#1976-To Spalatin

To the, in Christ, highly honorable man, Herr Georg Spalatin,Bishop and Servant of Christ in Meissen,in the LOrd his very dear friend.
Grace and peace! This pastor in Dobrun,my dear Spalatin, has obtained from our Prince as well as from the Visitors a present which the Sequestators are to extend to him. Therfore we are sending him to you that according to your office would help and care for him, as much as you are able, that he may preserve what he has prayed for and obtained. There are no Sequestators by us and he has lost almost everything due to a fire-storm in his parish. It comes to this (since the Prince wants to) that the fire-storm (damage) should be ameliorated by that which the Prince presented to him so that the poor man will not have to roam around without a certain place to dwell and abandon the parish and the same will become orphaned without a successor. Greet your Kaethe for me whom I hear is pregnant. I wish happiness for her and pray for a happy confinement. Be it well with you in Christ. The 12th of May 1533. Your Martin Luther.

#1975-Elector Johann Friedrich to ML

By God's grace Johann Friedrich. First of all, our greetings, honor-worthy,celebrated,dear devoted one! A writing has come from our uncle, Duke Georg of Saxony wherein His Love (Duke Georg) indicates that His love could not permit you or any in your party to incite a rebellion which would not advantageous to you or His Love
as His Love writes and so we herewith inclose a copies of the same writing of His Love and our answer.If you should be of the opinion to incite the people of our Uncle or others to rebellion we could in no way suffer that as appropriate and we could not permit it,as you can easily understand, and you would be properly punished.We hope that we are not mistaken that that is not your disposition and therefore we would that you would, as needed by us, provide the number and measure of your reported writings against our uncle and others and note your innocence expressly stated through your writing and that you would be responsible so that in the absence of your responsibility we might conclude that you are guilty.We did not want you to be uninformed.Dated at Weimar on the Monday after Cantate(12 Mai.) Anno Dom. 1533.
NOte: Looks like the church and state are about to collide.Is blood stronger than ...
or is Elector Johann looking at the militant Emperor?

#1974-To the Council in Torgau

To the honorable and wise mayor and council in Torgau,my favored lords and good friends.
Grace and peace in Christ. Honorable,wise,dear lords and good friends! M.Johann Dachau,a child of your city,has requested me to do this writing and indicates that you might be inclined to extend longer the stipend which he previously received so he wanted this to be recommended by me. Since it is my understanding that there is no wrong alleged and no other hindrance and it had been ordered to extend over several years it would be well to extend the time so that he may improve his studies and complete them especially since there is nothing against it on your part and you are so inclined.I request therefore that my recommendation, his hope, and your consolation will be satisfactory. Herewith be commended to the dear God. I have had this written by another hand due to my head and hope you will take it in the best way. Dated at Wittenberg on the 6th of May 1533. D.Martinus Luther.
Note: Only the signature is in ML's handwriting.

#1973-To Frau Dorothea Joerger

Grace and peace. Honorable, viertuous Frau! Your writing that the 500 Gulden should have been received in Linz after the recent Easter came to me too late. Nevertheless I have your made your request to Martin Seldener in Wittenberg throug Herr Lazarus Spengler, requesting and admonishing that he yet would demand and receive it with the provision that it should be done for us at Nuernberg. Although I see well that you have thus determined and made it as certain as you could; because I have noted from your writing that you would have alms on hand to be given to poor students rather than to apply it to interest: it does not displease me if you remain of the same opinion still.

That a preacher has troubled you about your son and a judge as Michel has indicated to me should not trouble you and think you have made a mistake. Let them sort it out legally with each other and the matter should not concern you personally and in no way burden your conscience. Herewith be commended to God together with your dear children and all of yours, Amen. dated at Wittenberg on the 6th of May 1533. Your willing D. Martinus Luther, yet a little sick.
NOTES: There are a couple of idioms here that I'm not sure of so check this translation with the experts.
Michel Stiefel is the great inventor of logarithms-a system independent of the one we use.

