Luther recommends an Austrian who was employed as a preacher in Saxony but could not stand the air.
Handwritten in Wolfenbüttel in the Doc. Helmst. 107 and in Aurifaber, vol. III. Printed in Schütze, vol. II, p. 340 and in De Wette, vol. IV, p. 604.
To Erhard Schnepf, servant of Christ in Stuttgart.
Grace and peace in Christ! My Theobald, 1) who is pastor of a certain church with us, my best Erhard, comes to you, not out of sacrilegiousness or inconsideration, in order to change the place, but because he is induced by a certain pastor Jakob, who is neighboring you, by the better prospect that he could be provided with some preaching ministry there, especially in a village. It is a matter that concerns life and limb, because it seems that our swampy and very northern air does not want to suffer the Austrian body here, which is accustomed to the mild southern and purer air. Otherwise, if the health of the body did not drive it to it, it could remain here in the quite tolerable position (as it admits itself), which it has at present. I therefore commend to you a very sincere and reliable man, a true Nathanael, a very righteous Israelite without falsehood, and do not doubt that what you show to this one you have shown to Christ. For of me I say nothing; I wish that he may be advised as I am.
Here in the corner there is no news. The
1) Diedelhuber. See the following number.
2) maxime. To this, De Wette makes the remark: assumption instead of minime.
Letters from the year 1535. No. 2130 to 2133.
I have read Ambrosius Blaurer's 1) treatise on defense, and it would please me well, and I wish that it would be understood sincerely. For it has caused offence to many that he disputes so anxiously that he had never been of a different opinion before, which, as one thinks, is hard to believe; but for the sake of a firm agreement, I let it please me as fair and good. For those who mean right from the heart, may they have become lukewarm 2) or may they have been enemies, I gladly forgive completely. Fare well in Christ, dearest Erhard; he will complete in you his work which he began for his glory, amen. On the day before Pentecost [May 15] Anno 1535. Yours, Martin Luther.
No. 2131.