pray, for all this is God's punishment on account of the ungratefulness for and contempt of his dear Master Philip is returning to life again from the grave;25 he still looks sick, yet he is in good spirits,26 jokes and laughs again with us, and eats and drinks with us as usual. Praise be to God! You people, too, should join us in thanking the dear Father in heaven who raises the dead and who alone gives all grace and blessings; praised be he in eternity. Amen. But pray zealously, as you people ought to do, for our Lord
Christ, that is, for all of us who believe in him, [and pray] against the crowd of devils who now rage at Hagenau27 and rebel against the Lord and his anointed;28 they intend to burst their bonds, as is stated in Psalm 2, 29 so that God in heaven may deride them and finally shatter them like a potter's 6vessel.30 Amen.
What will happen there, however, we do not yet know, except that we expect they will command us: "Do this and that, etc., or we shall devour you." For they have evil intentions.
Also, tell Doctor Schiefer31 that I do not have any further hopes regarding Ferdinand;32 he goes to his own destruction. Yet I worry that the Pope,33 as I often prophesied, will arouse the Turk against us, for Ferdinand would not really fight back, as he supposedly said in a veiled way, and that [we shall] see strange events. For the Pope already sings: "If I cannot bend the great, I shall move hell."34 If he is unable to incite the Emperor against us,35 he will try it with the Turk. He will not yield to Christ. May Christ intervene with force against the Turk as well as the Pope and the devil, and prove that he is the one and only lord, seated by the Father on his right hand.36 Amen.
Amsdorf is also still with us here.37 With this I commend you to God. Amen.
You certainly will know how to pay and tip the driver Wolf. I38 have an idea how you could have the windows in the new roof constructed, which I forgot to mention when I left.39 Only two windows should be on the side toward the Collegium,40 placed between the two firewalls;41 in the upper part, the gable,42 there should be none on the side toward the Collegium. On the side toward the kitchen43 there should be only three little windows framed with upright bricks.44 In the hall which leads to the dark chamber there should be the two [lower] half sections of the wall covered with mortar (so that one may pass by [unseen]), and the light should come from the roof. But I am afraid I am too late [with these suggestions].
To Mrs. Martin Luther [Eisenach,]1 July 16, 1540 Luther informs his wife of some everyday events: He is healthy and happy and enjoying his food and drink; Melanchthon also is healthy again; von Amsdorf is still in Eisenach; the delegation that went to Hagenau had a good time on the way and made a short trip from Hagenau to Strassburg; it is unbearably hot in Eisenach. Luther asks his wife to tell Schiefer a rumor that King Ferdinand is seeking the friendship of the Turks. He also asks her to write to him whether she has received all that he sent, especially the money. In closing, he extends von Amsdorf's greetings to Katie.
Text in German: WA, Br 9, 174–175.2
To my gracious maid, Catherine Luther von Bora and Zölsdorf,3 at Wittenberg, my beloved Grace and peace! My dear Maid and Lady Katie! Your Grace should know that we are chipper and healthy here (God be praised), eat like the Bohemians (yet not much) and drink like the Germans (yet not much).4 We are happy indeed, for our gracious lord of Magdeburg, Bishop5 Amsdorf,6 is our table companion. Otherwise we have no news, except that7 Doctor Caspar,8 Myconius,9 and Menius10 have let themselves be pampered on the way11 and made a leisurely trip12 from Hagenau to Strassburg13 to serve and honor John of Jena.14 Also, Master Philip has again been totally restored.15 God be praised. Tell my dear Doctor Schiefer16 that his King Ferdinand is being talked about as if he intends to seek the friendship of the Turks against the evangelical sovereigns.17 I hope this is not true for it would be too hard.
[At least] write and let me know whether you have received all the things that I sent, such as the ninety gulden18 that I sent recently with Wolf the driver, etc.19
With this I commend you to God. Amen. Have the children pray. Here there is such a heat and drought20 that it is beyond words and unbearable [day] and night. Come [O Last] Day. Amen.
July 16, 1540. The Bishop of Magdeburg21 sends kind greetings.