Luther reports that he has made the desired intercession for Wilhelm Rink, sends him entrusted writings about Duke George's negotiations with his prelates at the Diet in Leipzig and speaks about the desirable right use of the ecclesiastical goods. He will try to procure the two requested preachers.
In Lindner, Mittheilungen, p. 51, with the incorrectly solved date: "October 19"; likewise in the Erlanger Ausgabe, vol. 56, p. 216. With correct dating in Seidemann - De Wette, vol. VI, p. 209.
1) namely the innocent party.
2) "obangezeigtem" put by us instead of: "obengezeigtem".
To the illustrious, highborn prince and lord, Mr. Georgen, Thumprobst of Magdeburg, prince of Anhalt, count of Ascanien, lord of Bernburg, my gracious lord.
G. and peace in Christ. Sublime, highborn Prince, gracious Lord! For the sake of Wilhelm Rinecken 1) I did not know otherwise, because I would have answered E. F. G. in the next letter. I know for certain that I had it in mind when I wrote, as it also fell from my pen. For my head and heart are full of thoughts. So age is now here and, weakened by work, has been forgotten. I therefore ask E. F. G. to have patience with me, an old forgotten man; for, without E. F. G.'s intercession, I myself would like to be at Wilhelm Rincken's beck and call wherever I can, as my special good friend, and also a true Christian, since I consider him to be. Therefore I add to E. F. G.'s knowledge that my gracious lord, even over the table, has graciously accepted my request and ordered in the canteen that S. C. F. G. want to take Wilhelm Rincken's things into the plot 2c. for E. F. G.'s faithful sake 2c.
That E. F. G. afterwards desires from Duke Georgeil and his prelates trade at Leipzig, as M. Hausmaun is said to have written, I would have written to E. F. G. long ago. So it happens to me that often other good friends' letters and queries occur, after which there is no one to request it, often the messengers do not wait nor request it, but I cannot be ready for everyone at all hours, as no lesser or greater office can do; so the answers remain with me and decay. Therefore, I am now sending the writings that have been entrusted to me; E. F. G. will know how to send them back to me. I have spoken verbally with E. F. G. how much I would like the bishoprics and large monasteries to remain for church entertainment, so that Germany would not become a Bohemian (Behemian) confusio. For E. F. G. can well see in this writing where Duke George's thoughts lie;
1) Seidemann calls him "Rink" from Mansfeld. In Luther's letters to Melanchthon of Feb. 2, 1539, he is written Rinke.
and will certainly become much worse after his death. The wretched man, Cardinal von Hall, could do much good and help here; but the devil rides him that he asks nothing of the poor church and its descendants. Well, God help; if not, then Cardinal von Schönberg's word will become truth, since he said: We do not want to do now, because we can; afterwards Germany will not be brought back as we think. Although I am the Pope's arch-enemy, I would like to see the monasteries and convents come into proper use, first of all for the church, then, what is left, for common secular benefit (as is reasonable); primum quaerite regnum Dei etc. ("Seek first the kingdom of God" 2c.). Behold, have I become a preacher? But for this reason, gracious Prince and Lord, because the Holy Father desires some persons for pastoral care, and we ourselves are in short supply everywhere, such gossip has occurred to me that now almost no one helps to educate persons, except what my most gracious Lord, the Prince, does, which cannot reach far, although the Holy Father uses the monasteries' goods for this purpose. Therefore, I ask that His Holiness also help me and do what is possible, as I quite comfortingly assure His Holiness. However, I will look around to see where I can find the two people E. F. G. has requested. I hereby command the dear God, who is himself bishop, as he is, of his dear bride and church, so that we may also ask and help, as St. Paul says: Cooperatores sumus, sicut agricola est cooperator Dei in frumento creando, sed instru- mentalis et ,inductus [We are co-workers, just as the farmer is God's co-worker in bringing forth grain, but a tool-like and brought-forward one]. E. F. G. give me credit for my ramblings. Sabbatho post undecim V[ir]ginum [Oct. 26]. Si vera est historia [On Saturday after the eleven(thousand) virgins, if the story is true]. 1538.
E. F. G.
Martinus Luther.
2) This word is clumsily abbreviated in Seidemann: "gn.tl.". The Erlangen edition offers: "gn. h.".
Letters from the year 1538. No. 2470. 2471. 2472.
No. 2470.