To Landgrave Phillip of Hesse - Martin Luther

TO LANDGRAVE PHILIP OF HESSE

Luther agrees to a Conference with OEcolampadius and Zwingli. June 23, 1529.

Grace and peace! Serene Prince, Most Gracious Lord! I have received your Grace’s invitation to

Marburg to the disputation with OEcolampadius and the other Swiss divines, to see if we cannot see

eye to eye regarding the sacrament. Although I have little hope of this, still your Grace’s anxiety for unity and peace is most laudable, and I am willing to cooperate in such vain and for us perhaps dangerous efforts, for the other party must not have the glory of outstripping me (if God will) in the desire for unity. I beseech you to learn if they feel inclined to yield their opinions, to prevent the evil becoming worse. It seems as if they were trying, through your Grace’s zeal, afterwards to boast that they had moved great princes to interfere to prove that they wished peace while we were its enemies. God grant I am no prophet, but if they were really in earnest they do not need such mighty princes to represent them; for, God be praised, we are not such worthless characters. They might have written us long ago, saying how they wished peace, or could still do so, for I cannot yield to them, being convinced our cause is right and theirs wrong. Therefore pray consider whether this Marburg conference will do good or harm; for if they do not yield we shall part without fruit, and our meeting, as well as your Grace’s outlay and trouble, have been in vain. And then they will boast, and load us with reproach, as is their wont, so things would be worse than ever. Regarding your Grace’s fears that

bloodshed would ensue from such discord, you know that whatever happens we are innocent, and God will bring our innocence to the light of day. If this spirit of union should result in bloodshed, such action is in accordance with its nature, as was seen in Franz von Sickingen, Carlstadt, and Munzer;

and there, too, we were blameless. I write all this to prove how ready I am to serve you. May Christ tread Satan under our feet! Amen.

Your Grace’s obedient MARTIN LUTHER .