the Christian truth and to abide by it, and I am inclined to give you what help and favor may be in my power for this end. I would not conceal this my answer to your letter, for you will find me ready to do you any pleasure I can. God bless you and govern your affair according to his will !
Francis von Sickincen, with my hand,
327. LUTHER TO HERMANN MUHLPFORT, BAILIFF AT
ZWICKAU.
Enders, ii. 505. De Wctte, i. 537. German.
Wittenberg (circa November 4), 1520.
Hermann (not Jerome, as Lather mistakenly called him) Mtihl- pfort came of an old Zwickau family. He was later burgomaster of this town, where he died August 25, 1534. In his last years he had an unfortunate altercation with Luther, on which cf. Smith, 281. This letter is the dedication to the C^erman translation of The Liberty of a Christian Man, on which cf. Smith, piff. Miihlpfort visited Luther at Wittenberg on November 4. O. Clemen, Luther s IVerke, ii. i.
Prudent, wise Sir and kind Friend! The worthy John Egranus, preacher to your excellent town, has often highly extolled to me the love you bear the Holy Scriptures, which you zealously acknowledge and do not neglect to praise be- fore men. Wherefore he desired to make me known to you, of which I am willing and glad. For it is a special pleasure to me to hear of men who love the divine truth, since alas, so many, and chiefly those who bear titles, strive against it with all their might and cunning. Yet it must come to pass that many should stumble, fall and rise again on Christ, who is set for a stumbling-block and a sign to be spoken against.^ Wherefore, to start our acquaintance and friendship, I de- sired to dedicate to you this little tract and sermon in Ger- man, which in Latin I dedicated to the Pope, so that everyone may see that my doctrine and writing about the papacy has not, as I hope, a reprehensible. Herewith I commend myself to you and to God's grace. Amen.
328. LUTHER TO SPALATIN. Enders, ii. 508. Wittenberg, November 4, 1520.
Greeting. I, too, wonder, Spalatin, what prevents you get- ting my letters. For I have written twice and I know that
^Lulce, ii. 34. 2S
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