About the filling of a parish position.
From the original in the library at Wolfenbüttel in De Wette, vol. V, p. 596 f. and in the Erlangen edition, vol. 56, p. 67 (with the wrong date: "October 23").
To the most illustrious, highborn princess and wives, wives Elisabeth, born of royal stock in Denmark, Electress of Brandenburg, Duchess of Stettin, Pomerania 2c., widow 2c., my most gracious wives and dear godparents.
G. and F. in the Lord. Most gracious, highborn Princess, most gracious Lady 2c! As C. F. G. requests, I will gladly do my best, in addition to the visitators, so that the people of Prettin get another preacher in place of Johann Fabri, whom C. F. G. has appointed as court preacher, where the pastor Er Severin 1) is otherwise absent. For yesterday a word occurred to me, as if he should not want to go to Pelgern. But that will soon be found. E. C. F. G. I am willing to serve. Hiemit GOtt befehlt, Amen. Monday after Lucä [Oct. 22] 1543.
E. C. F. G.
Martinus Luther, D.
1) "Severin" is the priest Schulze zu Beizern.
No. 3057a
Elector Johann Friedrich to Luther.
The Elector sends him a gift of wine and must, and asks him to have the Schmalkaldic Articles reprinted before the upcoming Imperial Diet.
From the original concept in the Weimar Archives, Reg. O, fol. 168, in Burkhardt, p. 432.
Our greeting before. Venerable and reverend, dear devotee! We hereby send you two barrels, one with old wine, the other with this year's grown must, a "Suptitzer" (suptezer), as good as the Almighty has given it to us this year; for our sake, accept it willingly and enjoy it with joy. We would have liked to send it to you better, but this time it did not grow or arrive, otherwise it should not have been in short supply.
After the esteemed, our council and dear faithful, Magister Franciscus Burckhardt, talked with you about the articles of settlement in our Christian religion, of which you, along with Ern Magistro Philippo Melancton, united with the other scholars and theologians of our 2) Christian religion in the 1537th year at the held conference in Schmalkalden, that they would like to go out again 3) in print, both in Latin and German, as we would like such printing to be promoted before the future Imperial Diet. We therefore graciously request that you will be interested in having such booklets of the Schmalkaldic Settlement in small print, 4) both in Latin and German, published and printed again in the most favorable manner. We have not wished to leave this unindicated in your gracious opinion and are graciously inclined to you. Date Torgau, Saturday after Ursulä [Oct. 27], Anno Dom. 1543.
No. 3058.