Luther could not find an apartment for her in Wittenberg, where she wanted to come because of her sick mother, and resisted her coming.
First printed in 1830, after the original, in Lindner's "Mittheilungen," vol. II, p. 43; in the Erlangen edition, vol. 56, p. 207 and in De Wette-Seidemann, vol. VI, p. 188.
To the illustrious, high-born princess, Frauen Margarethen, née princess of Brandenburg, princess of Anhalt, countess of Ascanien and Frauen zu Bernburg, my gracious wives.
Serene, highborn princess, madam! E. F. G. are my dutiful and obedient service always ready with diligence before. Gracious Princess! After E. F. G. in her recent farewell indicated to me that the same E. F. G. would be inclined and willing to go to the same mother,
2) The "Margravine" is Elisabeth, the widow of Joachim I of Brandenburg, mother of Princess Margaretha of Anhalt, the wife of Prince Johann of Anhalt.
Letters from the year 1537. no. 2380. 2381. 2382.
and therefore requested that I provide shelter for E. F. G. together with some associated persons in my dwelling or otherwise set up a comfortable shelter close by: now, because the city is full of people everywhere and all corners are completely full, I cannot provide E. F. G. with a suitable dwelling nor do I know how to do so. Therefore, I do not consider it necessary that E. F. G. be with the same mother, for her grace, God willing, shall have no lack, for which I will spare no possible effort. Thus, I am also of the comforting hope that the Almighty God will now turn and send things to improvement more and more from day to day, which is why our church always implores God. Should the F. G. now go about this, and neither have nor be able to get a comfortable place to stay for the F. G., as mentioned above, the F. G. will have to consider this themselves, since it will be completely inflexible. Therefore, E. F. G., because it has no need nor should have any need with the same wife mother, as touched, if God wills, know how to abstain. I have humbly wished to indicate this to your Lordship, for I am quite willing and undaunted to render her obligatory and obedient service in all respects. Wittenberg, on Wednesday after Mauricii [26 Sept.] Anno 1537.
E. F. G.
humble, obedient Martinus Luther of Wittenberg and Doctor.
No. 2381.
To Augustin Himmel, preacher in Colditz.
Luther sends him a schoolmaster and recommends him.
From the Kraft Collection at Husum in Schütze, Vol. III, p. 47 and in De Wette, Vol. V, p. 77.
Grace and peace in Christ! Caspar Schaller, a godly and poor man, the bearer of the letter, is sent to you, my dear Augustin, to lead your boys' school. I wish you to let him be highly recommended to you. Then I ask that you, also on my account, either order the superiors of the church treasury to
or to wrest from them that some pay be paid to him so that he may clothe and furnish himself, but that afterwards this be restored or charged in his own time according to the rules of subtraction 2c. If I can be of service to you again, you will find me ready. For this man's extreme need compels me to write to you for him, since in the meantime there is no other way to advise and help him, until another position presents itself, of which he is worthy. For he is a gifted man, well instructed in scholarship and music, who, having lost his own through misfortune, has fallen into extreme poverty. Be well with all your own, happy in Christ, Amen. Thursday after Mauritius [Sept. 27] Anno 1537. Yours, Martin Luther.
Neustadt. No. 2382. 5 October 1537.
To Johann Fesel, pastor at Coburg.
Luther's petition for him had been carried. The Elector was unhappy about the neglect of the ordinances that had been issued by the visitators. Fesel will receive what is his.
The original with seal is at the royal library in Stuttgart. Printed by Kolde, Analecta, p. 312.
To the extremely dear brother, M. Johann Fesel, the faithful servant of the word at Coburg.
Grace and peace in Christ! The chancellor has told me, my dear Fesel, that my petition has been promoted, as you will perhaps also hear from Kastner and H. von Sternberg. For the Prince is very indignant about those who neglect what has been decreed by the Visitation, and they have been soundly scolded. If you should perhaps see that the Kastner is disturbed by this scolding, you can comfort him, because this scolding was not directed against him, but against the one to whom it was due. For I am afraid that if he has already been disturbed or troubled, it may now come to the ears of his wife, and disturb the very good woman even more. Your salaries will now be put in order and taken care of again. And they 1) will call obstetricians, because
1) probably: the visitators.
Letters from the year 1537. No. 2382 to 2386.
The council has also been flagellated. Other things at another time. Greetings to all of us, especially the Kastner and his wife. From Neustadt (Neapoli), October 5, 1537.
Martin Luther.
No. 2383.
Ordination certificate for Jakob Stigel.
From the Cyprian collection at Gotha in Schütze, vol. III, p. 48 and in De Wette, vol. V, p. 78.
Jakob Stigel, from Moravia, came here and reported that he had been called by the church in Saalfeld to the office of a deacon, and asked that he be given the office of teaching the gospel and administering the sacraments by public ordination, as is customary in our church. Since he had a testimony of his calling and approved the way of the church in Saalfeld, we found out, after we had inquired about his doctrine, that he accepts and holds the pure doctrine of the gospel, which the general church of Christ professes and which we teach in our church, and that he has an abhorrence of all ungodly and fanatical opinions, which are rejected by the judgment of the general church of Christ, and which argue with the doctrine that is presented in our church. But he has promised diligence and faithfulness in his preaching ministry, and that he will teach and defend the very doctrine of the general church of Christ, which we confess, in a pure manner. Therefore, according to the word of God, through the reputation of our church, the calling was confirmed by public ordination and this Jacob was commanded the office of teaching the gospel and administering the sacraments. This is testified by this letter. And since the church appoints church ministers by God's command, we implore with right and godly prayers that this gospel, where Jacob teaches it, may be strong, and that our Lord Jesus Christ may be rightly recognized and revered, and that many may come to godliness and be saved. Given at Wittenberg, on the seventh day of October, Anno 1537.
Martin Luther, D.
No. 2384.