Naumburger Dom Towers

Naumburger Dom -Adelheid and Otto

#2223-To Elector Johann Friedrich in collaboration with Jonas,Bugenhagen and Melanchtthon

Illustrious,high-born Prince and Lord! Our obligated service at all times ready in complete obedience to Your Electoral Grace. Most gracious Lord! Your Electoral Grace's writing regarding providing a pious, learned pastor for the city of Naumburg we have received and perused the entire content and our eager to fulfil the desire of Your Electoral Grace however we want to offer Your Electoral Grace the humble opinion which should not go unexpressed that at this time there are few talented preachers available whom we can go without and give with the exception of Doctor Hieronymous Weller who perhaps upon our request might let himself be useful. In addition there is Mr. Michael Celius, Preacher for Graf Albrecht of Mansfeld who previously wrote to me Martin Luther, Doctor, that I would provide him with a service and Preaching-stool elsewhere assuming that he would likely receive permission and release from the above-named Graf, my gracious lord, and he would also be talented and pious for such an office. Whomever of the two would please Your Electoral Grace we will work with earnestness to provide so that the people of that place will not be deprived of knowing the divine truth but might be cared for by it. We want to put the same before Your Electoral Grace to consider in grace as our obligation since we are at all times willing to serve obediently Your Electoral grace. Dated at Wittenberg on the Tuesday after Judica (4 April) Anno 1536. Your Electoral Grace subject,obedient Martinus Luther,Just.Jonas,Probst,Johann Bugenhagen,Pastor,Doctor, and Philppus Melanchthon.
NOTE: The abbreviation: E.churf.G. or Ew.ch.F.G. for Your Electoral Princely Grace throughout the letter.

#2222-To Elector Johann Friedrich

To the illustrious, high-born Prince and Lord, Herr Johann Friedrich,Duke in Saxony and Elector etc., Landgraf in Thuringia and Markgraf in Meissen, my most gracious Lord.

Grace and peace in Christ our LOrd along with my poor prayer. Illustrious, high-born Prince,most gracious Lord! We have obediently received ECFG's command from Magister Franciscus, vice-minister, regarding the English etc.; and have translated all the articles into German and given them over to M.Fransicus wherein ECFG can see how much we have accomplished with them. Because they do not know how much of the same their Lord King will accept especially the final four they are taking some background to relate to SKM (his kingly majesty). Should now SKM accept the same
the alliance may progress since such articles agree with our doctrine; thus they are wanting that a messenger be ready who may clearly report to the King. Should SKM not want to accept these articles or seek many loop-holes or alterations therein, we cannot for sure for the sake of our churches confuse or cause error when they are scarcely yet at rest and quiet.
The King's issue with marriage ECFG can close as a religious-case, or if it is thought good to offer the extent which we have judged it.

Regarding the matter with Duke Georg ours have hardly dealt with it discreetly so I have been highly disturbed. However, ECFG has a good conscience and honorably and Christianly offered to let go all disagreements; God has done enough, He will also not forget in His time. However that revenge-seeking and peace-breaking man remains as he has been at all times blood thirsty and murderous until it happens to him according to Psalm VIII:"You have put down the enemy and the avenger." The best is that he cannot pray with such hardened evil with all who depend on him; thus he doesn't need to since he is so proud. We can, however, praise God, pray since we seek and offer peace and therefore God will hear us since we humbly confess our sins and seek His glory. Jesus Christ, our dear LOrd, strengthen and comfort ECFG against the devil's threats and bitterness.He well has alot more evil times in mind,Amen. Tuesday after Laetare (28 March)1536. ECFG's obedient one Martinus Luther,D.and the others et al.
Appendage:
Doctor Caspar Cruciger has also requested me to write to ECFG and request that ECFG would graciously provide the Eulenburg castle for his wedding; he doesn't anywhere else to go, since it cannot be in Leipzig or Wittenberg. ECFG will know graciously how to proceed. In such matters one must raise help. Herewith be commended to God,Amen.

#2219-Elector Johann Friedrich to Luther

To begin with, our greetings. Revered, dear devout one! Since the well-born, our counselor and dear faithful one, Wilhelm, Graf of Neuenar, is now now here with us he has with him his preacher who wishes to address you and other scholars in Wittenberg and make a presentation to you, to be received and requests of us that we can be beneficial to him in regard to Wittenberg. Because we regard the above named Graf as loving the divine Word above all else and are inclined with every grace and the above named preacher in our recent trip was known to a considerable extent by Spalatin and Mr Fredric Mecum and regarded by them as pious and learned so we want him to come by you and demonstrate and prove his good will and will also at the same time cover the expenses while he is there; therefore we want you to make an evaluation. This we do not want to keep from you and you will do according your gracious pleasure.Dated at Weimar on the Friday after Oculi (24 March) Anno 1536

#2218-To Wenceslaus Link in Nuernberg

To the highly-renown and highly-honored man, Wenceslaus Link, Theologian and Servant of Christ, his brother in the LOrd!
(Luther is joking with W.Link,his good friend-Editor)
"Grace and peace in Christ!" Because it is now already some life-times since "that I have not written nor spoken Latin",good Wencelaus, I fear that I might not also know my ancient Latin,--except that you, I believe, my have suffered a similar danger;for this reason I hope that my faith will justify me before you apart from evil and good works because you are a gracious God toward such a great sinner as you would have one do to you in similar sins,Amen.

