Intercession for a pastor gone mad.
The original is in the Coburg House and State Archives. Printed by Burkhardt, p. 369. - The pastor in need of help (name unknown) stayed with Andreas Siegmann, pastor on the mountain outside Eilenburg. By order of the Elector, the latter received through the sequestrators the support of 10 fl. per year requested by Luther. (dated Wittenberg, Wednesday after Valentini [16 Feb.] 1541). (Burkhardt.)
G. and F. in Christ. Most Serene, Highborn Prince, Most Gracious Lord ! A case has arisen in which no one can advise us except E. C. F. G. A poor priest has become mad (as I think) with poverty; for he has been expelled from his parish without cause, and is said to have suffered more accidents that one must wait for him so that he does not harm himself or others; he has a wife and six children, which is fine with me. He is with the priest in front of the castle at Eulenburg, which contains him with wife and children, burdensome enough, as E. C. F. G. may inquire about it with said priest. He came to see me and told me that there was an old schoolhouse there, whether he could get it, and perhaps a conversation, until things would be better with him. E. C. F. G., as a father of the poor, wanted to help, advise and have gracious understanding in this matter. For the devil, who seeks us all, would like to see where the fence is lowest and climb over it to help the poor man.
harm. Thus, we do not know when Christ will come closest to us, or in which he will greet us the most, or else he will lie at our door in poor Lazaro. E. C. F. G. will know how to keep Christian in this, because it is a great need. Hiemit dem lieben HErrn Christo befohlen, Amen. Wednesday after Dorothea [Feb. 9] 1541.
E. C. F. G.
subservient
Martinus Luther, D.
No. 2752.