To Nicolas Hausmann letter 31 - Martin Luther

TO NICOLAS HAUSMANN

Luther wishes him to leave Dessau. September 20, 1536.

To the learned Doctor Nicolas Hausmann, servant of Christ at Dessau.

Grace and peace, dearest brother in Christ! Only a few words, for you always know what is going on here, as news reaches your court sooner than we get them. The two Margraves have fallen away from the gospel. If you did not know this, now you are aware of it; and I know not what evil thing may be smoldering among us. I am still of the same mind regarding you. I purpose inviting you to become an inmate of my house, so that you may have some rest and quiet. Your brother has promised to maintain you in my house, for I see it is impossible for you to remain where you are. Dr. Hieronymus Weller is very happy, having left to occupy his own house close by. This is a great pleasure to me.

The Emperor has not been so fortunate as we expected. It is said the famine has deprived him of five thousand officers — brave men — such as the Margrave Frederick, Caspar von Fronsberg, and I know not who else. The Council seems to me only a sham, although I hear Herzog George is writing a book against the Bishops. Our Alesius writes from England that the new Queen, Jane, is an enemy of the gospel, and will shortly be crowned. Things appear now quite different in that kingdom, so that Antonius is obliged to remain hidden and keep silence. The King continues to despise the Pope; and it has been determined, with the consent of this whole kingdom, that no one shall start for the Diet till the King consents to it being held, which will never take place. So long as the King is against it, the Diet is a myth, or at least it will not be held at the appointed time; and when that has once gone by, who will vouch for another time being fixed? The world is full of knavery. Farewell in Christ, and pray for me, my brother; I need it greatly.

Greet your noble Prince from me. MARTIN LUTHER . (Walch, 21. 1536.)