Monday, April 30, 2007
#2085-To Gerhard Wilskamp in Herford
To the , in Christ, highly-honorable man Brother Gerhard von Xanten, the faithful and pure servant and disciple of Christ.
Grace and peace in Christ! I, my dear Gerhard, have always held that Your Way of Life pleases me very much after being free from the papal flap (Unflat) and bonds of conscience, as you instruct the believing in the fear and discipline of God. For that reason I am surprised and not only that but I am sorry that you have to do with these new hypocrites of the Gospel who do nothing for the school or the church and only appear to be inclined to the Word when they destroy everything and build nothing. I have written, and justly so, that the cloisters were formerly schools and should be so but see nothing which resembles a school. And I have spoken of those cloisters which have been instituted by the treasury of the Prince and King and which idle people have made places of lust with the funds that were given. Your institution is a private-house provided for by your own labors as when a citizen instructs his own children. Those were, however, public institutions founded from the common funds as cloister and cathedral-institutions.I am talking about them. What requires you to apply what you have worked for to serve them? Why do they not give something from themselves and apply the common goods in addition? I have written over this matter to your Council and called them out for miss using our word:"Time itself will find a solution". Thus I would that Your Way be supported so long as you through the freedom and grace of Christ in love serve and benefit many. Greet for me all your brothers and sisters in Christ. Master Philipp is waway. D. Pommer wants to greet you. Given on the Saturday after Luke (24 Oct.) Anno 1534.
Grace and peace in Christ! I, my dear Gerhard, have always held that Your Way of Life pleases me very much after being free from the papal flap (Unflat) and bonds of conscience, as you instruct the believing in the fear and discipline of God. For that reason I am surprised and not only that but I am sorry that you have to do with these new hypocrites of the Gospel who do nothing for the school or the church and only appear to be inclined to the Word when they destroy everything and build nothing. I have written, and justly so, that the cloisters were formerly schools and should be so but see nothing which resembles a school. And I have spoken of those cloisters which have been instituted by the treasury of the Prince and King and which idle people have made places of lust with the funds that were given. Your institution is a private-house provided for by your own labors as when a citizen instructs his own children. Those were, however, public institutions founded from the common funds as cloister and cathedral-institutions.I am talking about them. What requires you to apply what you have worked for to serve them? Why do they not give something from themselves and apply the common goods in addition? I have written over this matter to your Council and called them out for miss using our word:"Time itself will find a solution". Thus I would that Your Way be supported so long as you through the freedom and grace of Christ in love serve and benefit many. Greet for me all your brothers and sisters in Christ. Master Philipp is waway. D. Pommer wants to greet you. Given on the Saturday after Luke (24 Oct.) Anno 1534.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
#2084-To the Council in Herford
To the respecatable and wise Lords,Mayor and Council in Hervord in Westphalia, my favored Lords and Friends.
Gratiam et pacem etc. Respectable,wise, dear Lords! I have often and from many learned of the troubling of the Fratres und Sisters (monks and nuns) among you by several
hasty and heady men saying that if they continue in their present estate they cannot be saved; though while they have done away with every horror of the Pope they yet, in Christian freedom, maintain their ancient garments and identity and lead an orderly and disciplined life and according to the apostolic teaching labor with their hands: I could well wish, as God grants the grace, that there would be many more such people who are not harmful but useful because they are adherents of the Gospel. In additon I hear that that they should be burdened with the public schools office and care though they are not yet of anyone constituted nor by no one given taxes as do the institutions and cloisters and that this is thought of as just;it is also not right that they must purchase from those whom they serve and not have anything given so they must work and pay money in addition. Accordingly it is my faithful admonition that Your Wisdom may not trouble the pious people so that your city gets, as already, the reputation of seeking the labor and property of outsider (fremder) people so that you properly instituionalize such schools. I have previously written that in time counsel will be found which words I hear have been taken to mean that henceforth the issue must be forced but the words mean that time itself will determine whether they remain as they are or voluntarily change (their manner of life?). I plead for the sake of Christ that E.W.(Your Wisdom) would help so there is not an occasion to speak evil of the Gospel. There is already unfortunately everywhere too much offense given by those who report evil of our Gospel so we should well earnestly consider how its glory may abide. Though all things are well by you it is still not perfect. Herewith be commended to God. Saturday after Luke (24 October) 1534. Martinus Luther,D.
Note: The day of Luke the Evangelist is October 18.