#1972-To Aegidius Freund, tax-Collector in Torgau

To the honorable and wise, Herr Egidius Freund, tax-colletor in Torgau.
G.u.F.(Grace and peace)through Christ, our Savior and Mediator, Amen. Honorable and wise,favored Lord and Friend! It is not unknown to you that an evil-doer who one takes prisoner is not rightly taken to the gallows before one first hears whether he has done the crime of which he is accused. I have no doubt that you will not proceed against the imprisoned Hans Zeilen until you have accurately reviewed his case and heard his testimony. If the matter stands as his brother reports you are both the judge and an involved party. Therefore it is appropriate to proceed carefully in the matter and take consideration. The judge has a Judge Who is over him,Who deals righteous judgment, rewards the good, and punishes the evil. I hope that you fear this Judge also and will do what is right and good since I have long known you as a good and praiseworthy man. Herewith be to God commended. Dated on the Monday after Mis.Dom.(28 April) 1533.Martinus Luther,D.
NOTE: A fitting letter after the tender mercies of the LOrd Sunday.Will Zeilen have a friend in A.Freund?

#1969-ML to the Council in Nuernberg in collaboration with Melanchton

God's grace through our LOrd Jesus Christ. Honorable,wise,favored Lords! On E.W.'s question we have discussed it with one another and as far as the public general absolution we do not oppose or reject it for this reason that also the preaching of the Holy Gospel itself is fundamentally and actually an absolution wherein forgiveness is proclaimed publicly and in general to many people or to one person publicly or privately; therefore the absolution may be public and in general or also and especially used in private as the proclamation may occur in general or privately and one might comfort many in general or one alone especially; though not all believe thereon the absolution is not to be rejected since it is to be understood whether it is general or special requires faith and helps those who believe it as also the Gospel is the proclamation of forgiveness to all men all over the world and no one is excepted from this universal; however it requires our faith and it helps no one who does not believe thereon and yet the universal (universalis) must remain. It may be thought that no one will desire the private absolution so long as one has the general and it remains but to that we say that it has the form in the right conditions to give the conscience that special consolation Which it needs; thus one must instruct the conscience that the comfort of the Gospel helps each individually and the Gospel must be applied to each in particular through Word and Sacrament as you in your discretion know that the conscience of each one strugles whether this great grace of Christ belongs to it. That is likely understood that on that account the private absolution should not lapse and the application preserved as well the plain understanding of the Gospel and the power of the keys; very few people will remember to use the common absolution and apply it to themselves as spoken to each one individually and applied and that this is the unique office and work of the Gospel certainly to forgive sin by grace. For these reasons we hold that the common absolution is not to be rejected and nevertheless the private application of absolution should be preserved. God protect E.W. graciously at all times. We are at all times ready and willing to serve E.W. Dated at Wittenberg on the Friday after Easter (18 April) Anno 1533. D. Martinus Luther, Philippus Melanchton.

#1967-The Council of Nuernberg to ML and Melanchton

Herr Martin Luther, Doctor of the Holy Scripture and Magister Philipp Melanchton etc. in Wittenberg, together and particularly.
Worthy and Highly-Scholarly Ones! In our city Nuernberg and other spots under our authority there has been for some time (and in our opinion not unChristian)the practice maintained in the churches that on the feast days when the common sermon is completed from the chancel that before the communion before the altar of the body and blood of Christ that the preacher or church-servant speaks a common open confession and after the completion of the same proclaims to the assembled people the absolution or releasing etc.over which, however ,several of our church-servants are disgruntled and have ceased to do so and also upon our request for an explanation said that such absolution is not beneficial but rather harmful and that only private absolution is good and salutary. This other preachers and knolwedgeable theologians contradicted and also a great number of our citizens and members especially we of the Council are troubled by the setting aside of the general absolution for the reasons that many pious,Christian persons do not have the opportunity every Sunday or week to receive the Holy Sacrament and private
abaolution so the general public releasing from the chancel and from the altar becomes a joyful and and happy message wherein they are granted the forgiveness of their sins and God's graceful mercy is proclaimed giving high consolation and that through such abolishing and attack of the common release experience not a little doubt and distress of their consciences and at the same time since there are a great number of people and few pastors in our city it is hardly possible for every one before the reception of the Holy Sacrament to receive private-absolution. In addition it is reported to us that in electoral Saxony the general absolution is more and more suffered and used as salutary and that gives us more reason to be troubled by the attacks of the opposition. Because we have no intention in this and other matters to institute and require anything which dishonors God's Word,weakens faith and destroys Christian love and harmony it is our humle plea that your Worthiness would give your counsel and advice in this matter as to what is the Christian basis that the general absolution is not good but rather harmful and likewise why it should be omitted and to share this with good will in writing so we here among ours and ourselves may be more settled and only allow that which is according to God's Word and Christian, and permit nothing burdensome. For that we would be very happy to be deserving of your Wortihiness. Dated Tuesday (sealed) on the 8th of April 1533.
NOTES: Who can write the longer sentence-the Council of Nuernberg or the Electoral Court?
ML's and Melanchton's answer comes on 18 April. Do you know what their position is?

