Grace and peace! Be greeted, be greeted, be greeted, my dear Michael! I have nothing else that I can write; but so that you do not complain that I write nothing to you I have at least this "be greeted" which I wanted to write to you and announce at the same time that we will soon be coming and visit your church and the church loving children (perhaps Michael's family}, if God so wills. Be it well with you in the LOrd.1531. Martin Luther.
NOTES: ML has helped Stiefel to situations in various parishes from time to time. I think he will make a definite forecast as to the time of the end (1534) of the world which will get him in manifold trouble.
Michael is the inventor of logrithms also.
"sei gegruszt" might be better "You are greeted" or simply "Greetings!". What do you think.
The visitation of the Saxon congregations, begun in 1529, continues.
Monday, September 26, 2005
Sunday, September 18, 2005
#1815-To Nicolaus Gerber in Strassburg
To the celebrated and worthy man, Herr Nicolaus Gerbel, the legal Doctor in Strassburg, his very dear brother in the LOrd.
Grace and peace! I am writing few words, mu dear Gerbel, because my health is tottering from day to day in that Satan is raging against me. I will be glad to support with a letter to the court the Graf of Hohensee when I am able. With us it is firmly held that Ferdinand will not (as yours believe) overwhelm Heese with war but rather as the Hesse is fearful Ferdinand will not try anything. I with mine marvel at the wonderful works of God and thank Him that He has brought to derision the terrible Edict of the Diet and that we contrary to the expectation of all are enjoying great peace. All were completely certain that there would be a gruesome war this summer in Germany and in the recently expiring spring time. However God has demonstrated that he has the hearts of kings and everyone in His hand. Be it well with you in the LOrd and pray for me. Anno 1531 6,Calend..Your Mart. Luther
Grace and peace! I am writing few words, mu dear Gerbel, because my health is tottering from day to day in that Satan is raging against me. I will be glad to support with a letter to the court the Graf of Hohensee when I am able. With us it is firmly held that Ferdinand will not (as yours believe) overwhelm Heese with war but rather as the Hesse is fearful Ferdinand will not try anything. I with mine marvel at the wonderful works of God and thank Him that He has brought to derision the terrible Edict of the Diet and that we contrary to the expectation of all are enjoying great peace. All were completely certain that there would be a gruesome war this summer in Germany and in the recently expiring spring time. However God has demonstrated that he has the hearts of kings and everyone in His hand. Be it well with you in the LOrd and pray for me. Anno 1531 6,Calend..Your Mart. Luther
Saturday, September 17, 2005
#1814-Brenz to Luther
[This replies to #1813-ML's postscript to Melanchton's letter to Brenz.]
Heil in Christ! I know that you, honorable teacher in Christ, are so busy with holy activities to edify the Church that you do not have long to be occupied with my trifles. Therefore, I first of all briefly greet you very much in Jesus Christ, our Salvation and indicate to you that what you recently attached to the end of the letter of our Herr Phillip is very acceptable to me. I now understand very well just as our opposition makes idols out of their works which they lean on instead of Christ that also the work of faith may be erected as an idol and faith ,instead of Christ Himself Whom we must receive in faith, is relied upon. So that I do not avoid the Charybdis and advocate the Scylla I hold the following: faith only accepts the justification, namely Christ and not because of the worthiness of its (faith's) work partakes of justification. And if one says that faith purifies the heart I do not understand by that the work, merit or worthiness of faith but Christ who is laid hold of by faith. Yet more about this in a letter to Phillip. The wise of this world were in many ways disturbed by your German book on the Edict of the Emperor. Very much it is about calling things by their right name and when they require of us that when they declare a robber to be a robber so that they exercise in a lawful way the punishment of the sword they can also justify their unacceptable actions and declare them good though an unpleasant duty but they do not have the brains that the lawful words of an ecclesiastic are not abuse-words but justifiable reprimands and they are not revilings but fitting discipline and godly judgments which fall upon the godless.However, they might have one good year before, if they want it so, they go down to the ground. You press forward, as you do, strenthening the Church of Christ so long as possible that you are kept strong in spirit and healthy in body.Pray for me. Be it well with you. From [Schwaebish] Hall on the Friday after Peter and Paul (30 June) in the year of Christ 31. Your Brenz.
NOTE: ML's German writings referred to by Brenz are "Luther's Warning to his dear Germans" and "Glosses on the supposed imperial edict."
