#2305-Melanchthon to Luther,Jonas,Bugenhagen and Cruciger

To the highly-renown men: Lord Doctor Luther,D.Justus Jonas and the head Pastor of the church in Wittenberg and D.Cruciger, his highly honorable teachers.

Heil! Highly-renown and dear men of my heart! I hear that Cordatus has here put forth a great dream-play(?) over several of my words in which, it is said, that I falsely have put forth on the teaching of works. I am moved by this report to respond as soon as possible although I am plagued with other difficult concerns at this time. I have never learned nor have I ever taught anything other than what you commonly teach especially concerning this controversy. But from the start I saw that many, especially
from elsewhere, this sentence: We are justified only through faith, that along with this opinion: WE are through this have a new essence (novitate) or by the infusion of gifts made righteous (that is to say, not only through faith) so it was necessary for me in the Apology that the reckoning only out of grace to put forth and to say several things explicitly.Thereupon, as you know, several questions arose: If only we are accepted by mercy whereto is the new obedience demanded? The Scriptures have it. I never once questioned your judgment not even once to Amsdorf. And I have never at any time had something different in my eye than to declare very specifically what you teach because I know that many have inept opinions about such great things.And that the youth have a very definite way is necessary in addition to many dialectic words.
Also I have never concealed that I want, as much as I can, say that good works are
praiseworthy but I have never adorned them with false praise. I clearly say that they are neither a reward nor meritorious toward everlasting life. And I am not so untaught that I do know what signifies a necessary cause (causa sine qua non). I pray therefore for the sake of Christ that what I have taught with great effort and not on purpose to propose any deviation.
Never have I wanted to deviate from your opinion but when there is suspicion or condemnation by certain men burdening me and I fear estrangement from good will I wish I might go somewhere else in the world. I know several have taught terribly about me whom I would be happy to forgive. And this I want to complain to you about rather than to others. I would not be the originator of any sort of division among us. And I love each and honor them in my heart. And I want the common matter very much. And if my labors and my not insignificant care in each matter of responsibilty are not verified it is in vain that I speak of this matter. However , I hope that my good intentions will eventually be known. And I have never avoided admonition and well intended persuasion. There are manifold gifts. I am claiming nothing and have brought forth nothing new. I have put together for you as much as I am able and put it as clearly as I can.

I hear that yet another complaint has been raised on account of the position of the Pedagogue. Herr Caspar knows how very much and inistently I have pleaded that the choice should be postponed. That they did not want this and ordered me to in accordance with my responsibility to put forth fitting elders I have named four: Freder,Wendelin, Holstein and Marcellus however I said that these two, namely Holstein and Marcellus,are to be preferred above the rest. I have also said that Holstein should in the forefront because he is a Saxon and must receive consideration by this nation.Thereupon it goes to a vote. I have not voiced anything more. Also in my letters conscerning Holstein stating that he is a Saxon it was because it was their displeasure and all wanted to disregard this. Therfore I am in this matter without any fault. I also know, having heard it from Marcellus, that you would like to depart from this narrow position to another. He has never once desired it and leaves the decision entirely up to you. These necessary matters I have intended to describe so that my silence would not arouse, I know not of what sort, a suspicion. And i espically wish to be pure before you. Be it right well and happy with you. On the day of All Saints (1 Nov.)
I am not delighted with this writing and don't want it copied so pardon that. Philppus.

Philippus Melanchthon

#2239-To Caspar Huberinus in Augsburg
To the worthy lord in Christ,Caspar Huber, the faithful servant of the Word in the church
In Augsburg, my beloved brother in the Lord.