#1966-To Spa;latin

To the, in Christ, highly-honorable man, Herr Georg Spalatin, the servant of Christ in Altenburg and Visitor of the Churches, his very dear brother.
Grace and peace in Christ! This poor Elizabeth of Reinsburg cries to me as she was expelled from the girls school in Altenburg and has nothing whereby she can live; moreover she has complained to the Prince but they have referred her to the Sequestatoren. Therefore she pleads to me thatI should write to you so that you and also in my name take the concerns to the Sequestators (I dont'know what kind of chaos [Knaenel]this is among men or what they might call it). For this I plead that you would by writing and orally secure as much help from the Sequestators as you can. What else and more can I do? Be it well with you and at the same time I wish your wife and you happiness in the conception of new fruit. Christ bless you, Amen. Saturday Laetare (29 March)1533. Your D. Mart. Luther.
NOTES: Several times ML has expressed his concerns about the Sequestration which I understand to be the distribution of cloister properties and goods.

#1963-To Johann,Prince of Anhalt

To the illustrious,high-born Prince and Lord, Herr Johann,Prince in Anhalt,Graf in Ascanien,Lord in Bernburg, my gracious Lord.
Grace and peace in Christ. Illustrious, high-born Prince,gracious Lord! Magister Nicolaus Hausmann. E.F.G.'s preacher, has indicated to me how E.F.G. from the heart is inclined toward the Gospel but it is difficult,likely not alone because of previous custom but also because of the writings and influences of several great Princes. Now it is surely the truth that these two things (previous habitude and the present temptation of great people) could well forcefully move stronger Christians than E.F.G. perhaps; however, we likewise must in time learn(though it cannot be done swiftly or suddenly that Christ is more, and God the Father wants Him to be heard above everyone. It may be a Council or Pope may have the Holy Spirit and by His influence order something, however Christ surely has no devil (John 8), not to mention that He has the Holy Spirit without measure (John 1),and all the Holy Apostles,Prophets,Churches, Councils have only a portion or firstfruit of the Holy Spirit,Rom.8,1 Cor.12. If now all Prophets, Apostles,Churches,Councils determine something and Christ over against them sets something contrary then Christ who has the Spirit without measure, yes He Himself imparts the Spirit,should count more than His saints who are profoundly unlike Him and cannot grant the Holy Spirit but only receive Him partially. Therfore I pray the Father of all mercy that He would permit E.F.G. to learn this one thing and ponder well that Christ and His Word is higher,greater,more and more certain that one-hundred-thousand holy fathers,Councils,Churches,Popes etc., whom the Scripture says all are sinners and erring sheep,Ps.119. Therefore let E.F.G. be bold and not fear the worlds regents.Christ is greater than any devil and much more than all princes; to the Same I commend E.F.G.to His grace and mercy. On the Friday after Laetare (28 March) 1533.E.F.G.'s willing D. Martinus Luther.
NOTES: Both brothers in Anhalt receive a letter from ML on the same day.

#1964-To Georg, Prince in Anhalt

Grace and peace in Christ! Rightfully I can call you the honor-worthy Bishop (to say nothing of Probst)as well as the renown Prince, worthy and noble Lord,since I see that you alone in all the empire ,especially in such a position and estate ,faithfully and uprightly further the Word of Christ. And it is constantly a marvel to me when I consider and recognize it as a special gift of God that you have in all freedom promoted this doctrine among the people who are your subjects. I do not flatter or joke
(God knows this) but I praise and exalt the grace of Christ who has wonderfully brought this forth in you and made it brilliant. At the same time I pray and hope with all my heart that should there come a time of weakness that this great work begun in your breast will become complete though it may be assailed and hindered very much by manifold onsalughts of Satan, the world and the flesh. However, He has said:"Be comforted, I have overcome the world." If the world is overcome, so also is the Prince of the world overcome, just as when a kingdom is overcome so is the king overcome. Now if the king of the world is overcome, so also his raging,anger,sin,conscience,death,hell and everything overcome whereupon such forces he relied as upon weapons. Therefore, thanks to God who has granted the victory. That
E.F.G. may live in this victory and boast in it until that day I pray and plead with great longing to our Father in heaven.To Whom I commend E,F.G. as earnestly as I can.E.F.G. would regard this boldness in writing for the best since I could not refrain from thanking God in this brief letter and at the same time wish blessing for the gift of God of which I have learned that it has taken root in the breast of such a great Prince. Wittenberg on the Friday after Laetare (28 March) 1533. E.F.G. submissive Martin Luther.
NOTE: The Prince was also the Representative of Magdeburg. (probst)

