More detailed news about the defeat of Duke Henry of Brunswick.
From the collection of Caspar Sagittarius in Jena in Schütze, Vol. I, p. 369 and in De Wette, Vol. V, p. 765.
To the truly famous, learned and godly man, Mr. Philipp Melanthon, his godfather and extremely dear teacher, Cordatus wishes you
Hail! Not only have we prayed for your church, as you requested, my dear Philip, but we have even made Jesus Christ our intercessor, so that our prayers would be quite sure, and that we have certainly been heard, we hear from quite a few. 3) For all, equally Mezentius and the Papists, 4) who even before the victory cried out with hands and feet the victory, are now silent in a bitter and more than careful silence. I have never experienced such silence in such a famous matter in the whole time of my life.
Furthermore, what I heard today from one of our citizens who believes in Christ, I cannot but write to you, dear sir. Having traveled overland these days, he came to an old soldier of the emperor, well known to him for many years, who is also one of those who wanted to overthrow the church. When he was asked by our citizen that, because of their old friendship, he should deign to tell him at least something of what might be believed to have happened against that duke, he said to him: "What shall I say? I have neither seen nor heard anything but that heaven and earth have fallen together. But I have heard nothing from men except: Strike! Strike! (stabbing blow) and so on. Therefore also, he that hath found a cave hath hid himself. And ours, who out of godliness broke the silence,
2) This date is our conjecture. The date set by De Wette according to Schütze: "hujus mensis 17" is wrong, since in this letter already the victory over the Brunswick is discussed, which however took place only on Oct. 21. Luther sent this letter to Amsdorf on Nov. 5.
3) Instead of "solis mutis(?)" we have assumed satis multis.
4) Instead of Marchitu ac Papista we have put Menzentius ac Papistae. About the praise of both, compare St. Louis edition, vol. XVII, 1404, § 13 f.
said: "Yes, dear Jacob, where the angels help, there it goes. And he answered with a horrible cry: "Yes, angels! I mean 100,000 and all the devils have been there." He did not add another word. But when ours inquired about the emperor, he broke out into these words: "The emperor is a Christian gentleman, and will probably lead it out, which I have heard from him more than twenty times: he must hang the German lords on green trees. But according to the words he said about the defeat that had happened, I think he was telling the truth about the terror. For God is in the habit of inflicting it on His adversaries; to Him be glory forever through Christ, Amen. From Stendal, in this 1545th year on the 27th 1) of this month. In the greatest haste.
No. 3269.
To the Elector Johann Friedrich, together with the other theologians.
Intercession for the town of Helmstädt, which was threatened with harsh punishment by the victorious princes.
From a copy signed only by Melanchthon in Cod. Rhed. at Breslau and a very old copy in Cod. Goth. 94, p. 229, in Corp. Ref. vol. V, 879.
To the most illustrious and illustrious, highborn princes and lords, Mr. Johann Friedrich, Duke of Saxony, Elector, and Count of Thuringia, Margrave of Meissen and Burgrave of Magdeburg (Meidburgk), and Mr. Philippsen, Landgrave of Hesse, of Katzenelnbogen, Ziegenhain and Dietz, our most gracious and gracious lords, jointly and severally.
God's grace through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, our Savior, before. Most Sublime, Most Serene, Most Highborn Prince, Most Gracious and Most Merciful Lord! First of all, we thank Almighty God, Father of our Savior JEsu Christ, for having given good counsel, strength and victory to Your Supreme and Princely Graces in this sudden din, and for having given Your Supreme and Princely Graces person, country and life. Grace person, country and people, churches and regiment to his praise so publicly and graciously.
1) Just now we see that already Seidemann in De Wette, vol. VI, p.457, note 2, has remarked that instead of "17." it should be read: "27."