Gratiam et pacem etc. Respectable,wise, dear Lords! I have often and from many learned of the troubling of the Fratres und Sisters (monks and nuns) among you by several
hasty and heady men saying that if they continue in their present estate they cannot be saved; though while they have done away with every horror of the Pope they yet, in Christian freedom, maintain their ancient garments and identity and lead an orderly and disciplined life and according to the apostolic teaching labor with their hands: I could well wish, as God grants the grace, that there would be many more such people who are not harmful but useful because they are adherents of the Gospel. In additon I hear that that they should be burdened with the public schools office and care though they are not yet of anyone constituted nor by no one given taxes as do the institutions and cloisters and that this is thought of as just;it is also not right that they must purchase from those whom they serve and not have anything given so they must work and pay money in addition. Accordingly it is my faithful admonition that Your Wisdom may not trouble the pious people so that your city gets, as already, the reputation of seeking the labor and property of outsider (fremder) people so that you properly instituionalize such schools. I have previously written that in time counsel will be found which words I hear have been taken to mean that henceforth the issue must be forced but the words mean that time itself will determine whether they remain as they are or voluntarily change (their manner of life?). I plead for the sake of Christ that E.W.(Your Wisdom) would help so there is not an occasion to speak evil of the Gospel. There is already unfortunately everywhere too much offense given by those who report evil of our Gospel so we should well earnestly consider how its glory may abide. Though all things are well by you it is still not perfect. Herewith be commended to God. Saturday after Luke (24 October) 1534. Martinus Luther,D.
Note: The day of Luke the Evangelist is October 18.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
#2083-To Landgraf Philipp von Hessen
To the illustrious, high-born Prince and Lord, Philipp, Landgraf in Hess, Graf in Katznelbogen, my gracious Lord.
Grace and peaceof God in Christ. Illustrious, high-born Prince! I have received EFG's writing wherein EFG desire that I should take into deep and Christian consideration the matter of the Sacrament so that there may be an durable unity between us and the upper-land prachers. Now, to be sure, EFG knows well that I at all times have the greatest desire to have unity, as we are vexed (and the reign of Christ damaged) enough by the over-powering of the Papists which is made stronger by disunity,so that, at long last, they would be humbled even if could only be achieved with EFG and Bucer and his and they might not in addition be inclined to go further (with us?)or not; I also would gladly have that if it is open to my conscience. Dear God, I come to the matter with difficulty, which others, not I, have begun and think that among the upper-land pastors there are few who follow Bucer and afterward might cry out against both (of us?).My heart wants nothing more than a durable unity; however,if its basis is shaky and uncertain, all faitfhfulness (to it?) will be lost. How I can help and advise EFG herein I plead ,for the sake of God ,to continue. If I can do something against the Papists bloodhounds and murderers, who cannot and will not cease until they have destroyed Christ or are therby by laid low, there will never be lacking any of my poor prayers, actions, speaking and writing. Christ, our LOrd, strengthen EFG to do His will in the grace of His Church to the anger of the Papist, Amen, Amen. In Wittenberg on the Sunday after Gallus (17 Oct.)MDXXXIV. EFG's willing D. Martinus Lutherus.
Grace and peaceof God in Christ. Illustrious, high-born Prince! I have received EFG's writing wherein EFG desire that I should take into deep and Christian consideration the matter of the Sacrament so that there may be an durable unity between us and the upper-land prachers. Now, to be sure, EFG knows well that I at all times have the greatest desire to have unity, as we are vexed (and the reign of Christ damaged) enough by the over-powering of the Papists which is made stronger by disunity,so that, at long last, they would be humbled even if could only be achieved with EFG and Bucer and his and they might not in addition be inclined to go further (with us?)or not; I also would gladly have that if it is open to my conscience. Dear God, I come to the matter with difficulty, which others, not I, have begun and think that among the upper-land pastors there are few who follow Bucer and afterward might cry out against both (of us?).My heart wants nothing more than a durable unity; however,if its basis is shaky and uncertain, all faitfhfulness (to it?) will be lost. How I can help and advise EFG herein I plead ,for the sake of God ,to continue. If I can do something against the Papists bloodhounds and murderers, who cannot and will not cease until they have destroyed Christ or are therby by laid low, there will never be lacking any of my poor prayers, actions, speaking and writing. Christ, our LOrd, strengthen EFG to do His will in the grace of His Church to the anger of the Papist, Amen, Amen. In Wittenberg on the Sunday after Gallus (17 Oct.)MDXXXIV. EFG's willing D. Martinus Lutherus.
