Note 487 — Chapter XVI · (continued 2)

“Werke,” Weim. ed., 8, p. 561; Erl. ed., 28, p. 139 f. “Vom Missbrauch der Messen.” The passage commences: “When a child I frequently heard a prophecy current in the country, viz. that an Emperor Frederick would rescue the Holy Sepulchre.” This had been misunderstood and applied to the tomb at Jerusalem; but it is “of the nature of prophecies to be fulfilled before being understood.” The passage on Frederick also occurs in the Latin text of this work, published previously under the title “De abroganda missa.” In “Werke,” Weim. ed., 8, p. 475, we there read: “Videtur mihi ista (prophetia) in hoc Fridrico nostro impleta.” Luther then proceeds to recount in a pleasant vein certain doubtful interpretations.