To Justus Jonas letter 15 - Martin Luther

TO JUSTUS JONAS

Luther’s interview with the Papal legate Vergerius. November 10, 1535.

Grace and peace! I thank you for the hare and the birds, my dearest Jonas.

I had much to write about, but I am very tired, and the topics are too numerous even to touch upon with my arrears of work. The Papal legate once more appeared among us in Wittenberg. He is now

with the Margrave. One would fancy the man flies rather than rides. He invited Bugenhagen and me to breakfast, because the day before I had forbidden the sacrament (Nachtmahl ) in the bath. I ate with

him in the castle, but as to the conversation, no human soul could repeat it. All through the repast I was not only Luther, but represented the Englishman Barnes, whom he also invited, but such language as he used towards you! But more by word of mouth.

The Frankfort people write me complaining that the Archbishop of Mayence purposes forcing mass and the other Papal rites upon them. How necessary is it for me to have you all here! Instead I must act alone, decide everything, and all because of the plague, at which the devil laughs heartily, being delighted that he has succeeded in scattering us all solely because of a few deaths.

But God will defend and uphold His word. I herewith send you the letter of Herr Augustine, pastor at Colditz, from which you can catch a glimpse of this very fine Epicurean sect, but can also perceive that God knows how to revenge contempt of His name. You need have no doubt that our Prince has arrived safe in Prague. Melanchthon has written thrice that Dr. Bruck is in Jena. Perhaps it is Bleikardt who accompanied the Prince, and it is only a mistake in the name. For as Bruck had been ill, Bleikardt went instead of him on this journey. My Kathie greets you and yours. She is going on steadily with her Bible reading. But all the disturbance with that woman robbed her of eight days’ time.

Concerning your proposed transaction about the linen, she says you can easily guess what she would do in such a critical case, especially when she was so anxious to go on with her reading, and yet so afraid of losing this chance.

My greetings to all your family. St. Martin’s evening. MARTIN LUTHER . (Schutze.)

The English Embassy sent by Henry VIII. still lingered in Wittenberg, and in May Bucer, Capito, Myconius, etc., also arrived, and the disputes concerning the sacrament were happily arranged, preachers of the one communion being accepted by the other, and both parties partook of the Lord’s Supper together. On June 2 the Pope issued a Bull summoning a council for the following year, for the furtherance of peace, by extirpating heresy. Charles sent his Vice-Chancellor Held to Schmalkalden to gain over the Protestants, but he did not succeed.

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