Heil in Christ! I know that you, honorable teacher in Christ, are so busy with holy activities to edify the Church that you do not have long to be occupied with my trifles. Therefore, I first of all briefly greet you very much in Jesus Christ, our Salvation and indicate to you that what you recently attached to the end of the letter of our Herr Phillip is very acceptable to me. I now understand very well just as our opposition makes idols out of their works which they lean on instead of Christ that also the work of faith may be erected as an idol and faith ,instead of Christ Himself Whom we must receive in faith, is relied upon. So that I do not avoid the Charybdis and advocate the Scylla I hold the following: faith only accepts the justification, namely Christ and not because of the worthiness of its (faith's) work partakes of justification. And if one says that faith purifies the heart I do not understand by that the work, merit or worthiness of faith but Christ who is laid hold of by faith. Yet more about this in a letter to Phillip. The wise of this world were in many ways disturbed by your German book on the Edict of the Emperor. Very much it is about calling things by their right name and when they require of us that when they declare a robber to be a robber so that they exercise in a lawful way the punishment of the sword they can also justify their unacceptable actions and declare them good though an unpleasant duty but they do not have the brains that the lawful words of an ecclesiastic are not abuse-words but justifiable reprimands and they are not revilings but fitting discipline and godly judgments which fall upon the godless.However, they might have one good year before, if they want it so, they go down to the ground. You press forward, as you do, strenthening the Church of Christ so long as possible that you are kept strong in spirit and healthy in body.Pray for me. Be it well with you. From [Schwaebish] Hall on the Friday after Peter and Paul (30 June) in the year of Christ 31. Your Brenz.
NOTE: ML's German writings referred to by Brenz are "Luther's Warning to his dear Germans" and "Glosses on the supposed imperial edict."
Friday, September 16, 2005
#1813-To Johann Brenz in Schwaebisch-Hall
[This is a postscript of Luther to Melanchton's letter to Brenz on justification. M's letter with P.S. is in Budeus. The P.S. alone is in De Wette. The translators have left "qualitas" in brackets after "Eigenschaft" which is usually translated "quality" but I was thinking that here "virtue" might be better in this context but I'm leaving "Quality". Truly a remarkable letter regarding the nuances (?) of justification.]
Also I, my dear Brenz, am accustomed so as to better comprehend the matter to posit that within my heart there is no quality which might be called faith or love but instead I place there Jesus Christ and say: this one is my righteousness, He is the quality (Eigenschaft) and (as one calls it) my formal righteousness, so that I am free of regard for the law and works and also of regard of the objective Christ who is regarded as either teacher or giver (donator).However, I want that He to me Himself be the Gift and Teaching so that I have everything in Him. So He says "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life"; He does not say: I give you the way, the truth,and the life as though He stands outside of me and such works in me. He must be in me,remain,live, speak not through me or toward me (?) (ML adds Gk: eis eme), 2 Cor.5:21, " for that righteousness which prevails before God", not by love or through
the consequent gifts.
NOTES: Hard to distinquisch between the dative "in me " and the genitive "in me" as ML says the former is a must and not the latter. Thus, auf Deutsch "in mir" rather than "in mich"-the latter I translated "toward" for want of a better distinction. Will have to check this with the expert. Are you reading, Agnes?
This letter is thought to be in June of 1531. Brenz' reply on June 30, Friday after Peter and Paul, follows.
De Wette thinks the quote is from 2 Cor.6 rather than ML's citing of 2 Cor.5.
Also I, my dear Brenz, am accustomed so as to better comprehend the matter to posit that within my heart there is no quality which might be called faith or love but instead I place there Jesus Christ and say: this one is my righteousness, He is the quality (Eigenschaft) and (as one calls it) my formal righteousness, so that I am free of regard for the law and works and also of regard of the objective Christ who is regarded as either teacher or giver (donator).However, I want that He to me Himself be the Gift and Teaching so that I have everything in Him. So He says "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life"; He does not say: I give you the way, the truth,and the life as though He stands outside of me and such works in me. He must be in me,remain,live, speak not through me or toward me (?) (ML adds Gk: eis eme), 2 Cor.5:21, " for that righteousness which prevails before God", not by love or through
the consequent gifts.
NOTES: Hard to distinquisch between the dative "in me " and the genitive "in me" as ML says the former is a must and not the latter. Thus, auf Deutsch "in mir" rather than "in mich"-the latter I translated "toward" for want of a better distinction. Will have to check this with the expert. Are you reading, Agnes?
