(No letter.)
Under this Ueberschtift Seidemann brings in De Wette, vol. VI, p. 359 ff. a passage from Luther's interpretation of Genesis, St. Louis edition, vol. II, 1003 ff. which Joh. Manlius in Locorum communium collectanea, tom. I, pag. 107 sqq., with a letter - entrances and - conclusion.
No. 3103 .
To the Elector Johann Friedrich.
Intercession for Johann Schreiner, pastor at Grimma.
The original is in the Weimar Archives, Reg. Mm. fol. 80b, N. 44. Printed in Burkhardt, p. 457 with the note: "The enclosed letter from the pastor Johann Schreiner shows that Luther's letter must be from 1544."
Grace and peace in the Lord and my poor Paternoster. Most Serene, Highborn Prince, Most Gracious Lord! I humbly request, as I am obliged to do, for the good man Johann Schreiner, pastor of Grimma (Grym), that E. C. F. G. graciously grant a scholarship to his son, who has now grown and is well prepared for school. For he who has many children, namely eight alive, is not able to maintain those in the studio. Thus he himself is truly a fine man, who has kept quiet and well for so many years, and has faithfully served the church in Grimma for 22 years. He has been my monastic companion or brother almost from his youth and has become a magister here. Further, it is not necessary to remind E. C. F. G. how one must always draw church servants; the old ones pass away, the young ones grow old, die as easily as the old ones, and there is still no remaining supply, because E. C. F. G. know this best themselves, and experience teaches it well. C.F.G. will know how to show mercy, I have no doubt. The merciful God, who has burdened E. C. F. G. with a great burden in this unfaithful, cursed time, will (and will also) graciously hear our heart's pleas and sighs, as He has committed Himself to us, so only believe, and He will help E. C. F. G. to govern and do good, although not all evil can be prevented. He remains the overlord, vowed forever, amen. Wednesday after the Conception of our Lord Christ [March 26].
E. ch. G.
subservient
Martinus Luther, D.
1) How Burkhardt arrived at the "Dec. 10" as date, we do not know. Conceptionis Christi is March 25. Cf. Seidemann, "Lauterbach", Preface, p. XIV.
Letters from the year 1544. No. 3104. 3105.
No. 3104.