[Wittenberg,] June 20, 1543 Luther announces that a preface he had to write has finally been written and is being sent along with this letter. As reasons for the delay Luther mentions his physical condition and his work load, as well as the fact that he is not the right man for writing prefaces. Then Luther makes certain observations: He is tired and longs for a peaceful departure from this world; his work is done, and "our congregations" are in good shape; the arrogant people of Zürich and Switzerland condemn themselves; he is praying against the Turks, about whom "we" hear monstrous things, but the German sovereigns behave every bit as badly as the Turks; all the godlessness in the world is a sure sign that the world is working its way toward its end.
Luther ends the letter with greetings to Link's family and friends in Nürnberg.
On Wenceslas Link, see LW 48, 169 f.
Text in Latin: WA, Br 10, 335.1
To the distinguished and excellent man, Mr. Wenceslas Link, a true Doctor of Theology, a most faithful minister of Christ in the church2 at Nürnberg, my dearest friend in the Lord
Grace and peace in the Lord! My preface comes to you rather late,3 my Wenceslas, and the reason for this is that your thoughts are different from my thoughts.4 You think that I am healthy and have little to do, and, what is even less the case, that I am the right man to write decent prefaces. I think quite differently: I am more dead than alive,5 yet I am overwhelmed with writing letters and books; the theological lecture,6 the stone7 and much else8 weigh me down. Consequently I am very seldom free to read or say my prayers, which is enough of a problem for me. But, anyway, here you have the preface, however it turned out. If you do not like it, you can either change it if you wish, or throw it out.
For myself I desire a good hour of passing on to God. I am content, I am tired, and nothing more is in me. Yet see to it that you pray earnestly for me, that the Lord takes my soul in peace. I do not leave our congregations in poor shape;9 they flourish in pure and sound teaching, and they grow day by day through [the ministry of] many excellent and most sincere pastors.
The people of Switzerland and Zürich are bent on condemning themselves, as Paul says,10 through their haughtiness and madness.11 May the Lord enlighten and convert their hearts. Amen.
About the Turk we hear monstrous things.12 I am praying against him, but I am uncertain against which Turks [God] will hurl my prayer. For if our Rephaim, Nephilim, Zamzumim, Emim, and Anakim continue to act as they do, then we will be ruled by them no less tyrannically than by the Turk.13 They rage furiously, according to their lusts. Now is the time which was predicted to come after the fall of Antichrist,14 when people will be Epicureans15 and atheists,16 so that the word of Christ might be fulfilled:
"As it was in the days of Noah and Lot, so will it be on the day of the arrival of the Son of man."17
Farewell in the Lord to you and your family! I greet your friends reverently.
[Wittenberg,] December 5,1 1544 Luther is tired and sluggish, and feels like an old useless man for whom nothing remains but to die. He believes his end is near, and perhaps the end of the world as well. So he asks for Propst's prayer that his death may be pleasing to God and salutary for himself. Having made these sober observations, Luther sends thanks from his daughter Margaret to her godfather Propst for a gift he had sent her; Luther adds that she has been seriously ill for the last ten weeks. Continuing in the somber mood of the first part of the letter, Luther says he would not feel angry with God if Margaret were to be taken from this satanic world.
In closing Luther extends greetings from his wife and all their friends, and asks for Propst's prayer in their behalf.
On James Propst, see LW 48, 233, n. 34.
Text in Latin: WA, Br 10, 554.2
Grace and Peace in the Lord!