Luther reports that he cannot come to him because of great exhaustion from the journey. Wishes that Prince George of Anhalt may administer the bishopric of Merseburg well.
From the original in the Dessau Archives in Lindner, Mittheilungen, Vol. II, p. 89, No. 62; in the Erlangen edition, Vol. 56, p. 243 and in De Wette-Seidemann, Vol. VI, p. 366.
To the illustrious, highborn Prince and Lord, Lord John, Prince of Anhalt, Count of Ascanien, Lord of Bernburg, my gracious Lord.
G. and F. in the Lord. Most illustrious, highborn prince, gn. Lord! With all my heart I would like to respond to E. F. G. desire. I
But now I am coming home from Zeitz, so tired of driving that I cannot walk nor stand, almost tired of sitting, because I feel my age and my body sinking and sinking down below the earth, God help me soon, with grace. Therefore I must be quiet and rest until it becomes different with me, be it to live or to die, as God wills. May our dear Lord Jesus Christ grant that our Lord Prince George may have a rich spirit to govern his diocese. For there is much to be done, and the monastery has been badly cared for by the previous bishops. Well, he who has begun it will finish it, amen.
Hiemit dem lieben GOtte befohlen, Amen. Midweek after Bartholomew [Aug. 27] 1544. E. F. G. williger
Martinus Luther, D.
No. 3139.