(This is ML's answer to Philip's letter of Oct.20,1530 #1717)
Grace and peace from Christ. Most illustrious, high-born Prince, gracious Lord! I have received EFG's (your princely grace) writing and several instructions (from the Hessian theologians).Firstly, that EFG desires that I put out a pamphlet for the comfort of the weak I do not want it to be unknown to EFG that I have composed and am putting out a pamphlet in brief wherein I warn each conscience touching the departure and inept undertaking of the princes that no subject should be guilty, should the Imperial Majesty be insistent, of allowing such obedience but rather, as much as can be done with the pen, to shrink from such obedience and that no one should betake himself to such blasphemous, murderous, and devilish assaults and God grant that it will bear much fruit,Amen.
Secondly, I am hoping that God will strike upon a means so that there will be no blood-shed over these matters. Thus also have I (if it should come to that, God forbid) indicated to my most gracious Lord, the Elector, my opinion regarding the counter-defense which, without doubt, is not unknown to EFG and I recognize and note that one should have a common (secular) counsel on such a matter and for me an ecclesiastic to do so in writing would be dangerous for many reasons.
So may it please EFG not to neglect that we have in several articles repeatedly volunteered suggestion regarding fasts, celebrations, meats and singing to be adopted and but we knew that they could not accept them for the most part and that only served that we all the more exalted our suitability and in my pamphlet have all the more pointed to their inappropriateness. So it is no blunder on our part since it has to an extent been adopted. Herewith be to God commended,Amen. From Torgau on the day of Simon and Jude [28 Oct.] EFG's willing one, Martinus Luther.
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