#1736-Veit Dietrich to ML

To D.Martin Luther, his highly-honorable father.
Heil in Christ Jesus! The letters which this messenger is bringing to you,highly-honorable father in Christ, I wanted to take with me provided by your friends I wanted to deliver myself if the rainy weather had not frightened me off. Therefore I will stay here until better weather settles in. It is said that the Emperor is leaving here tomorrow. (Actually Charles V left Augsburg on Nov.23).He is very distraught over the steadfastness of the Augsburgers who will not subscribe to the exceedingly godless decree; therefore the poor citizens should be cautioned in many ways of imminent danger both as to the angered Emperor as well as that of the people (who have consented to the Emperor's opinion). There are certain rumaors about the election of Ferdinand; the crowning is to take place in Aachen with the Emperor starting the process. (Ferdinand was elected at Cologne on 5 January 1531 and crowned at Aachen on January 11.)I do not doubt that if this proceeds the ruin of our Germany will be imminent. Not only the fate of Ferdinand but also this terrifying flood which a condsiderable part of lower Germany is undergoing is a completely certain indication of a coming great evil.About this matter (the flooding) I am sending you a printed list of particulars.
A new factor in the disputeis the letter which the Elector has sent to our Council (Nuernberg) in which he admonishes ours to prepare to repel the unjust use of force by the Emperor. It is the opinion of his Counselors and Doctors (he didn't attach anything from the theologians) that this would be good . Secretly this has been divulged to me by Spengler and he himself has likely written to you about this matter. Ours are not much moved by this curious matter especially those who are perceptive.They are suspicous of Albrecht (of Mansfeld?) of whom it is said that he has all decisions in common with the Macedonian (Philip of Hesse- named after Philip, father of Alexancer the Great).More about this I dare not say. My dear father, take this upon you that through your prayers the sorrowful evil which we fear will either be averted or moderated. Our sins do not permit us to expect anything more moderate. Perhaps there are five righteous in the holy Church of God through whose prayers and tears we might be spared,Amen. Be it right well with you in Christ with your wife Catharina and the children and your entire house-fellowship.
My case has not yet reached its goal as I would wish. It is partly because of the threatening fears and dangers and partly because of the stupidity of my prevailing temperment. Brenz in Hall has taken a widow to wife and the marriage celebrated without ostentation.
Billicanus the Nordlingen has received a dispensation from Cardinal Campegius releasing him from the priestly-ordination and preaching office and he dresses commonly and pursues the trade of merchant. Also a good number of the priests who held him in repute have returned to the old vocation and stubbornly defend the Pope and execute the Papistic official duties.
The Council in Neulingen has recently written our Council that testifies to a very great confidence in the faith: they will follow the Word in the midst of the greatest dangers; it makes no difference whether the enemies of the Word bring them to the ground or whether they are freed, and death and life is in the hand of the LOrd. I will take care that I bring a copy of this letter with me and I will return when better weather settles in. Now, live well, my dear father in Christ.
On the Sunday after Elizabeth (20 Nov.) in Nuernberg. Your Veit Dietrich.
NOTES: Would you say Veit is terrified both of the weather and of taking a wife? Eoban Hesse mentioned a propspective marriage of Veit in #1735.
The day of Elizabeth is Nov. 19.