absolution to themselves as if it belonged to each individually; for this is the true office and task of the gospel: definitely to forgive sins by grace.
For these reasons we do not consider that general absolution is either to be rejected or to be abolished, but12 that nevertheless the personal application and [private] absolution should be maintained.
May God always graciously protect Your Honors. We are always ready and willing to serve Your Written at Wittenberg, April 18, 1533
To John Schlaginhaufen [Wittenberg,] March 10, 1534 Having heard that Schlaginhaufen was ill, Luther sends his greetings and good wishes for total recovery.
He complains about the speed with which time passes and about his own lack of productivity, and asks for his friend's prayer in this matter. He closes with general greetings, asking for Schlaginhaufen's love, and assuring his friend of his own willingness to be of service in any brotherly task.
John Schlaginhaufen of Neunburg/Upper Palatinate, had studied in Wittenberg and was a frequent guest in Luther's home. In 1532 he became a pastor in Zahna (near Wittenberg), and in 1533 in Köthen
(southwest of Dessau), where he rose later to the position of superintendent. He was a studious recorder of Luther's Table Talks and a collector of Luther's letters. He died in approximately 1560.
On John Schlaginhaufen, see ADB 31,329 ff.
Text in Latin (with some sentences in German): WA, Br 7, 24.1
To my dearest brother in the Lord, John Schlaginhaufen, a faithful minister of Christ at Köthen Grace and peace in Christ. I hear, excellent Sir, that you are ill. I am really sorry about this, and I pray
Christ to be merciful with you, restore your health, and enable you faithfully to fulfill your ministry.2 I am quite well, thank God, but I do not know how the days pass without me accomplishing what I should and would like to. I live such a useless life that I cannot stand myself. I do not know where the time goes and why I accomplish so little. This is the sum of it. Pray for me that my work will bear more fruit.
The Lord be with you. Greet your wife and children in my behalf. Trust in the Lord and continue loving me who, in Christ, will never neglect serving you in any brotherly task.
MARTIN LUTHER, DOCTOR To Mrs. Martin Luther1 [Dessau,] July 29, 1534 During the summer of 1534 Luther and some of his friends twice visited the court at Dessau2 in order to give spiritual counsel to the sovereign Joachim of Anhalt, who at that time was seriously ill and was experiencing great spiritual struggles.3 During his second visit to Dessau Luther wrote this personal note to his wife. He tells first of the pending return of Melanchthon, and of the necessity for his own continued stay in Dessau. Then he informs his wife that "yesterday" he drank something which did not agree with him, and asks his wife to send him his whole wine-cellar and some of her homebrewed beer, because otherwise the beer at Dessau, to which he is not accustomed, would make him totally unable to return home. He concludes by commending his household to God.
Text in German: WA, Br 7, 91.
To my kind, dear lord, Lady Catherine von Bora, Mrs. Doctor Luther,4 at Wittenberg Grace and peace in Christ! Dear Sir Katie! I know of nothing to write to you since Master5 Philip,6 together with the others, is coming home. I have to remain here longer for the devout Sovereign's sake.7
You might wonder how long I shall remain here, or how you might set me free.8 I think that Master9 Francis10 will set me free, just as I freed him—but not so soon.