I can take in, and does not run about the town, but sits quietly in his room.
Besides,the whole town was ringingwith Schanz's misfortune before I heard of it,and we could hardlycredit that Schanz should be hanged in such a shameful manner by his dearest lord.
I invented this tale,and the Cardinal's name was held up to execration without our aid.
As it is now thoughtthat the accusation is aimed at me, I now beg of you to leave my table and house guest unmolested, for I shall rather believe what honest peoplesay of Schanz than listen to what your graciousor ungraciousHighness (itis all one) should assert.
I do not sit here at your I should shut the mouths and punish the lies of those who speak well of Hans Schanz and evil of his Cardinal,and Grace will not hurry me off so swiftly to the gallowsas you did
I shall always express my opinionfreely, and repeat any gossipI may hear of your Grace to good friends, even as I am compelled to put up with your
Grace's conduct towards me.
For althoughI do not believe what is said of Hans Schanz and in favour of his Cardinal (althoughas yet I have heard nothing of the kind),stillI shall be pardoned for such sins without any indulgencesfrom your
Grace hang all those who not only in this but in other thingsspeak despitefully of your Grace, there would not be rope enough in Germany to do it,not to speak of many who would not so easilypermit themselves to be hanged,and thus some would needs remain unhanged by the doughty Cardinal
; and even the hangingof many would not suppress the outcry.
I believe (and no cardinal hangman shall forbid this,for thoughtsare not taxable)that had Schanz been tried outside Halle he would have remained unhanged,which is the general opinion. Perhaps they may still sing this song where your
Grace has not the power to hang the people. I further believe that had Ludwig been seized in Halle,as you tried to seize him in Leipsic,he would have been hanged long ago, and then he would have had to be silent about Electoral Grace wish to know how long such an outcry has existed in German lands againstyou, must inform you it began about fifteen years ago, datingfrom the indulgences, and all against so holy a man.
If you wish to get rid of this evil reputation forbid the outcry in other places besides Halle, especially that regardingthe
Pope's ban, which finds littlefavour with the merchants, and these seldom allude to For being forcibly prevented speakingof him at Halle does not injurehis cause, but the Cardinal's conduct does, even as the cry of Magister
George Winkler's blood Grace) becomes, with time, the longer,the louder,and I believe it will never be stilled tillit is avenged. This is the last letter which I shall write to your
ProphetElijahwrote to King Jehoram to justifyhimself, for I look for no improvement, even as littleas did Elijah from his Jehoram.
I must console myself with the thought that your august Holiness cannot hang every one who wishes you evil (althoughit would be possibleto hang all who wish you well),but permit our
God to let the ringhang on the doors of Church, and allow some to live,till the real tormentor (Henker)attacks yourself.Amen.
Preacher at Wittenberg.
Luther begs the Elector to allow Melanchthon to go to France, whither the King invited him, and other matters regardinghis absence.
Grace and peace with my paternoster, Most High-born Prince,most graciousLord I most respectfully beg of you, in I am moved to make this request because of the pitifulappeal I have received from some honoured and piouspeoplewho have narrowlyescapedthe flames, and it was
Philipwho, with infinite trouble,induced the King to make an end of the butcheryand burning.
Therefore,if these people are deprivedof their consolation, then the bloodhounds may begintheir bloody work afresh,so Philip can, with a clear conscience,desert them in their deep need, and rob them of their much-needed consolation,especially as it might make the King and those about him very mistrustful of all of us, for he has graciously written himself requestingPhilip'spresence, besides sendinga messenger.
Your princelyGrace will,by the grace of Philipto leave for three months.
God may mean to do, whose thoughts are at all times higherand better than ours For my part, I should be very sorry were so many pious hearts deprived of the comfort for which they so touchinglyand so confidently cry and wait.
And one could not wonder if they and many others thought badly of us.
I plead once more that your Grace would most graciously grant Philip'srequest.
Highness,and by our diligentlabour try to promote your cause.
God lead and strengthenyour His good and gracious will !
Luther contradicts the report of epidemicin Wittenberg.
I wish you joy on your recovery, my excellent Jonas.
The report of an infectious disease here is most unfounded.
Heaven seems to will it that the devil should succeed in separating us at least bodily, and who knows by what means.
Philiphas been called to France by the King, and he would gladlyhave gone, but the Elector would not permit it.
He then went off in rather a bad humour to Jena.
We had a small gathering of doctors on the incompetent person, to teach you what to say at the ceremony of conferring doctors' degrees; and now our head cook, Kathie,begs you will,with this thaler,send us birds and what you can find in your regionof the air,which creatures
God has appointedfor man's use.
But send us no ravens, but sparrows in any number, and if you layout any more it shall be refunded to you ; and if you can get a hare, or shoot anything for nothing, or purchase some vegetables, then send these also,for the principal thingis that you all get somethingto eat, for one must not depend on beer alone,of which my
Kathie has brewed fourteen tuns, in which she has put thirty-two bushels of malt to suit my taste.
She hopes it may be good ; you will judge for yourselfwhen you taste it.
There is no other news, except that the Emperor is carrying everythingbefore him in Africa.
But Herzog George and the Halle have issued an order to their people to fast three days a week for the Emperor and receive the sacrament in one kind, so that thingsmay improve even more.
Constantinople, which God grant he may, then it will be these thingsand not Christ lives,so let us rejoice even amid the rage of devils and men, enjoyingthe good thingsof life,till they come to a miserable end, especially if you confer your delightful societyupon us, with your captives, who, under the sway of the head cook, will be consigned to the captivity of the pot.
Kathie and all greet you respectfully.
Request for a privateaudience for the EnglishmanBarnes, etc.
Grace and peace with our poor paternoster. Most High-born Prince, most graciousLord Majestythe King of England'smessenger,
Antonius, has begged me to request your Grace to grant him a privateinterview,for he does not wish his business to be known till he knows how he stands.
Highnessknows the man, and we believe he bringsgood tidings, we humbly pray that he may have a hearing.
And besides,he has managed matters very well in regard to Philip'spromise to the King,and has achieved much in making the King so anxious to have him, and so unwilling that he should go to ; and also in sending such a statelyescort, with such a hostage,for a guarantee.
Grace, if not before,then immediatelyafter your journeyto Austria,to receive him.
God, whose wisdom is higherand His will better than ours, may achieve.
Philip, who is invited in such a splendidmanner, cannot fulfilhis promise,it will be a great griefto him, especially as he has alwaysbeen overburdened with work, melancholy,and temptations,and needs no additional sorrow.
Grace will know how to act in a gracious manner.
Lord be with you to all eternity.Amen.
Electoral Grace's humble Evangelical service in her house.
Grace and peace in Christ with my poor paternoster, honoured and dear lady!
Andres, and received your letter,and thank you for your present, especially the small groschen,which I would like to know if it were good,for it looks so new it might be counterfeit.
Andres also tellsme that you are anxious to know