Luther asks him to reassure the people of Werdau and to persuade them that they are satisfied with their pastor.
A simultaneous poor copy is in the Weimar Archives, Reg. C. 9. 27. Printed by Burkhardt, p. 320. Burkhardt remarks on the matter: "The interrogation of the tradesmen and citizens, which took place on December 30, 1538, had the result that Riemann was completely incomprehensible and did not keep order of thought in the sermon. (Cf. the Electoral Rescript of June 3, 1539.) Incidentally, the Elector promised the congregation that he would provide for another pastor, but they would have to be patient. (June 26, 1539.) Luther's position on the matter can be seen in his letter to Riemann of Aug. 2, 1539. Spalatin admitted that Riemann was hard in the pulpit because the people were hard and rough, as they had already removed two pastors (namely Andres Hautzhaufen, currently at Cöthen, and Wolfgang Agricola, currently at Briesnitz). However, Riemann remained in Werdau, although a decree of the Elector from Oct. 9, 1539, is available that Riemann should be transferred to Ronneburg.
Grace and peace! I see, my dear Spalatin, that you 1) are rich in goodness, not to say in kindness and forbearance. For apart from Zwickau, 2) there is no town in the territory of our prince against which I am more unwilling (if it may be) than Werdau (Werde); so much do I dislike their Voigtland heads, which think that this task has been given to them, that they always worry their pastors.
1) Instead of tua in Burkhardt we have assumed to.
2) Here is a completely illegible word in the original, which Burkhardt added like this.
Letters from the year 1539. No. 2536. 2537.
No. 2537.