Luther is willing to concede to the Bishop of Merseburg that the use of elevation will be maintained in the Duchy of Saxony. About the marriage vows of his niece (see No. 3236).
The original is at Gotha in Cod. chart. 379. A piece of this letter is found in Seckendorf, Hist. Luth. lib. III, p. 593 sq. and in Strobel-Ranner, p. 344, dated Jan. 2. From the von Ludwig collection at Halle in Schütze, vol. I, p. 365 and (from the original) in De Wette, vol. V, p. 762.
To the in Christ highly venerable brother, Mr. Anton Lauterbach, pastor and bishop at Pirna and in the neighboring churches, his in the Lord exceedingly dear [friend], 1)
Grace and peace! That I have not written or answered your two letters already, my dear Anton, I hope that I will be easily excused by you, since you know how exceedingly busy I am, then a sluggish old man and eager to die, furthermore that you know my opinion in this matter in the most certain way, namely, if it is demanded of us that anything be granted in ceremonies, not as a matter of right, but out of love for freedom, especially from such a godly bishop as the very good prince of Merseburg is (for with GOD and with me he is a right bishop, even though the titles are different, which for the matter of
1) Lauterbach wrote: "The last letter of D. M. L., which was sent to me, which was written 121 days before his departure in 1546 on the day Concordiae [Feb. 18], which, unfortunately! was followed by the war of discord (discordiae)". - Lauterbach did not include Oct. 19 and Feb. 18. De Wette did not understand this remark and therefore put two question marks in it. However, everything is in order,
We must serve one another according to the teaching of Paul, who was all things to all, Jew to Jew and Gentile to Gentile; otherwise, as soon as he realized that he would be forced to do so as a servant, and that it would have to be done out of necessity, he gave way to no one at all. Therefore it does not take place that you have doubts or that you keep inquiring in this matter. The unity of the spirit, since it belongs to eternal life, is far preferable to these temporal and indifferent things, which come to an end with this life; only that in them we should be of service for a little while out of necessity or for the sake of the brother's weakness, just as we are obliged to serve parents, little children, the weak or the sick. The other you will understand.
I thank you for the apples you have given us; but at last demand something from us with which we can do you a favor. You fill us with shame by serving us in so many ways for nothing and in an overly pleasing manner.
But listen: my niece Magdalena, for whose sake I asked you to find out about Ernst's father, the Reuchlin, seems to be enchanted by him, she cannot let go of him. And publicly she says that you wrote wrong what you wrote about his father. So she is listened to against my will. But if she does not want to listen, let it go as it goes. 2) Fare well in the Lord Christ with your own. On Monday after Lucas [19 October] 1545.
Martin Luther, D.
No. 3265.