To Johann Hess,pastor of the church in Bresalu.
Grace and peace in Christ,my dear Hess. At first I did not think it good that M.Ambrosius was called to Schweidnitz because it seemed to me he was not will to accept this office so I did not know whether it would be advisable or not. But since you all there are insisting that he come there and look it over himself whether he should be released from it or be bound by it.
About the Diet (of Augsburg: ML has first a written report of it at the end of 1530 or beginning of 1531) it is the opinion the Emperor has badly ordered that everything should be restored to what it was formerly and that kingdom of the Pope must be established and, to be sure, firmer than before. This stubborness, I fear, will result in a moverment in the empire that will result in the ruin of the bishops and ecclesiastics. The powerful cities, namely Nuernberg,Ulm, Augsburg,Strassburg,Frankfurt and twelve others have rejected the decree of Empire and want it publicly known that they are hanging consisitently with our Princes on the Word. It is said also that it is certain that Ferdinand will be elected to be the Roman king so that therto he may add a kingdom in place of that which he has lost and that finally will complete the misfortunes to our country.I believe that you have heard about the flood in Rome and also of the others in Brabant and Flanders
both of which are very terrible.God permits these great and numerous signs but the godless do not trouble themselves over them. I believe that you also have heard of the appearance (visionem) of the Speierishe monks. (All sorts of monks pressed two fisherman to take them on the Rhein saying they were headed to Augsburg but the whole lot disppeared.) Now there is a new ghost seen around Baden with an army of foot soldiers in the air and on side a leading soldier who is moving a spear back and forth and shaking it and going through this mountainous region as it were in triumph there and over the Rhein. Yesterday, Brenz wrote to me about this. Terrible and marvelous things are being said about the Turks. I am surprised that you do not write anything about this. We will pray to Christ that He will put to an end these horrors and come with glory and majesty to deliver us from this distress. Greet all of yours. On the day before Nicolaus (5 Dec.) 1530. Your Martin Luther.
NOTES: Part of Ferdinand's domain was lost to the Turks. He and Charles V are brothers. Looks like an ominous Christmas for 1530.
1 comment:
Hi, Dad. Most people like to see comments on their blogs, so I thought I would mention that I am still reading yours. I just don't have much to comment about. I still have a few more of your old ones that maybe I will get around to posting.
These days, I am reading books about early Christianity--you know, 30's to 50's. Doesn't seem to be much info to go on, though. I'm reading one of those Crossan books, too. I was also looking at a book about the history of philosophy, which is interesting b/c of helping to put it all in context--you know, platonism, Aquinas, etc.
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