along with concerns about the restoration of the ceremonies in the cathedral there.
Printed in "Bremisches Jahrbuch," ser. 2, vol. 1 (1885), p. 135, no. 46 (from the handwritten Bremen Chronicle of the Bremen City Archives, p. 529); in Kawerau, Jonasbr., vol. II, p. 349, no. 230a and in Erl. Briefw,, Vol. IX, p. 273. - Bugenhagen names himself as the actual author of the letter. We give this document, which is written in Low German dialect, in a High German translation.
To the honorable and wise mayors and councilmen of the city of Bremen, our favorable lords.
God's grace through our Lord Jesus Christ. Honorable, wise, favorable lords! We bring to your knowledge that the noble and highborn prince and lord, Duke John Frederick, Duke of Saxony, our most gracious lord, has ordered us to write you a vain reply concerning the restitution of the ceremonies of the cathedral chapter in your city. 1) To this we have given our objection.
1) On Palm Sunday 1532, a mob led by John Dore abolished the mass in the only Catholic church in Bremen, the cathedral. The city council feared that the city, which had already been sued by the emperor, would fall into the imperial power, and negotiated with the cathedral chapter. Other deprived rights were returned to it, but the demanded restitution of the Roman cult was rejected for the time being. As a member of the Schmalkaldic League, the council sought the opinions of its leaders. In addition to this concern, other opinions were received from the Hessian theologians and from Urban Rhegius in Celle.
puts. However, since the matter is very important, we have considered it necessary for many reasons to see and send our advice and opinions to our most gracious lord, the Elector, beforehand, and we do not doubt that his electoral grace will send you its concerns and advice by other messages of its own, since we did not want to delay your messenger 2) any longer. And I Joannes Pomeranus have written further about it to your prelates, who will undoubtedly give you a good report, and we are willing to serve you to the best of our ability at all times. May God grant you His grace and peace in Christ. Date Wittenberg, the Thursday after Cinrum [27 Feb], Anno Domini 1533.
(Now follows the theologians' advice and concerns on the question of the council about the ceremonies in the cathedral church in Bremen).
Although it is certain that the ordinary masses and ceremonies held in the monasteries are unlawful services, and no one should approve of them, nevertheless every authority should not command further than its subjects. Since a council of Bremen is not an authority over the cathedral chapter in the city of Bremen, the council cannot forbid the chapter to hold their ceremonies, but the city has the right, by deed and by force, to prevent the ceremonies in places where the council has no command. But if it should be said that a council hereby permits unrighteous worship, if the council does not wish to prohibit the same, the answer is that it has not permitted such, for a council cannot command or prohibit in places where a council has no commandment, just as we do not permit our neighbors in other lands and dominions to hold their unchristian ceremonies, and yet we cannot prohibit them from doing so. However, since it is to be feared that such a restitution of the ungodly ceremonies in your city might cause an uproar among the citizens and give rise to insurrection, a respectable council should nevertheless appeal to the Ca.
2) The messenger who carried this letter was robbed and slain by a lansquenet two miles from Bremen; however, he had to atone for his deed on the Rade (near Walle).
Addendum to the letters from 1531 to 1536.
The chapter is to be informed that they do not intend to conduct unlawful religious services in their city. The chapter would not be forbidden to do anything with this, but they1) would still like to be subject to restitution on their own initiative.
No. 1962a.