Bonn, a native of Quackenbrück in Westphalia, was first Rector in Lübeck, and when Bugenhagen introduced the Reformation there in 1530, he was elected Superintendent. When in 1543 the bishop of Münster and Osnabrück wanted to reform his lands, he was called by him to Osnabrück to carry out this work. Now Luther asked him to follow this call, since the Lübeckers could manage without him for a while.
Printed in Tenzel's curiös. Biblioth. vol. I, p. 196; in Stark's Lübeck. Kirchenhist., vol. I, p. 90; in Strobel- Ranner, p. 319 and in De Wette, vol. V, p. 579 f. German in Walch, vol. XXI, 1322.
Grace and peace! In what you desire from me and at the same time from D. Pommer, my dear Bonn, behave in this way. Since you write, and I believe this very easily even without your letter, that the Bishop of Münster cannot do without your help in the new planting of the church, then I advise and persuade you that you will in no case leave the bishop.
who is called to the gospel by such a great gift of God. For you would not only cause trouble for all of us, but also for the spirit of Christ within us. We see God's miraculous deeds, who calls such great princes and bishops, which until now one could almost not even hope for, through His holy call, and draws them in sincere heart movement through the Spirit. How incompatible it would be with our confession and our salvation if we either neglected or hindered such a work of God! We would do so in any case if we wanted to withdraw from or abandon those to whom we should rather run and serve them with all our zeal. I hope that your Lübeckers, as sensible and conscientious men, will easily grant you so much time, even though their exceedingly godly care and zeal for you has pleased me very much. For I know no greater joy in this life than when I hear that the congregations love their shepherds, bear desire for them, and are zealous for them. But they will consider that after they have a well-ordered church, and very good men who can do your service in your place for a little while, they will gladly render this obedience to the Lord, so that through you and their patience other people may also obtain salvation, that the Father of our Lord JEsu Christ may be glorified even more. I have this hope for them, since I see that they are so disposed toward you that they do not want to do without you. There you have what I want and what I advise. I am unknown to your prince and bishop, but if it is not burdensome, you will offer my poor pater-noster to the Lord in my name. May you be well in him, and may you succeed, amen. August 5, 1543.
No. 3032. August 11, 1543.