To the elector John Frederick letter 5 - Martin Luther

TO THE ELECTOR JOHN FREDERICK

Luther thanks him for his present. Discussion with English envoys. January 25, 1536.

To the Serene High-born Prince, John Frederick, Elector of Saxony. Grace and peace in Christ and my poor paternoster! The castellan at Schwenitz has told me of your Electoral Highness’s present of six eimers of wine, for which accept my most humble thanks, as well as for the wild boar, although I am most unwilling to be burdensome to your Grace, who has already enough to do in giving and in bearing the burdens of others. I hoped to get rid of the English Embassy in three days, but they have no intention of leaving for a long time. I have far more weighty matters to deal with, and have often done as much in four weeks, whereas they have quarreled for twelve years over this single point, and they will never, in accordance with their present attitude, either advance or retreat unless God wills it. And

as the expense is too great for your Grace to bear alone, as they themselves admit, they are anxious to support themselves. Your Grace will know in this case also what is best. And I would respectfully inform your Highness that the Strassburg and Augsburg people have appealed to me to fix a time for us to hold the consultation. I wished first to consult your Grace as to the answer I shall give them, for this “Concord” cannot be concluded till we have discussed it thoroughly among ourselves; and they write that many wish to come, among whom would be some quarrelsome people, who would spoil all; so I respectfully beg you to fix a place for the gathering, for they are willing to go anywhere except to Coburg and its vicinity, where they would have to submit to the foreign rule of the bishops; otherwise, no spot in Hesse or in your Grace’s lands would be too remote for them. I herewith commit you to the dear God. Amen.

Your Electoral Grace’s obedient MARTIN LUTHER . (De Wette.)