1 Through treacherousness one causes much in wars.
2. from the gun.
3.. Unbelief and disloyalty among great lords. About the war against Milan and about the German warriors.
4. that war is God's greatest punishment.
The war is like a golden seed.
6. rural armor.
7. against war one should ask.
8. a newspaper from Frankfurt.
9. of Julii Caesari's battles.
What difference has been among Simson's courage and Emperor Julii.
11. Luther's and M. Phil. Mel. Conversation on the War.
1. by betraying, one causes a lot of damage in wars.
(The first paragraph Cordatus No. 1256.)
There is no city so strong that it cannot be conquered. If only such a large way is open to it that a donkey can carry gold there. 1) Then it is won. Treachery overcomes all cities. This art is best understood by the French.
(This paragraph in Lauterbach, Jan. 5, 1538, p. 3.)
On January 5, news came from Austria of a defeat by the Turks and the most shameful escape of our army, which is thrown only by the troops and skirmishers, by the roving lost piles, which is truly very shameful to the great harm that the German warriors are beaten by servants and troops and have lost 26 guns, and almost 800 people have been taken prisoner to Constantinople. Luther said: "It is not right. It is a punishment of sin. Ferdinand is very unhappy. After that he said about the happiness of Maximilian, who, although poor, nevertheless led his army happily. Once, when he had advanced with a small army before Venice, Bartholomew de Signor, 2) the commander, went to him.
1) This saying is attributed by Cicero (spist. sä /tti6uni I, 16, § 12) to King Philip of Macedonia. (Wrampelmeyer.)
2) Cordatus No. 882 has, certainly more correctly, "Signor Bartholomew". The relation of Cordatus we share with Cap. 75, § 2. The Aurifaber's Table Talks call him Mr. Bartholeme de Schabato. Rebenstock II, 190: LartUoIomaeus ä" LakdatUo.
the Venetian, with marvelous boldness and a mighty army, surrounded him in a valley, and sent everywhere that the people should come to the spectacle that he slaughtered the German swine. He wanted to slaughter them, even if God did not want it. But the enclosed army of Maximilian formed a square and since by chance a powder keg was broken, they diligently scattered the powder on the way. After that, the Venetians followed with the army, and since the powder was lit, they broke up; [it] broke up the order, pushed the servants up. In the extreme hardships, Maximilian was lucky; Ferdinand would not like to have that. After that, he said a lot about the Persians and Croats, who had often beaten the Turks. We Germans are too drunk and too sure. The Turkish empire has grown high in thirty years. I hope it will fall in a hurry by the last day; for God cannot bear such bloodshed of His Christians for a long time, because that tyrant slaughters the wretched Christians without any pity and [human] emotion. After that, that messenger assured that Catianus was captured and that he had confessed that he had been bribed by the Turk with four thousand florins. Luther said: "This is how it is. He fights with weapons, with money, with cunning; we snore safely and have unfaithful leaders of the army. For that Catianus is said to be a baptized Jew and to have fled from Spain, overloaded with debts, [that is, as such,] whom they call bankrupt, who is broken through the bank, who is an out-
1) has been a tornado. Such people must be entrusted with such a large war enterprise.
(This paragraph Cordatus No. 883.)
If Hannibal had had his own historian, he would have undoubtedly left behind the name of the greatest general. He has quite zzaust [torn] the Romans, because he drove them out of Africa, Sicily, Gaul, Spain and almost out of Italy.
(The following at Cordatus No. 1606.)
One of the soldiers whom the Margrave had gathered against the Turk came to Luther and said that there was a secret rumor that the gathered soldiers would eventually have to fight against the Duke of Saxony. If this were true, what should he do? He answered: "If you go forward against the Turk, strike because you are mercenaries. But if someone should lead you against the word, you know how to keep yourselves well, so that you do not do something against conscience.
2nd gun.
