Hardcover
1546 · Wittenberg
by Walther, Johann (1496-1570)
Wittenberg: Georg Rhau, 1546. ONE OF FIVE EDITIONS, all in 1546 (no priority has been established.). Hardcover. Fine. With a woodcut medallion portrait of Martin Luther on the title page and 2 three-quarter length portraits of Luther (dated 1546) and his protector, Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony. The Luther portrait is based on an image by Lucas Cranach the Younger (1515-1586), whose serpent device appears on the Luther portrait. The portrait of the Elector is based on a painting attributed to the school of Cranach the Elder (1472-1553). Bound in 19th-century German patterned boards, joints mended. A fine copy, with broad margins and some deckled edges. Provenance: Book label of the collector and pastor William Jackson (fl. 1865-1880), whose library was dispersed by the firm of Otto Harrassowitz, Leipzig, in 1910.
A poem commemorating Martin Luther, written in the year of the reformer’s death by his longtime friend and collaborator, the composer and poet Johann Walther, who directed the choir of Elector Frederick the Wise. Beginning in the 1520s, Walther worked closely with Luther to adapt Catholic church music to Lutheran liturgy. His 1524 “Eyn geystlich Gesangk Buchleyn”(A spiritual song book) included 24 songs by Luther, with arrangements by Walther.
The poem is not an encomium praising Luther but rather an epitaph, written in Luther’s voice. Luther is blessed to have been raised up by God to challenge the lies, idolatry, and hypocrisy of the pope and the Devil. The pope is Antichrist, born of the Devil’s dung. He has mocked Christ’s blood and his death.
It is God’s Word that gives eternal life, not works. The pope’s kingdom brings death and Hell’s pain; help is to be found in Christ alone.
Luther tells us that when he preached God’s truth, the pope spit hellfire in his fury and riled up his hellish court. But Luther prevailed: “The pope’s priests, mad and blind [to the Word], attacked me with their usual scholasticism. All the philosophers of the hellish pit tested me with all their art, but their lies were of no use.”
“The Emperor, the princes, and the bishops were all aligned against me; they wanted to wipe out my teachings.” Despite this, the people received his message and celebrated him as a hero:
“I carefully translated the Holy Scriptures and by doing so, the German people gained great knowledge… My writings stirred Christians and led them onto the right path. I also brought all of God's true Christian ordinances into proper practice… For this, one should also thank God, because God has accomplished great miracles through me before the Last Day.”
All should take heed, and follow Luther into heaven, for the end is coming: “God calls and says, Come all. The year of jubilee is now here… The golden gate is open. The bridegroom is coming. Whoever wants to join me should enter. God will close the door soon. Then you will truly find no peace.”
The poem also includes a prayer for Luther’s great friend and protector, the deceased Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony, who honored God. (Inventory #: 5186)
A poem commemorating Martin Luther, written in the year of the reformer’s death by his longtime friend and collaborator, the composer and poet Johann Walther, who directed the choir of Elector Frederick the Wise. Beginning in the 1520s, Walther worked closely with Luther to adapt Catholic church music to Lutheran liturgy. His 1524 “Eyn geystlich Gesangk Buchleyn”(A spiritual song book) included 24 songs by Luther, with arrangements by Walther.
The poem is not an encomium praising Luther but rather an epitaph, written in Luther’s voice. Luther is blessed to have been raised up by God to challenge the lies, idolatry, and hypocrisy of the pope and the Devil. The pope is Antichrist, born of the Devil’s dung. He has mocked Christ’s blood and his death.
It is God’s Word that gives eternal life, not works. The pope’s kingdom brings death and Hell’s pain; help is to be found in Christ alone.
Luther tells us that when he preached God’s truth, the pope spit hellfire in his fury and riled up his hellish court. But Luther prevailed: “The pope’s priests, mad and blind [to the Word], attacked me with their usual scholasticism. All the philosophers of the hellish pit tested me with all their art, but their lies were of no use.”
“The Emperor, the princes, and the bishops were all aligned against me; they wanted to wipe out my teachings.” Despite this, the people received his message and celebrated him as a hero:
“I carefully translated the Holy Scriptures and by doing so, the German people gained great knowledge… My writings stirred Christians and led them onto the right path. I also brought all of God's true Christian ordinances into proper practice… For this, one should also thank God, because God has accomplished great miracles through me before the Last Day.”
All should take heed, and follow Luther into heaven, for the end is coming: “God calls and says, Come all. The year of jubilee is now here… The golden gate is open. The bridegroom is coming. Whoever wants to join me should enter. God will close the door soon. Then you will truly find no peace.”
The poem also includes a prayer for Luther’s great friend and protector, the deceased Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony, who honored God. (Inventory #: 5186)
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