This letter is thought to be in June of 1531. Brenz' reply on June 30, Friday after Peter and Paul, follows.
De Wette thinks the quote is from 2 Cor.6 rather than ML's citing of 2 Cor.5.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Monday, September 12, 2005
#1812-To M. Oswald Losan in Leipzig
To M. Oswald Losan Leipzig on both forms in the Sacrament.
If the conscience is confident that both forms in the Sacrament is the institution of Christ it does not lie in the arbitrary choice of men to alter according to their preference and open to their freedom: if it is not the order to use both forms, then it is better to refrain entirely (from the Sacrament) than against conscience and the institution of Christ make an alteration of that form delivered by God and to use only one form. If one refrains entirely that can be done without sin because it is not practiced so by us but forcibly robbed from us who are to administer it. Here also the third question may be answered: that Augustine says concerning the spiritual nourishment: Believing, thus you have partaken because the pastor is not permitted to rob one of the bodily eathing in a tyrannical way or to push it with force. There is, of necessity, no other choice than the spiitual eating.
Secondly, one must guard against receiving the Sacrament privately or secretly because of many disadvantages and dangers and also because of the institution of Christ who wills the Sacrament to be a public confession in that He says: "Do this in remembrance of me ", that is, for preaching and proclamation as Paul (1 Cor.11:26) calls it. Rightly one might refrain altogether therefore.
Thirdly, if several are communing elsewhere under both forms they are obligated if they are questioned afterward to confess; although it is not necessary(?), that if you are refused in your home parish that you receive it in another parish where you are not a member but rather it is satisfactory to suffer the tyranny in your own parish and to be silent or, once in awhile, to travel elsewhere until you are questioned about your belief. Anno 1531. Martin Luther,D.
If the conscience is confident that both forms in the Sacrament is the institution of Christ it does not lie in the arbitrary choice of men to alter according to their preference and open to their freedom: if it is not the order to use both forms, then it is better to refrain entirely (from the Sacrament) than against conscience and the institution of Christ make an alteration of that form delivered by God and to use only one form. If one refrains entirely that can be done without sin because it is not practiced so by us but forcibly robbed from us who are to administer it. Here also the third question may be answered: that Augustine says concerning the spiritual nourishment: Believing, thus you have partaken because the pastor is not permitted to rob one of the bodily eathing in a tyrannical way or to push it with force. There is, of necessity, no other choice than the spiitual eating.
Secondly, one must guard against receiving the Sacrament privately or secretly because of many disadvantages and dangers and also because of the institution of Christ who wills the Sacrament to be a public confession in that He says: "Do this in remembrance of me ", that is, for preaching and proclamation as Paul (1 Cor.11:26) calls it. Rightly one might refrain altogether therefore.
Thirdly, if several are communing elsewhere under both forms they are obligated if they are questioned afterward to confess; although it is not necessary(?), that if you are refused in your home parish that you receive it in another parish where you are not a member but rather it is satisfactory to suffer the tyranny in your own parish and to be silent or, once in awhile, to travel elsewhere until you are questioned about your belief. Anno 1531. Martin Luther,D.
Sunday, September 11, 2005
#1811-To Hieronymous Weller
(This accompanies a letter to the Christians in Frauenstein near Freiberg which ML wants Weller to look over. The letter(#1810) is in another volume(X) which readers will remember that I am not much venturing into although probably should.)
Grace and Peace in Christ! In many respects I completely detest this outrageous nothing undertaking of this preacher, my dear Hieronymous, who under(the support) Caspar von Schonberg (the hereditary lord of Frauenstein) persuades simple souls of the danger of partaking under both forms and the hireling himself has fled and forsakes the sheep who are neither strong enough nor fortified. What should as I as the absent one do for those from whom I am absent? That hireling has not come before my eyes. Now is not the time for one to recant or to ask for forgiveness but nevertheless it does not seem that they will endure and their blessed action (partaking under both forms)steadfastly confess. How much better would it be to deal with them under this tyrant if their conscience were strengthened through the Word or taught that only those should dare this (partake of both kinds) who are willing to suffer everything for the sake of Christ. It is better to believe in silence than to publicily deny it after doing it. Nevertheless I am writing to them not knowing whether my letter to them will serve to their consolation or trouble. You will first make a judgment about it and then send it on to them if you think it good. The name of the city you did not indicate and I did not also learn it from the messenger. In a short time your brother Peter Weller will come to you and you will learn everything from our perspective (Spaeher?). On the Tuesday after John the Baptist (27 June) Anno 1531. Your Martin Luther.