Friday, April 20, 2007
#2082a-Landgraf Philipp von Hesse to ML
Since the splintering that ocurred over the Sacrament our Christian faith has brought great disturbance and disadvantage and apparently continues, God protect and defend that in the Oberlands (uplands) the zealous position does not arise and awaken a great shedding of blood: becasue now the portion of the upland preachers and especially Bucer have made and stated their confession one would think it unnecessary that there should be continued schism or quarrel since among all parties everywhere Christ and one faith is confessed so we want to lay upon you our gracious desire that you would this matter, which prevails everywhere, take Christian and faithful consideration that a standing unifying evaluation of the same article might be brought forth and harmoniously agreed to; in order to bring this same thing about we will not spare any effort, cost or labor and we are favorably inclined toward you. We have also put forward likewise our disposition to Bucer and the other Oberland preachers. Dat. To M.Luther
Saturday, April 14, 2007
#2082-To Nicholas Hausmann in Dessau
To the worthy man, Herr Master Nicolaus Hausmann, Bishop of the Church in Dessau, his very dear brother.
Grace and peace! A great strife, my dear Hausmann, has arisen between the nobleman in Resen and his pastor. And it seems the pastor is not moderate enough to deal with his wife (Herrin) mainly since she was formerly very weak with words,at least, if not to say they were completely foreign to her; that was just recently taken for granted. You see to it that this offense is taken up with your Prince as far as it can be done.
The Master Franz I have ordered to clarify what I have neglected and dreamed about namely that I had promised a future god-fathership but I do not know to whom. I now want to know this as the confinement is drawing near so that I do not become a breaker of my word. Deal with this as much as you can. Be it well with you in Christ and pray for me. 1534 the 14th of October. Your Martin Luther,D.
NOTE: Not sure about the phrase:"das erst kuerzlich angenommen worden ist", which I have translated:"that was recently taken for granted." Kaethe gives birth to Margaretha on Dec.17.
Grace and peace! A great strife, my dear Hausmann, has arisen between the nobleman in Resen and his pastor. And it seems the pastor is not moderate enough to deal with his wife (Herrin) mainly since she was formerly very weak with words,at least, if not to say they were completely foreign to her; that was just recently taken for granted. You see to it that this offense is taken up with your Prince as far as it can be done.
The Master Franz I have ordered to clarify what I have neglected and dreamed about namely that I had promised a future god-fathership but I do not know to whom. I now want to know this as the confinement is drawing near so that I do not become a breaker of my word. Deal with this as much as you can. Be it well with you in Christ and pray for me. 1534 the 14th of October. Your Martin Luther,D.
NOTE: Not sure about the phrase:"das erst kuerzlich angenommen worden ist", which I have translated:"that was recently taken for granted." Kaethe gives birth to Margaretha on Dec.17.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
#2080-To Fredrich Myconius in Gotha
To his very dear brother in Christ, Her Friedrich Myconius,the very faithful servant of the church in Gotha.
Salvation and peace in Christ! Though I am held up by a head cold and coughing and rightly should not be writing and cannot write much I do yet want to answer your friendly letter with scribbling and confused (liturando et delirando) talk. Your present of chees (caseaceum) was very agreeable to me especially because you are acceptable and not only are you acceptable but also thankful and for this reason your thankfulness is acceptable. I do not doubt that you are also acceptable to Christ since you are very grateful. These days thankfulness is a very rare bird and thus is he who is acceptable to God. Christ preserve you in His knowledge and acknowledgement and also likewise in confession and true thankfulness. Pray for me. be it right well with you with all of yours. The 23 of September1534. Your Martin Luther.
NOTE: The Editors say that ML is playing with the word "gratus" using it once in the sense of agreeable or acceptable and then thankful. Probably similarly having fun with 'knowledge','acknowledge', and 'confess'- Erkenntnis,Anerkennung,Bekenntnis.For gratus as pleasing: Acts 7:20-Moses was exceedingly fair; For gratus as thankful:Colossians 3:15-And be ye thankful!
Salvation and peace in Christ! Though I am held up by a head cold and coughing and rightly should not be writing and cannot write much I do yet want to answer your friendly letter with scribbling and confused (liturando et delirando) talk. Your present of chees (caseaceum) was very agreeable to me especially because you are acceptable and not only are you acceptable but also thankful and for this reason your thankfulness is acceptable. I do not doubt that you are also acceptable to Christ since you are very grateful. These days thankfulness is a very rare bird and thus is he who is acceptable to God. Christ preserve you in His knowledge and acknowledgement and also likewise in confession and true thankfulness. Pray for me. be it right well with you with all of yours. The 23 of September1534. Your Martin Luther.
