The Elector reports that he has agreed to the temporary relocation of D. Jonas to Zerbst.
From the Weimar Archives, Registrande Ll, pag. 213. n. 151. 3. reprinted in Burkhardt, p. 298.
U. Greeting before. Venerable and reverend, dear devotee! We have heard your letter, which you have now sent to us in response to the request of the Reverend and Venerable, our dear elders, the Princes of Anhalt, for the sake of Doctor Jonas, together with the contents of her dear handwriting, and we are pleased to hear your concern.
Letters from the year 1537. No. 2405. 2405a. 2406.
and we do not want any way to let the said Doctor Jonam come substantially from the University. However, since the people of Zerbst are not to have a pastor and preacher at this time, we have graciously consented to God for the praise and promotion of His word, and also to the kind favor of our neighbors from Anhalt, and especially because much rule will now come there, that Doctor Jonas may be used as a preacher there between here and Shrove Tuesday, with the avoidance that their lords may endeavor to find a pastor, for which we would gladly be of assistance to them. And therefore it is our gracious request, where our lords of Anhalt or those of Zerbst will apply to you for a pastor, that you be and appear conducive to them, so that they will be provided with a competent and skillful man. We, in our gracious opinion, do not want you to do this, and we are graciously inclined to you. Date Torgau, Thursday Johannis Evangelistä [27 Dec.] 1538 [that is 1537].
No. 2405a.