Guns and the gun is a cruel, harmful instrument, shatters walls and rocks, and leads people into the air. I believe that it is the devil's own work in hell who invented it, as he cannot fight otherwise with bodily weapons and fists. Against guns no strength nor manhood helps, they bring death, 2) before one sees them. If Adam had seen the instrument his children had made, he would have died of sorrow.
3. unbelief and infidelity among great lords, and of the war against Milan, and of the German warrior nation.
Maximilianus and King Louis of France had made an alliance with each other,
1) In the original: [Dicitur] "fugisse ex Hispania aere alieno obrutus, quem ipsi vocant Bancrot, qui per Bancum rupit. Der eißern ist worden." There is a mistake in the last words. Perhaps it should be read, "der reitzern ist worden," that is, a runaway because of debt. These words would then be the translation of: hui per Laueniu ruxit.
2) Here we have allowed ourselves an alteration. In Aurifaber: he is dead before he is seen. Likewise Stangwald.
into which they would have liked to have the pope as well. When he agreed to it and, to confirm it, had taken the sacrament in three parts, each a part, the pope broke the alliance and joined the Venetians. When the emperor heard this, he is said to have said: We three, who want to be the heads of Christendom, are the greatest, most desperate, most perjured evil-doers under the sun, being unfaithful not only one to the other, but also to God. But the Pope was defeated, overcome and humiliated by the French before Ravenna on Easter Day. He then secretly sent Cardinal Matthiam Lange, who was now Bishop of Salzburg, to the Emperor, who united them again against the French. Thus the French lost Milan to the Swiss. Around this bride, Milan, which gives annually over ten hundred thousand florins, has now risen above human memory great bloodshed, to this day; for she is very rich and a key in Italy, which city the King of France desired from Emperor Carl again, promising to give him annually a tribute and summa money. But the Emperor wanted to restore and deliver it to his middle son, not to the Dauphin, the eldest, nor even to the youngest, but so that it should not be hereditary; hence came the war.
And since the Frenchman had only Germans with him, he kept the victory and the field; for Germany gives the best and most loyal men of war, who are content with their pay, and protect the people: are not like Spaniards, who take away property, wife and children, with great infidelity and fornication. They want to be landlords in the house, also have the keys at their side, sweep the boxes; item: use wife and daughters to their will. That is why you do not want anyone to be your guardian. Therefore Antoni de Leva, a Spaniard by birth and one of the emperor's most distinguished and most fortunate captains, admonished the emperor at his last end that he wanted to keep the German warriors dear to him and see to it that he did not lose their favor and good will; if he lost them, it would be all over with him, for they held as one man.
4. that war is God's greatest punishment.
They (the papists) truly have it in mind against poor Germany. I do not believe that our descendants will have peace. God graciously turn his wrath away from us, for war is one of the greatest punishments, as it destroys and takes away religion, worldly and domestic rule. Everything lies in ruins. Theurge and pestilence are like the tails of foxes, not to be compared with war, especially pestilence is the most merciful and lenient punishment. Therefore David chose pestilence among the three punishments, preferring to fall into God's hands rather than into the hands of man, who would be merciful.
5. war a güldener Hamen.
(Lauterbach, Feb. 3, 1538, p. 23.)
Wars are a golden opportunity; you don't gain much from them. And the landgrave, a soldier and warlike man, said to me today, modestly and very God-fearing: I have won twice, I don't want to win more easily. We do not want, if God wills, to start on our side; if they will start, God will help us. This word of the prince comforted me very much.
6. rural armor.
(Lauterbach, Feb. 17, 1538, p. 31.)
After that he said about the weapons of each nation. The Romans would have used throwing spears, the Gauls curved lances. Virgil calls the weapons of the Germans categios [catejas, Aen. VII, 741], are perhaps the halberds. Every monarchy has its special weapons, as today the Turks fight with bows and sabers.
7. against war one should ask.
