#1566: To Melanchton

#1566: To Melanchton

(NOTE: It appears that the news of the death of Luther's father may have just arrived, as the letter to Kaethe on the same day does not mention it.)

Grace and peace in Christ!

In my last letter, I wrote, my dear Philip, that we are vexed that you send the messengers back to us empty since there are so many of you and all are capable of writing (scribaces). Now you have sent the second messenger back in a similar way as the first Apfel, namely, the supervisor of the wild-game in Coburg. I cannot determine whether you are negligent or whether you are unwilling that we here in the wilderness should see what you are experiencing as those in a barren land. Actually, we have heard that the Emperor has commanded the Augsburgers that the enlisted soldiers should be dismissed and that the chains blocking off the streets should be taken down.

The day before yesterday, Argula von Stauffen related how the Duke of Bavaria had received the Emperor with street dramas and other innovative honors. Yes, from Nuernberg we are being persuaded that the Emperor will not come to the Diet and the Diet is completely futile, namely because of the efforts and perfidy of the Bishops; if that happens it will be a sign of the unmitigated wrath of God against the Bishops since He will not listen to our prayers which we have made on its (their?) behalf.

If there are various condemnations of my pamphlet (Admonition to the Ecclesiastics to the Diet) do not let it move you; my God is a God who purposes to ridicule the foolish and the wise. Therefore, I also am not bothered about them.

Today, Hans Reinicke has written to me that my very dear father,Hans Luther the aged, has departed this life already on Sunday of Exaudi (29 Mai/29 May) about one o'clock. This death has truly siezed me with sorrow and not only in a natural way but also because of the exceptional friendly love by whom my Creator has given me everything that I have and am
through him; and though I am comforted he fell asleep easily with strong faith in Christ yet the misery and the remembrance of the lovely relationship with him has shook my inner being so that I have hardly ever so despised death. However," the righteous are carried away from unhappiness and go into rest."(Isaiah 57:1). Namely, we die many times before we die one time.

I now step into the inheritance of the name since I am nearly the eldest Luther (Luther had an elder sister). It is fitting for me not only accidentally but according to law to follow him through death into the kingdom of Christ which is graciously granted to us in the light that we are the most miserable of men and a disgrace throughout the world. For this I am writing you that I am deeply moved yet not with complexity because it is right and blessed that I as a son of such a fahter should mourn him from whom I have received from the Father of mercy and through whose sweat I have been nourished and educated and I always am (moved?). I rejoice that he had lived in this time in which he could see the light of truth. God be praised in all His doing and counsel forever, Amen. The rest at another time.

The Day of Pentecost itself (5 June), 1530.

Martin Luther, D.

NOTES: Thought Hans Reinicke was with him but must have missed a tense. Wild game was sent to the Elector at Augsburg from Coburg. Think Michael Coelius, court preacher in Mansfeld, was present at ML's father's death as well as ML's in Eisleben in 1546.