Luther sends him the preacher promised in No, 3035.
Handwritten in Aurifaber, Vol. III, p. 409. Printed in Schütze, Vol. I, p. 271 and in De Wette, Vol. V, p. 585.
Grace and peace in Christ! As we promised, we are sending another man in place of the deceased Balthasar, esteemed man, and refer to you the very good man, M. Johann Frisius, of whom we believe, 1) that he will be very pleasant and comfortable to E. G. also for this reason, because he was also known to E. G. before. Therefore, E. G. receives a highly recommended person, whom we consider worthy of this profession, as much as it is allowed and given among us humans. For who is by himself competent enough for the ministry of preaching? says Paul [2 Cor. 2:16]. The Word is God's, the Sacraments are God's, the Church is God's, so that the angels do not consider themselves worthy of this ministry, and in what is said,
1) Here a predicate is missing in Latin; we have added credimus. - "E. G." == Your Gestrengen, the title of the nobles.
to always look into it 2) [1 Petr. 1, 12/. The Lord who calls him, grant that he may bear much fruit with the Holy Spirit, which remains forever. May he be well in Him, amen. August 18, Anno 1543.
Your Martin Luther, D.
No. 3038.
To Eberhard Brisger, preacher in Altenburg.
Luther exhorts him to be patient with a debtor and with Spalatin.
Handwritten in Cod. Goth. 185. 4. and in Aurifaber, vol. III, p. 412. Printed in Schütze, vol. I, p. 274 and in De Wette, vol. V, p. 586.
Grace and peace! I believe completely, my dear Eberhard, that you need your money and your things. Again, I see that Bruno, 3) I don't know under the influence of which stars, has little luck in getting rich, and he also needs support everywhere, and besides, the Ballers act and live in such a way that they do not allow their country priests even a morsel of bread. Therefore I ask you, since you can spare your debt demands for a little while longer with less difficulty, to be patient with Bruno. We are anxious (if at all possible) to provide him with a fatter parish as soon as possible. I would not burden you with this request, because I would not think that you could be at my will quite well and without harm. With Spalatin, I beg you, have patience as much as you can; you know that he is otherwise a good and faithful man. Since Satan was once among the children of God, yes, among the angels in heaven, what is it to wonder that he strives to be among us, to sift and shake us? Then the old age contributes something to it, and above all the long habit of peace, which he enjoyed under three princes. Therefore one does not have to
2) Instead of proficere, read prospicere, according to the Vulgate.
3) Bruno Braun, pastor at Dobin near Wittenberg. He will have bought Brisger's house around the beginning of 1535 (see No. 2098), which he sold again to Luther in 1541.
The old trees can be broken, but not bent, and the neck of the old dogs does not want to put up with the lead strap. Therefore, patience is necessary so that we can have peace. But I write this only to remind you. You will easily see for yourself what is necessary for you to do and what is useful for everyone. Be at ease in the Lord. Wednesday after Augustine [Aug. 29] 1) Anno 1543.
Your Martin Luther, D.
No. 3039.