Similar content as letter No. 3114.
The original is in the Consistorialarchive at Stettin in Mohnike's Kirchen- und litterarhistor. Studien und Mittheilungen, I, 1, 197; in De Wette, vol. V, p. 660; in the Erlanger Ausgabe, vol. 56, p. 99 and in Corp. Ref., vol. V, 401 (as by Melanchthon).
Letters from the year 1544. No. 3119.
To the well-born, noble, honorable, strict, counts and lords 2c., the enlightened, high-born princes and lords, Mr. Barnim and Mr. Philippsen, dukes of Pomerania 2c., together decreed councilors now and at Sweyna, our gracious and favorable lords.
God's grace through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ our Savior before. Gracious, noble, honorable, strict and favorable lords! Your. Gracious and honorable lords, we would like to inform you that we, in good faith, have sent to the highborn princes and lords, Mr. Barnim and Mr. Philippsen, both dukes of Pomerania, our gracious lords, a petition concerning the nomination of a Christian bishop several weeks ago, which we were moved to do for Christian reasons, and partly out of a sense of duty to your fatherland. For when we heard that both of your F. G. were not in agreement about the nomination, we were truly very frightened by it, and both considered that due to the disagreement of both ruling princes there would be much hindrance in the regiment and great misery, item, that unjust appointment of the bishopric would cause eternal damage in the churches.
Although we are lowly persons, our Lord and honorable friends know that God's command and order is that we, as preachers and teachers, should admonish both high and lowly classes for the preservation of divine knowledge and invocation.
Therefore, we have sent a letter with the same wording to both Princes in submission, and after it was indicated to us that both your F. G. had decreed that some of your F. G.'s most distinguished councillors should meet to discuss this matter, how both Princes should compare for the sake of the nomination, so that peace and unity remain, and that the bishopric be properly appointed, we have only considered writing to E. G. and honorary feasts as well.
First of all, we ask our Savior Jesus Christ to be in your council, as he said, "Where two or three come together in my name, I will be with them. Now E. G. and E. are sent together in God's name, that is, by command.
of the supremacy, for the sake of peace and to promote God's glory, therefore we should reasonably ask that our Savior Jesus Christ may rule your hearts with His Holy Spirit and incline you to good counsel.
And even though we do not doubt that E. G. and E. are themselves inclined, with great earnestness and diligence, to maintain the unity of both princes and peace, and to promote proper church services, we have not wished to restrain E. G. and E. from what we have written to both princes, and hereby send E. G. and E. the copy of the aforementioned document, with a request that they read and listen to it.
And further, we ask that G. and E. work on the Christian way on both sides, that both princes unanimously agree to nominate such a bishop, who, due to his age and intellect, is fit for the episcopal office, as such is often commanded in God's Word.
Your. Your Grace and Honorable Feasts know themselves, as the wise and godly, that first of all the foundation of bishoprics, chapters and monasteries are not meant for splendor or idleness, but that they should be a special adornment and comfort of the country, and should serve for the existing, eternal preservation of Christian doctrine, religion, discipline and good arts, namely, That for and for there were many learned, understanding, practiced men, from whom the lordship, knighthood and cities could find good counsel in Christian and many other matters, item, that reported bishops and chapters had an attention to the doctrine and ceremonies in the churches of the whole country, held the marriage courts and practiced good discipline and good manners.
If the bishopric of Camin were now in such good reformation and order, it is public that this bishopric would be a beautiful jewel of all the lands around, and would be comforting and a joy to the noble princes and the knighthood, so that God would be pleased with such order and would give his grace and rich reward, as he says: "Whoever honors me, I will also bring him to honor; and whoever despises me, I will also make him despised."
Now, however, E. G. and E. see how the diocese unfortunately now much year like a devastated
Letters from the year 1544. No. 3119. 3120.
garden. The bishop left his own churches without pastors, much less visited them in the country; he did not hold a consistory of marriage courts, and, in sum, did nothing that belonged to the episcopal office.
Because this neglect, which has happened until now, has brought much damage, and if a reasonable, diligent, serious bishop were not elected, the sins, God's contempt and punishments would become greater, every reasonable person can remember for himself what he is obliged to advise in this case. Since God has graciously arranged things in such a way that the bishopric can be brought into improvement, to the benefit of all princes in Pomerania, and on both sides the harm and benefit, God's prohibition and commandment are so publicly before our eyes that we do not respect that there is anyone in your council who wants to advise against our concerns, or thinks of doing so, or practices against them.
For this reason we have written more briefly to remind you only of Paul's speech, which spoke especially of the election of bishops and church servants: Let no one be guilty of the sins of others. Whoever prevents the good appointment of the bishopric is guilty of all the neglect and devastation that will follow from a bad appointment; and if there were strife between the dukes, which God would graciously prevent, these would be the first and foremost beginners and causes of the misery, who now give or strengthen this advice that a bishop should not be nominated whose age and mind are fit for the office. Consider the descendants. Although the noble princes themselves now take care of the doctrine and receive the visitation and many church matters from their chamber, it is to be feared that the descendants will not be so burdened. If the bishopric had become desolate in the meantime, and consistory and other necessities had not been established in it, a miserable barbarism would follow.
And although we respect E. G. and E. all of virtue for not coveting church property, yet we cannot refrain from reminding E. G. and E. that they want to consider that it is not right to use such property, which belongs to
The church is a place of worship, a place of worship, and a place of worship for the people of the world, and a place of worship for the people of the world, and a place of worship for the people of the world, and a place of worship for the people of the world.
Thus, G. and E. know that in the government all kinds of goods are needed, which is why God has decreed among His people that every person over twenty years must give as much every year for the preservation of the Tabernacle or Temple as a place of Rhenish Florence, which amounted to several tons of gold every year. And the prophet Haggaeus says: "That is why there is such a fear that one does not give to the temple what one owes to it. Therefore, the G.D. and the G.E. will faithfully advise that the church property be used for God's honor, the preservation of right religion, the marriage courts and good discipline and studies, and not be spent and scattered in vain.
This Christian reminder of ours, which is meant faithfully and to no one's detriment or burden, E. G. and E. want to graciously and kindly accept from us, as we do not doubt, E. G. and E., as lovers of virtue, will not let them dislike this writing of ours, and will themselves faithfully direct this matter in Christian ways, which God will reward. And E. G. and E.' we are willing to serve. Date Wittenberg, on the 30th day of May, 1544.
Your. Your Grace and Honorable Feast willing
Martinus Luther, D.
Joh. Bugenhagen Pomer, D. Caspar Creuziger, D. Philippus Melanthon.
No. 3120.