Luther proposes Simon Haferitz as preacher to Koswigk.
Letters from 1533. no. 1978. 1979. 1980.
Printed in the Altenburg edition, vol. VIII, p. 980; in the Leipzig edition, vol. XXII, p. 564; in Walch, vol. XXI, 361; in De Wette, vol. IV, p. 449 and in the Erlangen edition, vol. 55, p. 13, and again, corrected from the original, vol. 56, p. 190.
To the most illustrious Prince and Lord, Lord Wolfgang, Prince of Anhalt, Count of Ascanien and Lord of Berneburg, my gracious Lord.
Grace and peace in Christ. Sublime prince, gracious lord! The parish of Koßwig has (as I have heard) been disposed of by the fatal departure of the previous pastor. Where E. F. G. has not yet conferred or provided the same, my humble request is that E. F. G. grant and confer it on this Simon Haferitz, letter pointer. For he is an almost skilful man, and exceedingly well spoken, now recently driven out of Grosse-Salze, and in misery. And although he may have erred somewhat in Münzer's time, he is nevertheless well armored, so that I think he should have atoned enough. So I would also like to know that he is near 1) us; who knows where we might need him once, as he is certainly needed. F. G. would graciously show himself, that will please God; and what I can serve F. G., I am willing and ready. Hiemit GOtt befohlen, Amen. Thursday after Cantate [May 15] 1533.
E. F. G. williger
D. Martinus Luther.
No. 1979.