I rejoice that you, my Amsdorf, are so happy with our Marburg synod, which, to be sure, looked insignificant, but was effective in the matter itself. This has been accomplished by the prayers of the faithful: [the opposition,] confused as it was, was feeble and was humiliated. Praise and glory be to God.
Yesterday we heard that by a great miracle of God the Turk has, on the eve of the feast, departed from Vienna for Hungary. For after he had attacked the city itself in vain for almost the twentieth time, he undermined the ground in three places, put powder [into the tunnels], blasted the ground, and made an opening. But through no power could he force his army, terrified by God, into a head-on attack, so that [the army] was willing to let itself be cut down by its leaders rather than attempt this very last head-on attack. Some believe that [the Turk] departed confused by fear of the big guns, and by our approaching army. Others are of a different opinion. [In any ease] God has obviously fought for us this year. [The Turk] has lost twenty-six thousand men, while it is said that six thousand of our men have been killed, having perished in the counterattacks. I wanted to tell you this, if you haven’t already heard other [news], so that we can be grateful and pray together. For the Turk who has become our neighbor will not allow us to live in peace for ever.
Regarding your question whether it is safe and permissible for our Sovereign to ally himself with the godless and with the adversaries of [God’s] Word, we believe that this is possible because this is [a matter of] common defense; it would be impossible if one were to start a war or alliances when [not attacked]. For likewise if the house of a godless man is on fire, or if your enemy is starving, feed him, help him. In an emergency we have to do good even to our enemies.
Farewell in the Lord, and pray for me.
Written on October 27, 1529
Yours,
Martin Luther