NOTE: The Editors say that ML is playing with the word "gratus" using it once in the sense of agreeable or acceptable and then thankful. Probably similarly having fun with 'knowledge','acknowledge', and 'confess'- Erkenntnis,Anerkennung,Bekenntnis.For gratus as pleasing: Acts 7:20-Moses was exceedingly fair; For gratus as thankful:Colossians 3:15-And be ye thankful!
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
#2079-To Johann Agricola
Grace and peace! You have done us a favor by sending, my dear Agricola,the letter of Cochalaeus. Though we by the Spirit know well how to be a judge that they are possessed by Satan there is a great crowd who think and receive it as something fine so it is better that through their own announcement that this brought out in the open.We will publish the same with comments since it has not been obtained by thievery, as once mine was by Duke Georg, but brought to us by the blowing wind (flante spiritu). I am forced not to write much because of having little to eat. Greet all of ours,mainly your Elsa and children in my and Kaethe's name whom, in my opinion, is now carrying the fourth little son. Year 1534 on the day before the birth of Mary (7 Sept.).Your Martin Luther.
NOTE: Seems like a letter of Cochlaeus comforting Wicel on the dissolution of his marriage was blown out of Wicel's window. He was telling Wicel not to publicly end the marriage but to conceal the disrupted relationship. ML was taking cae of a copy of the letter. Likely it was published by Cordatus and comparing the deal to the betrayal of Judas Iscariot for 30 pieces of silver. Check the Latin as mine is limited.
ML presumed that Kaethe was bearing a fourth son. Margaretha was born on 17 December 1534. No sonograms in his day.
NOTE: Seems like a letter of Cochlaeus comforting Wicel on the dissolution of his marriage was blown out of Wicel's window. He was telling Wicel not to publicly end the marriage but to conceal the disrupted relationship. ML was taking cae of a copy of the letter. Likely it was published by Cordatus and comparing the deal to the betrayal of Judas Iscariot for 30 pieces of silver. Check the Latin as mine is limited.
ML presumed that Kaethe was bearing a fourth son. Margaretha was born on 17 December 1534. No sonograms in his day.
Monday, April 02, 2007
#2078-To Wenceslaus Link in Nuernberg
To the very revered brother, Doctor Wenceslaus Link, the very faithful servant of the Word in Nuernberg.
Grace and peace! Now I have nothing to write ,my dear Wenceslaus, beyond the matter of requesting that these young people, mainly Peter Weller and Heinrich Schneidewein ,be commended to you. They desire nothing; they are traveling to Italy to study law and I presume also in order to see Hans von Jena. They have already been for several years my table-colleagues,very agreeable men, if you are amiable with them, that is, when you make it possible for them, as much as possible, that they see Nuerberg, both inwardly and outwardly, and that you satisfy their desire to see Hans von Jena which they want most of all. You will therefore make every effort that our friends are welcomed by you. You can trust them confidently as much as you do me and truly be pleasantly cheerful with them. Be it right well with you in the LOrd. Likewise say the same to the very dear Herr Osiander. Since I have so many letters to write I have not time to write to him even a little nor to write also to you extensively. On 2 September 1534. Martin Luther.
NOTE: For Hans von Jena or the Schnapphans see below. The head above the clock, on the hour, had a golden apple extended on a stick to its mouth but never snatches it.The clock was originally on the tower of the Rathaus but now is in the city museum. The tradition was that if ever Hans snatched the apple Jena would be destroyed. Schiller and Goethe probably enjoyed the spectacle too.
Grace and peace! Now I have nothing to write ,my dear Wenceslaus, beyond the matter of requesting that these young people, mainly Peter Weller and Heinrich Schneidewein ,be commended to you. They desire nothing; they are traveling to Italy to study law and I presume also in order to see Hans von Jena. They have already been for several years my table-colleagues,very agreeable men, if you are amiable with them, that is, when you make it possible for them, as much as possible, that they see Nuerberg, both inwardly and outwardly, and that you satisfy their desire to see Hans von Jena which they want most of all. You will therefore make every effort that our friends are welcomed by you. You can trust them confidently as much as you do me and truly be pleasantly cheerful with them. Be it right well with you in the LOrd. Likewise say the same to the very dear Herr Osiander. Since I have so many letters to write I have not time to write to him even a little nor to write also to you extensively. On 2 September 1534. Martin Luther.
NOTE: For Hans von Jena or the Schnapphans see below. The head above the clock, on the hour, had a golden apple extended on a stick to its mouth but never snatches it.The clock was originally on the tower of the Rathaus but now is in the city museum. The tradition was that if ever Hans snatched the apple Jena would be destroyed. Schiller and Goethe probably enjoyed the spectacle too.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
#2076-To his wife (Hausfrau)
(Editor say this a confidential letter of ML who is probably at the court in Dessau)
My friendly,dear Lord,Frau Catherin von Bora, D.Lutherin in Wittenberg.
