Saturday, November 05, 2005

#1832-To Mathias Crozsch in Zwickau

(Crozsch or Kroitzsch is omitted among the addresses in a copy of the previous letter in the Memorial-buch of the Zwickau Council Archives evidently because ML writes the following to him on the same day. In the same Memorial-buch of Zwickau the following has the title:Ad Mathiam Groitsch, presbyterum, oeconomum Hausmanni. He was a deacon at St. Catharines.)
To the highly-honorable man, Matthias Crozsch von Borna, Shepherd (Pastori) in Zwickau, in the LOrd, his very dear brother.
Grace and peace! Dear Matthias, as you see, through the great grace of the Prince the very good man, your Pastor, has been freed from these men by their Prince. He (Hausmann) was in danger by these hard people but was ordered to stay in his (the Prince's) lands. You should for the sake Christ not be disturbed nor be anxious but have a little patience and permit these furies to act and boast. It is sufficent that we not only have Christ, whom these hate and afflict, gtaciously present in His Spirit but also the Prince and the best men at the Court very favorable (toward us). Therefore we are not forsaken but rather supported if only we wait awhile. "They do not have what they want and much less than they presume." I hate the monstrous gross pride and unthankfulness of these people but God will repay them according to their works. Be comforted meanwhile together with the Pastor in Christ. Now, if the Zwickauers also yet want to add to their unthankfulness and do not want as a departure-gift (valete) want to forgive the debt of him (Hausmann) who has for so many years served and bore with them then I will attempt to work together with someone, as much as I can, see to it that they never find a pastor. Their reputation already stinks sufficiently that such people are not to be tolerated; from day to day it will stink more. Christ be with you all,Amen. On the Friday after the Ascension of Mary (18 August) Anno 1531. Your Martin Luther.
NOTE: The "little while" (modicum) is thought to be an allusion to John 16:16

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