Complete Luther Library

The Electoral Councils to Luther and the other theologians.

Volume 21b from the one-column St. Louis Edition English DOCX texts, reformatted for mobile reading on Last Christian Ministries.

Source text used with permission from Back to Luther.

Volume 21b

The Electoral Councils to Luther and the other theologians.

Return to Volume 21b

The councils ask by order of the Saxon princes that Eberhard Brisger of Altenburg be left as preacher in Zeitz.

The original concept is in the Weimar Archives, Reg. B, fol. 194. Printed by Burkhardt, p. 355.

Our friendly service before. Venerable and Reverend, Special, Dear Gentlemen and Friends! The Council of Zeitz has now petitioned the Electors and Princes of Saxony, our most gracious and gracious lords, on account of Magister Eberhard, who was assigned to them for a time as a preacher of the divine word by order of their electors and princes. who has been assigned to them for some time as a preacher of the divine word, with the request to leave him with them longer and to ordain and confirm him to them as a pastor, as you will then find to be true from the council's document, especially the first article of the same 1). Thereupon, before the same departure, our most gracious and gracious lords have ordered us to write to you on account of their Supreme and Federal Governments that they did not intend to do so without your prior knowledge, although their Supreme and Federal Governments had reservations about taking the aforementioned Magister Eberhard completely away from Altenburg and transferring him to another place. Since, however, the need still exists to provide the people of Zeitz with a learned, understanding, God-fearing man, who leads a good and honorable life and walk, according to the opportunity and form of the place, and they therefore ask so highly for the said Magister Eberhard, as can be seen from their writing, their chur- and F. G. would not be determined to do what is necessary to promote him in this case. have not decided what should be done most conveniently in this case for the advancement of the glory of God and the spreading of his divine word, and will make known your concern about the said Magister Eberhard, and will nevertheless be anxious to appoint someone in his place against Altenburg or perhaps against Zeitz, since he is not to remain at the end. In this, you show your chur- and F. G. to gracious favor, and we find you quite willing to serve kindly. Date Torgau, Friday after Whitsun [May 21] Anno 1540.

No. 2660.