[Wittenberg,] September 23, 1542 In the first portion of this letter Luther comments on the negotiations between the Elector of Saxony and the Archbishop of Mainz concerning the possible sale of the lordship connected with the castle at Halle.
The Archbishop, Luther points out, will never spend the money to acquire this lordship, and he most certainly will not do so under the condition that the gospel must continue to be preached in Halle. The Archbishop sees in the negotiations, says Luther, only an opportunity to make the Elector look ridiculous and a chance to have his fun worrying the people in Halle that this lordship might be sold. Then Luther informs Jonas about a serious talk he has had with Jonas' oldest son, whom he strictly admonished to show obedience to and appreciation of his father, and whom he urged to be grateful to God for having a father who could guide him during the years of growing up. In the last paragraph Luther talks about the death of his daughter Magdalen. He knows that he and his wife should be grateful for the blessed departure of their daughter. Yet his love for her and the memory of this child make it difficult for him to be grateful just now; therefore Luther asks Jonas to give thanks to God in his stead for Magdalen's blessed end.
On Justus Jonas, see LW 48, 275, n. 3.
Text in Latin: WA, Br 10, 149–150.1
To the illustrious man, Mr. Justus Jonas, Doctor of Theology, the provost at Wittenberg,2 Christ's ambassador3 in Halle/Saxony,4 my elder5 in the Lord
Grace and peace in the Lord! I still think, my Jonas, that it will never happen that the Satan at Mainz6 will buy7 the lordship connected with the castle at Halle, especially not for such a high price and on the condition that he is to let the gospel have its free course. All that that cursed son of perdition8 does or says is a lie and hypocrisy. You will remember that I used to say that not even the sun has seen anything more sly than this9 fellow.10 He only wants to make a laughing stock of our Sovereign,11 as he does of all people.
Therefore I think that you people at Haile have been disturbed for no reason, or terrified by a tempest in a teapot.12 This, of course, has been most welcome to that monster who, as the most demonic devil, lives precisely for such a thing, that is, to see the tragedy of wretched people, or, in case the woe is not real, to rejoice that nevertheless they are terrified by an imagined calamity.
As13 you had requested, I admonished your son in a strict and serious talk. I exhorted him to be appreciatively obedient to his father—on top of it, such a father—and to remember that God has blessed him so abundantly that this father is still alive and around him in the years of his puberty.14 [I further pointed out] what help this father's advice and aid can be in guiding such an impressionable age and controlling [the effects of] original sin in a world which is so full of evil and the fury of the devil. He has promised to be obedient and to heed your advice and that of his teachers.
I15 believe the report has reached you that my dearest daughter Magdalen has been reborn in Christ's eternal kingdom. I and my wife should only joyfully give thanks for such a felicitous departure and blessed end by which Magdalen has escaped the power of the flesh, the world, the Turk, and the devil; yet the force of [our] natural love16 is so great that we are unable to do this without crying and grieving in [our] hearts, or even without experiencing death ourselves. For the features, the words, and the movement of the living and dying daughter who was so very obedient and respectful remain engraved deep in the heart; even the death of Christ (and what is the dying of all people in comparison with Christ's death?) is unable totally to take all this away as it should. You, therefore, please give thanks to God in our stead! For indeed God did a great work of grace to us when he glorified our flesh in this way. Magdalen had (as you know) a mild and lovely disposition and was loved by all. Praised be the Lord Jesus Christ who has called, elected, and made her glorious. God grant me, and all my [loved] ones, and all our friends such a death— or rather, such a life. This alone I ask of God, the Father of all comfort and mercies.17 In him, farewell to you and your whole family. Amen.