Do greet all your and our friends and tell them to think the best of us as we do of you people. The Lord Jesus be the seal of this [good] will; to him, with the Father and the Holy Ghost be glory for ever. Amen.
[Wittenberg,] February 23, 1538 Luther tells of being worn down by vexations of Satan which have kept him from writing long letters to Hausmann. He asks Hausmann to thank the sovereigns of Dessau for the gift of a fish, and to extend his congratulations to Sir John upon his reconciliation with his wife. In connection with this reconciliation,
Luther speaks of the power of prayer, and asks for Hausmann's prayer in his behalf. Then Luther informs Hausmann that the Consilium de emendanda ecclesia will be published in Latin and in German, and voices his negative opinion of this document. He extends greetings from his wife and his wishes that Master Peter may be strong in Christ. In a postscript Luther tells of enclosing a satirical woodcut of the papal coat of arms, and returns Hausmann's copy of the Consilium.
On Nicholas Hausmann, see LW 48, 399 f.
Text in Latin: WA, Br 8, 200.1
To the most distinguished man, Mr. John2 Hausmann, Master [of Arts], a faithful and sincere servant of Christ in Dessan, my dearest brother in the Lord and my elder3 to be honored
Grace and peace in Christ! I have not the time to write to many people, my excellent and dearest Nicholas.
Therefore I am also asking you first to thank the illustrious sovereigns4 in my behalf for the fish given to me, and then also in my name to congratulate the sovereign, Sir John, upon his reconciliation with his wife.5 May Christ strengthen his work which he has begun in them, [and] complete it.6 Amen. To Him be also glory for having so graciously listened to our prayers in this matter. By this example we are taught to pray without ceasing,7 for He who is coming will indeed come and save us.8 But as I have said, I am now so worn down by certain vexations of Satan that I am unable to write more.9 More at some other time, if [Christ]10 will grant the time. Pray diligently to the Lord for me, therefore, that I might be able to do what is good in his eyes.
Those monstrosities of the Roman cardinals will be published both in Latin and in German.11 But the malice of the matter and the wickedness of those people are beyond indignation and words. Christ will come and himself be the judge; punishment worthy of those mockers of God and men has to be reserved for him. As I have asked, do pray for me, for I am confident that your prayers accomplish much with God.
My Katie greets you reverently, and I wish that Master Peter12 may be strong in Christ.
Written on Saturday after Peter's Enthronement13—hat is, [the feast] which has been introduced by the pope in order to stabilize his tyranny—1538.
I am sending the papal coat of arms, which I have drawn, or caused to be drawn, together with [that of] his cardinals.14 I am returning the copy of the "Improved Church," for I had it already, also in a German translation.15
[Wittenberg,] May 12, 1538 Apter the English legation returned home from the 1536 meeting of the Smalcaldic League at Frankfurt,1 the interest of Henry VIII in an alliance with the German evangelicals rapidly cooled.2 The situation changed, however, when Pope Paul III summoned the Council of Mantua, and when papal envoys publicized this summons throughout Europe. In late February/early March, 1537, the Smalcaldic League rejected this summons,3 and on March 26 the league informed Henry VIII of this action; at the same time