There is nothing that I might write to you only that I did not want to send these very honor-worthy Evangel-women, namely Frau Detzelin (Detzelinam) and her daughters,away without a letter. I would also have sent several mountains of gold except that often in these years our Elbe overflows and carries away all the gold sand with it and leaves behind stones and gravel some atoms of which remain in the side of Jonas (Jonas had gall or kidney stones) although he is yet an extraordinary enemy of Epicurus who disputed about atoms. However, I joke, sick and healthy,weak and strong, a sinner and a righteous one, recently dead and living in Christ.You, there under streams of gold and silver, I plead, do not send me dreams (somnia) but poetic seeds (semina) which please me very much. Do you not understand it?

"I want to speak German, my gracious Herr Wenzel. If it is not too difficult for you,nor too much,or too long,or too far, or too high, or too deep and the like etc., I request that you would have some lad assemble all the German pictures,rhymes,songs, books, Meister-songs this year which are painted,poetic,made,printed by your German poets,form-cutters,or printers since I have reason why I like to have them. Latin books we can make here by ourselves; we are earnestly learning here to write German books and hope to make them very good and already have done though it pleases no one." Be it well with you in Christ and pray for me. The LOrd be with you and all your flesh, and greet all of ours. Monday after Oculi (20 March) 1536. D.Mart.Luther,"a Doctor like yourself".

NOTES: Link (1483-1547) born the same year as Luther and died the year after Luther.
Headed the Wittenberg faculty in 1512. Succeeded Staupitz as vicar-general of the German Augustinians.(Gleaned from Luther Cylcopedia)
Luther still knew a little Latin. Note the play on somnia and semina.
ML evidently referring to the atomic theory propounded by Democritus.

#2217-To Spalatin

To the worthy and highly-honored man,Herr Magister Georg Spalatin, the faithful servant of Christ, his very dear brother.

Grace and peace! We have, worthy Spalatin, from the illustrious Prince, received an apropriation for the young nobleman Johann Rostock which, I believe, you already know from the letter of D.Jonas. For this reason I request that you would proceed,as much as you can, that he may receive something as soon as possible. Since Jonas will,as is easily believable, be burdened by the care of so many friends that you would further for him the just and necessary appropriation by your friendship and faithfulness which both of us have always experienced from you.Be it right well with you in the LOrd with the berries, grapes and vine, your household. 1536 on Oculi Sunday (19 March). Your Martin Luther,D.

#2216-To Johann,Georg amd Joachim of Anhalt

To the illustrious,high-born Princes and Lords,Lord Johann, Georg, and Joachim,Princes of Anhalt,Grafs in Ascanien and Lords in Bernburg, my gracious Lords.

G.(Grace)and Peace in Christ and my poor pater noster. Illustrious,high-born Princes,gracious Lords! I have received EFGs' answer about Heinrich von der Loche and am thankful for EFG's gracious writing. Since EFG has set the day after tomorrow and he is old and weak I request once again that EFG would find an amelioration to the sharpness of the law with grace in the light of the fact that the good man has been long in the possession and has put invested much and it is not believeable that it was without the knowledge and will of EFG's father and nevertheless yet (if it is so) it might be dangerous if he should be expelled from the property and it would likewise be the responsibility of the authority just as much to let it go and happen since the underling has bona fide siezed it and paid for the inheritance etc., which makes the current sharpness appear to be unjust since the responsibility is likewise the responsibility of the ancestors on both sides. EFG will know how to proceed graciouly and christianlly. Herewith be commended to God,Amen. In Wittenberg on the Monday after Reminiscere (13 March) 1536.EFGs' willing one,D.Martinus Luther.

#2215-To Nicolaus Hausmann in Dessau

To the worthy and blessed man,Herr M. Nicolaus Hausmann, the very faithful servant of Christ in Dessau, his very dear brother.

"Grace and peace in Christ". Worthy brother in Christ and very revered man! I recommend to you the deliverer of this letter who has told me of his hope or that opportunity may be given to him to receive some sort of a position in a school by you. Therefore he has requested on this account that I might write to you and recommend him. I am doing this rather because he has a written witness from the Graf of Hoya in Westphalia which is placed before me so that he is not considered a stranger or held in suspicion. If there is a need for his labor there in the school, then do for him what you can.

There is nothing new beyond that I have undertaken a public writing attacking the crocodile of Halle whom in a private letter have made him to be a dragon and cardinal of the devil. Pray the Christ Who has begun the judgment of him will complete it since he, yes, unto the end remains impenitent and does not cease to persecute the grace of God.

