Ueber die Besetzung der Superintendentur in Freiberg; von M. Nicolaus Hausmanns Tode.
Handwritten in Cod. Goth. Printed in H. Welleri Opp. omn. at the end, p. 206 and in De Wette, Vol. V, 139.
4) We did not know how to use the word "omnem" in the text.
5) Kolde has added this non. - As we see from Luther's answer to this letter, dated January 2, 1539, this concerns Luther's writing Wider Cardinal Albrecht, Bischof zu Magdeburg, St. Louis edition, vol. XIX, 1888. Cf. the introduction there, pp. 28b f.
Letters from the year 1538. No. 2490. 2491.
Grace and peace in Christ! That I have not written until now, my dear Jerome, was due to the fact that I thought my letter was not necessary, after I had understood, not only from your letters, but also from the report of our prince, that your church was provided with the superintendent Mr. Paul, 1) and what pleased you and the prince could not displease me. I thought that you could easily think this, since you knew that your advice could not appear bad to me, much less ungodly, since I consider you to be very good people and devoted to godliness. But this I did not know, that Mr. Paul was to take this position, and that you were to be placed in his place. In this I must investigate the mind of [our] 3) princes; when I will know this, I will recommend you to the Senate as soon as possible, for I will write nothing but that you had taken over the theological lecture, as you wrote. About the [very good] 4) man, Mr. Hausmann, I would have written long ago, but I myself have also been sickly, so that I have not read nor preached for a long time. The accident of the gentleman was very much concealed from me, until I learned it by chance through a speech of the prince, but very darkly.5) And I wonder why
1) Paul Lindemann (Lindauer, Lindenauer). (Seidemann.)
2) There is a gap here that may want to be filled in this way.
3) Inserted by us into the gap located here.
4) In the Cod. Goth. is a gap here; optimo added by us.
5) Only Kolde, "Martin Luther", vol. II, p. 474, has given the date of Hausmann's death with certainty, namely November 3, 1538. Köstlin comes close to the truth ("M. Luther", vol. II, p. 528). De Wette, vol. V, p. 139, assumes October, and Seidemann, "Lutherbriefe", p. 49, September 1. - Still on November 1, Hausmann had written a letter to Prince George of Anhalt (Kolde, Analecta, p. 332, note 6). On November 4, the preacher Bernhard von Dölen announced Hausmann's death to Jonas. This letter reached Wittenberg on Nov. 6 (see St. Louis edition, Vol. XXII, 1300, Tischreden, Cap. 48, §4.) - It is striking that Luther says here in our letter that he learned of the death from the prince, while Lauterbach reports in the same place that Luther's wife, Melanchthon, Jonas and Lauterbach had allmälig brought him the news. - Melanchthon's letter to Hieronymus Weller, Corp. Ref., Vol. III, 607, No. 1751, is to be dated November 8 (instead of November 18 with Peucer, as already Köstlin 1. e. p. 680 aä p. 529 has noted).
they conceal this from me. I know that Mr. Hausmann has been a righteous man in Christ and has fulfilled the word Psalm 116, 15: "The death [of his saints] 6) is worth keeping in the sight of the Lord," and in the Book of Wisdom, 7) Cap. 4, 7. "The righteous, by whatsoever death he is taken, yet is he at rest." For how often have I also been dead in the pulpit, and yet 8) I live. But of this at another time. Fare well in Christ. Monday after the birth of the Savior [Dec. 30] 1538.
I ask you to tell the senators Losan 9) and Lieskirchen that they should scold the messenger so that he does not come again in such a hopeful and commanding manner. For yesterday, since he wanted it to be considered fair that I dedicate the feast day 10) to him, and since there was nothing on that day that he could have done, he almost wanted to play the Lord. Monday after the birth of the Savior [Dec. 30] 1538.
No. 2491.
To Sebastian Heller, Ansbach Chancellor.
Another recommendation of the clergyman recommended in No. 2434; praise of the Ansbach students in Wittenberg.
From the original in the von Imhof collection at Nuremberg in Schütze, vol. III, p. 82 and in De Wette, vol. V, p. 140. According to Corp. Ref., vol. III, 576, Melanchthon is the author.
To the distinguished man, Mr. Sebastian Heller, Doctor of Laws and Chancellor of Margrave George.
Although I knew that after your kindness you had long since accepted this citizen of yours of your own free will, I nevertheless gladly gave him a letter to you, since he asked for it. For both the memory of your virtue and of our friendship is very pleasant to me, and I am not unwillingly at the will of this Stibarus. For I have perceived that he is a modest man.
6) Added by us.
7) Instead of sapienter, read sapientiae.
8) Instead of turn, we have assumed camouflage.
9) We have adopted Seidemann's conjecture: "Losan" instead of: "Josan". De Wette, vol. VI, p. 634, note 2.
10) It was Sunday, December 29.
He is a man and very fond of the fine arts. I admonished him, when he left, that he should teach in the church modestly what is necessary for godliness, and that he should follow your leadership (autoritatem) in all things. He has promised both. Therefore, as you have done until now, you will take him under your protection. For you see that our state needs your protection.
You have quite a few students (scholasticos) here, for whom there is very good hope, and we truly have no others now who are preferable to yours. If our studies are not disturbed by warlike disturbances, I hope that the youth will be happily encouraged in every kind of teaching, and that the churches will finally have well-instructed leaders. This matter will one day serve for harmony, and I pray with all my heart that our Lord Jesus Christ may restore it. There is complete silence about the Concilium in Italy, although three Cardinals have met in Vicenza, Campegius, Sadoletus and Alexander, but they are still silent larvae (xxxx xxxxxxx). Here, by God's grace, our relatives are well, together with their children and wives. Be well. Anno 1538.
Your Martin Luther. 1)
No. 2492.