Luther asks the princes to let their preacher Nicolaus Hausmann, who had received the appointment to the superattendence in Freiberg, to promote the Gospel.
First printed in 1830, after the original, in Lindner's "Mittheilungen," II, p. 47; then in the Erlangen edition, vol. 56, p. 211 and in De Wette-Seidemann, vol. VI, p. 202.
To the noble, highborn princes and lords, Mr. Johanns, Mr. Georgen and Mr. Joachim, brothers, princes of Anhalt and counts of Aschania and Bernburg, my gracious lords.
God's grace through our Lord Jesus Christ before. Illustrious, high-born, gracious princes and lords! E. F. G. I add to know that the most illustrious and highborn prince and lord, Mr. Johanns Friederich, Elector, Duke of Saxony 2c., my most gracious lord, has written to me, and graciously desires, after the worthy and respectable Magister Niclaus Hausmann has been appointed to the Superattendentia of the Churches at Freiburg (Freyburgk) by an honorable council at Freiburg.
and vocirt is that I want to work diligently with E. F. G. and with M. Niclao, so that this vocatio will not be rejected. For even though S. C. F. G. would well consider that E. F. G. would not gladly let M. Niclaum go, they nevertheless hoped that E. F. G. would be willing in view of the great need of the churches at Freiburg and would gladly help to improve them and prevent many troubles out of a Christian spirit. Now I hear that the illustrious, highborn prince and lord, Lord Heinrich, Duke of Saxony, has also written to Magistrum Niclaum and summoned him, that Magister Niclaus also recognizes his duty to serve the church in his fatherland and is willing to do so as much as he can. Therefore, I, E. F. G., graciously ask Magistro Nicolao to allow him to follow such appointment and to go to Freiberg (sic) to serve the same church. For even though he serves usefully in the present appointment, E. F. G. themselves know that the necessity of the church is not to be ignored. themselves know that the need in Freiberg is greater, since the church has recently been brought to a better state and is still tender and needs a noble, sedate, experienced man who could maintain peace between the preachers, who also has a reputation and good will among the surrounding towns, as Magister Nicolaus in particular is known there and very much loved because of his Christian, sedate nature, so E. F. G. have undoubtedly heard that he is a good man. F. G. have undoubtedly heard that before this time there was a lot of disagreement between the preachers there. Should the church now stand without a noble superintendent, then E. F. G. can assume what trouble there is to worry about, which E. F. G. themselves are undoubtedly most inclined to prevent. Therefore, in view of the great need, the Foundation also wants to do its best, and for the preservation of the church in question, in honor of our Lord Christ, to promote and help; and if the Foundation desires another person to take the place of Magistrate Nicolai, I will make every effort to again indicate to the Foundation a pious, learned and sedentary preacher. For I am willing to serve E. F. G.. Date Wittenberg, Wednesday ultima Julyi anno 1538.
E. F. G.
Martinus Luther.
Letters from the year 1538. No. 2453. 2454. 2455.
No. 2455.