#1963-To Georg Held

To the, in the LOrd, highly-honorable man, Herr Georg Held, Christ's disciple,his brotherly friend.
Grace and peace in Christ. The very good man, Herr Nicolaus Hausmann, has related to me your upright blessedness in the LOrd,dearest brother, although that you are yet weak and yet very much rely on the Pope and Councils; I don't marvel over that. I also for almost twenty years lived as an Augustinian and through long practice and custom was completely bound and immersed in the same opinion had not God with force extracted me (whereof Nicolaus has spoken to you)from which you stuck and although I can never express it adequately in words although everything is very certain to me. It is difficult to put in practice the Word that I myself actually do what I teach as certain. How much less difficult it is for me to believe that you ,(as I hear) being in this way of life for so long and not (as I) daily required to make use of the Word of God against it, are so minded.For this reason, do not despair but do this: pray from the heart that the LOrd Jesus would grant you to see this dialectic which teaches that Christ is something different than Moses, the Pope and the entire world, yes, something different and greater than our conscience, which counts more than Moses or the Pope.If one believes Moses and the conscience then one becomes troubled and guilty under the Law;how much more should one believe the one Who is LOrd over all things Who then says:"Believe!", and again:"In vain they serve me with the commandments of men." There can be countless Popes and Councils, what are they against Christ? likely a drop against the sun. However this you will achieve through time, to be sure, since it so great that it cannot be seized when for such a long time one was accustomed to an outlook so different. I speak as who one has experienced it so it may seem easy for me. Yet I admonish you that you earnestly continue in prayer and practice and the LOrd will be with you.I wish that what I say to you and write also would be read aloud and said to Herr Roseler
that you would greet him with your words and with my heart. Be it well with you in the LOrd and may He from day to day make you stronter. On the Friday after Laetare (28 March) 1533. Your Martin Luther.
NOTE: Fellow Augustinians receive the signature " 'YOUR '" Martin Luther.
Had a class mate Larry "Held". No doubt a descendant from Georg who freed himself from the Pope and married. Just kidding.

#1961-Veit Dietrich to Justus Menius

(This is summarized by the Editors. It is printed by Kolde, Analecta,P.184)
Dietrich reports that Luther had suffered very much but is now recovered. On 23 March 1533 (the date of letter) he first was up and around but had not yet preached after being laid up for a month with suffering of the head. ML was still complaining about dullness and weakness. Dietrich has seen nothing of a writing of Menius against Wicel. It was said that Wicel was preparing a new attack but yet Jonas would make a good counter attack.
NOTE: The writing of Jonas published in Wittenberg,1534 by Georg Rau Rhaw) was. "Which is the true church and on the other hand, which is the false church."

#1960-Bugenhagen to Spalatiin giving ML's Opinion

Heil! Pardon, dearest Spalatin, the brevity of this writing. I am about to travel with the Visitation. Our dearest father,D.Martin, had sometimes in a sermon earnestly
admonished for the sake of the public honor and Christian propriety that someone should not immediately within two or three months after the death of a spouse, as several were doing at that time, enter into another marriage. We,as often as it came to us, gladly observe this propriety and admonish that others should follow it but yet several cases
can occur when something different is advisable in cases of necessity,poverty,conscience and in these we permit what God permits. However, where there must be consideration of offense ,so that nothing is taken away from the public honoring, that some of the ostentation of a wedding celebration is omitted yet not everything. This is not a rigid determination, as one says, yet, as I have said, we are rather concerned for the sake of honoring marriage for many reasons as you very well know.That this should be a matter specified by law we do not propose. The rest I commend to your discretion. Wittenberg on the Monday after Reminiscere (10 March)1533.