Grace and peace in Christ! I write and am loaded with many activities,my beloved Caspar in the Lord; in addition I am very old and almost dead away and am scarcely
useful for a a half-day. On that account there are several who desire my thoughts and
opinion and you might share with them. I see very well that the Concord is hardly established; yet as they are dealing faithfully there is yet the good hope that God who has begun His work that it will be yet completed. He knows the ordained course of His Church namely that the wagon and also the horses must go through mud and great waters and yet the wagon attains victory as the Prophet Habbakkuk tells. For this reason let is hope and pray that God the Lord will stamp the head of the snake under our feet,Amen. Further, it is my opinion that the Cathedral lords will be spared neither they or their horrors nor that the authorities will not prevail with their action or authority so that yet the preachers will not be silenced but with joyful spirit and powerful sermons will rebuke their services and
essence and the hearts of the faithful made zealous and horrified. God’s Word should not be bound, but should rebuke the world because of sin. One should be concerned in what way the Cathedral-administration might be restrained so that in the mean time one might perhaps find counsel. One need not worry that the Princes will permit the Emperor to take over all these spiritual goods. They will also be in the pursuit, and not unjustly, should it come to that. In addition the cities will have some consolation in that. Thus, one should eagerly endeaveor at the same time that hearts of the pious and also the evil be turned from this horror. Briefly, these are my thoughts. If you think it well, share these thourghts with the Strassburger preachers. Since I cannot write to all of them or especially to serveral of them. Greet for me the pious Magister Forster with all of his and all of yours . With that be commended to the Lord. Dated at Wittenberg on the 23 October 1536. M.Luther.

#2295-To the Council at Saalfeld

Honorable, perceptive,Mayor and Council in Saalfeld,my favored and good Lords and Friends.
Grace and peace in Christ. Honorable,perceptive,favored Lords and Friends!In the absence of M.Philip I had to open and read your writing and do not want to keep from you that recently the friend of Pfruener, treasurer in Torgau made a written request that I decline the stipend to him for yet another year depending on whether he would remain in the theology studies and that I should bring him before me and inquire about that and it has been done. He has now answered me that he want to stay with the jurist studies;thus my my request to you,as I have told his friend, the treasurer,remains. I do not want and it is not up to me that I, as a theologian, should help by turning over the thological stipend to be used for jurisprudence; I do not say that it cannot be done without my request. Thus I have made Pfruener aware. But because,nevertheless (as I hear) he has talents in jurisprudence and M.Philipp has counseled him about the same you could as Council extend as much as it costs for another year not only because he is a son of your city but because the times are so bad that there is need for talented people. For this reason I also want to appeal to you in a friendly way.

However, because I note from your writing that upon the request of M.Philipp you are extending the stipend for a third year instead of to the other youth Gerard that I cannot approve; since the same Gerard is very pious,and able and gradually accomplishing the studies and requires yet another year of help at least; so I am requesting that has you have promised M.Philipp the stipend for yet a third year and Gerard a stipend for another year for Gerard and equal to that Pfruener who is becoming a jurist. Many good people have appealed to me for Gerard and I cannot refuse them. I hope that you will know well how to proceed. Herewith, be commended to
God,Amen. On the day of Dionysius (9 Oct.) 1536.

# 2291-To Georg,Prince of Anhalt-In the matter of Schoenitz

To the illustrious and high-born Prince and Lord,Lord Georg, Prince in Anhalt and Thumprobst in Magdeburg,Graf in Ascanien.
G. (grace) and peace in Christ. Ach, my gracious,dear Lord, how sad I am that EFG is so deeply stuck in the Bishop's matter. I know well how faithfully and heartily EFG takes the matter and still the holy man and silly man have much different thoughts. My plea to EFG and advice is still that the matter should be put around the neck of the Stift (charitable institution) otherwise nothing will come about; I also hope that God will soon visit his haughty spite,pride,rididcule and mockery; he will yet Christ set and a mayor and city secretary in Halle as before, where Christ remains Lord. However, I am glad to hear that his matter is contrived in so rotten and wrong way in this talk although those working with it do know how to simply understand it. But what is that and he should learn that that I am not simplistic, but am albertish,bishopish, cardinalish,and romish! But onward, it should go on the right course and I plead that it will not be tolerated; gross is gross and too much rips the the sack. Ach, EFG will out the matter and not give cover to the hellish mayor.Herewith, be to God commended,Amen. EFG is for me a dear prince and lord from whom I receive all good but never from the mayor of Halle. 1536 on the day of St. Michael (29 Sept.) EFG's willing Martinus Luther,D.
I am also sending EFG the Testament of the XII Partriarchs again with the copy etc.which you let me see. It is a judicial thing but from a pious man and in judging one learns good morals; but Christ should also be therein etc.
What Nicl.Hausmann will be conveying to EFG will be on behalf of the Bohemians I am earnestly praying for; EFG will well feel what to do since I do not want to burden EFG in any way.
N.B. "albertish" is probably foolish or silly. As I remember the matter of Schoenitz involves the siezing of his property by the Archbishop of Mainz and devoting it to the church.

