writing to your Grace himself. Siijce he has so far been quiet in public, and some of us, including Hans Metzsch/ think it is a good thing because the provost of Kemberg' could more easily have an eye on him, therefore I, too, humbly ask that your Grace will graciously grant him his request, although your Grace has already done a great deal and made himself much talked about on his account. God will repay your Grace the more richly. For his soul he is himself responsible; to his body and his family we ought to do good. The grace of God be with us. Amen.
Your Grace's humble servant, Martin Luther.
744. LUTHER TO ASSA VON KRAM Weimar, xix, 623. (Wittenberg, end of 1526.)
This letter accompanied Luther's tract, Whether Soldiers Too Can be Saved, It cannot be exactly dated, but the tract was in press as early as October 14, 1526 (vide supra, no. 741), and Luther sent a copy of it to Michael Stiefel, January i, 1527.
Assa von Kram was a counsellor of Duke Ernest of Brunswick- Luneberg. He had a long and rather distinguished record as a soldier, having served in Italy and Denmark, and more recently as commander of the troops of the Elector of Saxony in the Peasants' War. He died in 1528 of an illness contracted while serving in Italy under Charles V. It was during a brief stay in Wittenberg, after the sup- pression of the peasants' revolt, that he suggested to Luther the sub- ject of the tract, here dedicated to him.
As Luther's words in this tract, that "fighting was as necessary as eating and drinking" have been much quoted against him of late, it is instructive to notice that the same qualified approval of war is given in the Canon Law, Decreti pars ii, causa xxiii, capp. 3-7, where it is expressly said that many soldiers can please God, and that war (milit" are) is no sin.
Grace and peace in Christ, worshipful and honorable dear sir and friend. When you were recently at Wittenberg at the time of the Elector's entry, we talked of the condition of the
^ John Ton Metzsch (tx549) was botk bailiff and captain of the fortifications at Wittenberg. Luther detested him on account of his immorality and because his military work interfered with Luther's property. See Smith, index, and Conver- sations with Luther, translated by P. Smith and H. P. Gallinger, 191 5, pp. 46, 243. In 1538 he was appointed one of the inspectors of the Saxon churches along with Luther and PaulL About 1539 the Elector transferred him to Colditz. Enders, xii, 83.
'Bartholomew Bemhardi.
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