Repeated intercession for Martin Sänger. 1)
1) According to the Weimar Archives, Reg. T, pag. 47, Sanger had been accused and arrested for false courage; Luther's case was dismissed by Brück on December 22 (Burkhardt, p. 224).
The original is in the Weimar Archives, LeA X, x. 108. printed in the Leipzig Supplement, p. 74, no. 130; in Walch, vol. XXI, 376 (wrong: Dec. 14); in De Wette, vol. IV, p. 568 and in the Erlangen edition, vol. 55, p. 69.
To the most illustrious, highborn prince and lord, Lord John Frederick, Archmarshal and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, Duke of Saxony, Landgrave of Thuringia and Margrave of Meissen, my most gracious lord.
Grace and peace in Christ and my poor prayer 2c. Most Serene, Highborn Prince, Most Gracious Lord! I have previously also written to E. C. F. G. on behalf of Martin Sangern of Schneeberg; now, however, good people have come to me on his behalf, who have indicated to me how E. C. F. G. has given a gracious answer to your pastor on Schneeberg, that he should be secure in his body and goods, and otherwise more secure in his possessions and other things, 2c., I have asked E. C. F. G. for one more thing on his behalf, because he has vouched for himself and is graciously assured of his body and goods, E. C. F. G. would mercifully look upon his misery, his wife's and his eight small children's misery, and let them come to him again, so that he does not go astray and become a beggar and have to be without wife and child. The matter is truly difficult for him, and very harmful to his wife and children, as E. C. F. G. himself can tell you. Because he is so far pardoned that he should not be expelled from the principality, except on the Schneeberg; but I do not know, nor do I wish to know, what his guilt and offence is, except that I hear that the tithing officer, Paulus Schmidt, almost wants to harm him: so I once again humbly ask that E. C. F. G. will be kind enough to forgive him. C. F. G. would graciously consider his wife's and child's needs, which are growing for him, and which are in great need of discipline and care, so that they will not be spoiled and neglected 2c., and yet let him come in again to his own, where it is possible without E. C. F. G. complaint or displeasure. For they cause me misery and distress for wives and children, for whom his cause is so heartfelt, and who must know for himself what it is like to be from wife and children, and also from food, and to float in error, and to consume what is his, that I should give them such
Letters from the year 1534. no. 2090. 2091. 2092.
I have not been able to refuse this request. E. C. F. G. will, out of princely and Christian mind, graciously show himself in this, if God wills. May Christ our Lord graciously strengthen and govern your heart and mind, Amen. Monday after Nicolai [Dec. 7] 1534.
E. C. F. G. submissive Martinus Luther, D.
No. 2091.