#2290-ML to Zwickau Council-an ironic rebuke

Grace and peace. Honorable and perceptive, dear lords and good friend! I have been happy to read that you in Zwickau have become pious; I also want to write the pastor,when I can, that he also should rightly be so. That I should so easily believe one party or yet do so may it be, as God wills, that you do not take it amiss bluntly. I have been quite burned by the star of Zwickau and know quite well its brilliance and influence. Therefore the suspicion be easily aroused from the great brilliance of previous events; nevertheless I praise the preachers,people and congregations and also the greater portion of the Council and consider the whole heaven over Zwickau filled with favorable star not to mention that the great planets over Zwickau are wonderful,making a unique constellation, and confuse heaven with other stars by which Example also they want to tear down other cities. This is in my heart that the regiments, church and state, should not be mixed or one devour the other and both be done in as under the Papacy, as St. Paul says (2 Cor.12:20.): "You bite and eat one another see to it that you do not devour each other." I think, if God wills, it good if you well take my writing as well intended. Herewith, be commended to God,Amen. Midweek after Mauritius (27 Sept.)1536. M.Lutherus
NOTA BENE: Not sure about the stars and planets and whether ML is referring to some phenomena or making fun of their boasting as if ordained by heaven. What do you think? I could have missed something.

#2289-To Spalatin in Altenburg

To the highly-renown man, Herr Magister Georg Spalatin,Pastor and Bishop of the church in Altenburg,in the LOrd,my very dear (friend).
Grace and peace in Christ! I plead with you, my dearest Spalatin, you would immediately with M.Brisger, who is returning, as soon as he is there, that you with him faithfully help the poor Elsa of Reinsberg to be received or at any rate, sustained by you and also that you do not permit her to be harrassed or troubled by bitter words. Who knows in what person the poor and begging Christ may be honored? I see everywhere things which I lament so that I fear, in short time, the Word of grace will be taken away from us because of unbelieving unthankfulness and the despising of it. Almost all of the congregations think thus: we free ourselves from the poor and send them to Wittenberg; we experience this daily. "No one wants to do more good and help the poor", meanwhile we seek what is ours and with a frenzy. "Well",that is the fate of the world. Be it well with you and pray for me. On the Sunday after Matthew (24 Sept.)1536. Your Martin Luther,D

Tulpenkanzel-Hausmann dies here 11/6/1537

#2288-To Nicolaus Hausmann in Dessau

To the highly-gifted man, Herr Nicolaus Hausmann, servant of Christ in the church at Dessau, his very dear brother in the LOrd.

Grace and peace! I seldom write to you,good Nicolaus, since there is nothing at hand and our news you very well know and your Court learns of it before ours does. Both Markgrafs (likely Joachim and Johann sons of the Elector of Brandenburg) are straying from the Gospel; if you did not already know you should know now and I do not know what evil among us is glimmering here. I am sharing herewith my new decision about you. I am thinking that you should be called away from there and become a colleague in my house so that you can finally enjoy peace and rest. I already have the assurance from your brother that he will support you here by me. I cannot see that this position there is for you.
D.Hieronymous Weller is happy; he has gone away from me to a nearby house which I am glad to see.
The matter of the Emperor is not of such great happiness as it is rumored. One hears that about five hundred men have gone because of hunger among whom several prominent leaders in the war as the Markgraf Friedrich, the Probst in Wurzburg,Caspar von Fronsberg and I do not know which others.
It appears me that the Council has passed over more than they have urged although it is said that Duke Georg has written a ponderous book against the Bishops which he is thinking to bring as an ordinance according the Canon and that is like comparing God with the devil.
From England our Alesius writes that the new queen Johanna (Seymour) crowned on St. Michael's Day feast is an enemy of the Gospel, as he says, the position of the kingdom has now changed so that Antoninus is hiding and must be silent and is not without being in danger. Yet neverthelesss the King persists in trying to demonstrate his return to the Pope and that it is concluded throughout the entire kingdom that no one should journey to the Council except those whom the King has previously consented to go to the Council which will never happen. The lords are divided over this so that the Council will become a fable or at least a definite time will not be set for it. However, when the time has passed who can determine a different time? "The whole world is full of boobishness." Be it well with you in the LOrd and pray for me, dear brother,since I very much need the same. Greet your very good Prince respectfully for me. Mid-week after Lambertus (20 Sept.)Anno 1535.