NOTEs: In the Latin text the word for Spaeher is "Scorpionario" and the editors conjecture "scopionario" from the Greek "skope". Or do you prefer the scorpion scenario?
"Hireling" obviously refers to John 10 where the Lord speaks of Himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep and contrast that with hireling who runs away when the wolf comes because the sheep are not his own.
Frauenstein which ML doesn't seem to know is the destination of his letter lies between Freiberg and the Bohemian border.
Grace and Peace in Christ! In many respects I completely detest this outrageous nothing undertaking of this preacher, my dear Hieronymous, who under(the support) Caspar von Schonberg (the hereditary lord of Frauenstein) persuades simple souls of the danger of partaking under both forms and the hireling himself has fled and forsakes the sheep who are neither strong enough nor fortified. What should as I as the absent one do for those from whom I am absent? That hireling has not come before my eyes. Now is not the time for one to recant or to ask for forgiveness but nevertheless it does not seem that they will endure and their blessed action (partaking under both forms)steadfastly confess. How much better would it be to deal with them under this tyrant if their conscience were strengthened through the Word or taught that only those should dare this (partake of both kinds) who are willing to suffer everything for the sake of Christ. It is better to believe in silence than to publicily deny it after doing it. Nevertheless I am writing to them not knowing whether my letter to them will serve to their consolation or trouble. You will first make a judgment about it and then send it on to them if you think it good. The name of the city you did not indicate and I did not also learn it from the messenger. In a short time your brother Peter Weller will come to you and you will learn everything from our perspective (Spaeher?). On the Tuesday after John the Baptist (27 June) Anno 1531. Your Martin Luther.
NOTEs: In the Latin text the word for Spaeher is "Scorpionario" and the editors conjecture "scopionario" from the Greek "skope". Or do you prefer the scorpion scenario?
"Hireling" obviously refers to John 10 where the Lord speaks of Himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep and contrast that with hireling who runs away when the wolf comes because the sheep are not his own.
Frauenstein which ML doesn't seem to know is the destination of his letter lies between Freiberg and the Bohemian border.
Friday, September 02, 2005
#1809-To Wenceslaus Link in Nuernberg
Grace and peace! Satan afflicts me with many blows of the fist, my Wenceslaus, and thus he makes the health of my body uncertain and through his evil prevents me from writing and doing very much so I very seldom write and write and do very little; likely he will kill me in a very short time. It will not happen, however, without the will of Him who will destroy him with his entire kingdom, Amen. The opinion of Brenz about the conditional-way of of baptism I have read and I am pleased among other things with his forthright way of speaking about the freedom of conscience. Still, I assume that if he were to hear our side, he would not be disinclined to join us. I have no other news. You can learn everything from Christian Goldschmied. Be it very well with you in Christ and pray for me. On the 26 of June in the year 1531. Your Martin Luther.
NOTES: Goldschnmied or Doering is the great printer of Wittenberg who published many of ML's writings.
NOTES: Goldschnmied or Doering is the great printer of Wittenberg who published many of ML's writings.
#1808-Thoughts in collaboration with Melanchton
Regarding the Hartung case Luther says expressly: the wife, as is the custom, must be cited to appear before the doors of the church. If she now appears, she may express the reason why she has left the husband and accuse him. If she should not appear, the husband, if has a good witness there shall be pronounced free of the runaway wife and his conscience left to determine whether he should again enter a marriage. The matter does not involve a difficult question to dispute. On the Monday after John the Baptist (June 26) 1531.
#1807-Elector Johann of Saxony to Luther
At the outset, our greetings. Honorable, celebrated, dear devout one! We have assigned the nobles, , celebrated, our counselors and dear faithful, Hans Noble of Plaunitz, Knight, our commander in Grimma (Grym), Gregory Brueck, Doctor and Hans von Dolst your various cases for resolution as you will perceive from them and it is our gracious desire that you would receive them as you would ourselves (the Court?) and give them credence and regard them as though we were dealing with you. We are pleased to serve your pleasure and graciously inclined to you. Dated at Torgau on the Sunday after John the Baptist (25 June) in the year 1531.
NOTE: Thought by Burkhardt that this is in response to ML's letter of June 16. Results are unknown.
NOTE: Thought by Burkhardt that this is in response to ML's letter of June 16. Results are unknown.
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