G.u.(grace and) peace in Christ. Dear Lord Kaethe! I know of nothing to write to you since and Philipp and others are coming home. I must stay longer for the sake of the pious Prince. You might think how long I will be here or how you might release me. I think that M.Franciscus might relieve me as I have relieved him though it might not be so soon. Yesterday I had a bad draught: so I must sing: As I drink not well I am sorry and rightly so; and think what good wine and beer I have at home and, in addition, a fine wife or (should I say) Lord. And you would do well if you could send over here the cellar full of wine and a flask ((Pfloschen) of your beer as soon as you can. Perhaps I do not come again before the new beer. Herewith be commended to God together with our young ones and all relations, Amen. Wednesday after James (29 July). Your loving Mart. LutheR,D.
My friendly,dear Lord,Frau Catherin von Bora, D.Lutherin in Wittenberg.
G.u.(grace and) peace in Christ. Dear Lord Kaethe! I know of nothing to write to you since and Philipp and others are coming home. I must stay longer for the sake of the pious Prince. You might think how long I will be here or how you might release me. I think that M.Franciscus might relieve me as I have relieved him though it might not be so soon. Yesterday I had a bad draught: so I must sing: As I drink not well I am sorry and rightly so; and think what good wine and beer I have at home and, in addition, a fine wife or (should I say) Lord. And you would do well if you could send over here the cellar full of wine and a flask ((Pfloschen) of your beer as soon as you can. Perhaps I do not come again before the new beer. Herewith be commended to God together with our young ones and all relations, Amen. Wednesday after James (29 July). Your loving Mart. LutheR,D.
#2075-To the Elector Johann Friedrich of Saxony
To the illustrious, high-born Prince and Lord, Herr Johann Friedrich, Duke in Saxony, the Holy Roman Arch-marshall and Elector, Landgraf in Thuringia, Markgraf in Meissen, my most gracious Lord.
Grace and peace in Christ. Illustrious, high-born Prince, most gracious Lord! I come now with an undesirable writing to ECFG on behalf of Martin Sanger, and do not like to burden ECFG with it; however, because I see that he has woe and suffering that he should be in disfavor with ECFG and, no wonder since he has concern for his wife and little one who is also sick: thus I could not refuse such writing and go away from me troubled and unconsoled. Not asking too much I want to do him this service by writing and this is his humble request that ECFG would not be disfavorable to him so that he has to suddenly send his wife and child away and to sell his dwelling which would be very burdensome to him and so he asks that ECFG show favor to him and would give him respite and place so as to best sell his house and to properly send away his wife and child. It is my earnest,humble appeal that ECFG will take this to heart (as I do not doubt ECFG knows well what to do) since he has sufficient harm and woe without the disfavor of ECFG both for himself and friends and be honorable and he might consider him to be a capable man. ECFG will well know how to demonstrate grace and Christ-likeness. Christ, our LOrd, rule and protect ECFG forever,Amen. Monday after St. James (27 July) 1534. ECFG's Obedient Mart.Luther.
NOTES: Recent readers may want to know that E.C.F.G. is "Your Electoral Princely Grace." ML's Prince is "most gracious"; other Princes "gracious".
Grace and peace in Christ. Illustrious, high-born Prince, most gracious Lord! I come now with an undesirable writing to ECFG on behalf of Martin Sanger, and do not like to burden ECFG with it; however, because I see that he has woe and suffering that he should be in disfavor with ECFG and, no wonder since he has concern for his wife and little one who is also sick: thus I could not refuse such writing and go away from me troubled and unconsoled. Not asking too much I want to do him this service by writing and this is his humble request that ECFG would not be disfavorable to him so that he has to suddenly send his wife and child away and to sell his dwelling which would be very burdensome to him and so he asks that ECFG show favor to him and would give him respite and place so as to best sell his house and to properly send away his wife and child. It is my earnest,humble appeal that ECFG will take this to heart (as I do not doubt ECFG knows well what to do) since he has sufficient harm and woe without the disfavor of ECFG both for himself and friends and be honorable and he might consider him to be a capable man. ECFG will well know how to demonstrate grace and Christ-likeness. Christ, our LOrd, rule and protect ECFG forever,Amen. Monday after St. James (27 July) 1534. ECFG's Obedient Mart.Luther.
NOTES: Recent readers may want to know that E.C.F.G. is "Your Electoral Princely Grace." ML's Prince is "most gracious"; other Princes "gracious".
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