Nicolaus von Amsdorf

#2287-Nicolaus von Amsdorf to Luther

Look, my honorable Father in Christ, the judgment of D. Tridensis and the writing which Aepinus sent to me and that which he himself writes which are immediately read by the the Wittenbergers. While Philipp is absent I am sending them to you. Here it is said that contradictory things are being taught in Wittenberg. They stress heavily in the school that works are necessary for everlasting salvation but that you,however, in the very same week, on Sunday in the church, according to your blessed spirit, taught about the new birth: a child in the mother's womb does or works nothing but is only passive and is given form etc. This disturbs our people very much and also disturbs me. Our opponents in this city take heart against us and cause me toil and work in that they persuade people to return to their godless doctrine and to forsake the Gospel. Here I plead for your advice and plead again and again for the same. Here there is the rumor that the Pope has become a Lutheran because he preached twice in a week and likewise also several Cardinals. However, these are nothing things. "The devil is too strong there and together with his will not allow anything like that." The Bishop of Cologne has shaved his head and with a beard, dressed as a hunter, comes suddenly as a horseman in order to visit the Markgraf in Berlin. What that is about I do not know. Be it well with you. 14 Sept. Anno 1536. Your Amsdorf.

#2285-To Justus Jonas

Grace and peace in Christ! My dear Jonas, it is essential that you become involved in the case of Antoninus Schoenitz since the Bishop of Halle has given his consent that you (having nameed you) be one of the mediators with Prince Georg of Anhalt etc/
About this I very much appeal being assured of your friendship and love. Therefore I am sending you in the hope that we will not be deceived as this raging Bishop persists so that you will be stubborn and ready to represent my party vigorously. The rest I will give you orally. <. Philip is visiting his Joachim (Camerarius). About the victory of the Emperor you will hear here if you haven't already heard it there. Be it well with you and your colleagues in Christ. On the Tuesday after Aegidius (5 Sept.) 1536. Your Martin Luther.

#2284-Captio to Luther (a summary)

Capito fears that his earlier letters to Luther upon leaving Wittenberg were lost so he relates again what has happened regarding the Concord matter. Of the opposiiton of the Abt of Volsius and the vain attempt to alter his opinion which brings into play the intrigue of Schwenkfeld and colleagues. The reason for the delay in signing has only the Schwabishe cities with exception of Ulm agreeing. He forwards a letter from Basel regarding a convention which will be held before Michaelis. After Augsburg the Papists are boasting that the jurisdiction has been handed over to them and the Magistrates have temporarily suspended the Mass and one of the Magistrates has requested that Capito appeal to Luther not to become involved with the jurisdiction-question.

Today's Quiz

What happened on this date, 463 years ago, in Eisleben?

#2283-To the Council at Leisnig

To the honorable and wise Lords,Mayor and Council in Leisnig,my good friends.

Grace and peace in Christ. Honorable,wise,dear Lords and good friends! I appeal in an entirely friendly way, that you would regarding Mr. Antonio (Lauterbach),your preacher,think well of him and help him so that he and his may come away from Leisnig, as he desires, which is also necessary and beneficial. I see that it cannot be any different according to his need and benefit. It must follow, the dear God granting, that you another may secure who is able to get along as the parish-head. Permit it that another be sought;and I have earnestly admonished and requested that he should yield and desist, and he has consented to that; and we here will know well how to use him since you cannot find such stones on every street. And since he cannot be your parish-head he may yet find a place that is right for him. Consider that the offense caused by both sides should not be tolerated so give your help so that both will be together in this. Herewith be to God commended,Amen. Ultima (last day) of August 1536.Martinus Luther,D.
NOTE: Wonder if the LCMS Lauterbachs know about this one?

#2281a-To Georg,Prince of Anhalt

(2281 is summarized as letter from Georg to Luther stating the delay in settiling the matter between the Cardinal of Mainz and Antoninus Schoenitz is not the fault of the Cardinal nor of Georg himself who has been sick and busy but that of Schoenitz. Luther is asked to intervene with Schoenitz so he doesn't introduce something new and Prince Georg will do his best to bring the matter to a settlement. #2281a following is ML's reply to #2281.)

