[af_vet_1981]

Here we read Luther just before his death confiding in his wife of his conspiring and plotting to persecute some fifty Jewish refugees near Eisleben. He wants to remove the protection by a Christian Countess by his preaching as he does for a Count who has already "outlawed" them according to Luther's pre-Holocaust Seven Step Program. Outlaws have no legal recourse. They may be plundered, robbed, raped, and murdered.

Of course neither Luther's words, nor yours in his defense, will stand with Matthew staring at you in the eternal mirror of truth.

I think that hell and the whole world must be empty of all their devils, who perhaps have all met together on my account at Eisleben, so stiff and stubborn is the state of affairs. There are Jews here, near fifty in a house, as I have before written to you. They say that at Rissdorf, near Eisleben, the place where I was ill on my journey hither, nigh four hundred Jews pass in and out. Count Albrecht, to whom all the frontier round Eisleben belongs, has withdrawn his protection from any Jews who may be seized on his property; yet no one will as yet do any thing to them. The Countess of Mansfeld, widow of Solms, is considered the protector of the Jews. I know not whether it is true; but I have made it strongly enough apparent to-day, if one chooses to understand it, what my opinion is, if it is of any use. Pray, pray, pray, and help us, that we may do it well. For to-day I had a mind to give full vent to my wrath, but was restrained when the wretchedness of my fatherland occurred to me.

(eislebbn,) February 1, 1546. I wish you grace and peace in Christ, and send you my poor, old, infirm love. Dear Katie, I was weak on the road to Eisleben, but that was my own fault. Had you been with me you would have said it was the fault of the Jews or of their God. For we had to pass through a village hard by Eisleben where many Jews live; perhaps they blew on me too hard. (In the city of Eisleben there are at this hour fifty Jewish residents.) As I drove through the village such a cold wind blew from behind through my cap on my head that it was like to turn my brain to ice. This may have helped my vertigo, but now, thank God, I am so well that I am sore tempted by fair women and care not how gallant I am. When the chief matters are settled, I must devote myself to driving out the Jews. Count Albert is hostile to them, and has given them their deserts, but no one else has. God willing, I will help Count Albert from the pulpit. I drink Neunburger beer of just that flavor which you praised so much at Mansf eld. It pleases me well and acts as a laxative. Your little sons went to Mansfeld day before yesterday, after they had humbly begged Jack-an-apes1 to take them. I don't know what they are doing; if it were cold they might freeze, but as it is warm they may do or suffer what they like. God bless you with all my household and remember me to my table companions. Your old lover, M. L.

[xone]

Outlaws have no legal recourse. They may be plundered, robbed, raped, and murdered.

Another thing Luther learned at Rome's knee. So did it happen? Thought not. OTOH, history is rife with examples of the OTC doing just that. That too won't stand with Matthew staring at you in the eternal mirror of truth. All brought to you by a 'Vicar' of Christ.

Of course neither Luther's words, nor yours in his defense, will stand with Matthew staring at you in the eternal mirror of truth.

And neither Luther nor I rely upon on words when we have Matthew staring at you in the eternal mirror of truth. we stand forgiven by Christ, by grace justified by faith in our Lord Jesus as one called and gifted by God with our faith. Catholics have the assurances from Vicars such as the one described.