To Wenzel letter 12 - Martin Luther

TO WENZEL

Luther had heard with much concern of a misunderstanding among the preachers in Nurnberg. January 3, 1532.

Grace and peace in the Lord Jesus! I have not written to you for long, my Wenzel, and, considering how much I have to do, my letters are not necessary to you. Still it was your duty, seeing you have more leisure than I, to write oftener to me. I only hope that the little rumor I have heard is not true, that there is some misunderstanding among you servants of the gospel at Nurnberg, a calamity almost sadder than any other I could hear of. Therefore I beseech you, for I know the uprightness of your heart, help me to combat this evil and to keep watch over these unruly spirits who are not satisfied with stirring up strife on earth, but would gladly shoot their fiery darts even against the saints and God’s kingdom, which we are — to lead us astray. If it be Osiander who does not approve of our views

of baptism, we shall have patience and not irritate him, even as he must have patience with us and not provoke us till Christ unravels this knot. We are now seeing God’s judgments for the second time —

first on Munzer and now on Zwingli. I prophesied that God would not long suffer such blasphemies, calling us cannibals, blood-drinkers, and other horrible names. They have brought it upon themselves. Do you cleave to the Augsburg Confession. You do not give me any reliable information about Carlstadt, and I wonder at the story remaining so long secret and then reaching us in such a roundabout way, so that we are not certain as to its truth. Philip says that if God does not lay hold of Carlstadt through his wondrous power and wisdom, He will never be able to do so by ordinary means, so manifold are the resources of this monstrosity. But the proverb, “He who stirs up strife will himself perish thereby,” shall be verified in him. Greet Lazarus Spengler and all our people in a friendly way from me. May you and yours prosper in Christ. Amen.

MARTIN LUTHER . (Schutze.)