts; about the course of time and an offensive painting by Lucas Cranach.
The original is at Dresden in Cod. Seidel. Printed by Schütze, Vol. I, p. 350 and by De Wette, Vol. V, p. 741. German by Walch, Vol. XXI, 1545.
To the venerable Father in the Lord, the Bishop of the true and holy Church at Naumburg, the upright servant of Christ, his highly venerable superior.
Grace and peace in the Lord! I have, reverend Father in the Lord, submitted your question about the monstrosity of the foxes to people who are experienced and skilled in the art and practice of hunting and who are completely masters in this art. At first they said that what I said could not be true.
5) After persuade we have added tibi.
Letters from the year 1545. No. 3231. 3232. 3233.
said. Soon after I showed them your letter, they were amazed beyond measure. They unanimously claimed that the fox, with its cunning, does not rob where it has its nest. Köthen was mentioned, where foxes have their nest in the so-called city moat (fossata oppidi), but do not harm anyone in that place. What this means, I do not know, unless perhaps a change of all things is imminent, which we ask for and expect, amen.
I do not care about imperial diets and conciliation, believe nothing, hope nothing, think nothing. It is all vain. The Nurembergers have captured a certain nobleman in the hope that they would free their tree-gardener in turn. If God does not step into the means, this seems to be a spark of a future conflagration, for punishment over Germany; but first He takes us and ours away from this misery. There is no justice, no regiment in the kingdom, and it is a kingdom without rulership, that is, the yeast and the end of the kingdom.
Your nephew George showed me the painting of Pabst, but "Master Lucas is a crude painter". He could have spared the female sex for the sake of God's creature and our mothers. He could have painted other figures befitting the pope, namely more diabolical ones; but you will judge. Fare well in the Lord, in Christ. June 3, 1545.
Your Martin Luther.
Postscript.
The Emperor has ordered the Augsburgs to accept the Cardinal, that is, their bishop with the clergy and the papal ceremonies, but those are preparing to protect themselves by force of arms. "The parsons do not want" peace, nor to possess theirs with peace. Let it be done what is demanded.
No. 3232.