Luther recommends M. Georg Aemilius (Oraler), best biblical histories, imagines mortis and other poetic writings around this time and in the following years became praiseworthy known. He wanted, as it seems, to dedicate poems of praise to the prince.
From Beckmann's Geschichte von Anhalt, V, 158 at De Wette, vol. V, p. 182. In both as to "Johann IV von Anhalt". The original is in Dessau. (Seidemann in De Wette, vol. VI, p. 458, note 2.)
1) Instead of de, we have assumed ts.
2) Instead of me ternum we have assumed in eternum.
To the most illustrious Prince and Lord, Lord George, Prince of Anhalt, Provost of the Church at Magdeburg, Count of Ascanien, Lord of Bernburg, his most gracious Lord.
Grace and peace in Christ. Most Serene Prince! M. Georg Aemilius, a very good young man who is excellently gifted with a poetic vein, has asked me to recommend him, who is unknown to E. F. G.. For he is seized by an extraordinary affection for your name and deeds, since he has heard, also through our award, that you are a prince who gives such a rare example, not only in our time, but also in all past times, since you, in addition to other virtues and gifts, which are bestowed upon you by God, and which put other princes in the shade, you not only cultivate and favor the sciences and all studies of the liberal arts (humanitatis) and of scholarship, but also practice them in fact and in your own person in the most excellent manner. Therefore, may the E. F. G. allow the virtues and gifts of God to be praised and extolled from her, whether by the example of E. F. G. other princes, but especially the ecclesiastical ones, may be stimulated, namely those who are good, or put to shame, those who are evil. For it is unseemly that so much light and adornment should be hidden under a bushel, and who should not wish that such people, even if only a few, should be found in the ecclesiastical regiment today? Yes, who should not have the confidence that, if we had even three noble regents in the church, similar to E. F. G., this very church would be reformed in a short time in the most prosperous way by good manners, to say nothing of the highest and first gift, namely, the pure teaching of the gospel, which would completely reign under your influence? For, as I have often testified to E. F. G., I do not desire the downfall of the bishoprics, but their reformation, and we pray daily that the Lord will condescend to finally use such an instrument as E. F. G. is, and to awaken to due government with such gifts. Therefore it pleased me that Aemilius wanted to glorify your name. Who knows.
Letters from the year 1539. No. 2537. 2538. 2539.
What opportunity does the Lord seek? For we are certain that E. F. G. will be more humbled than puffed up by these exaltations of praise, since she alone has the glory of God in mind most ardently and everywhere, and yet (even during E. F. G.'s lifetime) her light must not be hidden under a bushel. E. F. G. was quite at ease in Christ. On Tuesday after Exaudi [May 20] 1539.
E. F. G.
devoted
Martin Luther.
No. 2538.