Note 10 — Front matter (continued 2)
Gottlob Frederick Krotel translation
Melanchthon addressed the following apologetic letter to Camerarius: "As some unfounded reports will probably reach you, respecting the marriage of Luther, I think it proper to inform you of the true state of the case, and to give my opinion. On the 13th of June, Luther, to our great surprise, and without saying a word to his friends, married Catharine de Bora, and only invited Pomeranus, Lucca the painter, and Apellus the lawyer, to supper in the evening, celebrating the espousals in the customary manner. Some perhaps may be astonished that he should have married at this unfavorable juncture of public affairs, so deeply afflictive to every good man, and thus appear to be unaffected and careless about the distressing events which have occurred amongst us; even though his own reputation suffers at a moment when Germany most requires his talents and influence. This, however, is my view of the subject: Luther is a man who has nothing of the unsocial misanthropist about him; but you know his habits, and I need say no more on this head. Surely it is no wonderful thing that his great and benevolent soul should be influenced by the gentle affections, especially as there is nothing reprehensible or criminal in it. He is in fact by nature fitted for the married state; and it is pronounced honorable in the sacred Scriptures. I saw that his change of situation produced some degree of perturbation and gloom of mind, and I have done my utmost to cheer him; for I cannot condemn him as having committed a fault, or fallen into sin, though I grant God has recorded many sins which some of his ancient saints committed, in order that we might be stimulated to repose our confidence, not in men, however dignified and distinguished, but in his word alone. I have in possession the most decisive evidences of his piety and love to God, so that the malicious reproaches heaped upon Luther are nothing else than the inventions of scurrilous sycophants, who want employment for a slanderous tongue, &c. &c.—Mel. Epistles. Cox.