On the wedding in Torgau I have nothing except that everything went.splendidly. In the evening I married the groom and bride; earlier D.Pommer had blessed them (as I was seized by dizziness and could not do it) and it was completely according to our way as contained in the cathechism since that is what the Prince wanted.The princely groom is a very good young man, sober and discreet,so that to me his appearance,his morals, and his talents filled me with great joy.Christ support him and increase all His blessings to him,Amen. Herr Kaethe greets you respectfully. Be it well with you in the LOrd and pray for me. On the day before Reminiscere (11 Marz) Anno 1536. Your Martin Luther.

NOTE: The marriage was between Duke Philipp of Pomerania and the Elector's sister Maria.

Elector Johann Fredrich to ML #2214

(This is a summary.)The Elector repeats his offer of the Black Cloister at Wittenberg to Luther and
his family of 4 Febr.1532 for their use. This is dated 6 March 1536. See #1872 for the original offer.

#2212-To Anton Lauterbach in Lieisnig

To the highly-revered man, Herr Anton Lauterbach, the faithful servant of the Church in Leisnig, his very dear brother.
Grace and peace in Christ! " Ach, my Anton, have patience, it will soon be better. As to the other, on the aborted birth (Fehlgeburten=abortis) and the dying at child-birthing these are my thoughts." Firstly on those who die in giving birth (Kindbetterinnen) there is no doubt that they are saved if they die in faith since they die in their God-created responsibility for their generation and thus faith in their work is active,yes,in the cross is found to be completed so that it is confident for the day of judgment or rather awaits comfort. For this reason we must admonish the women that they greatest care apply to bare the fruit even if they must die in baring the fruit. Since some are rather inclined to care for their life rather than the fruit in that they fear death and (want to) escape the pains.

Secondly, on the fruit which either dies in the mother's womb or in being born this is my opinion: this sign of God's wrath, to be sure, is not to be despised on account of unbelieving and evil men who when they know there is nothing to be gained do that which it is too horrible to think about. Therfore with the hard and non-comprehending people make this misfortune (however, in private)great in order that any future presumption is avoided, about which the world has plenty enough, so that perhaps on account of the same God permits the same so that they should be afraid. However, because this commonly befalls the blessed (to the dismay and offense of the godless) we must assume that it is for the testing of our faith. For this reason, if the women are blessed they should commend this to the goodness of God who is much better than anyone can think. Thus He has not bound Himself to any Sacrament so that He could do nothing apart from the Sacraments as He ,apart from the law, has made many (also kings) without the law made blessed, namely, Job,Naaman,the King of Assyria,Babylon and Egypt. Still, He has not on this account wanted that His will should be publicly despised rather kept with the punishment of the curse. So I hope that these little ones who without their guilt have been deprived of baptism and if there was no despising of a public ordinance that the good and very merciful God has good in mind for them but that He,because of the evil of the world,does not want it proclaimed or permit it to be believed so that there is not a despising of all things which He has commanded occuring. Thus we see that there is much that is commanded because of the evil of the world but which He regards clearly as nothing
for the sake of His blessed people. Thus the Spirit works everything for the best. By the perverted He is perverted. Therefore I request that you do not teach this my opinion publicly which particularly belongs to the conscience of the godly. The great crowd of people would right away take this as a certain law which it can securely follow so that they could either kill or neglect the fruit with knowledge and willfulness. Therfore be silent over this matter in public and comfort the good consciences in private. Since God has not revealed to us nothing of what He will do with the little ones who are not baptized but has reserved them to His mercy but that publicly the Word and Sacrament should be insisted upon; "that we should let be". He is not unrighteous. Be it right well with you. Greet Agnes, your flesh. 1536 the Tuesday after Dorothea (8 feb.) Your Martin Luther,D.

#2210-Elector Johann Friedrich to Luther

To begin, our greetings. Revered and celebrated,dear devout one! Your recent writing we have read aloud and there would be no need for your thanks for the wine and wild boar which we have delivered to you since we are inclined to demonstrate much more our favor toward you.Also if the wine pleases you and tastes good we did not want to withhold any favor and ordered the best to be sent.
However that you report that the English envoys have spoiled the case by bickering and little has been accomplished we have not known and are not happy to hear but tolerate the delay and expenses without being burdened since we know they also have other reasons for the delay about the place.
Because those from Strassburg and Augsburg who are with you are vehement about your determining a place and time for a meeting with them and you need to respect such a discussion so we permit the same and are pleased to have learned the same since we hope that it will extend to much good and regard Eisenach , in addition ,as a most convenient place. Therefore you, at your opportunity, let them know the place and time and if you agree with them on the above named place and time and we also know of that day we want to attend you with horses, wagons and provide supplies. And because you do not see much benefit or necessity for much getting together, so let it be for our pleasure that you take along Doctor Pomeranus (Bugenhagen) or Magister Philipp Melanchthon whom we herewith want to be with you. This gracious opinion we did not want to keep from you and we are inclined toward with every special grace. Dated at Torgau on the Thursday after the Conversion of Paul (27 Jan.) Anno 1536.