To the elector Joachim II of Brandenburg - Martin Luther

TO THE ELECTOR JOACHIM II. OF BRANDENBURG

Warning against the Jews and petition for the sons of Buchholzer, Provost of Berlin. March 9, 1545.

Grace and peace in the Lord, and my poor prayers, Most Serene High-born Prince, most gracious Lord! The highly esteemed Herr George Buchholzer, Provost in Berlin, gave me your gracious greeting, and wonders that I have not written you. He tells me also that you wish me to write against the double- dealers. Many thanks for your gracious greeting. But your Grace must not impute my not writing to any unwillingness to do so; for, I have no ill-feeling to anyone on earth, and I pray daily for you princes and lords, as St. Paul inculcates in 1 Timothy chapter 2. For I see how trying it is to be a ruler

in those scandalous times when there is so much treachery among those in power; and the Court devil is such a powerful lord, who causes so much dissension among kings and princes. Hence I had no cause to write your Grace, so you must not ascribe it to ill-feeling, I have often said and preached that I have no ill-will even to the Archbishop of Mayence, not wishing him even an hour of my catarrh, although I make furious onslaughts on him, as I do not like to see him hurrying on to hell, as if he feared he might arrive too late if he went at an ordinary pace. But warning is vain there. I fear your Grace may fall a prey to some of the Jews’ tricks, but as you have such confidence in them, I know no credence will be given to my warning. Therefore I pray God to protect your Grace and the young

Margrave from their wiles, that your trust may not be betrayed, to our great sorrow. I am glad that the

Provost is so severe on those Jews, which is a proof of his loyalty to your Grace; and I encourage him to continue in the path he has chosen, for this practicing of alchemy is a disgraceful deception, for all know money cannot be made by such sophistry. Herr George has also asked me to request your Grace graciously to grant a bursary to his two sons for the prosecution of their theological studies, for it would be a pity should they be forced to give them up. In short, your Grace must not consider me an enemy; but I cannot believe that your Grace really imagines that the Jews are dealing uprightly with you, and the alchemists are certainly befooling you, that they may gain all, and your Grace nothing. I herewith commit you, with the young Princes, to the dear God.

Your obedient MARTIN LUTHER . (De Wette.)