To Nicholas von Amsdorf [Wittenberg,] June 3, 1545 Luther replies to von Amsdorf's inquiry about a "monstrosity" pertaining to foxes, and admits that he and the hunters with whom he has talked about this incident have no way of explaining it, except perhaps that it might be an omen of the end of the world. Then Luther makes a pessimistic statement about the Diet of Worms and the pending council, and reports that the people of Nürnberg have captured a nobleman whose freedom they hope to exchange for the freedom of one of their citizens, Jerome Baumgartner, currently being held by a relative of the nobleman they captured. He also comments briefly on a picture of the Pope. In a postscript Luther mentions that the Emperor has ordered the people of Augsburg to accept their newly appointed bishop, and that the people of Augsburg plan to resist this order.
On Nicholas von Amsdorf, see LW 48, 218.
Text in Latin: WA, Br 11, 115.1
To the Most Reverend Father in the Lord, Sir Nicholas, bishop of the true and holy church at Naumburg,2 a sincere minister of Christ, my esteemed superior3
Grace and peace in the Lord! Most Reverend Father in the Lord: I have presented your question about that monstrosity pertaining to the foxes4 to people who are experienced in and who practice the art and occupation of hunting, and who really are masters of this art. At first they said what I had told them could not be true. Then, when I had shown them your letter, they were amazed beyond all measure.
Unanimously they declared that a fox is too cunning to prey where he has his den. The case of Köthen was cited, where foxes have dens in the (so-called) city moat but do not harm anyone there.5 I do not know what this is supposed to mean except, perhaps, that a change of all things is pending,6 for which we pray and which we await. Amen.
I do not care about diets and councils, I do not believe anything about them, I do not expect anything from them, I do not worry about them. Vanity of vanities.7 The people of Nürnberg have captured a certain nobleman in the hope that in return for his freedom they might free their Baumgartner.8 Unless
God intervenes, this incident might well be the spark of some future fire9 [which might come] as a punishment on Germany; but may God take us and those who belong to us from this misery prior to that.
There is no justice, no central authority, and the Empire is without power. This is the end and finish of the Your nephew George11 has shown me the picture of the Pope,12 but Master13 Lucas is a rough painter.
He could have spared the female sex for the sake of God's creation and of our mothers. He could have painted other images suitable to the pope, that is, more devilish ones. But you will judge for yourself.
Farewell in the Lord, farewell in Christ!
The Emperor has commanded the people of Augsburg to receive the Cardinal, that is, their bishop, along with the clergy and the papal ceremonies. But the people are getting ready to protect themselves by means of arms.14 The priests do not wish to have peace or possess what is theirs in peace—so let what they seek happen.
To Nicholas von Amsdorf [Wittenberg,] July 9, 1545 Even though Luther thinks that von Amsdorf is better informed about "all things" than be himself is, he reports two news items and comments on them: The Emperor demands that the evangelicals consent to the council, even though the Pope has declared the evangelicals to be heretics who are not to participate in the council. Luther sees in this situation a trap laid by the papists for the evangelicals, who will be caught regardless of their response to the Emperor's demand. Therefore, Luther argues, the evangelicals must