Luther asks her, the wife of Duke Henry of Saxony, to conduct the church visitation that was to be set up after Duke George's death.
Printed in the Leipzig Supplement, p. 86, no. 155; in Walch, vol. XXI, 419; after the original in Cod. Seidel. in Dresden in De Wette, vol. V, p. 197 and in the Erlangen edition, vol. 55, p. 237.
To the illustrious, highborn Princess and Lady, Katherin, née Duchess of Mekelnburg 2c., Duchess of Saxony, Landgravine in Thuringia and Margravine of Meissen, my gracious wives.
Grace and peace in Christ. Sublime, highborn princess, gracious lady! Because my gracious Duke Henry is old and weak, and the regiment so new to His Grace is heavier and more numerous, that of course He Antonius alone and those beside him are not able to do everything; but I hope that His Grace will have less trouble: so my humble request is that His Grace will at some time suggest and ask that the visitation be done properly. F.G. would like to help at the right time and ask that the visitation continue in an orderly manner; for there are some evil people in Leipzig who always hope that it will go away and finally fall into ashes. A booklet against the Visitatores is also said to have gone out.
[If that were so, we would have to answer against it. Here, the F.F.G. wanted to help, so that a little fire would not start; they might know restraint, and may be obedient to something serious, which they have learned; otherwise, it would seem as if they let them command what they want, and they do what they desire. E. F. G. wanted to turn to the word of God in honor, and to ward off the devil, gracious diligence, that will be the most pleasant sacrifice and prayer to God the Father. In the grace of E. F. G. be commanded, Amen. Monday after Jacobi [July 28] 1539.
E. F. G.
willing Martinus Luther, D.
No. 2566.
To Johann Riemann, pastor in Werdau.
About Riemann's transfer from Werdau. Compare letters No. 2536 and 2541.
From the original in Schütze, vol. I, p. 293 and in De Wette, vol. V, p. 578. Manuscript in Aurifaber, vol. III, p. 408 and in Cod. Jen. B. 24. n, fol. 181. Placed by all in the year 1543. However, two copies in the Weimar Archives, Reg. Ji, 138 b. C. 9. 27, one of which is by Riemann's hand, have the year 1539, where the letter undoubtedly belongs.
To Johann Riemann, faithful and loud pastor in Werdau.
Grace and peace! After reading your letter, my dear Johann, I could not answer immediately, since I was overwhelmed with a lot of business. But you shall think that I am not at all well-disposed towards the Werdans (which they will easily despise in view of their security), after I have read their accusations, and as much as I care, I will not see to it that they have either you or another as pastor, but will let them go in their desires, as I did with the Zwickauers after Hausmann was expelled. Quite true shall be this saying (esto): "Voigtländische Köpf, grobe Ochsen." I did not raise this, but I wonder where it may have originated, for it is often in the mouths of all, only that the Zwickauers taught me the belief in former times. Of course, your Werdauer will do the same. Christ
will nevertheless be the Lord, and He who could lose Jerusalem will undoubtedly consider Werdau and Zwickau significantly inferior. I have not yet been ordered by the court. I have heard that if you have to be transferred, you must first be provided with another parish. In the meantime, you may remain at Werdau until they have found another, and you another, unless something else comes from the court. Nor will you cease to punish morals, because that is the office of the pastor, as you know from Paul [2 Tim. 4:2]: "Punish, threaten, admonish." And Christ cries out Matt. 23, "Woe, woe, woe!" With these few words, I pray, you will be satisfied. On the second of August Anno 1539.
Your Martin Luther, D.
No. 2567.