Answer to No. 2220: You propose Hieronymus Weller or Michael Cölius as preacher for Naumburg.
The original is in the Weimar Archives, Reg. Ji, fol. 121 u. 1536. 6. 4.10., without personal signatures, but with three original seals, which are well preserved. Printed by Burkhardt, p. 248.
Most Serene, Highborn Prince and Lord! To Your Lordly Grace we are grateful for our
1) "offer" put by us instead of: "worship".
I am ready to render the services I have leased in complete obedience at all times. Most gracious Lord! Ew. ch. G.'s letter concerning a pious Christian and learned preacher to provide the city of Naumburg, we have received it in submission and have heard all its contents, and are eager to comply with Ew. ch. G.'s request, but we want to humbly submit the same to Ew. F. G.'s humble opinion that at this time there are few skilled preachers to be had, especially those that can be dispensed with here, with the exception of Doctor Hieronymus Weller, who at our request might perhaps be used for this purpose. In addition, he has written Michael Celius, Count Albrecht of Mansfeld's preacher, before me, Martino Luther, Doctor, and asked that I provide him with a ministry and preaching chair elsewhere, assuming that he might obtain and take his leave and leave of absence from the said Count, my gracious lord, who is also skilled and pious for such an office. Which of these two would please Ew. ch. G., we want to deal with him diligently, and to be able of our hope to accept such service, so that the people of the place will not be deprived of the recognized divine truth, but will be provided with it. Therefore, we would like to have your chf. graciously consider this, because we would like to thank your chf. We are willing to serve them obediently at all times to the best of our ability. Date Wittenberg, on Tuesday after Judica [April 4] Anno 1536.
E. churf. G.
subservient, obedient Martinus Luther, Just. Jonas, provost, Johann Bugenhagen, pastor, doctores, and Philippus Melanchthon.
No. 2224.
To the Elector Johann Friedrich.
Request to give the income of the Wartburg estate to Hieronymus Weller.
According to the original in the Weimar Archives, Reg. Oo, Eisenach, reprinted in Burkhardt, p. 249.
Grace and peace in Christ etc. Most Serene, Highborn Prince, Most Gracious Lord! The time is now approaching Walpurgis, that according to E. C. F. G. prescription Doctor Hieronymus Weller shall receive the 40 fl. on the castle Wartemberg from a fief. Now Er Inst Menius writes that because the same fief is ordered to the Sequestratoribus, he will neither in Eisenach nor in Weißensee 1) be able to obtain anything on the said prescription, where E. C. F. G. does not give the Sequestratoribus order that they let such fief follow the Schösser or Schultheißen in Eisenach, and will be, as before the year, messenger's fee and letter for nothing. I have humbly notified E. C. F. G. of this letter with the humble request that they graciously arrange for the 40 fl. to be given to the aforementioned Doctor Hieronymo, or where he should wait for it. Because the sequestratores are scattered, it is difficult to find them or to bring them together, as he also indicates. E. C. F. G. will know how to show gracious counsel in this matter. Hiemit GOtt befohlen, Amen. Thursday after Judica [April 6] 1536.
E. C. F. G. submissive Martinus Luther, D.
No. 2225.
Elector Johann Friedrich to Luther, Jonas, Bugenhagen and Melanchthon.
(Regest.)
The Elector decides in favor of Michael Cölius as the preacher to be appointed in Naumburg.
From the Weimar Archives, Reg. Ji, fol. 121a.
C. 4. 40, printed by Burkhardt, p. 250. - Burkhardt notes: It is not clear from the acts whether the choice was made by Cölius. Until the definitive filling of the position was provisional and temporary D. Jonas in Naumburg, who left on Thursday after Egidii [Sept. 7] 1536 with great praise of the city, which was made known to the Elector in a special letter.
1) In these places the fief had the income (Burkhardt).
No. 2226.