Text in Latin: WA, Br 11, 142.1
To the reverend man, distinguished by godliness and virtue, Mr. Justus Jonas, Doctor of Theology, my dearest brother Grace and peace. I pray God to give you something better than what you write about your stone,2 my
Jonas. Why do you not give up your Faliscum3 and similar things4 so that they do not, as one says, make you imagine such horrible things?5 May God have mercy upon us.
The man of Mainz has sent some ridiculous delegates to the council,6 but that monster laughs at the same time about us and the pope. The council is really Tridentum, that is, in German, torn apart,7 split up, and dissolved,8 for God disperses it and will disperse it together with all its delegates. I absolutely believe that they do not know what they are doing9 or are supposed to do. God has cursed their plans, as is written:
Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his arm.10
I believe you have heard (it11 is true) that on June 2112 a splendid legation of the Emperor, the Frenchman, the Pope, [and] Ferdinand, loaded down with precious gifts, left Venice for the Turks in order to seek peace. What is most honorable and worthy of eternal remembrance is the fact that all of the envoys have laid aside their native clothing and have decked themselves out in Turkish clothing, that is, in a longer [tunic], so that the Turks should not despise them.13 This is the way in which they conduct the war against him whom for so many years they have decried as the enemy of the Christian name, [and] against whom the Roman satan, by means of indulgences, annates,14 and endless rapacity has wrung so much money from the people. Can you see the downfall of the Empire? Can you see that the day of our salvation is at hand?15 We shall be happy, glad, and rejoice; the end of the world is here. Praise and glory be to God through all eternity. Amen.
To Nicholas von Amsdorf [Wittenberg,] July 17, 1545 Replying to a no-longer extant letter of von Amsdorf, Luther states that he is not disturbed by the news which von Amsdorf has written to him. Luther also mentions that it is no wonder that a wooden statue of Elector John Frederick toppled over, since it was poorly set up. Then Luther reports the presence of twenty-three bishops and three cardinals in Trent, and comments briefly on the unimpressive delegation sent by the Archbishop of Mainz to the council. In the remaining portion of the letter Luther tells von
Amsdorf about the legation sent by the Emperor and others to the Turks for the purpose of reaching a peace agreement, and comments on this event.
On Nicholas von Amsdorf, see LW 48, 218.
Text in Latin: WA, Br 11,143–144.1
To the Reverend Father and Lord in Christ, Sir Nicholas, true and faithful bishop of the church at Naumburg,2 my superior3 in the Lord, etc.
Grace and peace in the Lord! I am not disturbed by the events about which you write,4 Reverend Father in Christ. Do not worry about dreams, says [Cato].5 Scripture teaches the same thing, "unless someone is a prophet," as is stated in Numbers 12 [:6]. But that sexton is no prophet. Further,6 that statue of the Sovereign7 which was erected in Torgau was made of wood. I saw it in Luke's8 house before it was painted. No wonder that this statue fell down; it's a miracle that it stood so long. Everyone has said that it could fall by itself any day now, even without any wind, so poorly had it been set up. May these things pass away.
From Trent comes news9 that twenty-three bishops and three cardinals are present, and that they wile away their time and do not know what they are supposed to do or what they will be doing. The [Arch]bishop of Mainz,10 or rather that scoundrel of all scoundrels, has sent envoys there, one suffragan bishop and a Franciscan. I do not know whether he intends to mock them11 or us with this ridiculous delegation—that such an important man sends such envoys to such important men. But the council will be worthy of such [representatives]. May they have a bad time, as the wrath of God moves them.