Intercession for a displaced pastor, and news.
Handwritten in Cod. Jen. a, fol. 228. Printed by Luc1(i6U8, p. 247 and by De Wette, vol. IV, p. 630. German by Walch, vol. XXI, 1269.
To the highly famous man, M. Georg Spalatin, Superintendent in Meissen, his brother who is extremely dear to the Lord.
Grace and peace in the Lord! This pastor in Burkhartshain, named Wolfgang Gotzel, is expelled by his nobleman. He is already old and has several children.
1) Terent. Eunuch. III, 1, 9: Labore alieno magno partam gloriam verbis saepe in se transmovet, qui sal habet, quod in te est. Luther does not quote the passage literally.
2) perditum. Walch, on the other hand, has read peritum (skillful).
3) Only Walch gives this undoubtedly correct date. Schütze lists the letter under November 7.
and has faithfully administered his office up to now; my dear George, help him as much as you can. For it is cruel that Christ's poor should be so afflicted by ours, and this licentiousness of the nobility will do great harm to the Gospel. I therefore recommend him to you.
There is no news, except that Doctor Antonius is here, that black Englishman, as envoy of his king to our prince, and he desires that M. Philippus go to England to talk with the king. Hartmuth von Kronberg was here and was looking for his sister. This very honorable woman was indeed here for several months, unknown to us all. A certain Jew had kidnapped her, who was a widow, and made her his wife. But he was killed on the way by his relatives, she, called by his relatives in peace, came from Silesia. It is written that the cities of Greece summoned the Emperor Carl as a liberator from the Turkish tyranny. The happiness of this man is unheard of, may Christ accomplish it, amen. Of our plague I know nothing, so all lie everything. It is said of many persons that they have been buried for three days, and behold, they live quite well. May God punish these shameful people who are masters in lying and deceiving the people. Fare well in the Lord and pray for me. September 6, 1535 My Lord Käthe greets you respectfully with all your flesh.
Your Martin Luther.
No. 2167.