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German priest and theologian (1483–1546) who became the seminal figure of the Protestant Reformation. Extremely rare partial ALS in German, signed as part of the Latin date, “Martin,” one page, 7.5 x 4.5, March 12, 1530 ["12 Martin 1530"]. Fragment of a handwritten letter on religion to his follower Joseph Levin Metzsch, Lord of the Castle of Mylau, on the question of whether debt inherited from the parents is an act of God's will and punishment.
In part (translated, with bracketed sections sourced from the Weimar edition of Luther's works): "[Because guilt, thirst, or poverty are no small punishment for those who do not know how to bear them, it is without doubt a noticeable particle of the Holy Cross for children of God] who can bear and use it. [However], like all other punishments from the dear Father, it should not frighten the [conscience] as a serious disgrace, but rather [comfort] and strengthen it as a fatherly rod of the fox[tail]. For even if someone comes into such guilt willfully or through carelessness, or inherits it with innocence, it is still decreed by God, and such a rod is bound by the same carelessness and willfulness. Hereby commended to God, Amen." Addressed on the reverse by Luther to "The punctilious and steadfast Joseph Levin Metzsch zu Mylau, my favorable good Lord and friend." Laid down to a slightly larger sheet, with openings cut to reveal the address panel and small seal. Though the bottom of the letter has been cut off, the top of the "M" from his Latin signature ("M[artinus]") is preserved along the lower edge. In very good condition, with paper loss to the left side (affecting portions of the text), toning and soiling, and two vertical folds.
The complete text of Luther's letter is recorded in the Weimar Edition of his works (Vol. V, No. 1537), with minor deviations from the original. The recipient, Joseph Levin Metzsch (1507–1571), was a nobleman and early follower of Luther who provided protection and political backing, allowing Luther’s ideas to spread more freely. Metzsch had participated in the disputation between Martin Luther and Johann Eck in Leipzig in 1519, and was responsible for introducing the Reformation into the Dominion Mylau-Reichenbach in 1526–27. A remarkable letter fragment by the celebrated leader of the Protestant Reformation, explaining some of his religious principles.
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