We hope that this work will serve as a clear reminder to all people of the fear of God and of right faith. Thus, we also thank Ew. chur. and F. Gn. in good faith that they themselves have shown their seriousness in this and have done their princely work in this, and we ask God that he may also henceforth govern and preserve Ew. chur. and F. Gn. blessedly, as we do not doubt that many God-fearing people ask this with us, who consider how highly and greatly the Christian Church and Lahr are interested that Ew. chur. and F. Gn. Gn. remain in good government.
But that we now write to Your Highness and Princely Grace, we are moved to do so by a lamentable letter from the poor people of Helmstädt. We are moved to do so by a lamentable letter from the poor people of Helmstädt, who are holding all of us, and who ask us for God's sake to have mercy on them in this extreme peril, and to make a humble and Christian intercession for them.
They indicate that it is true that they have sent provisions to the enemy and have given fire supplies, but they have done so in order to prevent the enemy from attacking them in the first hurry, since rescue has not yet taken place in the country.
But that they are further charged as if they should have fallen away from the Gospel, that is not so, but they are always and still willing to commit their life and limb to this Christian doctrine, which Ew. chur. Gn. confess. But since they are now in such terrible misfortune that they are commanded to give 4000 fl. in eight days, or the spot shall be given up to the people of war, they ask and cry out for God's sake that this great wrath may be alleviated.
Now we ourselves consider that Your Highness and Princely Grace are not angry without great cause that they have strengthened the enemy. Gn. are not angry without great cause that they have strengthened the enemy, even if their minds have not been to fall away from Christian doctrine. We also note that not everyone in the country was equally firm, especially in the first terror, before His Holiness and Princely Grace arrived with the people. Gn. arrived with the people, and there are no doubt many bad boys in the country who have extolled the power of the enemy, inclining the people to him, as many speeches have otherwise sounded in the German country, that it was also said at Nuremberg at the time that Ew. chur. Gu. People would have been slain.
Letters from the year 1545. No. 3269. 3270.
But let it be as it may with those thought of in Helmstädt, so we ask for God's sake in all submission, Ew. Ch. and F. Gn. want to show them mercy, accept them again in mercy, and graciously alleviate the great punishment, considering that God has also graciously assisted Ew. Gn. also graciously assisted them, who, although He commanded to punish wanton wickedness, nevertheless He wills that wrath be soothed with mercy, as Christ said: "Blessed are the merciful, for mercy will be shown to them.
Your Highness and Princely Grace. Your Grace, as wise, noble and practiced princes, know themselves that moderation and kindness are praiseworthy in such times, and pleasing to God, as David also held against Nabal and Simei. Thus it is said that when Pompey won a city in Sicily and wanted to kill the people, one of the noblest in the council asked Pompey why he wanted to punish the poor people, who had been innocent of this outrage, but that he alone was guilty. Because of this confession, Pompey spared him and everyone.
And although the cost of war is great, that treasury and fines must follow, we ask in courtesy that Your Highness and Princely Grace consider the impossibility of 4000 fl. Gn. will consider the impossibility with the 4000 Fl. The poor country is already highly and miserably afflicted, so that we do not doubt that Your Majesty has mercy and most gracious compassion, as well as remembrance of the poor, scattered and misguided people. They should be an example to other cities and countries to recognize God's wrath in them and to call upon God not to impose similar punishments. Therefore, in submission and for God's sake, we ask that Your Holiness and Your Grace, in honor of God and in consideration of the great suffering of the poor people, show mercy to these afflicted people of Helmstädt. God will undoubtedly reward them mildly. Thus, some God-fearing people will recognize this mercy and ask God for His Grace.
In this way, our prayer, which we do daily with all our hearts for the sake of Our Lord and Savior, will be all the more joyful to God, the eternal Father of our children.
Savior JEsu Christ. May He always graciously preserve Ew. Ch. and F. Gn. Date Wittenberg, 29 October Anno 1545.
Ew. chur- und prinstl. Graces subject
D. Martinus.
D. Pomeranns. Philippus Mel. D. Crucigerus.
No. 3270.