In 1539, Luther spoke of the great punishment, misery and misfortune that would exist because of the great security, ingratitude and wickedness of the present corrupt world and time. It is a mischievous theurge, which comes from the usurers' loud avarice, and yet they do not want to have the name. Let us only pray quickly against war, so that everything is not devastated and ruined, because
there is a great weather present. May God have mercy on us.
That same year, when the princes were together at Frankfurt, D. Luther said: "There is no peace to be hoped for, because the papists rage and rage so: they are far superior to us in wealth, quantity and force. But it is not good to war against God, for he has the privilege and the advantage of being able to strike a great multitude by a few, and to make them fearful and despondent; as many examples in the Holy Scriptures testify. Oh, that we were not so wicked! We have, praise God, a good and just cause; but, alas, we are ungrateful and wicked, that God will have to visit and punish the pious with the wicked.
8th Newspaper of Frankfurt.
On April 10 of the 1539th year, letters arrived from Frankfurt to M. Luther that the state of peace was in great doubt, because the adversaries were cunningly and deceitfully using very unfair and even unrighteous, unchristian means, as if they were mocking ours. Thus the emperor's legate would have subordinated himself much differently and more and would have tried with advertising in the action than he had commanded; our people, however, would have been of good cheer, and would have waited for peace or war. Then said D. M. Luther said: "These letters must be read dialectically, not grammatically, much differently than the words read, because they obscure the consequence and the consequence. There is no hope of peace with the adversaries, because the Pope exalts himself above God and the Holy Scriptures, boasting that they have their authority and power from him. As if he wanted to say: I am much more. Thus H. v. B. is in the presumptuous delusion and hope that he thinks to inherit H[erzog] G[eorg] zu Sachsen, for he is said to have said these words: If only my skin were still whole, then I would wear the diamond wreath. These words indicate enough what he has in mind.
July 9 Caesari's battles.
Julius Caesar had 52 battles in which he himself had been. Eleven times a hundred thousand men perished in them.
What difference has been among Simson's courage and Emperor Julii. 1)
Doct. Martin Luther was asked: What difference would there be between Samson, who had great strength, and this from the spirit, and Julii Caesaris, or another great, strong man, both in body and courage? Then he said, "Samson's spirit was the Holy Spirit who sanctified him, for he brings with him movement and work, who are obedient to God and serve him. But the spirit in the Gentiles may also be called divine movement and work, as which God gives and does. It is not a movement that makes holy. I often wonder at the example of Samson. There must have been a strong forgiveness of sins with him. Human power and strength could not have done what he did.
11 Conversation between D. M. Luther and Phil. Melanchthon about the war.
Anno 1542, April 11, M. Johannes Mathesius, now pastor in Joachimsthal, gave his valete at Wittenberg in D. Caspar Creuziger's house, where all Professores Theologiä and other gentlemen from the university were guests. There Dominus Phil. Melanchthon said over the table: "There is bad weather and damp air. M. Luther answered: Yes, because now winter and summer are separated. Then said Phil. Melanchthon said: "But it will not be good weather for poor soldiers who are now lying in the field. M. Luther answered: "Who can help it, why did our princes watch such a game? Phil. Melanchthon: It is said that that prince has many people with each other, D. M. Luther: It is not because of having many people and delicious war armor, but because of a good cause, who has that, and a good meeting, when they come together. As the Gentiles 2) also said:
Frangit et attollit vires in milite causa, Quae nisi justa subest, excutit arma pudor.
The cause of war breaks a warrior's spirit, or makes him hearty, and
1) D. i. Oassaris.
2) kroxert. 4, 6, 51.52. (Förstemann.)