To the highly rewnown and illustrious,sincere Prince and Lord,Herr Georg,Prince of Anhalt,Graf of Ascanien,Lord in Bernburg,Probst of the Church in Magdeburg,his very gracious Lord.

Grace and peace in Christ! I have never in the very least doubted the faithfulness of
EFG, illustrious Prince so it is not necessary that EFG be concerned to excuse himself but I must always be suspicious of that very bad man because of many things which I have not learned from Schoenitz but from Rome and out of the Roman world. And I fear only for our Deutschland that you Princes may be too late in beginning to sigh and sorrow over your security; since it is the secret of evil that we do not become wise before the damage is done. If it is possible I plead that EFG would not trust this monstrosity. "If it however does not happen, it will go as it goes." We have here no abiding city (civitatem) but I only wish that out of this Egypt and Babylon(in which we are imprisoned) may have peace and well-being. "However, EFG will graciously regard me as well-intentione"; I cannot believe, or even grant the conjecture, that this man in any way is dealing in earnest or speaks. That I wish very much that EFG would be free of this horror "that God knows. May EFG see" how God will grant it. Concerning this petition all of us stand together also at this time happy with EFG but with fear, yet in serving "May God make it better than we think,Amen." Since the devil always makes it worse than we think. Herewith,Amen. The Monday after Bartholomew (28 August)1536.EFG's willing Martinus Luther,D.
NOTE: Um der Bitten willen aller der Unsern stelle ich mich daher auch EFG gern,aber mit Furcht,zu Dienst,doch "Gott mache es besser, denn wir denken,Amen. This is the second to last sentence of which you see my problematic translation above.
The Cardinal of Mainz,Albrecht, is not named but understood to be the bad guy.

#2280-To Franz Burkhard,Vice-chancellor in Saxony

To the highly-renown man, Herr Franz Burkhard,the Vice-Chancellor oF Saxon,his special friend in the LOrd.
Grace and peace in Christ! My dear vice-chancellor Fran, I appeal to you that you make it known whether I could with success make an petition for the insane, old woman,"the cross-bound woman", (die Kreuzbinderin). Her daughter here cries pitifully and it is nothing new that she continues to rage as Licentiat Blank,her neighbor,can also attest. At whom we also have laughed because he quarrled with her over the fence between them and they continued to be enraged with each other until she put him to flight with a large spear. It is not praiseworthy if the Prince severly punishes this intractable (male sanam) woman (especially a widow)whom the whole city thinks senseless; she was once expelled from Halle for almost the same reason."She is a fool by my understanding whom you must point out to my most gracious lord; and when she is sufficiently punished my most gracious lord would do well to free
her; she will not become wiser or better by it." Some consideration must also be given to the young woman, her daughter who has been exceedingly harmed by the rages of her mother though she is a completely mature woman and very understanding and I myself wish for her a worthy husband.However because of this tragedy (calamitatibus), which involves her as well as her mother she is becoming increasingly strange to the one she would likely marry; it is an inner-twined chain yet mercy must loose the fetters. Let me know then whether there is a time that I may intrvene and I will do it; what troubles me is not the mother or the son-in-law but the daughter who is in need of mercy. Be it well with you in the LOrd. On the Tuesday after Agapitos (22 Aug.) 1536. Your Martin Luther,D.

Assumption of Mary-Musseo del Prado

#2279-Elector Johann Friedrich to Luther

To begin, our greetings. Honorable and highly-celebrated,dear devoted one! We have your writing in regard to the virgins in the cloister of Ploetzkau and along with the named virgins writing wherein they also indicate the decease of their Domina and plead that they would be provided another Domina according to the outward regimen and ordinance and one not contrary to the Word of God one should be selected,placed and received. And although we regard their request as nothing different than wanting to preserve good discipline and order in their external community we yet do think that if our choice was establised we would be making a precedent for other places and create an offense. So that in regard to the appropriate discipline of the external order in the cloister and among the nuns may be maintainted we want it to be that you advise them and indicate to them that when the majority of them choose a valiant, qualified and able person who has respect above others thus we will
make a public written command and mandate and give her the command to have the rule, order and obedience among the cloister personnel and virgins and also among the same at all times the appropriate punishment to administer remembering that such was previously the ancient way and order that such lay-people were chosen and placed.We do not want you to withhold from you our gracious opinion. Given at Torgau on the Saturday after the Assumption of Mary (19 Aug.) Anno 1536.