Luther testifies to his participation in the fate of their pastor D. Cyriacus Gerich 2) from Zerbst, who, as it seems, had become insane.
From the Cod. Dessav. B mitgetheilt von Prof. Lindner zu Dessau in the theol. Studien und Kritiken von 1835, p. 350; in the Erlanger Ausgabe, vol. 56, p. XLVI and in De Wette-Seidemann, vol. VI, p. 227.
To the honorable and wise, mayors and councilmen of the old city of Bernburg, my favorable good friends.
2) This name is also written: Gerüchen, Gericke, Jarchen and Jerken. Seidemann in De Wette, Vol. VI, p. 227.
3) "Master Andres" is the Wittenberg "balber" or wound physician Andreas Engelhart. (Seidemann, Lutherbriefe, p. 68 "wrong 86)1, note 3.)
Letters from the year 1539. No. 2533 a to 2536.
Hiemit GOtt befohlen; wollen auch D. Cyriacus in unserm prayer nicht vergessen, der Hoffnung, es soll schier besser werden, Amen. On St. Philip's etc. Day [May 1] 1539.
Martinus Luther.
No. 2534.
To Magnus, Duke of Mecklenburg.
Answer to No. 2492: Luther reassured the Duke that he had done enough for the implementation of the Reformation in Mecklenburg according to his position.
The original is in the Grand Ducal Archives at Schwerin. Printed in J. B. Verpoortens Historischer Nachricht von der Verfassung des Fürstenthums Schwerin. 1741. 4th supplement 5, p. 35; in Frank, Altes und neues Mecklenburg, IX, p. 200; in D. J. B. Krey, Beiträge zur mecklenburgischen Kirchen- und Gelehrtengeschichte, vol. I, p. 27. Rostock 1818, and (after the latter) in De Wette, vol. V, p. 181.
To the highly famous and worthy Prince and Lord, Lord Magnus, Duke of Mecklenburg, [Prince] of Wenden etc., Administrator of the Schwerin Parish, his most gracious Lord.
Grace and peace in Christ! I have read the letter in which E. F. G. inquires whether she has done enough for the conscience that she demanded the restoration of the church in the public meeting and protests that it is not E. F. G.'s fault, since it has been stated by others that this restoration is not proceeding properly. In fact, I consider this to be the case: since the sovereigns in the Schwerin parish are divided, and E. F. G. does not have the power to restore the church. F. G. does not have the power to force the other part, but only to exhort it, especially in a matter that has not yet taken root: so my opinion is that E. F. G. has done enough, especially since E. F. G. testifies that in the part where she can diligently exercise supervision, the churches are supplied with the word of God. Therefore, it only remains that E. F. G. presses for the authority and the promise. When this is given, the spirit of the council will give further advice. In Him, E.F.G. is quite at ease. In a hurry and under a lot of business. On the day before the Ascension of the Lord (May 14) 1539.
E. F. G. devoted
Martin Luther.
No. 2535.
Concerns of the Wittenberg theologians about the Reformation of the University of Leipzig.
(Regest.)
This concern was made for Duke Henry the Pious and was probably written by Melanchthon, but has no signatures. Whether it was written between May 23 and 29, during which time Luther, Jonas and Melanchthon were in Leipzig, or before, cannot be determined.
From the Acts in the Weimar Archives, Reg. JJ, fol. 141, printed in Corp. Ref., Vol. III, 712. On the reverse side, this document has the inscription (presumably in the hand of Brück): "Concerns of the scholars, welchergestalt die Universität zu Leipzig durch Herzog Henrichen sollt reformirt werden, ist H. Henrichen zugeschickt. Wayda 1539."
No. 2536.