Letter of recommendation for Sebastian Schmidt. News from the Turks and the Emperor.
From Faber's collection of letters, p. 52, in De Wette, vol. V, p. 580 f. and in the Erlangen edition, vol. 56, p. 63.
G. u. F. and my poor Pr. nr. Serene, highborn Prince, gracious [Sir]! Bastian Schund, our city child, has asked me, because he has been put off by E. F. G. for his studio, I wanted to send him to E. F. G. and ask E. F. G. to help him graciously. Because he had previously served in Prussia ill the school, there he also received so much testimony that D. Speratus, Bishop of Posamien, has entrusted and commanded his son [to him] 1) all here in the studio: so my humble request is that E. F. G. would have him in grace and be helpful to him for a time from the monastery goods for his studio. For E. F. G. (I am well aware of that) needs church servants himself. So other countries must also have from us (where possible) what is left to us.
New newspaper E. F. G. will know more, because we. The Turk shall be there with power. The emperor shall still be alive, even though many find it hard to believe. May God mercifully punish us. For such great ingratitude for the suffering of his dear Son and contempt for his holy word cannot remain unpunished. But his own will ask for the merciful punishment for themselves, the others may suffer what they deserve. Hiemit dem lieben GOtte befohlen, Amen. Tuesday after Laurentii [Aug. 14] 1543.
Martinus LutheR, D.
No. 3034.
To Duke Albrecht of Prussia.
Letter of recommendation for Doctor Johann Bretschneider, the bearer of the previous letter.
Printed (without citing the source) in De Wette, vol. V, p. 581 and in the Erlangen edition, vol. 56, p. 64.
1) Added by us. Albert Speratus, the son of Bishop Paul Speratus, was inscribed at Wittenberg in March 1543 (Album p. 202).
G. and F. in the Lord. Sublime, highborn Prince, gracious Lord! I worry that my writing to E. F. G. will be too much, as often as I come with letters; but I have to do it, and I hope that E. F. G. will graciously grant it to me, because I am supposed to serve others with it, and I am asked to do so; otherwise I would know how to spare E. F. G. and others of the same kind, who otherwise have enough to do. Doctor Johannes Bretschneider has asked me to give him this writing to E. F. G., because he is looking for E. F. G.'s service, so that E. F. G. will see that he has kept himself quite well with us, and is a pious, learned, faithful man, who (I hope) will please E. F. G.. Therefore, I ask that E. F. G. graciously command him. God grant E. F. G. spirit and strength to do His will, amen. Tuesday after Sanct Laurentii [Aug. 14] 1543.
E. F. G.
willingR
Martinus LutheR, D.
No. 3035.