#1959-To Elector Johann Friedrich

To the illustrious, high-born Prince and Lord, Herr Johann Friedrich, Arch-Marchall (Erzmarchalk) of h.R.(Holy Roman)Empire and Elector, Duke in Saxony, Landgraf in Thuringia,Markgraf in Meissen etc.,my most gracious Lord for his personal attention.
Grace and peace in Christ. Most gracious Elector and Lord! Since E.C.F.G.upon my humble pleading and request recently in Wittenberg assured me graciously concerning M. Paccum,Deacon, presently in Leissneck, that there would be a way the poor man could be provided for, he recently has written and complained completely miserably how his body is weak and that with his wife and six children suffers great poverty and need;thereupon the husband and wife plead without ceasing for help for God's sake. Since because of bodily weakness the church provides him with absolutely nothing for the office of deacon, I humbly plead, though this message is coming again after a short time, that E.C.F.G. would graciously let me know in writing an answer and final decision so that the poor,sick man is helped and the church in Liessneck,through the Visitors of E.C.F.G.,could be adequately provided for with another Deacon. E.C.F.G. would please answer. May God the LOrd graciously at all times preserve and strengthen E.C.F.G. Given on the Sunday of Reminiscere (9 Maqrch) Anno Dni. 1533. E.C.F.G.'s humble Martin Luther.
NOTE: According to Burkhardt on the Sunday after Easter (15 April) Paccum was awarded
60 Fl. annually but to be distributed quarterly so that there was no squandering it as he had done previously.

#1957-To Hans von Loeser. Land-General

(Closest I can come to "Erbmarschall" is "land-general". Military guy, I guess, like Abizaid?)
To the valiant,firmly-honorable Hans Loeser, Land-general in Saxony, my most favored lord and friendliest, dear god-father.
Grace and peace in Christ. Valiant, (Gestrenger is appelation of knights) firmly honorable,dear lord and god-father! As I recently requested so I repeat for the sake of
our LOrd Jesus Christ, E.(you) humbly for the glory of God and my young son ,whom in this night , God has presented through my dear Kaethe, would come forth to be beneficial and helpful so that he from the old manner (Art) of Adam to the new birth of
Christ by the Sacrament of Baptism would come forth and be a member of Christendom; likely God the LOrd wants to educate him as an enemy of the Pope or the Turks. I would like him to be baptized at Vesper-time so that he no longer remains a heathen, and I want to be sure that Your Valiance would not be inconvenienced and this sacrifice unto God could be completed to His praise. If I have some obligation thereto I am willing and ready.Herewith, with yours, be to God commended,Amen. On the night around the first hour, Wednesday after St. Paul ( 29 Jan) !533. Your Valiance willing servant, Martin Luther
Note: Chilrden of ML and Kaethe: Hans-1526;Elisabeth-1527(died in first year);Magdalena-1529;Martin-1531;Paul(this one)-1533;and Margaret-1534. Magdalena dies as a teen (1541).

#1956-To the Mayor and Council in Rothenburg on the Tauber

To the honorable and wise lords, Mayor and Council in Rothenburg on the Tauber,my favored lords and friends.
Grace and peace in Christ. Honorable, wise, dear lords and friends. Although I am a stranger to E.W.(your wisdom or you wise ones) and (without your names) not knowing you, I have yet cause to write you for the sake of your city-child,Georg Schnell. in addition he is not appealing not on his own behalf but at the behest of other good people who appreciate him as good. Therefore I request that E.W. will regard this in the best way and here is the opinion:
He is your city-child who has done you no harm, is learned and pious and daily my house and table guest for whom I must give good recommendation and witness. Because he is now poor and has nothing it is my fervent appeal that E.W. would consider how that everywhere there is now a great and lamentable shortage of learned people (to say nothing of what it will be)so that many schools and parishes are suffering and the people without God's Word becoming wild and cattle-like and that one man of good counsel could help many thousand and for sake of God benefit the young people.
Accordingly, also as you are responsible to help one who is your city-child may my appeal be considered appropriate that E.W. would be helpful for his studies with something of a beneficence or something else provided by God. Surely this will not result in anything bad but I know that it will be for the benefit and honor of your city. And if there is no other compensation it pleases the one called Jesus Christ Who well deserves that we further His kingdom and glory.
I hope that E.W. did not require so great an admonition nor a lesser one or greater admonition but that you would have known well on your own how to proceed in a Christian way.Herewith be commended to God, Amen. 1533,26 January. D.Martin Luther.
Note:Visited Rothenburg once. Much the same now with dwellings, walls, churches as in ML's day due to having been abandoned during the plague. Also one of the places of the Peasants'Revolt. Carlstadt hanged around there for a time.