Courage; if the matter is not good, one is ashamed to defend oneself. Then M. Veit Winsheim said: "It is true, Doctor, that von B. had three men in the feud, since his opponent had hardly one; nor was he beaten. Doctor M. said: I mean, it will be a willful scuffle: they are devilish heads, who have spun the thing so long ago. Ph. Melanchthon: One would like to suppress our Lord, that is how one deals with it. D. M. Luther: The prayers of pious Christians will be of great value and effect. As David said, "But I pray." Ps. 69, 14. Let us only pray; this clamor will not be quieted and stilled by weapons nor by human wisdom and suggestions, but only by prayer. Phil. Mel.: They will have much to do when they set themselves against one another; I hear wonders say, as J. W. also indicated to me: how C. and P. are so scornful, and should also make use of calumnies and slander, that it is exceedingly so. D. M. Luther: Well, we want to leave the art speakers and clever ones together, they will probably lead the matter out, they started it without us. Doctor Brück has often told me that those on the other side have never been good to ours, that one has always been afraid of them, that they will do some harm. Phil.: But it is a great annoyance and disgrace that they have now aroused, D. M. Luther: It is true; but how can one do it? one cannot change it now. Ph.: Now it will already be known in Rome; the pope will write it to the emperor and congratulate him, rejoice over it and be happy. The King of England will also know. M.M. will say in Paris, at the court of the King of France, that the House of Saxony is falling into itself, and is corrupting itself among itself, D.M.: That is true; do you think that the devil is celebrating? he will have brought it to Rome for a long time. The papists will laugh it into their fists. Philip: Yes, it is true, they will say: Behold, these are our evangelicals, these are the good fruits of their teaching. D. M.: Of course, they will say to Rome, "What is the point? they will beat each other and destroy the doctrine itself. This must be heard; may the merciful God turn away
it. Only pray diligently, without doubt God will turn it around. I have prayed H[Archduke] G[eorg] 1) to death, we want to pray C. and P 2) to death as well, and God grant that this game may go to beginners as it went to Judah. Philip: H[archduke] M[oritz] 3) is a young man, barely one and twenty years old. When we have had great trouble and labor in the church to preserve the teaching against the pope and the whole world, that no one may lie down against us; then a young man comes and makes a game among ourselves, so that we do not know where we are at home. Now no one will trust in the other all his life long; there will always remain in the heart disgust and resentment, D. M. Luther: It is true that even if they make a treaty, one will always envy the other, for the hearts are divided and divided; but it will not happen without great disruption of the church, D. M. Luther: It will become a disruption and quassatio of the church, but God will preserve his church well. Duke M[oritz] is a young gentleman, does not understand the matter. He thinks his advisors mean very well for him; but he will learn to understand it one day with his great harm, and then he will believe nothing more of them. Phil. Melanchthon: The noise with HM will hardly go off without bloodshed.
1) Thus Bindseil II, 200.
2) Bindseil II, 200: "we also want to laugh Carlowitz and Pistormm to death."
3) Binding rope II, 200.
And I have dared, it goes to me also with it, as God wants, I am hewn or stabbed, I must command it to God (et serio dicebat). D. M. Luther: Well, my Philip, it will not come to that, just pray. Philip: Nobody persuades me, even if I perish. Then M. D. Luther was angry with him, and said: Tace, Philippe, tu habes malam vocem: Silence, Philippe, you have a bad voice. Philip: There are more glorious men perished than I may be. Was not Judas Maccabeus a glorious man, who had done much good in Israel? nor did he perish so miserably at the last; likewise Josiah. What a beautiful man you think he was, and yet he perished so shamefully and miserably. D. M. Luther: Yes, that was not publicus casus, a common case, et erat stultissimus casus, it was a foolish case. Philip: Doctor, it is true; o, how I have thought of it so often. D. M. Luther: Well, we must be accustomed to it; great men owe our Lord God a foolishness, which they must pay him honestly. No great man does a small foolishness, but thus deceives, that he obscures wisdom and prudence, as with a shadow. What did David do? He had wives enough, but he took another man's wife and became an adulterer and a murderer. That is called being foolish. Philip: Yes, doctor, he had to pay dearly enough after that, that he was a widower for almost twenty years.